MBB: Midwest Conference

[sncdangler]

Congratulations to the MWC's REAL Scots for making the tourney, I believe for the first time since '99.  It should be an interesting race for positions 2-4.  Obviously, the 2 or 3 seed would be preferable for the opening round.  And for those of us hoping for a SNC loss to get two teams in the NCAA tourney, I'd almost think the Knights would still need to make it to the final game to get an at large bid.

I know that defeating SNC at Schuldes would be a tall order but based on the past decade plus, avoiding Grinnell the first game may be more important. In Grinnell's last 11 MWC Tournament appearances, the team that won the Grinnell semifinal lost the final. Grinnell's 2001 MWC Tournament win was the last time the Grinnell semifinal winner took home the plaque.

Hickory:  Thanks to Lake Forest, Grinnell (currently) sits at the #4 seed.  Too early to congratulate Ripon or Monmouth on their pending championship??   

This is a rare year where I don't think it matters who plays Grinnell and when. If St. Norbert plays Grinnell first they still have enough depth and firepower to survive the next day.

[scottie]

"That's why they play the game."

The Roop, 1997

[gbpuckfan]

SNC beats back an upset bid, beating Cornell 58-48

SNC was up 28-15 at the half but the Rams took a 34-33 lead. Back and forth a bit until SNC hit a few down the stretch and made its free throws. That's a conference record 42 straight MWC wins

SNC plays Ripon in one semi while Monmouth plays Grinnell in the other

[GreenKnightAlum]

First of all, let me preface by saying I know I am new here, but playoff basketball has gotten me so intrigued and the success of the Green Knights has kept me following the conference more than usual.

With that said, now that the seeds are set: (1) St. Norbert vs. (4) Ripon and (2) Monmouth vs. (3) Grinnell, who do you see winning it all? I have to assume that St. Norbert would be the favorite to win it all, especially playing in that great home atmosphere that they have created over the years. If they win does anyone think they have a chance to host a regional? If they lose will they miss out on the NCAA tournament entirely? Seems like a wacky conference tournament weekend for the #3 team in the nation, who could miss a shot at the big dance with a slip-up after another fantastic regular season.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I don't think St. Norbert will miss out of the NCAA tournament. Their SOS will most likely creep above .500 (currently .495) due to their games this week. However, they won't help themselves if they lose. No matter what, they will have to face some tough competition in the first weekend of the NCAA tournament - almost no way of avoiding that.

[GreenKnightAlum]

Another question: Who do you all think is the Player of the Year in the conference? I know Sabin and Taylor have been putting up monster numbers, but Schwoerer has been the go to guy for St. Norbert. You could put Elliott in the category too based on how well he distributes and creates opportunities for his teammates. I think it is a 4 man race, and baring 50pt games in the conference tournament (which could very well happen), I think it is one of the Green Knights that will get the nod, most likely Schwoerer.

[AppletonRocks]

Schwoerer is a stud but Sabin is just a scoring machine.  I think Sabin wins it but Andrew is a solid player every night.

See you in DePere.  I am not sure the home court at SNC is any better than say at Grinnell or Lawrence or Ripon.   Home court is always an advantage, but I don't see Schuldes as any more special compared to the others mentioned.   SNC is just the best team for the past 4 years.

[gbpuckfan]

First of all, let me preface by saying I know I am new here, but playoff basketball has gotten me so intrigued and the success of the Green Knights has kept me following the conference more than usual.

With that said, now that the seeds are set: (1) St. Norbert vs. (4) Ripon and (2) Monmouth vs. (3) Grinnell, who do you see winning it all? I have to assume that St. Norbert would be the favorite to win it all, especially playing in that great home atmosphere that they have created over the years. If they win does anyone think they have a chance to host a regional? If they lose will they miss out on the NCAA tournament entirely? Seems like a wacky conference tournament weekend for the #3 team in the nation, who could miss a shot at the big dance with a slip-up after another fantastic regular season.

While SNC is likely in regardless, hosting is a different issue.

Remember that the #3 poll ranking really doesn't matter. What matters is the NCAA regional rankings. As of last week (new ones Wednesday, right?) SNC was 6th in the Central region. One of the state schools ahead will lose, so that would help - but SNC could end up in another regional, too (ie at St. Thomas)

Those rankings can be found here:
http://www.ncaa.com/rankings/basketball-men/d3

SNC will certainly put in a bid to host. But a tournament win is a must, I would think... and then some other help. Unfortunately, the best to hope for likely is that SNC avoids someone else's home court in the first round. Especially UWW!

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

First of all, let me preface by saying I know I am new here, but playoff basketball has gotten me so intrigued and the success of the Green Knights has kept me following the conference more than usual.

With that said, now that the seeds are set: (1) St. Norbert vs. (4) Ripon and (2) Monmouth vs. (3) Grinnell, who do you see winning it all? I have to assume that St. Norbert would be the favorite to win it all, especially playing in that great home atmosphere that they have created over the years. If they win does anyone think they have a chance to host a regional? If they lose will they miss out on the NCAA tournament entirely? Seems like a wacky conference tournament weekend for the #3 team in the nation, who could miss a shot at the big dance with a slip-up after another fantastic regular season.

While SNC is likely in regardless, hosting is a different issue.

