Pool C

[KnightSlappy]

For those who like to follow the regional ranking data, I'm now updating numbers on my blog

Dave was able to get me confirmation of how the NCAA is calculating SOS, so I'm now mirroring their process.

The rank is by RPI, which is not what the NCAA uses, so feel free to adjust to your personal taste. (I'll update periodically, check the update date at the bottom.)

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Appreciated as always.

[sac]

For those who like to follow the regional ranking data, I'm now updating numbers on my blog

Dave was able to get me confirmation of how the NCAA is calculating SOS, so I'm now mirroring their process.

The rank is by RPI, which is not what the NCAA uses, so feel free to adjust to your personal taste. (I'll update periodically, check the update date at the bottom.)

Richard Stockton #1 in RPI


....a ban should be lifted for the entertainment value only.

[Greek Tragedy]

For those who like to follow the regional ranking data, I'm now updating numbers on my blog

Dave was able to get me confirmation of how the NCAA is calculating SOS, so I'm now mirroring their process.

The rank is by RPI, which is not what the NCAA uses, so feel free to adjust to your personal taste. (I'll update periodically, check the update date at the bottom.)

Appreciated as always.

Ditto. +1 K

[Greek Tragedy]

I'm thinking regional rankings come out Feb. 11, 18 and 25 with the 4th secret one on Sunday, March 1.

[Greek Tragedy]

Looks like the Central Region is stacked and could the CCIW only get two Pool C bids?

The WIAC is only getting 1 Pool C bid because I don't see anyone beating Point or Whitewater to the conference tourney title. Point plays at Whitewater tonight with the return leg coming later.

The problem with the CCIW is that there are four good teams there in NCC, Augustana, Elmhurst and IWU. I'm guessing either Elmhurst or NCC will be left out with those two having two conference losses already. NCC probably has the edge if they split the series as they have a nice win at Point.

For argument's sake, we'll say that the NACC (Aurora), MWC (St. Norb's), and SLIAC (Spalding) are one bid teams in the region. Knightslappy has all those teams so far down the list that they may not get Pool C bids if they are upset in their conference tourneys.

I'm guessing those other teams' SOS/Massey is too low for them to get a Pool C bid even with their potential gaudy records (St. Norb's/Monmouth, in particular).

So, the loser of Point/Whitewater, Chicago and Washington U (CWR in 1st in UAA) and 2 of the 4 CCIW teams (not including the AQ) gives the Central Region 5 Pool C teams? Possibly St. Norb's, at least they have a result against John Carroll (a home loss). Right now Knightslappy has Chicago pretty far down, but they have results against WPI (L), IWU (L) and Emory (W) and Washington U (W).

Anyone want to chime in on other regions?

[WUPHF]

[...] Chicago and Washington U (CWR in 1st in UAA) and 2 of the 4 CCIW teams (not including the AQ) gives the Central Region 5 Pool C teams?

Chicago is tied for first with Case Western Reserve.  Both teams will play each other twice before the season is over.  If Washington University and Chicago both win out until the final game and Chicago wins...and...ah, just too early.

[KnightSlappy]

I have just expanded the region tables from Top 20 to Top 40. Let me know if you think the extra info is better or just causes too much clutter, I can change it back.

http://tomaroonandgold.blogspot.com/p/division-iii-mens-regional-rankings.html

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I'm thinking regional rankings come out Feb. 11, 18 and 25 with the 4th secret one on Sunday, March 1.

This is correct... starting Feb. 11.

[sac]

I have just expanded the region tables from Top 20 to Top 40. Let me know if you think the extra info is better or just causes too much clutter, I can change it back.

http://tomaroonandgold.blogspot.com/p/division-iii-mens-regional-rankings.html

I liked the 40.  Maybe later when we get closer to rankings you could pair it back down, by then some of those teams are pretty much out of it anyway.

[iwumichigander]

I have just expanded the region tables from Top 20 to Top 40. Let me know if you think the extra info is better or just causes too much clutter, I can change it back.

http://tomaroonandgold.blogspot.com/p/division-iii-mens-regional-rankings.html

I liked the 40.  Maybe later when we get closer to rankings you could pair it back down, by then some of those teams are pretty much out of it anyway.

Top 40 does give you a sense of movement.  Realistically, the Top 8 in each region without the automatic bid are going to compete for Pool C.  With the CCIW and WIAC inthe same region, given the strength of the Central, it will be interesting what the committee does with Not only Pool C but the seeding of the pod/bracket.

[AO]

Some good transparency from Jeff Burns yesterday on Hoopsville on how he is using the criteria to differentiate teams.

• .03 in SOS is equal to 2 wins, .06 might not be equal to 4 wins
• wins against teams in top half of regional rankings
• wins against teams with 15 wins
• 5-5 vs RRO is clearly better than 2-1
• not who you lost to but who you beat

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

It was a good interview because Jeff was so good at answering questions. If anyone missed it, go to the Hoopsville show page and below the video window you will find links to each of the interviews yesterday: www.d3hoops.com/hoopsville/archives/2014-15/jan29

Paraphrasing a bit, but I would be careful to make assumptions based on exact wording he gave. He was using a lot of examples like "wins against teams with 15 wins." 15 wins was a number he used in that occasion, that number could change depending on each individual conversation. I don't think he said 5-5 was clearly better than 2-1, but he did explain how five wins is important and then continued on regarding who are those five wins against (if you racked up against bottom of regional ranking teams versus the top or vis versa, that is significant compared to just the fact you won five games). And his key about not who you lost to but who you beat is indicative to those teams that have gotten into the tournament in years past basically based on games they ended up losing (i.e. SOS boosts, vRRO [old rules], etc.).

It did give everyone a good insight and while it is the women's side of things, Dave Martin's conversation was also very good to understand things as he talks about the fact it is a case-by-case scenario.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

He talked a lot about explaining how they got to where they ended up.  If that proves true, it will be a real revelation for us.  He seems very open to discussing what happens in more detail than we've had in recent years.

[Greek Tragedy]

Updated look at the Central Region.

CCIW
Augie still looks safe at 17-3. Elmhurst is at 16-4. Starting to get dicey for IWU and NCC, both at 15-5. Make or break week for NCC with trips to Augie and IWU. If they go 1-1, they want that win to be against IWU to give them the 2-0 H2H advantage.

NACC
At 16-5, it's Aurora or bust. The loss against non-D3 St. Francis "helps", I guess. They don't have much on their Pool C resume aside from a loss to NCC.

MWC
One team league with St. Norbert at 17-1 and getting a Pool C if they fall flat on their face in the conference tournament.

SLIAC
MacMurray leading this pack.

UAA
It's unlikely that this conference gets 5 teams in. But with CWR, Chicago, Washington U,  Emory and NYU spread across 4 regions, I guess it's possible but unlikely. Though Chicago leads the league (with CWR), they are most vulnerable at 13-5 and in the stacked Central Region with Washington U.

WIAC
Whitewater is in and Point (16-4) starting to climb the fence. Tough 3 games coming up for the Pointers (River Falls, at Platteville and vs Whitewater). Point's resume is solid but losses to NCC, St. Thomas, St. Olaf and Whitewater don't help when you don't have any wins against quality opponents, unless you call CMS a good win, which can be argued.