FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[retagent]

This one is for Pat, or anyone else who had insider knowledge,

The official line is that there is no "seeding." No one would be surprised if it turns out that it's UMHB vs UWW in the semis, that UWW would travel to Belton. But is it in the realm of possibility that if it's SJU vs UWW in the semis, that UWW would travel to SJU?

Only if Whitewater forgot to apply to host.  Whitewater was ahead in the final regional ranking.

So the fact that they are in different Brackets does not come into play? I though the semis were determined in advance as to who travels.

[wally_wabash]

This one is for Pat, or anyone else who had insider knowledge,

The official line is that there is no "seeding." No one would be surprised if it turns out that it's UMHB vs UWW in the semis, that UWW would travel to Belton. But is it in the realm of possibility that if it's SJU vs UWW in the semis, that UWW would travel to SJU?

Only if Whitewater forgot to apply to host.  Whitewater was ahead in the final regional ranking.

So the fact that they are in different Brackets does not come into play? I though the semis were determined in advance as to who travels.

I don't believe that is the case.  They'll announce hosts for the next round once they know who all has advanced.  UWW would almost certainly a host a game against St. John's. 

[Pat Coleman]

This one is for Pat, or anyone else who had insider knowledge,

The official line is that there is no "seeding." No one would be surprised if it turns out that it's UMHB vs UWW in the semis, that UWW would travel to Belton. But is it in the realm of possibility that if it's SJU vs UWW in the semis, that UWW would travel to SJU?

I don't see this. You're the 2 seed in a bracket and they're a 1 seed in another. That game always goes to the 1 seed.

[Pat Coleman]

Looking at todays first round scores, the NCAA selection committee is nothing but a freaking joke...

Only 6 of the 32 teams were selected by the committee.  HSU acquitted themselves respectably against one of the two 'purple powers'.  JCU totally crapped the bed, but were unanimously expected to romp by the Quick Hits panel.  Bethel, Centre, and Muhlenburg (the other three Pool Cs) all won.  As for Pool B, I'm not sure any of the alternatives would have done any better than MIT.  Your statement does not reflect reality.

I'll amend it to the D3 selection process then.  It's a farce.

It's the way of the world in NCAA Division III -- this is what Division III is all about, championship access. The UMAC might not be competitive in football but I think SJU knows that the UMAC is competitive in men's basketball.

[Pat Coleman]

So the fact that they are in different Brackets does not come into play? I though the semis were determined in advance as to who travels.

This practice was eliminated after the 1998 season.

[BDB]

People say playing any UMAC school in the playoffs is a disgrace to D3. Think you love the idea of playing college sport for the love of the game and then put down the UMAC? Those are  fabulous schools and just because your football programs are better that doesn't make you better.

[OzJohnnie]

Looking at todays first round scores, the NCAA selection committee is nothing but a freaking joke...

Only 6 of the 32 teams were selected by the committee.  HSU acquitted themselves respectably against one of the two 'purple powers'.  JCU totally crapped the bed, but were unanimously expected to romp by the Quick Hits panel.  Bethel, Centre, and Muhlenburg (the other three Pool Cs) all won.  As for Pool B, I'm not sure any of the alternatives would have done any better than MIT.  Your statement does not reflect reality.

I'll amend it to the D3 selection process then.  It's a farce.

It's the way of the world in NCAA Division III -- this is what Division III is all about, championship access. The UMAC might not be competitive in football but I think SJU knows that the UMAC is competitive in men's basketball.

The only way to make the DIII playoffs competitive every game would be to drop it to 8 teams.  I don't mind that there are some really undercooked teams making the post season as by the time you make the final eight you know we are down to business.  Also, there were two noteworthy upsets today which gave the smaller programs something to cheer about.  (of course St Norbert move on to a spanking by UWW and whoever beat John Carrol gets a pounding as well.  But for one week there is glory.)