Remember that the #3 poll ranking really doesn't matter. What matters is the NCAA regional rankings. As of last week (new ones Wednesday, right?) SNC was 6th in the Central region. One of the state schools ahead will lose, so that would help - but SNC could end up in another regional, too (ie at St. Thomas)

First, yes... new rankings Wednesday (tomorrow).

Yes... the D3hoops.com Top 25 doesn't matter... nor does any Top 25 in the NCAA in any division (though, I still think there is some sport in Division II where it might play a role) when it comes time to make decisions in the NCAA tournaments.

One thing to keep in mind, being sixth isn't the best place to be in... except the Central Region (and maybe one or two others). However, the concern is whether almost all of those teams ranked ahead of them (in the Week 2 rankings). It is conceivable that Augustana and Elmhurst lose... that UWW or UWSP will be left as an at-large... and Wash U doesn't win the UAA AQ. That would potentially leave four teams still ahead of St. Norbert (assuming the rankings were to stay the same and SNC doesn't move up - argument's sake). That would leave an at-large SNC in some trouble because they might get stuck behind a Wash U or Elmhurst squad (or both) who might not leave the table that quickly. I am not saying SNC doesn't make it... but the more upsets in conference playoffs there are... the harder it gets.

Those rankings can be found here:
http://www.ncaa.com/rankings/basketball-men/d3

Or here: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/category/ncaa-stuff/regional-rankings/

SNC will certainly put in a bid to host. But a tournament win is a must, I would think... and then some other help. Unfortunately, the best to hope for likely is that SNC avoids someone else's home court in the first round. Especially UWW!

Being sixth and maybe moving up to fourth at best... is not going to help getting a chance to host. The committee is going to try and have the top two seeds host in each region. That isn't good for SNC.

Now, there are some extenuating circumstances:
- Women have the rights to host the first weekend so a school like St. Thomas will have their men's team on the road - that could give SNC a chance to host.
- There are other locations that may not be able to host due to location/geographics (i.e. Whitworth) - that could force the committee to find other host sites.
- There are some schools who might not put in or are able to host (always happens) - again, that could force the committee to find other host sites.
- However, geographic islands (i.e. West Coast, Northwest, Texas, Emory, etc.) might force other places to host taking hosting opportunities away from a number of schools.

Personally... I think SNC gets to host because they need to find another location... but really, I think SNC hits the road (as it stands now). Though, they could be a great replacement for St. Thomas - that just means the Tommies come to SNC for a potential second-round game.

One final note, we will not see the final regional rankings that will take place on Sunday, March 1 (in case you don't know)... so we ultimately won't know where SNC finishes in the rankings.

[sncdangler]

Schwoerer is a stud but Sabin is just a scoring machine.  I think Sabin wins it but Andrew is a solid player every night.

See you in DePere.  I am not sure the home court at SNC is any better than say at Grinnell or Lawrence or Ripon.   Home court is always an advantage, but I don't see Schuldes as any more special compared to the others mentioned.   SNC is just the best team for the past 4 years.

Have you been to the conference tournament the last couple of years? SNC doesn't win last year without the student section behind them. Of the other three you mention, only Grinnell's comes moderately close.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Final public men's basketball regional rankings are out: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/2015/02/25/final-public-ncaa-regional-rankings-released/

[GreenKnightAlum]

Final public men's basketball regional rankings are out: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/2015/02/25/final-public-ncaa-regional-rankings-released/

So as a St. Norbert fan, I'm rooting for an upset of either UWW or UWSP this Thursday to hopefully drop them below the Knights? I can't see an Augie loss in their conference tournament dropping them below #2 honestly, and Wash U. hosts Chicago on senior day, which is a tough game for a home team to lose. I know we won't get to see the final regional rankings, but it'll be interesting to see what the committee does with St. Norbert, whose only loss on the season (hopefully) came without their starting PG to a team ranked #4 in their region (John Carroll).

[Greek Tragedy]

Even if Point/Whitewater loses tomorrow and St. Norbert wins out, I don't see the Green Knights jumping either. Their SOSs and vRRO are too significant and would trump St. Norbert's winning %, low SOS and 0-1 result vRRO.

If St. Norbert wins out, then you don't have to worry about Point/Whitewater because they would earn the AQ.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Even if Point/Whitewater loses tomorrow and St. Norbert wins out, I don't see the Green Knights jumping either. Their SOSs and vRRO are too significant and would trump St. Norbert's winning %, low SOS and 0-1 result vRRO.

If St. Norbert wins out, then you don't have to worry about Point/Whitewater because they would earn the AQ.

I'm pretty sure GKA was hoping for hosting.  If St. Norbert is not the AQ, it means they also lost a game and would definitely not jump anyone.

[iwumichigander]

Even if Point/Whitewater loses tomorrow and St. Norbert wins out, I don't see the Green Knights jumping either. Their SOSs and vRRO are too significant and would trump St. Norbert's winning %, low SOS and 0-1 result vRRO.

If St. Norbert wins out, then you don't have to worry about Point/Whitewater because they would earn the AQ.

I'm pretty sure GKA was hoping for hosting.  If St. Norbert is not the AQ, it means they also lost a game and would definitely not jump anyone.

The carnage would certainly be interesting if UWW and UWSP both lose in the semi finals.  I do not see it happening but it would be interesting.