Top 25 talk

[CNU85]

If you want to start with low confidence, you can cheer on my Pointers with me. They were 4-17 last year.

I was looking up something I heard the other day and wanted to verify. Since the start of the 2018-2019 season, CNU is 54-2 at home. The 2 losses came in the 2019-2020 season. The first loss that year was on December 1 -- against the Pointers!

The other was against York in CAC Championship. We lost 77-79. That was an awesome game. CNU received a Pool C bid and defeated #11 Colby and then Nichols in Hoboken. Then we were at home and Hobart was on the floor in practice when the NCAA and COVID stopped everything.

And yes in the 15-16 season, CNU was 16-1 at home with the one loss vs Scranton in a holiday tournament. (How in the heck did we manage 17 home games!!!!). That was our first trip to the Final 4.

Thought Scranton might have been the other loss but when I looked it up, it was 7 years ago in 2015. 
Time is fleeting.

(modified by GS for formatting)

[deiscanton]

#1 Christopher Newport just suffered only their third home loss tonight since the start of the 2018-19 season, losing to Hampden-Sydney, 85-70.  That loss snaps a 22 game home winning streak dating back to the start of the 2021-22 season for the Captains.  Since the start of the 2018-19 season, CNU is now 54-3 in games played at the Freeman Center.

The CNU vs Hampden-Sydney game tonight was this week's D3 DataCast Game of the Week, and I watched this game as well-- I bought a Google Chromecast dongle device yesterday so that I could cast the game from my Chromebook onto my Roku TV, as CNU does not have a Roku app to automatically stream games on a Roku TV without Chromecasting the game.  Amazon had the most recent HD Chromecast dongle on sale for $20.00  So far, the purchase has been an excellent one.

On Matt Snyder's D3 Efficiency Ratings coming into tonight, CNU came in at #5 in net efficiency, while Hampden-Sydney came in at #29 in net efficiency.   

Among ODAC teams coming into today, only Randolph-Macon was ranked in the top 25, at #4.   Roanoke received 8 votes in this week's poll, while Hampden-Sydney was not getting any Top 25 votes. 

CNU next plays on Thursday night at Virginia Wesleyan.  The Marlins are not receiving any Top 25 votes, but have a 10-1 record going into tonight.

I liked the presentation of the game with the CNU radio feed, BTW.  The radio crew did a great job covering the game.  The only complaint that I have is that the video feed cut before the post-game show ended, although it is not a requirement that the internet video stream do a simulcast of a radio post game show.  However, I did appreciate hearing most of the CNU post-game show tonight before the video stream cut out.

Anyway, I will be looking forward to watching the video stream of the Brandeis game at Christopher Newport on January 2, 2023.  This will be the first meeting ever between the Judges and the Captains.

[CNU85]

#1 Christopher Newport just suffered only their third home loss tonight since the start of the 2018-19 season, losing to Hampden-Sydney, 85-70.  That loss snaps a 22 game home winning streak dating back to the start of the 2021-22 season for the Captains.  Since the start of the 2018-19 season, CNU is now 54-3 in games played at the Freeman Center.

The CNU vs Hampden-Sydney game tonight was this week's D3 DataCast Game of the Week, and I watched this game as well-- I bought a Google Chromecast dongle device yesterday so that I could cast the game from my Chromebook onto my Roku TV, as CNU does not have a Roku app to automatically stream games on a Roku TV without Chromecasting the game.  Amazon had the most recent HD Chromecast dongle on sale for $20.00  So far, the purchase has been an excellent one.

On Matt Snyder's D3 Efficiency Ratings coming into tonight, CNU came in at #5 in net efficiency, while Hampden-Sydney came in at #29 in net efficiency.   

Among ODAC teams coming into today, only Randolph-Macon was ranked in the top 25, at #4.   Roanoke received 8 votes in this week's poll, while Hampden-Sydney was not getting any Top 25 votes. 

CNU next plays on Thursday night at Virginia Wesleyan.  The Marlins are not receiving any Top 25 votes, but have a 10-1 record going into tonight.

I liked the presentation of the game with the CNU radio feed, BTW.  The radio crew did a great job covering the game.  The only complaint that I have is that the video feed cut before the post-game show ended, although it is not a requirement that the internet video stream do a simulcast of a radio post game show.  However, I did appreciate hearing most of the CNU post-game show tonight before the video stream cut out.

