WBB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[jekelish]

There's definitely a good AC alum base in San Antonio... including Trinity's President!

[jekelish]

Weirdly, in the WBCA poll, after AC lost to Southwestern they didn't fall. They stayed out at 21. This week, after losing to top 15 Trinity (on the road), they fell four spots from 19 to 23.

[Ron Boerger]

Weirdly, in the WBCA poll, after AC lost to Southwestern they didn't fall. They stayed out at 21. This week, after losing to top 15 Trinity (on the road), they fell four spots from 19 to 23.

And Bethel loses to a team that had won all of twice this year and only goes from 6 to 9.

[Roundball999]

Weirdly, in the WBCA poll, after AC lost to Southwestern they didn't fall. They stayed out at 21. This week, after losing to top 15 Trinity (on the road), they fell four spots from 19 to 23.

And Bethel loses to a team that had won all of twice this year and only goes from 6 to 9.

It appears that one loss - even a "bad" loss - is largely forgiven by voters if you've won all the rest of your games (Bethel) in one of the tougher conferences.  On the other hand, suffering 2-3 losses seems to have a multiplier effect in voters' minds especially if in not a traditional powerhouse conference. 

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Women's first Regional Rankings released.

https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2020/02/women-regional-rankings-first

[Ron Boerger]

First Regional Rankings are out (https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2020/02/women-regional-rankings-first) and unfortunately it appears Austin's low SOS (.478) has done them no favors, as they're not ranked.  If nothing changes that will take 2 W's vs. RROs from Trinity (.538) who are ranked second to one-loss Oglethorpe (.539).  Big difference between 3-2 and 5-2 so hoping AC gets ranked before the season is done. 

With four ASC teams (currently) regionally ranked whichever Texas team is ranked highest at the end should have the chance to host the first two rounds.  Given the way things look now it will be very hard for Austin to get a bid, so this should provide even more motivation for the 'Roos at the SCAC championships.

[jekelish]

Must have been something in the water in the SCAC tonight. Austin College led by double digits a couple times but had to fight like hell to hold off Texas Lutheran, and Trinity had to come from behind to beat Colorado College. The two games were decided by a total of seven points. Nearly a very crazy night in the standings.

[Ron Boerger]

Trinity trailed most of the first three quarters before going on a 9-0 run to start the fourth to take their largest lead of the night (6).  CC tied it a couple of times after that but couldn't get over the hump, missing a layup that would have again tied the game with under 20 seconds to go, and for one night Trinity hit their free throws. TU couldn't buy a bucket, shooting 33% but a 21-8 edge in turnovers kept the game in reach. 

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The second week Regional Rankings are out: https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2020/02/women-regional-rankings-second

[Ron Boerger]

The second week Regional Rankings are out: https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2020/02/women-regional-rankings-second

Welcome back to the regional rankings, 'Roos!

[jekelish]

If AC gets through this upcoming weekend 2-0 (winning at St. Thomas is going to be tough), and then makes it to the conference title game, I wonder if they might still sneak in because of the desire to create a Texas pod as in recent years that could consist of Trinity, UTD, AC, and UMHB. Because let's be honest, travel and cost do factor in at least to a degree (from what I've been told by People Who Would Know).

[Ron Boerger]

If AC gets through this upcoming weekend 2-0 (winning at St. Thomas is going to be tough), and then makes it to the conference title game, I wonder if they might still sneak in because of the desire to create a Texas pod as in recent years that could consist of Trinity, UTD, AC, and UMHB. Because let's be honest, travel and cost do factor in at least to a degree (from what I've been told by People Who Would Know).

The question will be can AC get high enough to get on the table?   I think 1-4 are Pool A right now, 5 is likely the ASC runner-up who will get a bid.   Get to 6 and maybe, but a loss in the SCACs would make that harder.   And if any of the 1-4 get thrown into the Pool C mix, it would be even tougher.   ACs best bet is to shock the world - sad to say it would not be the first time that happened to TU.

I remember one year UT-D got to host because they could bus Hendrix in, and they couldn't bus them to Trinity who were the higher seed.   That would not be the case if we had four Texas teams (or a fourth that would have to be flown in no matter who hosted). 

[Ron Boerger]

Trinity officially clinched the top seed last night with a 87-52 win at Schreiner.    Looking at the conference:

1.  Trinity 16-1 (remaining:  SCH)
2.  Austin 13-3 (remaining:  @CEN @STT)
3.  Colorado 10-6 (remaining: @SW @TLU)
4.  Schreiner 10-7 (remaining:  @TRI)
5.  TLU 7-9 (remaining: JWU COLO)
6.  Southwestern 6-10 (remaining:  COLO JWU)

I don't think JWU is eligible for the playoffs yet, even if their chances at 4-12 and games at TLU and SW make it highly unlikely they could overtake SW for the last spot in the first place.

With those positions fairly locked given upcoming games (TLU and SW could swap, I guess), that sets us up with

3. Colorado vs. 6. Southwestern, winner to face 2. Austin
4. Schreiner v. 5. TLU, winner to face 1. Trinity

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

JWU is in year two of the Division III membership process.

[jekelish]

Man, what an ugly win for AC tonight. Defense was great, but the offense was positively abysmal at Centenary. Hopefully they've gotten their poor shooting night out of their system for the weekend, because a repeat of tonight's shooting against St. Thomas could mean big time trouble.