FB: Midwest Conference

[The Roop]

Rise of the Blue Boy Nation, that's a laugh.  Americas Team says it's more like Judgement Day for the rest for the conference. 

[gbpuckfan]

Hey puckfan. You out there? Pat, how about you? Talk about fair weather fans. No one on here even mentions possibilities about playoffs. Pat, I know you won't comment until tomorrow on around the region. Looking forward to that. And to the Knox and Ripon fans that only say "you're going to get killed in the first round" type of comments, I have a little statement of my own. Let's hope we face each other in the playoffs. Oh yeah, your not in the playoffs.

For those of you that really are serious, thoughts about brackets? Who else will get in and where will they be seeded? Where will SNC end up seeded? 8? 7?

Sorry, one of those weeks where work is pulling me away from the computer.

Looking just at the d3football.com top 25 (as opposed to the AFCA list), I see these teams that could end up in the same part of a bracket as SNC:

1 UW-Whitewater
4 St. Thomas
5 North Central (Ill.)
15 Coe
16 Bethel
18 Wheaton (Ill.)
25 Central

I don't pretend to pay close enough attention to know which teams will end up which region (i.e. will Whitewater be moved, etc). It doesn't look like the WIAC will get a second team - which would likely be an easy pairing geographically otherwise. Given the overall record of 7-3, combined with the conference's reputation and a home loss to a #4 ranked team, I doubt SNC gets anything higer than a 7 seed. (Certainly Pat et al will educate us more as we go).

So, that means a road game. Probably at a conference champion. I think I'd be pleased with:

A) not having to play Whitewater in the first round
B) drawing St. Thomas

I went to the UST/SNC game. SNC didn't play particularly well offensively, had too many turnovers, etc. That said, the offense is playing better as of late. The turnovers have dropped dramatically in the second half of the season. I'm willing (naively hoping?) I can chalk up some of the UST performance to jitters associated with the new stadium debut. And, SNC was able to have some success on both sides of the ball. Plus, the familiarity factor could help.

SNC could surprise whoever they play. (I mean, that's why we play the games, right?). Is this team going to make a deep run? Perhaps not. But a first-round win is possible.

[The Roop]

CCIW is in the North Region and you have left out the west coast teams. Even as loaded as the bracket would be I don't think Whitewater gets moved if the CCIW gets 2 in.

[SNCOLDAD]

OK. Obviously I would prefer not to pay a visit to Whitewater ( in spite of the very short travel for me). I am also hoping it is not the Tommies. Not because they will beat us, but because we already played them once in September and SNC plays them again at St Thomas to open the season next year. 3 times within 12 months including twice there? Prefer that not to happen. I see 2 west coasters so they will likely play each other. So either UWW gets moved and the Tommies get a number one ....or... either Coe or Bethel stays home. And that does not even bring Central into the mix but 2 losses for a Pool C is extremely unlikely. Give me a team we have not played this year. Do I think we play the Tommies better than at the season opener. Absolutely. I just would like to face a team we have not played this year. (except UWW for obvious reasons)

Do we know if it is always 1 vs.8, 2 vs. 7 etc. or can they throw a 3 against 8 in there for geographic reasons? I think you have to build brackets around the top 4 teams getting #1 seeds. From there who knows.

[gbpuckfan]

Thanks for the insight... I figured that the west coast teams would end up in the same half of the bracket, but I guess I was looking at the first game (or 2) - not to be pessimistic or anything) - and looking at likely matchups given the 500 mile driving rule. As I said, I haven't looked at the region closely enough.

And Dad - bracket integrity does sometimes take a back seat to travel considerations, yes.

[warthog]

Hey puckfan. You out there? Pat, how about you? Talk about fair weather fans. No one on here even mentions possibilities about playoffs. Pat, I know you won't comment until tomorrow on around the region. Looking forward to that. And to the Knox and Ripon fans that only say "you're going to get killed in the first round" type of comments, I have a little statement of my own. Let's hope we face each other in the playoffs. Oh yeah, your not in the playoffs.

For those of you that really are serious, thoughts about brackets? Who else will get in and where will they be seeded? Where will SNC end up seeded? 8? 7?

Sorry, one of those weeks where work is pulling me away from the computer.

Looking just at the d3football.com top 25 (as opposed to the AFCA list), I see these teams that could end up in the same part of a bracket as SNC:

1 UW-Whitewater
4 St. Thomas
5 North Central (Ill.)
15 Coe
16 Bethel
18 Wheaton (Ill.)
25 Central

I don't pretend to pay close enough attention to know which teams will end up which region (i.e. will Whitewater be moved, etc). It doesn't look like the WIAC will get a second team - which would likely be an easy pairing geographically otherwise. Given the overall record of 7-3, combined with the conference's reputation and a home loss to a #4 ranked team, I doubt SNC gets anything higer than a 7 seed. (Certainly Pat et al will educate us more as we go).

