BB: NACC: Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference

[goldengear]

I would say that the chances of any team other than the tourney champion going range from at best not good to at worst plain not going to happen.

Don't let the regional rankings fool you, when you are going for the last spots, it is open game between all the regions.

[Just Bill]

*RC  - 17-5
EC  - 15-5 (LC)
CUW - 15-5 (@MU)
AU  - 16-6
CUC - 14-6 (@MSOE)

* - clinched spot in NAC Tournament

RC is in, but that's about all I can guarantee you. EC, CUW and CUC control their own destiny. If they sweep on Sunday, those three are all in.

NAC Tournament website: http://www.edgewoodcollegeeagles.com/nacbaseball

[Just Bill]

*RC  - 17-5
*EC  - 17-5
*CUW - 16-6
*AU  - 16-6
CUC - 16-6

* - clinched spot in NAC Tournament

I'm not sure, but I think RC is #1, EC is #2, CUW is #3 and AU is #4. How about CUC going 31-9 and not making their own conference tournament. In a weird way, it might help them since they won't suffer two more regional losses.

NAC Tournament website: http://www.edgewoodcollegeeagles.com/nacbaseball

[goldengear]

I think you have it correct about the seedings, I can't imagine they will make it - but it could only help CUC not making the tourney - they are at best the 5th best team in the Conference and playing in the tourney would only cement that view as they would have suffered a couple losses for sure.

[goldengear]

Actually the tourney site lists Edgewood as being the 1 seed, not sure how they came to that conclusion.

[BigPoppa]

In a power conference, (WIAC, NJAC, etc...) I can see how not making the conference tourney might be an advantage, but I think it is a death sentence for Concordia. How could the NCAA justify taking the 5th place team from a "non-power conference" without taking two or three of the teams ahead of them?

[Just Bill]

Actually the tourney site lists Edgewood as being the 1 seed, not sure how they came to that conclusion.

NAC site is right, I was wrong.  EC is the #1 seed.

EC record vs. all 3rd place teams (AU, CUW, CUC) = 4-2
RC record vs. all 3rd place teams (AU, CUW, CUC) = 4-2

EC record vs. all 6th place teams (BU, LC) = 3-1
RC record vs. all 6th place teams (BU, LC) = 2-2

Not that I disagree with you that CUC should be left out, but playing devils advocate, conference standing and qualification for your conference tournament are NOT criteria for at-large selections.  Regional record and SOS are. CUC didn't lose this week so their regional record has gone up.  Their SOS likely took a slight dip, but they were ranked fifth last week.

If we are going strictly on criteria, they can't be dismissed.

[baseman201]

Jeez, sucks for CUC, I am still holding onto slight hope that they get an at large entry.

31-9, decent regional record....I am hoping

[RFMichigan]

*RC  - 17-5
EC  - 15-5 (LC)
CUW - 15-5 (@MU)
AU  - 16-6
CUC - 14-6 (@MSOE)

* - clinched spot in NAC Tournament

RC is in, but that's about all I can guarantee you. EC, CUW and CUC control their own destiny. If they sweep on Sunday, those three are all in.

NAC Tournament website: http://www.edgewoodcollegeeagles.com/nacbaseball

JB: When I read your post I was holding out hope for CUC, especially after Rockford lost to Benedictine in a Saturday game. However when I looked at the results from Sunday I was pretty sure they were cooked.

Ironic that CUC needed all the teams ahead of them to win in order to get into the tournament, but a loss by CUW bounces them. Moral of the story: don't lose so many one and two run games (three and two, respectively).

[Just Bill]

Yes, I was wrong about CUC controlling their own destiny.  The walkoff win by Marian over CUW bumped them out.  Sorry if I gave false hope to Cougar fans!

[goldengear]

Interesting strategy by CUC, throw your studs in non-conference games against top teams mid week to pick up some quality wins (against thier probably 6th if that pitcher) and hope to eek by come weekend and the conference games.

[Look It Up]

In a power conference, (WIAC, NJAC, etc...) I can see how not making the conference tourney might be an advantage, but I think it is a death sentence for Concordia. How could the NCAA justify taking the 5th place team from a "non-power conference" without taking two or three of the teams ahead of them?

Big Poppa (or anyone else),
Does anyone know of any recent Pool C teams that missed out on their conference tournament and still made "The Big Dance"?

[OshDude]

In a power conference, (WIAC, NJAC, etc...) I can see how not making the conference tourney might be an advantage, but I think it is a death sentence for Concordia. How could the NCAA justify taking the 5th place team from a "non-power conference" without taking two or three of the teams ahead of them?

Big Poppa (or anyone else),
Does anyone know of any recent Pool C teams that missed out on their conference tournament and still made "The Big Dance"?

I know of at least one: Trinity (Conn.) in 2007. The Bantams finished at 6-6 in the NESCAC and lost out on a conference tourney bid due to tiebreakers, like CUC. Trinity was one of 14 Pool C selections in 2007 and was the No. 5 seed (of seven) at the Auburn Regional after finishing the regular season with a 28-6 record.

2007 NESCAC tourney: http://www.nescac.com/sports/bsb/2006-07/championship/index
2007 bids: http://www.titans.uwosh.edu/NCAAChampionship/2007/regionals/participants.html

Trinity went on to lose to Cortland on Day 3 of the Auburn Regional, finishing third.

[hickory_cornhusker]

Fifth place in the NathCon may sound bad but by the selection criteria it doesn't really matter. Conference finish isn't part of the equation so whether their first or tenth in their conference it is all the same in the committee's eyes. At least that's how the selection reads.

[Look It Up]

In a power conference, (WIAC, NJAC, etc...) I can see how not making the conference tourney might be an advantage, but I think it is a death sentence for Concordia. How could the NCAA justify taking the 5th place team from a "non-power conference" without taking two or three of the teams ahead of them?

Big Poppa (or anyone else),
Does anyone know of any recent Pool C teams that missed out on their conference tournament and still made "The Big Dance"?

I know of at least one: Trinity (Conn.) in 2007. The Bantams finished at 6-6 in the NESCAC and lost out on a conference tourney bid due to tiebreakers, like CUC. Trinity was one of 14 Pool C selections in 2007 and was the No. 5 seed (of seven) at the Auburn Regional after finishing the regular season with a 28-6 record.

2007 NESCAC tourney: http://www.nescac.com/sports/bsb/2006-07/championship/index
2007 bids: http://www.titans.uwosh.edu/NCAAChampionship/2007/regionals/participants.html

Trinity went on to lose to Cortland on Day 3 of the Auburn Regional, finishing third.

Thanks, Oshdude! Gives us Cougar fans a small glimmer of hope!