NE Region General Questions

[pjunito]

D-Mac, I don't disagree with the numbers. They are low. I cannot defend them........  However, I always go back to this statement. "The best teams should play in the tournament." And regardless of the numbers, they are deserving of playing in the tournament.

As far as the Lasell coach goes; he should know how good Albertus is... His team had a 16 point lead with 13 minutes left the last time they played Albertus. They lost by 3 as Askew scored 52 (18 in the final 10 minutes).  And Watson did not play that game. Albertus host Lasell in the semi-finals tomorrow night. Askew and Watson will both play; expect a double digit victory from Albertus.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Well... if they win the conference tournament they will prove, in-part, that they may be one of the best to take part in the NCAA tournament.

And we don't know what Lasell's coach has or hasn't said in meetings and rankings... and remember a number of teams ahead of AM will lose this week... which would arguably move AM up... but they can't afford to trip up - or at least not before the title game.

[Hugenerd]

Unfortunately, unlike D1, the selection committee isn't given as much flexibility in D3. Whether we agree with interpretation of the criteria, specifically SOS, the committee is clearly weighing it heavily.  This is evidenced by MIT's rise since week 1, where they had a ~0.48 SOS and were ranked 7, to week 3 where their SOS approached 0.52 and moved to 3 (coupled with their very high WP).  For MIT, this happened because most of their conference road games were back loaded in their schedule.  I hope that for Albertus they win their conference tourney so it doesn't come to Pool C, but the only way I can see them moving up, based in what we've seen so far from the committee, is if somehow West Conn drops close to them so that their head-to-head result may get them moved up.  If I were them, though, I would just concentrate on winning 2 more games and just have to find out where they play on Monday.

[mass_d3fan]

"Here is why: Ray Askew is one of the best players in the region. No one talks about him on the boards; but he has been named on the d3hoops 1st team 3 times this year. He has over 2200 pts and 1000 rebounds in his career. He can score at will; can shoot from the outside or drive to the basket. He never gets frustrated. He is a great off the ball defender. He is motivated to win. Reason number 2. Darius Watson. No one knows about this kid. He is a 6'6 swing forward who is shooting 40% from 3 and is second on the team in dunk/lay-ups (behind Askew). He is the best pure scorer in the conference! (yes, this is the same conference that has Lamonte Thomas). Any person who has seen Watson play would agree with that statement. He can flat out score and by the time he is a senior will break all of Askew's scoring record. Reason number three, they can win in the 50's and win in the 90's. They don't panic... 7 games this year they won where they trailed in the second half. Many people forget that Albertus has a target on their backs in the conference. Every team wants to beat a ranked opponent; especially one who is undefeated in the conference. Albertus over the last 3 weeks; has seen the best from each of their opponents and still has been able to win."


Pjunto

Well, after the case you just made, why are you worried?  They have to be a good as it ever gets for a lock to win the AQ!

They are ranked where they are because of this....

Non – conference:
8-14
20- 5
9-17
5-18
16-10 L
21- 4
10-14
-----
89-82 -> .520

Conference:
17- 8
5-19
5-20
9-16
5-20
7-18
7-18
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
9-16
9-16
12-13
12-13
12-13
12-13
17- 8
-----
186-263 -> .414

Total 275-345 -> .444

5 of 25 over .500

As a comparison.....

MIT
Non-conference:
11-14
9-16
10-14
12-13
9-16
7-18
11-14
11-14
5-20
18-7
16-9
12-13
-----
131-168 -> .438

18- 6 L
18- 6
16- 9
16- 9
13-12
13-12
12-13
12-13
11-13
11-13
8 -14
8 -14
-----
156-134 -> .538

8 of 24  over .500

Total 287-302 -> .487


WPI

Non-conference:
14-11
16- 9
16- 9
18- 7
12-13
21- 4
18- 7
20- 5 L
13-11
20- 5 L
17- 8
10-14
-----
195-103 -> .654

23- 1
23- 1 L
16- 9 L
16- 9
13-12
13-12
12-13
12-13
11-13 L
11-13 L
8-14
8-14
-----
166-124-> .572

Total -> 361-227 -> .613

16 of 24 Vs +.500 teams

These numbers do carry weight with the commitee

I have no doubt if AM had placed up near #10 pre-season the way MIT was, they too would have cracked the top 4.  This is how polls work...... 

