MBB: Commonwealth Conference

[luvdahoops]

I would submit that it''s typical to list teams alphabetically when they are tied -- thus, A comes before L, so Albright is listed before Lycoming.

The fact is, at this point, the two teams are indeed tied.  The tiebreaker rules are only applied at the end of the season -- not in the middle.

Are you proposing that, say, at some point in the season, everyone is 5-5 (I know, unlikely, but mathematically possible).  You want the conference office to take the hours needed figure out the iebreakedrs to list them in tie-breaker order?  That basically is what you are wanting.

Let's play out the season and then apply any tiebrekaers needed.

[Lyco80]

Good repartee.

I will grant you your point if multiple teams are involved if you will cede me my point when there are only two.

Your example about time is worthy of consideration but this real-world circumstance, as opposed to your hypothetical example, was about head-to-head competition - therefore no midnight hours toiling in the MAC hq needed. 

In fact, I supplied all the mathematical calculations for the MAC people and will be happy to continue whenever Lycoming's interests are involved.

Here's hoping the Warriors make things easy for all concerned and merely win out and then we can all exhale and get back to talking smack about football instead of basketball.

ATB

[Lyco80]

Well, I did not hear the game nor have I had a chance to read the post script but it appears Albright beats Lycoming 84-80 to take sole possession of the league lead.

It must have been an intense game and I hope the Warriors will take this close loss and win out the rest of the way to set up a chance to win the league and MAC crown and perhaps get into the NCAA tournament.

Congrats to Albright now, Go Warriors always!

ATB

[lefty2]

Well, I did not hear the game nor have I had a chance to read the post script but it appears Albright beats Lycoming 84-80 to take sole possession of the league lead.

Not according to the standings on the MAC website.

Check that - they are fixed.

Whew!

[luvdahoops]

This is a train wreck == unbelievably complicated but you just can't take your eyes off it:

Lycoming 7-3
Albright 7-3
Elizabethtown 6-4
Messiah 6-4
Alvernia 5-5 
Lebanon Valley 5-5
Widener 4-6
Arcadia 0-10

[Jon]

luvdahoops, thanks for the assist setting up the Matrix.  I'll throw a little karma your way. 

I did a Matrix for the PAC each of the last few years we were there and now that we're in the Commonwealth I'll post one here for the last four games of the season.

Commonwealth Matrix

This will be updated the evening of each conference date for the remainder of the regular season.  Feel free to use it as you prognosticate on the season's finish.

[Wolfpac]

luvdahoops, thanks for the assist setting up the Matrix.  I'll throw a little karma your way. 

I did a Matrix for the PAC each of the last few years we were there and now that we're in the Commonwealth I'll post one here for the last four games of the season.

Commonwealth Matrix

This will be updated the evening of each conference date for the remainder of the regular season.  Feel free to use it as you prognosticate on the season's finish.

Hey Jon,   we sure do miss you and your matrix in the PAC !  Wish I was traveling up to the PE center to play you guys.  You always worked hard on that matrix with insight and understanding.  I hope to get up there soon even if the cemetary is gone.  Have fun stay loose.  Thank you for your hardwork past and present.

[Jon]

WolfCSAC,

The Cemetery is now replace by a bar that actually turns the lights on!  Come on over and check it out.

The Matrix has been reloaded.

[Jon]

I'm hoping this room is largely comprised of more readers than writers, cause for the last few years it has been lagging behind the other Mid-Atlantic Region rooms.

The Matrix is updated through Feb. 16.

I can only hope the rest of the Alvernia / Albright games are half as entertaining as the one last night at the Bollman Center.  Here are a few versions if you weren't able to make it out last night, or you didn't tune into the webcast.

Alvernia Story

Albright Story

Reading Eagle Story

[Jon]

It's almost unbelievable how competitive the Commonwealth Conference is.  With only six games remaining on the schedule only two teams are guaranteed playoff spots (Albright & Lycoming), and only one team is eliminated (Arcadia).

This information is my best read on the conference playoffs and won't be official until confirmed by the league office.

Albright and Lycoming are both assured home games next Wednesday.  Messiah could catch Lyco at 9-5, but it's Lyco's tie-breaker.

That leaves Alvernia, Etown, Leb Val, Messiah, and Widener alive for two road playoff openers.  All five could finish at 7-7, and that scenario still has some ironing out to do.

Both games Thursday will go a long way toward straightening things out.  Lycoming is at Etown and Lebanon Valley is at Messiah.

With both Alvernia and Lebanon Valley at 6-6 and with a game against each other, seven wins is a minimum to get in.  That means Alvernia (6-7) and Widener (6-7) need to win Saturday to be considered.

Any ties at 8-6 still need the top two teams to be determined.  Etown looks good if Albright is the top seed, Leb Val looks good if it's Lycoming.

Speaking of top seeds, and this is there the league office will weigh in, Lycoming is on top if a tie for third can't be broken and it goes to point differential (+1).  Otherwise, records vs. potential third place teams are still to be determined.

[Lyco80]

Jon,

I feel like Carey Elwes in the movie the "Princess Bride" where he says, "Clearly you have a dizzying intellect."

That is some masterpiece of schedule divining - naturally I fancy the Warriors all the way.  But the truth of the matter is you just cannot predict how the ball is going to bounce this season with the upsets and results throughout the season.

It seems a shame that Lycoming and Albright both have nearly twenty wins and the way the D-III tournament is arranged only one team, the MAC tournament winner, will advance to the NCAA bracket.

I suppose if there were millions of dollars of TV revenue at stake then the NCAA might consider expanding the tournament to truly be a nation-wide challenge.

Go Warriors!

ATB

[Jon]

You wish to surrender to me?  Very well, I accept.

Don't give up just yet on a Commonwealth at-large bid.  When the strength of schedule was first released a few weeks ago we had four teams in the top 20 and that didn't even include Lyco, which was leading the conference at that time.

[Lyco80]

At the end of it all both Lycoming and Albright were tied at 10-4 with the tie-breaker going to Lycoming, despite the fact that alphabetically A comes before L.

It appears that Albright is struggling a bit at the end of the season having one a nail-biter in OT and losing its last game.

Lycoming defeated Messiah and Widener to end.

What does this mean - not a thing without two more victories in the tournament.

But - a conference championship is still an accomplishment not to be easily dismissed.

Here's to some continued Warrior magic, luck, and most importantly, good shooting - GO WARRIORS!

ATB

[luvdahoops]

Based on results of the last two weeks, I'm thinking that all four playoff teams have a reasonable chance to get the AQ. While you need to give the home teams a couple points advantage for the home floor and fans, the visitors are indeed capable of winning on the road.  And VanPelt and Schlosser seem to find ways to win...  Should be an outstanding tournament.  I wish it was Wednesday already.

[Lyco80]

Albright seems to have Lycoming's number as they defeated the Warriors on their home gym last night to win the MAC tournament.

Congratulations to Albright.

The Warriors killed themselves with very poor field goal shooting although their freethrows were phenomenal.

Here's hoping the NCAA considers a 21-6 record good enough for a Pool C invite.

Albright - best of luck, make the MAC proud!

ATB