East Region Playoff Discussion

[redswarm81]

Albright gets shipped south, for a first round game v. Salisbury.

Salisbury is a long shot at best to make the playoffs.  Albright could travel to Muhlenberg instead, though.  Reading to Allentown is a very short trip.

I think I meant to say Wesley, not Salisbury.  I agree that Salisbury is a longshot.  OTOH, Wesley's looking pretty good right now, given the latest Regional Rankings.

Albright to Muhlenberg would be an easy call, no doubt.  For the sake of the East Region, I would prefer that Cortland win this Saturday, but I also think most East playoff teams can compete with Muhlenberg.

[Knightstalker]

Since it is being talked about but hasn't been posted yet:

East Region
1. Cortland State 9-0 9-0
2. Ithaca 7-1 8-1
3. Montclair State 8-1 8-1
4. Hobart 7-1 7-1
5. RPI 7-1 7-1
6. Hartwick 6-2 6-2
7. Plymouth State 8-1 9-1
8. Rowan 7-2 7-2
9. Curry 8-1 9-1
10. Albright 6-1 7-2

[Bombers798891]

Albright gets shipped south, for a first round game v. Salisbury.

Salisbury is a long shot at best to make the playoffs.  Albright could travel to Muhlenberg instead, though.  Reading to Allentown is a very short trip.

I think I meant to say Wesley, not Salisbury.  I agree that Salisbury is a longshot.  OTOH, Wesley's looking pretty good right now, given the latest Regional Rankings.

Albright to Muhlenberg would be an easy call, no doubt.  For the sake of the East Region, I would prefer that Cortland win this Saturday, but I also think most East playoff teams can compete with Muhlenberg.

Can I ask a question that may seem dumb? What do people think about the NCAA shifting teams to other regions? I understand the logic I guess. (As it was explained to me, it was to ensure that the 4 best teams make the semifinals, so if say, MUC is #1 and North Central is #2 they're not meeting in the regional finals) but it just seems wierd I guess, like if the NCAA moved Texas and Texas Tech to different parts of the Big 12 so they don't knock each other off before the national title game or something. I can understand wanting to reward the best teams I suppose. But at the same time, isn't that just one of those "them's the breaks" kind of things? You play in a tough conference or region, maybe you don't make it as far as a "weaker" team from a less strong conference or region.

I guess maybe this is sour grapes. I'm an IC fan, and when I see that they're ranked #2 in the East with a chance to be #1 if they beat Cortland, but then the logic seems to be that someone is then going to get moved from somewhere to join the East like last season. Obviously, if IC were to go 10-0, this wouldn't have happened, but it seems a bit odd that IC--or whoever was #2 last season to MUC--finishes with what the comittee feels is the best team in the East, but can't get a #1 seed and instead get some road matchup in the regional finals. Why not move a team in to be an #8 seed?

I really am curious to the thought process going on. Am I the only one who thinks this way?

[theoriginalupstate]

Can I ask a question that may seem dumb? What do people think about the NCAA shifting teams to other regions? I understand the logic I guess. (As it was explained to me, it was to ensure that the 4 best teams make the semifinals, so if say, MUC is #1 and North Central is #2 they're not meeting in the regional finals) but it just seems wierd I guess, like if the NCAA moved Texas and Texas Tech to different parts of the Big 12 so they don't knock each other off before the national title game or something. I can understand wanting to reward the best teams I suppose. But at the same time, isn't that just one of those "them's the breaks" kind of things? You play in a tough conference or region, maybe you don't make it as far as a "weaker" team from a less strong conference or region.

I guess maybe this is sour grapes. I'm an IC fan, and when I see that they're ranked #2 in the East with a chance to be #1 if they beat Cortland, but then the logic seems to be that someone is then going to get moved from somewhere to join the East like last season. Obviously, if IC were to go 10-0, this wouldn't have happened, but it seems a bit odd that IC--or whoever was #2 last season to MUC--finishes with what the comittee feels is the best team in the East, but can't get a #1 seed and instead get some road matchup in the regional finals. Why not move a team in to be an #8 seed?

I really am curious to the thought process going on. Am I the only one who thinks this way?