Also,

From an ealier post in the NEWMAC forum from Dave McHugh

Also FYI... here is your regional committee... take note:
Dave Lindberg, Worcester State College, chair
Larry Anderson, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Paul Culpo, Castleton State College
Tom Devitt, Wentworth Institute of Technology
Travis Farley, Fitchbug State University
Bill Geitner, Eastern Connecticut State University
David Hixon, Amherst College
Aaron Galetta, Lasell College
Ed Sliva, Elms College

So Yes, Someone on the committee HAS seen them play this year!

Sorry, I missed your post on the commitee members, Dave

[WPI89]

I have seen Magnus twice this year and if were an "eye test" - they would be a lock.  Unfortunately the economics of D3 make it impossible for the members (even in a region) to see all teams "live" and thus the numbers have to be weighted above feel.  Simple as that.

Also - if you got a quiet, honest moment with Coach Oliver - he would admit that it takes time - if Magnus stays this competitive (and keeps coach Oliver) for another few years - they will start scheduling NESCAC and NEWMAC etc......and start to be recognized in the pre-season - it is just how it works.  WPI went through 10 years of lean times and it took a few years for Barley to make them a an annual contender for the post-season.

PJ - they will take care of business this weekend - have no fear!

[pjunito]

The kids on the team as well as the coaching staff aren't looking at becoming a Pool C team. They want to win the conference tournament and the AQ.... I am talking from a fan perspective; which admittedly is always skewed. Every team that is currently ranked above Albertus has better numbers than them. I just think there also has to be some flexibility when it comes to how good a team is.

Albertus is punished because they play in a weak conference (this makes up 2/3 of their schedule). When I see the rankings, the committee is telling me that WPI's 6 losses are better than Albertus's 24 wins.  3 of their losses came to teams not ranked in the region. This, despite the rest of the numbers, is hard to explain. The criteria is telling teams to schedule 7 regional powers – lose all of those games; win 15 of your conference games and we will reward you. Well, how does that make sense? Albertus scheduled an average non conference schedule. But, at the beginning of the year, it looked like a fair schedule.
Coast Guard had a down year; so did trinity (they finish 4th in the NESCAC last year), they had West Conn and Becker on their schedule as well. They were not invited to any tournaments. This is a good team and I hope they get selected in case they get tripped up. They may have to play St. Joe's again in the finals. St. Joe's is very well coached; plays a Princeton style offense. They like to play in the 60's and have big bodies to throw at Albertus.


PS. I do thank everyone for their candid commentary. It helps me learn about how division three basketball works (in regards to regions, national tournaments, scheduling, etc). Anyone who knows me knows that I do not take anything personal.  I enjoy reading and learning!  Thanks guys..

[pjunito]

WPI, I agree with you; it is hard to see every team consistently. Hopefully, they win this weekend and then I can shut up. Lol. 

Good luck this weekend for your boys as well! Do they play at 7 tomorrow night?
Mitch Oliver has done a lot with the program since taking over in 2007; his first year he went 3-24. He is understands college basketball and understands it takes time. I am the one who gets fired up. Lol. Coach Oliver probably understand the rankings and would agree (in public) with them. He knows, win the GNAC, and continue playing. That is all he and the players should be focused on. 

[WPI89]

NEWMAC is Sat/Sun.  MIT-Babson at 1 and WPI-Springfiled at 3 @ MIT Sat.  Then back at it on Sun at 1 for the winners.

I do find it interesting that MIT plays the early game on Saturday - likely the gym will empty out for the second game.  Usually the other way around with it building to the home team's game.....not sure if that was random or MIT's choice?

I guess there is a small advantage to having an extra couple of hours to rest?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

If Magnus is good enough to be there as a C pick, they shouldn't lose a game to any team in their conference this year - which means they won't have to worry about Pool C.