Anyway, I will be looking forward to watching the video stream of the Brandeis game at Christopher Newport on January 2, 2023.  This will be the first meeting ever between the Judges and the Captains.

I will pass along your compliments to Francis and Tracey. They do a fantastic job covering the games. Francis came to CNU from St. Bonaventure. I think he started calling games at CNU in 1996. I know he has called every CNU football game that has ever been played. He is CNU's Sr. Director of Communications. Tracey has been around a long time as well. He has a day time job. He graduated from Roanoke College. I believe he holds the school record in the High Jump. They work very well together and are good friends.

I think the post game was cut off due to time. The coach took longer than normal to come back out for the post game interview. I was already home and sitting in my car in the driveway listening. In case you missed it, Krikorian said "we got kicked in the teeth". Not much time to recover and head across the water to play Va Wesleyan. The ODAC is a tough conference this year, like most.

As far as the Brandeis game....I'm looking forward to that game as well. Unfortunately, I may be in Florida that day. Not sure yet. And the students will still be on break, so there will not be the almost 100 member pep band, and the crowd will be smaller. Tune in to a CNU game when the semester is in full swing. It gets exciting! A good reason for the 54-3 record.

Cheers!

[SpringSt7]

Assuming the voters respond in kind, the CNU loss means St. Joseph's (CT) will rise to #1 in the first time in their program's history. They have played 98 games as a school.

[deiscanton]

Assuming the voters respond in kind, the CNU loss means St. Joseph's (CT) will rise to #1 in the first time in their program's history. They have played 98 games as a school.

If that happens, it would be the first time that the Great Northeast Athletic Conference would have a team ranked at #1 in the D3Hoops.com Top 25 poll in either men's or women's basketball in their history.    Emmanuel was ranked as high as #3 in the D3Hoops.com Top 25 Women's Basketball poll in the 2001-02 season.

[thebear]

Assuming the voters respond in kind, the CNU loss means St. Joseph's (CT) will rise to #1 in the first time in their program's history. They have played 98 games as a school.

Of the 12 undefeated teams, St. Joseph's has played the toughest schedule. They also are on top of Matt Snyder's rankings.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Of the 14 unbeatens, I'm surprised how few are ranked but at least they all received votes.

2) St Joseph (CT) (9-0) 596
3) Williams (9-0) 562
6) Keene St (10-0) 472
14) Case Western Reserve (8-0) 290
ORV:
Berry (8-0) 42
Catholic (9-0) 38
NYU (9-0) 29
Montclair St (8-0) 20
Kean (11-0) 17
Bethany Lutheran (9-0) 16
Concordia-Chicago (7-0) 13
Scranton (8-0) 13
Western Connecticut (8-0) 3
Utica (6-0) 2

[nescac1]

Western Conn, NYU, Scranton, Catholic, Kean and Montclair (the latter four are pairs from the same league) each play two games vs. other currently-unbeaten teams, so all will have a chance to make their case soon enough after the break ...

[BaboNation]

I know I've become spoiled by watching games by streaming, but how many times does it have to happen that you get a flawless video like in the CNU-VWU game right up to the last 4 seconds and then miss the buzzer-beating game-winner because the camera didn't pan to the other end?

Anyone have a video of the game-winner?

[deiscanton]

Virginia Wesleyan came from behind and defeated Christopher Newport tonight, 77-76, on a buzzer beater that the camera person missed because of neglect by the student cameraperson to quickly pan the camera to the Marlins front court after the Captains made a basket with less than 5 seconds left in regulation.   No commentary from Virginia Wesleyan on the home video feed, but Christopher Newport had their crew doing an away radio feed.

I was initially Chromecasting the game to my Roku TV, but I took it off when the Captains had a healthy lead, only to put the Chromecast back on when the game got close with less than 5 minutes left in regulation.

Virginia Wesleyan was trailing throughout the game and did not take the lead, if I recall correctly, until there was less than 2 minutes left. 

Second loss in a row for the #1 ranked Captains, and it will remain to be seen if Christopher Newport even remains in the top 5 when the poll comes out next week.

[nescac1]

Here is a video of the game-winner ... it gave me flashbacks to Whitewater's 2014 title win over Williams, which ended in very similar fashion with I think the same amount of time on the clock for the final play (grrr). 

https://twitter.com/search?q=virginia%20wesleyan&src=typed_query

As for CNU, I'd be pretty surprised if they stay in the top 5 after back-to-back losses.  I'd expect that  St. Joe's, Williams, RMC, Mount Union, Keene State, and Rochester will be the top six, with CNU, Lacrosse, Middlebury, Oshkosh, and JCU closely grouped (in some order) in the 7-11 range. 