Alot of the SJF guys said that last year when they were watching the selection show that they expected to be the #1 seed at 9-1.  They were then shocked to find out that the NCAA "moved" MUC to the East.  I bet that the NCAA was sick of having 10-0 east teams either slip up somewhere along the line in the playoffs or get pasted when they had to go to the SEMI's.  Meanwhile in other regions highly ranked teams are getting knocked off by higher ranked teams all because of their geographic location.

To me it makes sense to TRY to take the 4 best teams and give them #1 seeds, much like March Maddness.  I'd rather have a full sets of competitive brackets than a free ticket to the Semi's for the east. 

[gobombers15]

If Fisher does get the #8 seed, that leads me to believe that MUC would not be the imported team. Doesn't the selection committee try to avoid regular season matchups in the first round? Also, they've played so often in the last few years and will play again in Week 1 next year. You can say "that's not a consideration" all day, but I still think the committee would avoid that if they can.

Also, I'm surprised more people aren't taking into consideration what may happen if Ithaca loses but Fisher also loses, thus giving Ithaca the Pool A bid. Even though I think Fisher wins that game, it's a very real possibility given Fisher's inconsistencies so far.

Here's my best guess if that's the scenario:

1) Cortland
2) Muhlenburg
3) Montclair St.
4) Hobart
5) Albright
6) RPI
7) Ithaca
8 ) Plymouth State

That could set up a Muhlenburg v. Ithaca game. Ithaca to Allentown is a shade under 3 hours and is very doable. Is it crazy to think Ithaca would still be ranked ahead of Plymouth State under this scenario?

[Reno Hightower]

Will an undefeated team really be moved to be a #2?

[theoriginalupstate]

If Fisher does get the #8 seed, that leads me to believe that MUC would not be the imported team. Doesn't the selection committee try to avoid regular season matchups in the first round? Also, they've played so often in the last few years and will play again in Week 1 next year. You can say "that's not a consideration" all day, but I still think the committee would avoid that if they can.

Also, I'm surprised more people aren't taking into consideration what may happen if Ithaca loses but Fisher also loses, thus giving Ithaca the Pool A bid. Even though I think Fisher wins that game, it's a very real possibility given Fisher's inconsistencies so far.

Here's my best guess if that's the scenario:

1) Cortland
2) Muhlenburg
3) Montclair St.
4) Hobart
5) Albright
6) RPI
7) Ithaca
8 ) Plymouth State

That could set up a Muhlenburg v. Ithaca game. Ithaca to Allentown is a shade under 3 hours and is very doable. Is it crazy to think Ithaca would still be ranked ahead of Plymouth State under this scenario?

I was under the assumption that they try to avoid conference rematches in the first round...

[Bombers798891]

Can I ask a question that may seem dumb? What do people think about the NCAA shifting teams to other regions? I understand the logic I guess. (As it was explained to me, it was to ensure that the 4 best teams make the semifinals, so if say, MUC is #1 and North Central is #2 they're not meeting in the regional finals) but it just seems wierd I guess, like if the NCAA moved Texas and Texas Tech to different parts of the Big 12 so they don't knock each other off before the national title game or something. I can understand wanting to reward the best teams I suppose. But at the same time, isn't that just one of those "them's the breaks" kind of things? You play in a tough conference or region, maybe you don't make it as far as a "weaker" team from a less strong conference or region.

I guess maybe this is sour grapes. I'm an IC fan, and when I see that they're ranked #2 in the East with a chance to be #1 if they beat Cortland, but then the logic seems to be that someone is then going to get moved from somewhere to join the East like last season. Obviously, if IC were to go 10-0, this wouldn't have happened, but it seems a bit odd that IC--or whoever was #2 last season to MUC--finishes with what the comittee feels is the best team in the East, but can't get a #1 seed and instead get some road matchup in the regional finals. Why not move a team in to be an #8 seed?

I really am curious to the thought process going on. Am I the only one who thinks this way?

Alot of the SJF guys said that last year when they were watching the selection show that they expected to be the #1 seed at 9-1.  They were then shocked to find out that the NCAA "moved" MUC to the East.  I bet that the NCAA was sick of having 10-0 east teams either slip up somewhere along the line in the playoffs or get pasted when they had to go to the SEMI's.  Meanwhile in other regions highly ranked teams are getting knocked off by higher ranked teams all because of their geographic location.

