MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Which is a better gauge, regional rankings or top 25 rankings? I found 11 regionally unranked teams in the tourney. Obviously, their records got them in . And it looks like Massey rankings are a better gauge than d3 top 25. I'm filling out a d3 pickem bracket and I need help!

Don't get confused with teams who won AQs who weren't regionally ranked... of course they are in the tournament due to earning the AQ. So, no, their records did not get them in... their winning a conference title got them in. No team got an at-large bid that was not regionally ranked.

Others, especially in the CCIW, would point out that Massey has been wrong in its predictions recently. That's why they play the games. Just go with what you think.

[sac]

Hope has to have one of if not the best basketball facility in all of DIII.  I was told the founder of Amway is a Hope graduate and made a substantial donation to fund it.  It's really something and Oshkosh people are going to be impressed.  It has a definite arena feel about it. Not only that but Hope College and Holland, Mi. might be the only place in the country with heated sidewalks.  I was there one year for the women's final four and we had 6-8 inches of snow overnight.  The sidewalks around the facility were damp and bare.

Neither of the Amway co-founders is a graduate of Hope, I believe they have both sent children and grand-children to the school.  Part of the DeVos clan lives in Holland and the VanAndel's own a castle out at the beach.  Both families have given very generously to Hope and the Holland community including the original seed donation to build DeVos Fieldhouse.

[gbpuckfan]

Which is a better gauge, regional rankings or top 25 rankings? I found 11 regionally unranked teams in the tourney. Obviously, their records got them in . And it looks like Massey rankings are a better gauge than d3 top 25. I'm filling out a d3 pickem bracket and I need help!

You must remember that the NCAA does not operate tournaments of the best X number of teams in any given sport, it operates national tournaments.

Let me expound.

This is not a tournament of the best 64 Division 3 teams in the country. The NCAA, by its schools and conferences, have created a national tournament. It consists of conference tournament champions, plus a committee's pick of the other teams to round out the field. That way, teams from all conferences - regardless of perception of quality - are represented.

In some sports, like basketball, there are many at-large seats in the tournament available. In D3 hockey, the 12 teams are represented by eight auto-bids and just four at-large bids (and was just three until this year.) Football has a similar slim margin.

Why? As noted, the NCAA wants all conferences represented. In Division 1 hoops, that gets us the Florida Gulf Coasts and George Masons being able to be Cinderalla - even though someone's list of the top 68 teams in all likelihood wouldn't include FGCU.

Going into the year, all teams know this. They all have a shot. Win your conference tournament or put your fate in someone else's hands.

More directly on your question, polls mean nothing. (Except, historically in D1 football, where they were used to crown champions instead of the NCAA actually handing out some walnut & bronze) They are created by outlets to give themselves something to talk about. Even if that Top 25 may be a better approximation of the top teams in the country (at least to those who voted...)

[badgerwarhawk]

Hope has to have one of if not the best basketball facility in all of DIII.  I was told the founder of Amway is a Hope graduate and made a substantial donation to fund it.  It's really something and Oshkosh people are going to be impressed.  It has a definite arena feel about it. Not only that but Hope College and Holland, Mi. might be the only place in the country with heated sidewalks.  I was there one year for the women's final four and we had 6-8 inches of snow overnight.  The sidewalks around the facility were damp and bare.

Neither of the Amway co-founders is a graduate of Hope, I believe they have both sent children and grand-children to the school.  Part of the DeVos clan lives in Holland and the VanAndel's own a castle out at the beach.  Both families have given very generously to Hope and the Holland community including the original seed donation to build DeVos Fieldhouse.

Thanks for the clarification.  I've never actually researched it and relied on what I had been told.  Regardless it's one hell of a facility.  Head and shoulders above all others that I've seen myself. 

[fredfalcon]

Thanks, GBPF and Dave. Despite the CCIW objection, it looks like Massey, generally is a better rating than D3 Top 25.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Thanks, GBPF and Dave. Despite the CCIW objection, it looks like Massey, generally is a better rating than D3 Top 25.

Massey - numbers put together by someone and his math to equate the information.

