Pool C

[hugenerd]

I know people have made a big deal about the NESCAC having so many teams ranked, but looking at the above list (teams with top 18 QOWIs who are not leading their conference).  The UAA also has 3 teams in the top 18 and actually in the top 13.  NYU is 3rd and Rochester is 8 on that list.  What is the chance of the UAA (or the NESCAC for that matter) getting 3 or 4 teams into the tourney (counting league leaders)?

[TeeDub]

As of right now here are your top 18 non conference leading teams:

Tufts    10.864    18-4
Wittenberg    10.368    16-3
New York University    10.333    17-4
Carroll    10.150    17-3
Randolph-Macon    10.136    17-5
Trinity (Conn.)    10.111    14-4
Illinois Wesleyan    10.056    13-5
Rochester    10.056    13-5
Bates    10.050    15-5
St. Thomas    9.957    18-5
UW-La Crosse    9.955    17-5
New Jersey    9.900    14-6
Washington U.    9.875    11-5
UW-Stout    9.842    15-4
Hope    9.750    14-2
Rhode Island College    9.696    15-8
Whitworth    9.667    16-5
Catholic    9.650    15-5

Williams is still #19, in case anyone cared.

Shouldn't Occidental slip in there somewhere after Bates?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I think the UAA has a good shot at it, especially coming from different regions (all four of their contenders appear in the regional rankings).  The tough one will be WashU; they are going to have to win out to have a chance.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I considered Oxidental, but they've been highly touted all year and their next game is the CMS game, which if they win, they will be back on top.  You are right, they should be in there, technically, but I chose to leave them off.  If they lose to CMS, then I'll put them up there.

[Mr. Ypsi]

On the other hand, with 8 losses already, Rhode Island College could probably be safely omitted.

[TeeDub]

If they lose to CMS, then I'll put them up there.

If they lose to CMS, will they still be high enough to be included?  It's hard to imagine that the SCIAC may actually get two teams in the tourney...but I guess that may be one of the results of an expanded field...

I'm just hoping that some tournament games are played out here so I can go see them.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Good point Jordis.

[Greek Tragedy]

If they lose to CMS, will they still be high enough to be included?  It's hard to imagine that the SCIAC may actually get two teams in the tourney...but I guess that may be one of the results of an expanded field...

They are the #1 ranked team in the West Region.  If they lose to CMS, they won't totally drop out.  Stout lost to Stevens Point at home and they moved up.  Oxy should be a safe Pool C play if they lose to CMS.  If they win, they should win out (with no conference tourney) with one game vs. Caltech and the other I can't remember off hand.  Looking at the West Region rankings, Oxy lost midweek, as did Wartburg.  Stout plays fellow ranked team La Crosse and Puget Sound takes on NWC co-leader Willamette.  Even if Oxy loses this weekend, they could still be in the top two if things play out their way.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

They might drop below Williams on the QOWI list though, which is all we're talking about right now.

[Greek Tragedy]

I know people have made a big deal about the NESCAC having so many teams ranked,...

We do it tongue-in-cheek with a back handed compliment.  We dislike their poor excuse for a conference schedule...at least I speak for myself. 

[TeeDub]

They are the #1 ranked team in the West Region.  If they lose to CMS, they won't totally drop out.  Stout lost to Stevens Point at home and they moved up.  Oxy should be a safe Pool C play if they lose to CMS.  If they win, they should win out (with no conference tourney) with one game vs. Caltech and the other I can't remember off hand.  Looking at the West Region rankings, Oxy lost midweek, as did Wartburg.  Stout plays fellow ranked team La Crosse and Puget Sound takes on NWC co-leader Willamette.  Even if Oxy loses this weekend, they could still be in the top two if things play out their way.

A loss at Claremont that follows the recent loss to Redlands and then still having to go to Pomona-Pitzer (a team that gave them a run for their money at Oxy and traditionally the best team in the conference) just two days later could very conceivably result in 3 losses in 5 days...may not bode too well for the ol' regional ranking situation....I know, I know...predicting the future and all that...but Oxy has a pretty tough couple of days ahead of them...it will be a shame if they play their way OUT of a tournament bid.

[Gregory Sager]

Neb Wes does.  They aren't too far from some of the Iowa schools; they just don't play them for some reason.

"Aren't too far"? The two closest IIAC schools to NebWes, Buena Vista and Simpson, are each 3 1/2 hours away from Lincoln.

[sac]

Out there, 3 1/2 hours away is the next town over.

[smedindy]

Yep, they're 'just over the next hill - over yonder'...

[David Collinge]

Now, now.  There's a little town called "Omaha" between NebWes (Lincoln) and BV (Storm Lake).  East of the 100th parrallel, it's not so rural as you might think.  It's not exactly the Main Line, but it's not Alpine, TX either, where a 3 1/2 hour drive leaves you still in Greater Alpine.