To me it makes sense to TRY to take the 4 best teams and give them #1 seeds, much like March Maddness.  I'd rather have a full sets of competitive brackets than a free ticket to the Semi's for the east. 

I understand that argument, but that's what happens in sports sometimes no? The SEC and Big 12 are sitting there cannibalizing each other, and even though the two best teams in the country might be from the same conference, we're not getting them in the National Title game. The Yankees won 89 games this season, which would have put them 5 games up on the Dodgers in the NL West. We didn't shift the Yankees to the NL. Philadelphia is 5-4 and in last because they're 0-3 in a brutal division, while the Cardinals are 6-3 and have a four game lead on that entire, godawful division. Sometimes you miss the playoffs--or get knocked off earlier--because you play in a tough region. Is that so awful?

I guess it just seems like, hey, sometimes you get a bum draw, but it happens you know? You really have a tough time getting out of region games on the schedule, so if you're the best in the East, shouldn't you be rewarded as such?

[PBR...]

If Fisher does get the #8 seed, that leads me to believe that MUC would not be the imported team. Doesn't the selection committee try to avoid regular season matchups in the first round? Also, they've played so often in the last few years and will play again in Week 1 next year. You can say "that's not a consideration" all day, but I still think the committee would avoid that if they can.

Also, I'm surprised more people aren't taking into consideration what may happen if Ithaca loses but Fisher also loses, thus giving Ithaca the Pool A bid. Even though I think Fisher wins that game, it's a very real possibility given Fisher's inconsistencies so far.

Here's my best guess if that's the scenario:

1) Cortland
2) Muhlenburg
3) Montclair St.
4) Hobart
5) Albright
6) RPI
7) Ithaca
8 ) Plymouth State

That could set up a Muhlenburg v. Ithaca game. Ithaca to Allentown is a shade under 3 hours and is very doable. Is it crazy to think Ithaca would still be ranked ahead of Plymouth State under this scenario?

I was under the assumption that they try to avoid conference rematches in the first round...

its not a conference rematch...

[Frank Rossi]

I posted this in the LLPP with respect to the RPI question (in Pool C or not?).  I thought some of you might like to read it here.

This is an analysis of the state of affairs if Pool C were being picked today.  In order to perform this analysis, we must first square away some Pool A and Pool B issues.


Pool A Issues
-------------

As you know, Pool A represents 23 slots.  Currently, 14 of these slots have been determined (courtesy Pat Coleman's post on the Daily Dose):

ASC: Mary Hardin-Baylor
CC: Muhlenberg
CCIW: North Central
HCAC: Franklin
IIAC: Wartburg
MIAA: Trine
MWC: Monmouth
NCAC: Wabash
NJAC: Cortland State
NWC: Willamette
OAC: Mount Union
PAC: Thomas More
SCIAC: Occidental
SCAC: Millsaps

Only one of these teams (Thomas More) does not appear in the present NCAA Regional Rankings.  This weekend, the remaining nine slots will be filled this weekend.  Here is an analysis of those races (courtesy Ralph Turner in response to Pat Coleman's post):

E8 — SJF (4-1) must beat Alfred (3-2) to get the co-championship and the Pool A bid over Ithaca (5-1) which plays Cortland St.

LL — Hobart (5-1) must beat Rochester (3-3) to clinch the AQ. RPI (5-1) earns a co-championship with a win over Merchant Marine (1-5).

MAC — Albright (5-1) can clinch with a win over Del Valley (4-2). LebValley (4-2) and Lycoming (4-2) also play.

MIAC — Carleton (5-2) at SJU (5-2) for the outright title and Pool A bid.

NATHC — Aurora (6-0) hosts Lakeland (5-1) for the Pool A bid.

NEFC — Plymouth State at Maine Maritime in the NEFC Bowl.

ODAC — Catholic (4-1) hosts Bridgewater (2-3). A win gives them the AQ. H-SC (4-1) goes to Randolph-Macon (3-2).

USASouth — CNU (6-0) hosts Ferrum (5-1) for the AQ.

