Posters' Poll

[Hugenerd]

Reading up a bit on the ODAC teams, EMU does not seem to be a fluke, in that they had a decent record last year, returned all their key guys (one of whom in particular seems really improved), and added what seems to be a top-notch transfer.  They are a bit on the short side, so I wonder how they'll deal with RMC and Guilford's tremendous size up front. 

RMC and EMU both are dominated by strong junior classes and have no seniors of note, so those two teams will likely be even stronger next year (VWU and Guildford's big stars are both seniors).   Given that several usual power conferences are struggling a bit (CCIW and OAC in particular), and considering how weak the rest of the south region is, ODAC has a legit shot of sneaking four teams into the tourney come March. 

My only  concern about the practical aspects of the ODAC getting 3 Pool C bids is that the logistics of having a South Region team come off 3 times in the 19 rounds seems remote.  All three of those teams will get a loss in the ODAC tourney, and they have at least 3 regular season games among the 4.

We also have to couple that with the fact that upsets during the ODAC conference play are pretty common.  With four top teams, it seems unlikely they'll all finish with records that will assure them of even getting to the table for Pool C selection.

There are going to be extra spots this year, though.  One additional Pool C to begin with, plus the UAA, CCIW, and OAC are down so there will be extra spots on the table. Unless Rochester, NYU, or Brandeis distinguish themselves, this is the first time in a long time that the UAA could conceivably be a one bid conference.  Brandeis already has two losses, they still have to play Amherst, WashU twice, Rochester twice, Chicago twice, NYU once, and the rest of the slate.  I doubt they get in with 7 losses again, so they are going to at least need a 10-4 record in conference, which is no easy feat, if they lose to Amherst.  NYU always seems to fall apart in league play, and also have two losses already, so they would need at least a 10-4 record in conference.  Same thing goes for Rochester.  No one else in the UAA really has a chance with the out-of-conference results.

That's very true.  Perhaps we'll see a larger number of teams with two bids this year.

I believe you meant to say conferences with two bids.

I thought he meant that WashU's starters and bench were going to make the tourney as two seperate squads.  

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Reading up a bit on the ODAC teams, EMU does not seem to be a fluke, in that they had a decent record last year, returned all their key guys (one of whom in particular seems really improved), and added what seems to be a top-notch transfer.  They are a bit on the short side, so I wonder how they'll deal with RMC and Guilford's tremendous size up front. 

RMC and EMU both are dominated by strong junior classes and have no seniors of note, so those two teams will likely be even stronger next year (VWU and Guildford's big stars are both seniors).   Given that several usual power conferences are struggling a bit (CCIW and OAC in particular), and considering how weak the rest of the south region is, ODAC has a legit shot of sneaking four teams into the tourney come March. 

My only  concern about the practical aspects of the ODAC getting 3 Pool C bids is that the logistics of having a South Region team come off 3 times in the 19 rounds seems remote.  All three of those teams will get a loss in the ODAC tourney, and they have at least 3 regular season games among the 4.

We also have to couple that with the fact that upsets during the ODAC conference play are pretty common.  With four top teams, it seems unlikely they'll all finish with records that will assure them of even getting to the table for Pool C selection.

There are going to be extra spots this year, though.  One additional Pool C to begin with, plus the UAA, CCIW, and OAC are down so there will be extra spots on the table. Unless Rochester, NYU, or Brandeis distinguish themselves, this is the first time in a long time that the UAA could conceivably be a one bid conference.  Brandeis already has two losses, they still have to play Amherst, WashU twice, Rochester twice, Chicago twice, NYU once, and the rest of the slate.  I doubt they get in with 7 losses again, so they are going to at least need a 10-4 record in conference, which is no easy feat, if they lose to Amherst.  NYU always seems to fall apart in league play, and also have two losses already, so they would need at least a 10-4 record in conference.  Same thing goes for Rochester.  No one else in the UAA really has a chance with the out-of-conference results.

That's very true.  Perhaps we'll see a larger number of teams with two bids this year.

I believe you meant to say conferences with two bids.

I did say that; I'm not sure what's up with the quote feature tonight?

[frodotwo]

I had the top nine exactly, but the rest were within a couple of spots with the exception of Medaille, which I had several spots too high. I had 3 outside the top 25, not too bad, but the top 10 was easy compared to finding the proper seeding for 11-25.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I had the top nine exactly, but the rest were within a couple of spots with the exception of Medaille, which I had several spots too high. I had 3 outside the top 25, not too bad, but the top 10 was easy compared to finding the proper seeding for 11-25.

Don't think of it as good or bad when you do or don't match.  After all, if we all matched exactly, there would be no need for a poll (any one ballot would tell us everything!).

I found the first eight easy (which matched the overall top eight, though not all in the same order), but was driven to drink (thank you! ) after that.

[sac]

POSTERS' POLL, Jan. 10, 2010:


30 York (Pa)       5 (21)
t31 WPI              3 (24, 25)
t31 Baruch         3 (23)
t31 JCU              3 (23)
t34 SJU              2 (24)
t34 Wooster       2 (24)
t36 Calvin          1
t36 SJF              1

really?  7-6?

