WBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletics Association

[pointlem]

Mr. Ypsi,

FDF would tell you that if Hope and IWU stay undefeated, and if the NCAA follows its pattern, IWU may need to come to Hope to play a quarterfinal game. 

You can wish that in such a situation the NCAA will, this season, put the two teams in brackets that culminate in a national championship game. 

If that were to happen, Hope fans will feel some IWU envy.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Mr. Ypsi,

FDF would tell you that if Hope and IWU stay undefeated, and if the NCAA follows its pattern, IWU may need to come to Hope to play a quarterfinal game. 

You can wish that in such a situation the NCAA will, this season, put the two teams in brackets that culminate in a national championship game. 

If that were to happen, Hope fans will feel some IWU envy.

Hope v. George Fox in the Elite 8 was a nasty draw.  While fully expected (and we already beat them on their home floor in the 2nd game of the season), we weren't too happy facing WashU in the Elite 8 either!   In a perfect world, I think both those match-ups belonged in Holland, as they were almost certainly the four best teams in the country. 

Alas, you gotta play the hand you're dealt.  Hope to see you in B'town.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Hope v. George Fox in the Elite 8 was a nasty draw. 

As was Hope at Howard Payne in the Elite 8 the previous year.

Hmmm - seems to be some kind of pattern here.   

[realist]

Perhaps Hope should avoid Elite 8 games.

[sac]

Hope v. George Fox in the Elite 8 was a nasty draw. 

As was Hope at Howard Payne in the Elite 8 the previous year.

Hmmm - seems to be some kind of pattern here.   

Hope's 2006 run included #3 Washington in the Sweet 16, and #4 DePauw in the quarterfinals.   Hope was ranked #6.

Their 2nd round game was vs #10 Capital, and in the Final Four they beat #2 Scranton and #1 Southern Maine

You can't get a tougher run of games from the Sweet 16 on like Hope did that year.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Perhaps we can get the NCAA to adopt World Cup rules for the Final Four - host team is automatically included!

(A little late for Hope, I realize, but the Titans would accept! )

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Perhaps Hope should avoid Elite 8 games.

That strategy has worked well for Calvin     

[realist]

Perhaps Hope should avoid Elite 8 games.

That strategy has worked well for Calvin     

My point exactly.     If you want to claim to be the best you have to prove it by beating all challengers on the floor, and Calvin has yet to be able to do that.  IMHO: There is no shame in losing to a better team.   

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Perhaps Hope should avoid Elite 8 games.

That strategy has worked well for Calvin     

My point exactly.     If you want to claim to be the best you have to prove it by beating all challengers on the floor, and Calvin has yet to be able to do that.  IMHO: There is no shame in losing to a better team.   

You completely missed the point.  In both situations Hope lost to the eventual national champion - and I agree with you completely there is no shame in losing to a better team.  In both cases, you could even argue that Hope was the best team either of those two teams faced.  My point is that the "seeding" of the tournament played as much of a role in who was playing (in the final 4 the last two years) as the teams did.

[realist]

You can argue that Hope was the "best" team the national champion beat if you want.  Would you be any happier today if Hope had lost to them in the national championship game?      Really. would you?

[Mr. Ypsi]

You can argue that Hope was the "best" team the national champion beat if you want.  Would you be any happier today if Hope had lost to them in the national championship game?      Really. would you?

I won't speak for FDF, but I would always be more pleased with finishing #2 than bowing out in the Elite Eight!  While the Titan women haven't yet managed the FF (I guarantee they'll be there the next two years - I just hope it is because they are playing! ), I'm extremely proud that the men who made the FF have never lost their final game (1 title, 3 thirds)!  [I'd still be intrigued by a Witt/IWU game in 2006 - Witt finished #2 due to the schedule, since both beat Amherst (narrowly) and both lost to VaWes (narrowly), but we played VaWes first.  Of course, what I'd really wish for is a re-match against VaWes!  I still think we win 6 or 7 out of 10. ]

[Flying Dutch Fan]

You can argue that Hope was the "best" team the national champion beat if you want.  Would you be any happier today if Hope had lost to them in the national championship game?      Really. would you?

You bet your sweet #$^$%& I would.  And anyone who would say they wouldn't has got to be a liar. 

With that kind of attitude, you could just say - well if we're not going to win it all anyway, just don't bother putting us in the tournament at all, in fact, let's just cancel the entire season and go on a motivational speaking tour.

[hope1]

it would be really nice if the hope girls come back from atlanta  2-0   next week they just left yesterday

[Erm Schmigget]

You can argue that Hope was the "best" team the national champion beat if you want.  Would you be any happier today if Hope had lost to them in the national championship game?     Really. would you?

You can argue anything if you want.  You might be looked at as a fool if you choose to argue some things.  But arguing that Hope was the "best" team the eventual national champs beat would be supported by some pretty strong evidence.  The pollsters seem to be pretty believable by most by the end of the year, and they had Hope at #2 the poll prior to Hope's losing to George Fox (and GF at #3).  Only IWU at #1 was believed to be better, and if we stick to what you are suggesting here, GF did not beat IWU.

Now let's discuss what would make a Hope fan happier today.  Would it make us happier to look back on last season and see only one loss, to the St. Mary's Belles (and 3 more wins)?  Obviously.  But let's put it within the framework you propose.  Would Hope fans be any happier today if the team had lost in the national championship game?  I'll answer your question with a question:  Would you be happier if Calvin had had the chance to compete in the tounament?  Should Hope fans be able to find more satisfaction in their team, #2 in the country (#1 in other polls if I remember correctly) before the sweet 16, being able to reach the Final Four before having to face another top 4 team?  Tell me why we shouldn't be happy to at least have the same consideration other levels in the NCAA are afforded.  Make it compelling.  Really.  Could you?

8)

[Calvinhoops]

Who wouldn't be happier advancing to the championship game?  Win or lose that is an unbelievable experience.  As far as Calvin goes, the team looks good this year and Ross brought in a very good frosh class it appears.  I think the next 4 years will be very exciting times for Knights fans.