WIAC — UWSP (5-1) hosts UW-Lacrosse (3-3) to clinch the AQ. UW-Whitewater (5-1) is at Platteville (2-4).

From this list when cross-referenced with the new Rankings, there are only FOUR cases in which a present Pool C likely candidate could be converted into a Pool A winner:

1) Ithaca (SJF would not replace it as a Pool C candidate if SJF loses);
2) RPI (Hobart would not replace it as a Pool C candidate if Hobart loses);
3) Hampden-Sydney (Catholic would not replace it as a Pool C candidate if Catholic loses); and
4) UW-Whitewater (UW-Stevens Point COULD replace it as a Pool C candidate with a loss, although it would be a stretch).

Keep those scenarios in mind for later in this post.


Pool B Issues
-------------

Now, let's look at Pool B.  The likely choices for the three Pool B bids are:

1) Case Western Reserve (8-0 Regional, 9-0 Overall);
2) Wesley (3-1 Regional, 7-1 Overall); and
3) EITHER the winner of Huntingdon/LaGrange (H is 7-1 Regional, 8-1 Overall while L is 7-0 Regional, 8-1 Overall) OR Northwestern (Minn.) (8-1 Regional, 8-1 Overall).

I'll comment more on the Pool B third slot later only if it plays a role in the analysis.


How Pool C Works
------------------

So, now, let's look at how Pool C works.  There are six slots this year in Pool C.  The process generally utilized by the Selection Committe is to rank the Pool C nominees in each Region against the others in that Region before matching up the top Pool C seed in each of the four Regions.  The Committee will take the top team out of the four being reviewed, place it in Pool C and replace that team with the next highest seed in that Region's Pool C seedings.  This repeats until all six teams are selected.

Using this week's Regional Rankings, here is the likely seeding of each region's Pool C nominees:

East:

1) Ithaca, 2) Montclair, 3) RPI, 4) Hartwick, 5) Rowan and 6) Curry

North:

1) Otterbein, 2) Wooster and 3) Elmhurst

South:

1) Hardin-Simmons, 2) Hampden-Sydney, 3) Wash. & Jeff. and 4) The Winner of LaGrange/Huntingdon if not chosen for Pool C

West:

1) UW-Whitewater, 2) Redlands and 3) Northwestern (Minn.) if not chosen for Pool C


Pool C Selection
---------------

Now it is time to go through the six rounds for Pool C selection:

Round 1
--------
(Note:  Opp. W/L is the regional W/L record of the final opponent for that team, since these numbers have yet to be figured into the team's OWP)

                           Reg.    All                                 Opp.
Team          Region       W/L     W/L        OWP         OOWP         W/L
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ithaca         East        7-1     8-1        .540        .544         9-0
Otterbein      North       8-1     8-1        .465        .545         5-4
Hardin-Simmons South       9-1     9-1        .511        .512         ---
UW-Whitewater  West        7-1     8-1        .509        .568         4-4

Remember that for these purposes, we are assuming all teams considered will win this Saturday.  At this point, the likelihood is that since Otterbein's only loss was to Mount Union this season, it will likely receive the first Pool C bid.  We will award Otterbein and replace it with Wooster. 


Round 2
--------
                           Reg.    All                                 Opp.
Team          Region       W/L     W/L        OWP         OOWP         W/L
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ithaca         East        7-1     8-1        .540        .544         9-0
Wooster        North       6-2     7-2        .584        .473         5-2
Hardin-Simmons South       9-1     9-1        .511        .512         ---
UW-Whitewater  West        7-1     8-1        .509        .568         4-4

This appears to be a pretty close call between Ithaca, Hardin-Simmons and UW-Whitewater.  Each of these teams have the teams representing each of their only losses already in the tournament via Pool A.  In this situation, my belief is that UW-Whitewater, because of its defending National Champion status, is selected at this stage.  We will roll Redlands into UW-Whitewater's slot.