[CNU85]

I had a feeling that this week would be tough. After the beat down Tuesday night, it is difficult to turnaround in less than 48 hours and go on the road into a very hostile environment and an excellent team. I did not watch the game last night but it sounds like VW really fought back. Gotta love good basketball!

I'd rather collect an L now and learn from it, rather than collect the L in March and think about it all off season.

Can't wait to get Barber back!

[Greek Tragedy]

Ripon upsets Oshkosh 67-74 OT

[thebear]

Utica drops from the unbeaten ranks, losing at Home to SUNY Cortland 85-78.   Pioneers controlled Cortland AA Austin Grunder, [14 pts 9 rebs] but Dragons had 5 in double figure points.  No unbeaten teams remaining in Region 3.

[Darryl Nester]

How They Fared (So Far)

I am assuming that the next poll will come out on January 2.

Top 25

Rank	Pts	Team	W-L	Results
#1	623	Christopher Newport	9-2	LOST to Hampden-Sydney, 70-85; LOST at Virginia Wesleyan, 76-77; 12/20 vs. #34 Elmhurst; 12/21 vs. TCNJ; 12/29 vs. Cabrini; 12/30 vs. Wilmington
#2	596	St. Joseph (Conn.)	9-0	def. Westfield State, 97-54; 12/30 at #14 WPI
#3	562	Williams	9-0	12/29 at Clark; 12/30 vs. Anna Maria
#4	477	Randolph-Macon	7-1	12/19 vs. Merchant Marine; 12/20 vs. TBA; 12/29 vs. Lancaster Bible; 12/30 vs. TBA
#5	475	Mount Union	8-1	def. Wilmington, 96-69; 12/28 vs. Lebanon Valley; 12/29 vs. Gettysburg
#6	472	Keene State	10-0	12/30 vs. Emerson
#7	470	UW-La Crosse	9-2	LOST to St. Mary's (Minn.), 66-73; 12/22 at Augustana; 12/31 at Bethel
#8	458	Rochester	9-1	IDLE
#9	364	John Carroll	8-1	won at T#31 Marietta, 95-73; 12/29 vs. UW-Superior; 12/30 vs. Skidmore
#10	357	Middlebury	8-1	12/29 vs. SUNY New Paltz; 12/30 vs. TBA
#11	353	UW-Oshkosh	7-3	LOST at Ripon, 64-67 OT; 12/20 at St. Norbert; 12/29 vs. Ohio Wesleyan; 12/30 vs. Marian
#12	298	Calvin	7-1	My program was unable to read Calvin's schedule, and I don't have time to fix the bug right now. I should have it corrected before the final report.
#13	290	Case Western Reserve	9-0	won at Medaille, 94-71; def. Earlham, 85-55; 01/01 vs. Hilbert
#14	255	WPI	7-1	12/19 at SUNYIT; 12/30 vs. #2 St. Joseph (Conn.)
#15	235	Claremont-Mudd-Scripps	9-1	def. Pacific, 83-60; 12/30 vs. Haverford
#16	207	Wheaton (Ill.)	8-2	won at #38 Illinois Wesleyan, 79-58; 12/29 vs. SUNY Oneonta; 12/30 vs. TBA
#17	186	Johns Hopkins	6-2	12/29 vs. Denison; 12/30 vs. Coe
#18	182	RPI	9-1	IDLE
#19	156	Emory	7-1	12/29 vs. Connecticut College; 12/30 vs. #28 Berry
#20	134	Heidelberg	8-1	def. Muskingum, 73-62; 12/29 vs. Carnegie Mellon; 12/30 at Wooster
#21	124	St. Thomas (Texas)	10-1	won at Texas Lutheran, 60-47; won at Southwestern, 68-53; 12/20 vs. LeTourneau; 12/30 vs. Austin; 12/31 vs. University of Dallas
#22	109	Stockton	8-1	12/19 vs. #23 Mary Washington; 12/20 vs. TBA
#23	87	Mary Washington	8-1	def. Averett, 65-46; def. Randolph, 74-67; 12/19 vs. #22 Stockton; 12/20 vs. TBA; 12/29 vs. TCNJ; 12/30 vs. TBA
#24	74	Swarthmore	8-1	12/30 vs. Immaculata
#25	62	Nazareth	6-1	12/29 vs. Anna Maria; 12/30 at Clark