So, that means a road game. Probably at a conference champion. I think I'd be pleased with:

A) not having to play Whitewater in the first round
B) drawing St. Thomas

I went to the UST/SNC game. SNC didn't play particularly well offensively, had too many turnovers, etc. That said, the offense is playing better as of late. The turnovers have dropped dramatically in the second half of the season. I'm willing (naively hoping?) I can chalk up some of the UST performance to jitters associated with the new stadium debut. And, SNC was able to have some success on both sides of the ball. Plus, the familiarity factor could help.

SNC could surprise whoever they play. (I mean, that's why we play the games, right?). Is this team going to make a deep run? Perhaps not. But a first-round win is possible.

gbpuckfan:  I think you forgot a currently undefeated Wartburg team that has already secured a spot in the playoffs.  Since Central has two conference losses in the IIAC and is likely to finish third in the league, I think you can withdraw them from your list.

[coco]

Thanks for the insight... I figured that the west coast teams would end up in the same half of the bracket, but I guess I was looking at the first game (or 2) - not to be pessimistic or anything) - and looking at likely matchups given the 500 mile driving rule. As I said, I haven't looked at the region closely enough.

And Dad - bracket integrity does sometimes take a back seat to travel considerations, yes.

Put us West Coasters down for at least two -- the SCIAC winner and the NWC winner, Linfield.

[gbpuckfan]

warthog - no offense intended - just missed it on the list...

[SNCOLDAD]

puckfan, thanks for joining in. I was feeling a little lonely out here as the only SNC fan on the board.

Warthog, I am starting to get this "KNIGHT" feeling. What do you think?

GO GREEN KNIGHTS

[warthog]

Warthog, I am starting to get this "KNIGHT" feeling. What do you think?

GO GREEN KNIGHTS

When I saw how things were shaking out, I started to think there is a good chance we could be the first round match up for one another.  I assume it depends which teams are the at large selections and if the selection committee moves a team out of or into the region.  Considering the results of our last two meetings, I think a Green/Orange Knights matchup would make for a good first round game.

[Maverick]

Ok, why not...I'll throw in my 2 cents.

West Region
1) UW-Whitewater
2) St. Thomas
3) Wartburg
4) Cal Lutheran
5) Linfield
6) Bethel
7) Coe
8) St. Norbert

I think the IIAC and MIAC will both get 2 teams in while the others all get just their conf. champs into the dance.  Pairings match up the way they should: SNC @ UWW, Coe @ UST, Bethel @ Wartburg, and Linfield gets to visit Cal Lutheran for the second time this season out there in the western time zone.  Of course, all this gets thrown in the trash if UWW gets moved to another region, if Pacific Lutheran would happen to get an invite, or if the NCAA does any other crazy stuff.   Just my thoughts, feel free to tear into them...I promise it won't hurt my feelings...discuss!

[scottie]

8.5) Monmouth 

[gbpuckfan]

Ok, why not...I'll throw in my 2 cents.

West Region
1) UW-Whitewater
2) St. Thomas
3) Wartburg
4) Cal Lutheran
5) Linfield
6) Bethel
7) Coe
8) St. Norbert

I think the IIAC and MIAC will both get 2 teams in while the others all get just their conf. champs into the dance.  Pairings match up the way they should: SNC @ UWW, Coe @ UST, Bethel @ Wartburg, and Linfield gets to visit Cal Lutheran for the second time this season out there in the western time zone.  Of course, all this gets thrown in the trash if UWW gets moved to another region, if Pacific Lutheran would happen to get an invite, or if the NCAA does any other crazy stuff.   Just my thoughts, feel free to tear into them...I promise it won't hurt my feelings...discuss!

I look at that and hope as a conference champion, SNC gets moved up ahead of a second-place finisher and avoids Whitewater... 

[hickory_cornhusker]

Ok, why not...I'll throw in my 2 cents.

West Region
1) UW-Whitewater
2) St. Thomas
3) Wartburg
4) Cal Lutheran
5) Linfield
6) Bethel
7) Coe
8) St. Norbert

I think the IIAC and MIAC will both get 2 teams in while the others all get just their conf. champs into the dance.  Pairings match up the way they should: SNC @ UWW, Coe @ UST, Bethel @ Wartburg, and Linfield gets to visit Cal Lutheran for the second time this season out there in the western time zone.  Of course, all this gets thrown in the trash if UWW gets moved to another region, if Pacific Lutheran would happen to get an invite, or if the NCAA does any other crazy stuff.   Just my thoughts, feel free to tear into them...I promise it won't hurt my feelings...discuss!

I look at that and hope as a conference champion, SNC gets moved up ahead of a second-place finisher and avoids Whitewater... 

Once you get placed into the field of 32 they no longer look at what pool you came from. They place you purely on your merits (except for the West Coast). In that regard St. Norbert will end up at #8. The only way it doesn't happen is if Benedictine (NAthCon Champ) gets moved placed in the same region (happened in 2008). They have two losses (one against CCIW last place team North Park). St. Norbert might be place ahead of them. They would be placed a head of Benedictine if the Eagles lose to rival Aurora on Saturday.

[Frank Rossi]

We've got Regional Rankings... Final time for the season that we'll see them:

http://d3blogs.com/d3football/2010/11/10/ncaas-third-regional-rankings/