Round 3
--------
                           Reg.    All                                 Opp.
Team          Region       W/L     W/L        OWP         OOWP         W/L
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ithaca         East        7-1     8-1        .540        .544         9-0
Wooster        North       6-2     7-2        .584        .473         5-2
Hardin-Simmons South       9-1     9-1        .511        .512         ---
Redlands       West        7-1     7-1        .464        .489         6-2

The two teams that jump out are the two remaining from our discussion in Round 2:  Ithaca and Hardin-Simmons.  Ithaca would have had a quality win vs. Cortland that will raise its OWP above .560 (although this could change based on prior opponents' results).  The numbers and quality win place Ithaca easily into this slot.  Let's roll Montclair St. into Ithaca's spot.


Round 4
--------
                           Reg.    All                                 Opp.
Team          Region       W/L     W/L        OWP         OOWP         W/L
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Montclair St.  East        8-1     8-1        .474        .535         6-3
Wooster        North       6-2     7-2        .584        .473         5-2
Hardin-Simmons South       9-1     9-1        .511        .512         ---
Redlands       West        7-1     7-1        .464        .489         6-2

Hardin-Simmons should win in this scenario based on its one-loss status and decent OWP and OOWP numbers.  Wooster's second loss and OOWP don't allow it to be picked at this stage, even though both of its losses came against undefeated teams (inflating its OWP already).  Roll out Hardin-Simmons and roll in Hampden-Sydney.


Round 5
--------
                           Reg.    All                                 Opp.
Team          Region       W/L     W/L        OWP         OOWP         W/L
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Montclair St.  East        8-1     8-1        .474        .535         6-3
Wooster        North       6-2     7-2        .584        .473         5-2
Hampden-Sydney South       7-1     8-1        .616        .514         4-3
Redlands       West        7-1     7-1        .464        .489         6-2

Hampden-Sydney's OWP will remain pretty stable, so this is a problem scenario for Montclair St. in a comparison.  Wooster's problem is still that the OWP of the teams it actually beat is low, so I can't see Wooster selected here.  Therefore, I have to give the nod to Hampden-Sydney at this point and roll Washington & Jefferson into its slot.


Round 6
--------
                           Reg.    All                                 Opp.
Team          Region       W/L     W/L        OWP         OOWP         W/L
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Montclair St.  East        8-1     8-1        .474        .535         6-3
Wooster        North       6-2     7-2        .584        .473         5-2
Wash. & Jeff.  South       7-1     8-1        .377        .516         3-4
Redlands       West        7-1     7-1        .464        .489         6-2

Each of these teams has some issues we must look at.  First, Montclair's OWP is not the strongest on the board.  However, this week's game against Kean will help propel it closer to .500.  Wooster's second loss and artificial OWP (call this subjective, or call it common sense to give only partial weight to two losses to undefeated teams) with a pretty low OOWP does not help it still.  Wash. & Jeff. is looking pretty ugly at a .377 OWP (which won't improve much this weekend, if at all).  This is the lowest OWP we have seen so far.  Finally, Redlands will have numbers competitive to Montclair -- however, there are two problems.  First, the OOWP numbers will be below Montclair's numbers no matter what.  Second, there may be eight West Bracket teams already at this point.  A ninth West team would force a flight for every round that a "shipping" school would remain in the playoffs.  From my discussion with Mr. Kaiser, it seems like this year, more than any other, this could be an issue.  For these reasons, I believe Montclair gets selected in this round.  I will roll RPI into its slot for comparison's sake, as I know that question is forthcoming.



Final State of the Board
-----------------------
                           Reg.    All                                 Opp.
Team          Region       W/L     W/L        OWP         OOWP         W/L
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPI            East        7-1     7-1        .495        .526         2-7
Wooster        North       6-2     7-2        .584        .473         5-2
Wash. & Jeff.  South       7-1     8-1        .377        .516         3-4
Redlands       West        7-1     7-1        .464        .489         6-2

Note that out of these teams, the only one with a respectable out-of-conference win is Redlands (over 6-3 Whitworth).  Looking at the numbers and based on previous discussions in this post, I believe that RPI would be the 33rd team (i.e., the best team not selected) if there are no upsets this weekend involving the teams selected ahead of them or the vulnerable Pool A teams in those same teams' conferences.


As a review, the six Pool C teams at this time appear to be:

1) Otterbein, 2) UW-Whitewater, 3) Ithaca, 4) Hardin-Simmons, 5) Hampden-Sydney and 6) Montclair St.