[Hugenerd]

NEWMAC is Sat/Sun.  MIT-Babson at 1 and WPI-Springfiled at 3 @ MIT Sat.  Then back at it on Sun at 1 for the winners.

I do find it interesting that MIT plays the early game on Saturday - likely the gym will empty out for the second game.  Usually the other way around with it building to the home team's game.....not sure if that was random or MIT's choice?

I guess there is a small advantage to having an extra couple of hours to rest?

I think MIT did that the last time the hosted also.  If nothing else, they get a fixed start time (they cant be delayed by the previous game going to OT, etc.), they get an extra 2 hours of rest compared to the team they will play the following day, and players/coaches can watch most of the 2nd game for scouting purposes (you typically wouldnt have your team watch a game right before they play, so the earlier game gives this slight advantage also).

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

NEWMAC is Sat/Sun.  MIT-Babson at 1 and WPI-Springfiled at 3 @ MIT Sat.  Then back at it on Sun at 1 for the winners.

I do find it interesting that MIT plays the early game on Saturday - likely the gym will empty out for the second game.  Usually the other way around with it building to the home team's game.....not sure if that was random or MIT's choice?

I guess there is a small advantage to having an extra couple of hours to rest?

I think MIT did that the last time the hosted also.  If nothing else, they get a fixed start time (they cant be delayed by the previous game going to OT, etc.), they get an extra 2 hours of rest compared to the team they will play the following day, and players/coaches can watch most of the 2nd game for scouting purposes (you typically wouldnt have your team watch a game right before they play, so the earlier game gives this slight advantage also).

Maybe my logic is fuzzy, but it seems like people would be more likely to stick around and watch a game with a guaranteed potential opponent than they would to show up early to watch a game that will be "useless" to them if their team loses later.  Once you're in the building, you're more likely to stay.

[Hugenerd]

NEWMAC is Sat/Sun.  MIT-Babson at 1 and WPI-Springfiled at 3 @ MIT Sat.  Then back at it on Sun at 1 for the winners.

I do find it interesting that MIT plays the early game on Saturday - likely the gym will empty out for the second game.  Usually the other way around with it building to the home team's game.....not sure if that was random or MIT's choice?

I guess there is a small advantage to having an extra couple of hours to rest?

I think MIT did that the last time the hosted also.  If nothing else, they get a fixed start time (they cant be delayed by the previous game going to OT, etc.), they get an extra 2 hours of rest compared to the team they will play the following day, and players/coaches can watch most of the 2nd game for scouting purposes (you typically wouldnt have your team watch a game right before they play, so the earlier game gives this slight advantage also).

Maybe my logic is fuzzy, but it seems like people would be more likely to stick around and watch a game with a guaranteed potential opponent than they would to show up early to watch a game that will be "useless" to them if their team loses later.  Once you're in the building, you're more likely to stay.

I dont think they are worried about attendance for the 2nd game.  MIT usually doesnt charge for tickets anyway (apparently for the tourney it is $4 for adults, $2 for seniors, $1 for students), and they are giving away free food at the MIT game this Saturday.

[pjunito]

WPI, enjoy the games! You can have prime seating if everyone clears out after the MIT game.

[7express]

WPI, enjoy the games! You can have prime seating if everyone clears out after the MIT game.

I know i probably have a different opinion, but I'm sticking around for both games.  I'll stick around for game 2 if my team/school plays game 1 regardless of whether they win or not, likewise I'll go up early and watch game 1 if we don't play till game 1.

[amh63]

Nice info being provided by the posters.
Free food at the MIT game....that must be a new thing?  Thanks HugeNerd.
ECSU is providing dining info for tourney goers to the LEC in Willi.
7Express.....do not really know where you are going to be....know you are a traveler but not a time traveler....basically did not understand your last post....stated with a smile on my face.
Me......still kicking sand, looking at art, and watching my wife shop...in the Sunshine state.....watching online and missing the action....live for now.