D3hoops - poll put together by 25 people around the country voting on who they feel are the best in the country.

Even FBS has computers and pollsters... remember when there was great debate on who was more accurate? Your opinion that Massey is more accurate is your opinion. Perfectly fine. But I can guess why you think that. LOL

[Gregory Sager]

Oh, we're actually quite fond of Massey over in the CCIW room, Fred. It's a very useful analytical tool. We simply don't take Massey's ratings as gospel truth when it comes to accurate prognosticating.

I also think that most of us have a pretty good respect for the d3hoops.com Top 25. If you looked back at the polls from year to year, you'd be surprised at how accurate they have been at predicting which teams will make the Final Four.

[AppletonRocks]

Which is a better gauge, regional rankings or top 25 rankings? I found 11 regionally unranked teams in the tourney. Obviously, their records got them in . And it looks like Massey rankings are a better gauge than d3 top 25. I'm filling out a d3 pickem bracket and I need help!

My advice--Pick Oshkosh to make a deep run.   

[Voice of the Titans]

Oh boy. Hope that doesn't come back to be the kiss of death.

[Just Bill]

Which is a better gauge, regional rankings or top 25 rankings? I found 11 regionally unranked teams in the tourney. Obviously, their records got them in . And it looks like Massey rankings are a better gauge than d3 top 25. I'm filling out a d3 pickem bracket and I need help!

Your 11 regionally unranked teams in the tournament are all AQs. It didn't matter what their record was.

[AppletonRocks]

Oh boy. Hope that doesn't come back to be the kiss of death.

"Hope" is not a strategy.  The Titans first task is to eliminate Hope.  We shall see, it should be fun.

[Coaching Hoops]

WIAC announced the All-Conference teams today

Wasn't posted on WIAC page yet but wissports.net had the link

http://www.wissports.net/news_article/show/763298?referrer_id=519407

Without distracting from the tournament talk too much, I thought I'd make an observation on the All-League announcement. I cannot remember a time with as many young players on the All-League Team. Only two Seniors on the list, and only another 3 honorable mention. Now, I'm not great with numbers, but that's only 5 of 20 seniors on the two combined teams.

It is likely that someone with a better memory or more time to kill researching this will be able to correct me, but this is nonetheless encouraging. As a fan of the WIAC, as competitive and solid that it was this season, it stands to reason that it will remain so in the immediate future with such solid players returning.

[gbpuckfan]

Oh boy. Hope that doesn't come back to be the kiss of death.

"Hope" is not a strategy.  The Titans first task is to eliminate Hope.  We shall see, it should be fun.

Gimme Hope, Joanna
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x32wfc6

[iwumichigander]

Hope has to have one of if not the best basketball facility in all of DIII.  I was told the founder of Amway is a Hope graduate and made a substantial donation to fund it.  It's really something and Oshkosh people are going to be impressed.  It has a definite arena feel about it. Not only that but Hope College and Holland, Mi. might be the only place in the country with heated sidewalks.  I was there one year for the women's final four and we had 6-8 inches of snow overnight.  The sidewalks around the facility were damp and bare.

Neither of the Amway co-founders is a graduate of Hope, I believe they have both sent children and grand-children to the school.  Part of the DeVos clan lives in Holland and the VanAndel's own a castle out at the beach.  Both families have given very generously to Hope and the Holland community including the original seed donation to build DeVos Fieldhouse.

Thanks for the clarification.  I've never actually researched it and relied on what I had been told.  Regardless it's one hell of a facility.  Head and shoulders above all others that I've seen myself.

DeVos Fieldhouse was built in 2005 at a cost of $22.0 million with Richard and Helen DeVos  putting up $7.5 million.  Listed seating capacity 3400 but the drawings show portable seating not sure if included in 3400. Other than online, I have not seen it but have talked to those who have seen it in person.  In short - spectacular !  Hope also has a ticketing office and system which serves the entire campus activities that would rival that off any professional sports venue.

[fredfalcon]

Thanks GS, Just Bill, AR. How can I avoid a perfect pick after that advice?

Do the same people provide the regional rankings as vote on the Top 25?