What RPI Needs to Happen
--------------------------
RPI would stand a very decent chance of making the NCAA Playoffs if any of these scenarios occurred this weekend (or virtually a 100% chance if two or more occurred), assuming Hobart and RPI both win:

1) Cortland beats Ithaca (Ithaca removed from Pool C with loss);
2) Alfred beats St. John Fisher (Ithaca removed from Pool C with Pool A win);
3) John Carroll beats Otterbein (Otterbein removed from Pool C with loss);
4) UW-Platteville beats UW-Whitewater (UW-Whtiewater removed from Pool C with loss);
5) UW-La Crosse beats UW-Stevens Point (UW-Whitewater removed from Pool C with Pool A win)*;
6) Randolph-Macon beats Hampden-Sydney (Hampden-Sydney removed from Pool C with loss);
7) Kean beats Montclair St. (Montclair St. removed from Pool C with loss); or
8) Bridgewater (Va.) beats Catholic (Hampden-Sydney removed from Pool C with Pool A win).

* - UW-Steven's Point COULD be considered with two losses for Pool C, although their selection would be unlikely.

Again, for safety, RPI needs to root for at least TWO of these scenarios.  If one occurs, there is a possibility for a subjective or objective analysis to knock it out of the Pool C debate when it finally reaches the board (i.e., after Ithaca and/or Montclair are picked to allow for RPI discussions).

[union89]

Can I ask a question that may seem dumb? What do people think about the NCAA shifting teams to other regions? I understand the logic I guess. (As it was explained to me, it was to ensure that the 4 best teams make the semifinals, so if say, MUC is #1 and North Central is #2 they're not meeting in the regional finals) but it just seems wierd I guess, like if the NCAA moved Texas and Texas Tech to different parts of the Big 12 so they don't knock each other off before the national title game or something. I can understand wanting to reward the best teams I suppose. But at the same time, isn't that just one of those "them's the breaks" kind of things? You play in a tough conference or region, maybe you don't make it as far as a "weaker" team from a less strong conference or region.

I guess maybe this is sour grapes. I'm an IC fan, and when I see that they're ranked #2 in the East with a chance to be #1 if they beat Cortland, but then the logic seems to be that someone is then going to get moved from somewhere to join the East like last season. Obviously, if IC were to go 10-0, this wouldn't have happened, but it seems a bit odd that IC--or whoever was #2 last season to MUC--finishes with what the comittee feels is the best team in the East, but can't get a #1 seed and instead get some road matchup in the regional finals. Why not move a team in to be an #8 seed?

I really am curious to the thought process going on. Am I the only one who thinks this way?

Alot of the SJF guys said that last year when they were watching the selection show that they expected to be the #1 seed at 9-1.  They were then shocked to find out that the NCAA "moved" MUC to the East.  I bet that the NCAA was sick of having 10-0 east teams either slip up somewhere along the line in the playoffs or get pasted when they had to go to the SEMI's.  Meanwhile in other regions highly ranked teams are getting knocked off by higher ranked teams all because of their geographic location.

To me it makes sense to TRY to take the 4 best teams and give them #1 seeds, much like March Maddness.  I'd rather have a full sets of competitive brackets than a free ticket to the Semi's for the east. 

I would agree, with the exception of a Cortland situation.  If Cortland goes undefeated, playing the type schedule they do, there is no way IMO a team should be imported to be #1 above them.  Interesting, in that last year, Curry went undefeated, yet was supplanted as the #1.  The committee must have looked at Curry and felt there was no way they could leave them as #1.....I agree.

[dewcrew88]

Can I ask a question that may seem dumb? What do people think about the NCAA shifting teams to other regions? I understand the logic I guess. (As it was explained to me, it was to ensure that the 4 best teams make the semifinals, so if say, MUC is #1 and North Central is #2 they're not meeting in the regional finals) but it just seems wierd I guess, like if the NCAA moved Texas and Texas Tech to different parts of the Big 12 so they don't knock each other off before the national title game or something. I can understand wanting to reward the best teams I suppose. But at the same time, isn't that just one of those "them's the breaks" kind of things? You play in a tough conference or region, maybe you don't make it as far as a "weaker" team from a less strong conference or region.