Others receiving votes

Rank	Pts	Team	W-L	Results
#26	56	Oswego	7-2	12/29 vs. Emmanuel; 12/30 vs. TBA
#27	53	Trine	9-1	def. Mount St. Joseph, 65-48; def. Lawrence, 71-56; 12/29 at Baldwin Wallace
#28	42	Berry	8-0	12/19 vs. T#43 Roanoke; 12/20 vs. Hampden-Sydney; 12/29 vs. Piedmont; 12/30 at #19 Emory
#29	40	Tufts	8-1	12/29 at Yeshiva
#30	38	Catholic	9-0	12/19 vs. Mount Aloysius; 12/21 vs. Southern Virginia
T#31	36	Guilford	8-2	12/29 vs. Bridgewater State; 12/30 vs. Centre
T#31	36	Marietta	6-3	LOST to #9 John Carroll, 73-95; 12/29 vs. Bates; 12/30 vs. Lebanon Valley
#33	29	NYU	9-0	12/29 vs. Hanover; 12/30 vs. TBD
#34	28	Elmhurst	7-3	LOST to North Central (Ill.), 71-78; 12/20 vs. #1 Christopher Newport; 12/21 vs. Lynchburg; 12/30 vs. #12 Calvin
#35	20	Montclair State	9-0	def. Centenary (N.J.), 96-81; 12/29 vs. TBD; 12/29 vs. Alvernia; 12/30 vs. TBA
#36	17	Kean	12-0	def. Albertus Magnus, 96-62; def. St. Mary's (Md.), 100-74
#37	16	Bethany Lutheran	10-1	won at Gustavus Adolphus, 96-88; LOST at Buena Vista, 85-98; 12/30 at Carleton
#38	15	Illinois Wesleyan	5-4	LOST to #16 Wheaton (Ill.), 58-79; 12/20 at Chicago; 12/29 at Linfield; 12/30 at George Fox
T#39	13	Concordia-Chicago	8-0	def. Benedictine, 87-74; 12/28 at Cal Lutheran; 12/29 vs. Whittier
T#39	13	Scranton	8-0	12/19 vs. Lycoming; 12/20 vs. Washington and Lee; 12/31 at King's
T#41	10	Muhlenberg	6-1	12/19 at DeSales; 12/29 at T#47 Whitman; 12/31 at Whitworth
T#41	10	East Texas Baptist	8-2	def. #46 Redlands, 97-91; LOST at LeTourneau, 65-70; 12/19 vs. Hendrix; 12/31 at Belhaven
T#43	8	North Park	7-1	12/19 vs. Blackburn; 12/20 at Dominican; 12/30 vs. St. Mary's (Minn.); 12/31 at Benedictine
T#43	8	Washington U.	7-2	12/30 at Westminster (Mo.)
T#43	8	Roanoke	7-1	12/19 vs. #28 Berry; 12/20 vs. Transylvania; 12/29 vs. Methodist; 12/29 vs. .; 12/30 vs. .; 12/30 vs. .
#46	6	Redlands	6-2	won at LeTourneau, 79-68; LOST at T#41 East Texas Baptist, 91-97; 12/20 vs. Lake Forest; 12/29 vs. Husson; 12/31 at La Verne
T#47	4	Wabash	7-3	LOST at Ohio Wesleyan, 75-76; 12/20 at Rose-Hulman; 12/30 vs. Edgewood
T#47	4	Whitman	8-1	12/19 vs. Millsaps; 12/29 vs. T#41 Muhlenberg
T#49	3	Mary Hardin-Baylor	5-3	def. Howard Payne, 87-65; def. Sul Ross State, 93-80; 12/20 vs. Linfield; 12/21 at Whitworth; 12/29 vs. Sul Ross State; 12/31 vs. Nebraska Wesleyan
T#49	3	Western Connecticut	8-0	won at St. Joseph's (Bklyn.), 87-41; 12/29 vs. CCNY; 12/30 vs. Coast Guard
#51	2	Utica	6-1	LOST to Cortland, 78-85; 12/29 vs. SUNY Delhi; 12/30 vs. TBA
#52	1	St. John's	7-2	12/20 at Whitworth; 12/21 vs. Linfield