[DuffMan]

People pissed and moaned least season when SJU got a tough first round game with NCC, and now people are pissing and moaning that SJU's first round opponent was a cupcake.  Maybe it's not a perfect system, but it works pretty well and stays true to the spirit of D3.  Sure, there are some teams that were left out of the playoffs that are better than some of the automatic bid teams, but I'm 100% certain that the several teams that have a legit shot at the Walnut and Bronze made it in.  Kudos to MLC for turning their program around and having success in the UMAC.  I'm sure it was exciting and an honor for those players to play in an NCAA playoffs game, regardless of the outcome. 

SJU advanced and came out healthy.  What more can you ask for?

[RoyalsFan]

It's the way of the world in NCAA Division III -- this is what Division III is all about, championship access. The UMAC might not be competitive in football but I think SJU knows that the UMAC is competitive in men's basketball.

Maybe they need to change how playoff teams are determined then. It just makes sense that playoffs should involve the top teams. You talk about championship access, but in reality you are denying championship access to some of the better teams by letting lesser teams in the playoffs. If UMAC is a top team in basketball, they should make the basketball playoffs. If they are not a top team in football, then they shouldn't make the football playoffs. Games like SJU versus Martin Luther and UWW versus Eureka serve no purpose whatsoever IMO. And yeah, I know 'that's the way it is' - doesn't mean it can't change.

[BDB]

  Kudos to MLC for turning their program around and having success in the UMAC.  I'm sure it was exciting and an honor for those players to play in an NCAA playoffs game, regardless of the outcome. 

Exact. +K

[Pat Coleman]

It's the way of the world in NCAA Division III -- this is what Division III is all about, championship access. The UMAC might not be competitive in football but I think SJU knows that the UMAC is competitive in men's basketball.

Maybe they need to change how playoff teams are determined then. It just makes sense that playoffs should involve the top teams.

Actually, it makes sense that the playoffs include an automatic qualifier from every conference. That's how it works in NCAA championships. (And no, Division I FBS is not an NCAA championship.)

[RoyalsFan]

People pissed and moaned least season when SJU got a tough first round game with NCC, and now people are pissing and moaning that SJU's first round opponent was a cupcake.  Maybe it's not a perfect system, but it works pretty well and stays true to the spirit of D3.  Sure, there are some teams that were left out of the playoffs that are better than some of the automatic bid teams, but I'm 100% certain that the several teams that have a legit shot at the Walnut and Bronze made it in.  Kudos to MLC for turning their program around and having success in the UMAC.  I'm sure it was exciting and an honor for those players to play in an NCAA playoffs game, regardless of the outcome. 

SJU advanced and came out healthy.  What more can you ask for?

I think you are kind of missing the point. No one is complaining that SJU's first round opponent was a cup cake (at least not most people). The point is that there are quite a few teams that are much better than Martin Luther that didn't qualify for the playoffs. That's the way I interpret  it.

[RoyalsFan]

It's the way of the world in NCAA Division III -- this is what Division III is all about, championship access. The UMAC might not be competitive in football but I think SJU knows that the UMAC is competitive in men's basketball.

Maybe they need to change how playoff teams are determined then. It just makes sense that playoffs should involve the top teams.

Actually, it makes sense that the playoffs include an automatic qualifier from every conference. That's how it works in NCAA championships. (And no, Division I FBS is not an NCAA championship.)

Sorry, but to me that doesn't 'make sense'. If a conference is extremely weak, why should they get an automatic qualifier? Why not reward the better teams with a playoff berth?

[57Johnnie]

  Kudos to MLC for turning their program around and having success in the UMAC.  I'm sure it was exciting and an honor for those players to play in an NCAA playoffs game, regardless of the outcome. 

Exact. +K

+k to both of you

[jamtod]

It's the way of the world in NCAA Division III -- this is what Division III is all about, championship access. The UMAC might not be competitive in football but I think SJU knows that the UMAC is competitive in men's basketball.

Maybe they need to change how playoff teams are determined then. It just makes sense that playoffs should involve the top teams.

Actually, it makes sense that the playoffs include an automatic qualifier from every conference. That's how it works in NCAA championships. (And no, Division I FBS is not an NCAA championship.)

Sorry, but to me that doesn't 'make sense'. If a conference is extremely weak, why should they get an automatic qualifier? Why not reward the better teams with a playoff berth?

Because D3 is not FBS and that's a good thing?