I guess maybe this is sour grapes. I'm an IC fan, and when I see that they're ranked #2 in the East with a chance to be #1 if they beat Cortland, but then the logic seems to be that someone is then going to get moved from somewhere to join the East like last season. Obviously, if IC were to go 10-0, this wouldn't have happened, but it seems a bit odd that IC--or whoever was #2 last season to MUC--finishes with what the comittee feels is the best team in the East, but can't get a #1 seed and instead get some road matchup in the regional finals. Why not move a team in to be an #8 seed?

I really am curious to the thought process going on. Am I the only one who thinks this way?

Alot of the SJF guys said that last year when they were watching the selection show that they expected to be the #1 seed at 9-1.  They were then shocked to find out that the NCAA "moved" MUC to the East.  I bet that the NCAA was sick of having 10-0 east teams either slip up somewhere along the line in the playoffs or get pasted when they had to go to the SEMI's.  Meanwhile in other regions highly ranked teams are getting knocked off by higher ranked teams all because of their geographic location.

To me it makes sense to TRY to take the 4 best teams and give them #1 seeds, much like March Maddness.  I'd rather have a full sets of competitive brackets than a free ticket to the Semi's for the east.

Re: What's in bold.
I'm completely the opposite. Give the east 8 teams. They are competitive brackets as is. MUC will beat everyone by 50, not just the East. And there are no free tickets to anything in any region.

[theoriginalupstate]

Can I ask a question that may seem dumb? What do people think about the NCAA shifting teams to other regions? I understand the logic I guess. (As it was explained to me, it was to ensure that the 4 best teams make the semifinals, so if say, MUC is #1 and North Central is #2 they're not meeting in the regional finals) but it just seems wierd I guess, like if the NCAA moved Texas and Texas Tech to different parts of the Big 12 so they don't knock each other off before the national title game or something. I can understand wanting to reward the best teams I suppose. But at the same time, isn't that just one of those "them's the breaks" kind of things? You play in a tough conference or region, maybe you don't make it as far as a "weaker" team from a less strong conference or region.

I guess maybe this is sour grapes. I'm an IC fan, and when I see that they're ranked #2 in the East with a chance to be #1 if they beat Cortland, but then the logic seems to be that someone is then going to get moved from somewhere to join the East like last season. Obviously, if IC were to go 10-0, this wouldn't have happened, but it seems a bit odd that IC--or whoever was #2 last season to MUC--finishes with what the comittee feels is the best team in the East, but can't get a #1 seed and instead get some road matchup in the regional finals. Why not move a team in to be an #8 seed?

I really am curious to the thought process going on. Am I the only one who thinks this way?

Alot of the SJF guys said that last year when they were watching the selection show that they expected to be the #1 seed at 9-1.  They were then shocked to find out that the NCAA "moved" MUC to the East.  I bet that the NCAA was sick of having 10-0 east teams either slip up somewhere along the line in the playoffs or get pasted when they had to go to the SEMI's.  Meanwhile in other regions highly ranked teams are getting knocked off by higher ranked teams all because of their geographic location.

To me it makes sense to TRY to take the 4 best teams and give them #1 seeds, much like March Maddness.  I'd rather have a full sets of competitive brackets than a free ticket to the Semi's for the east.

Re: What's in bold.
I'm completely the opposite. Give the east 8 teams. They are competitive brackets as is. MUC will beat everyone by 50, not just the East. And there are no free tickets to anything in any region.

Sorry gotta disagree, with the North/West/South having possible multiple undefeated teams in their regions and the East only having 1 it makes sense to move teams around to even out the strength of those brackets....

[pg04]

I agree with Upstate.  The eastern region teams should not be  just handed a spot in the semifinals ...

(And I say this as a fan of a team who got its chance to go to the nation semis halted due to an out of region team)

[Jonny Utah]

I kind of agree with dewcrew only in the sense that the NCAA makes the east take an NEFC team as a pool A bid, they should at least make the bracket "east" if they can.

Its only unfair if like a 9-1 WIAC or OAC team has to miss out on a pool C bid because of it. (if that ever happened)