[sac]

I had the top nine exactly, but the rest were within a couple of spots with the exception of Medaille, which I had several spots too high. I had 3 outside the top 25, not too bad, but the top 10 was easy compared to finding the proper seeding for 11-25.

Don't think of it as good or bad when you do or don't match.  After all, if we all matched exactly, there would be no need for a poll (any one ballot would tell us everything!).

I found the first eight easy (which matched the overall top eight, though not all in the same order), but was driven to drink (thank you! ) after that.

Don't drink and post Chuck

[Ralph Turner]

POSTERS' POLL, Jan. 10, 2010:


30 York (Pa)       5 (21)
t31 WPI              3 (24, 25)
t31 Baruch         3 (23)
t31 JCU              3 (23)
t34 SJU              2 (24)
t34 Wooster       2 (24)
t36 Calvin          1
t36 SJF              1

really?  7-6?

Yeah, no Calvin love here, but sure 'nuff, Calvin will go 13-1 in the MIAA (18-7/13-1), win the MIAA tourney (20-7/13-1 conference/ 14-2 in-region) and then make it to the Sweet 16.

That is not that far-fetched.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I had the top nine exactly, but the rest were within a couple of spots with the exception of Medaille, which I had several spots too high. I had 3 outside the top 25, not too bad, but the top 10 was easy compared to finding the proper seeding for 11-25.

Don't think of it as good or bad when you do or don't match.  After all, if we all matched exactly, there would be no need for a poll (any one ballot would tell us everything!).

I found the first eight easy (which matched the overall top eight, though not all in the same order), but was driven to drink (thank you! ) after that.

Don't drink and post Chuck

I confess to that (and have sometimes ended up in hot water), but it has been MANY years since I would drink and drive!

[Mr. Ypsi]

POSTERS' POLL, Jan. 10, 2010:


30 York (Pa)       5 (21)
t31 WPI              3 (24, 25)
t31 Baruch         3 (23)
t31 JCU              3 (23)
t34 SJU              2 (24)
t34 Wooster       2 (24)
t36 Calvin          1
t36 SJF              1

really?  7-6?

Yeah, no Calvin love here, but sure 'nuff, Calvin will go 13-1 in the MIAA (18-7/13-1), win the MIAA tourney (20-7/13-1 conference/ 14-2 in-region) and then make it to the Sweet 16.

That is not that far-fetched.

It might be far-fetched to a Hope fan!

[sac]

I confess to that (and have sometimes ended up in hot water),

So what are the odds IWU goes unbeaten this year

[Mr. Ypsi]

I confess to that (and have sometimes ended up in hot water),

So what are the odds IWU goes unbeaten this year

EXTREMELY slim!

But I seriously doubt I was the only one who harbored those thoughts in 2005-2006.  That was one helluva team, and unanimously #1 by the beginning of January.  Apparently I was the only one foolish enough to express those thoughts!

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

This is my #25 that I didn't really like, but found they made the best case for themselves at this point.  It's also where I really wanted to put Linfield, but just didn't feel like they'd shown me enough yet.

Hope and Calvin are difficult cases.  Always are.  This season Calvin has played 13 games, but only 9 against d3 opponents.  They're 6-3 in those games, with a three point loss to Hope (they also have a more recent nine point victory over Hope), a loss to Loras at a holiday tournament, and a loss to Wheaton at Hope (essentially a road game).

I tend to discount the results of rivalry games and early season tournaments, at least more easily forgive losses.  Wheaton is one of the top teams in the CCIW.

Wins over (non-slouches) Lewis & Clark and Carthage, plus 1-1 vs Hope is a solid schedule otherwise.

At this point in the year, I have to reward decent results from good scheduling.  None of the other contenders for that final spot have played anyone who was very good, let alone shown that they were noticeably superior to any of the mediocre teams they've played.

This Calvin vote was essentially by default.  When Brandeis lost to NYU, I couldn't in good conscience keep them in the Top 25 without them having proven anything.  To my surprise, #26 and #27 happened to be Hope and Calvin on my list.  Hope's 8-5 overall, 3-2 against d3 schools and 1-1 vs Calvin.  The schedule tipped it.

Again, Linfield is rolling early in their NWC schedule, but they don't have a body of work for me to trust just yet.  As Ralph pointed out; Calvin has a history.  So if I was going to take a flier on a team that lost a bunch of games to scholarship schools, I went with the one that has a history of being sneaky good.

If Linfield beats Pacific and George Fox this weekend, they jump Calvin no matter what.

[magicman]

Who else besides me had Stevens Pt. 1st Wash U 2nd and Randy-Macon 3rd?

[Hugenerd]

Who else besides me had Stevens Pt. 1st Wash U 2nd and Randy-Macon 3rd?

I did.

[Mr. Ypsi]

And he was the only other with that precise listing.

[As veterans know, I never reveal votes until voters choose to 'out' themselves.]