Great Lakes Region

[ScotsFan]

I too think Wooster should remain in the top spot in the regional rankings this week.  But, I don't know if Wabash's win over Wooster will be enough offset their loss to Denison.  I think they still remain behind Hope because it will be tough to overcome that Denison loss.

[sac]

so despite seeing video and replaying it at least 3 times I still forgot Denison had beaten Wabash.

[KnightSlappy]

Calvin lost to Olivet which means the MIAA has no serious 2nd team for Pool C.  The only viable Pool C team now would be Hope if they lost the MIAA tournament.

I still think Calvin is viable if they win out (until the MIAA championship game). Certainly wouldn't be a shoe in, and maybe they'd again be a 'last four out' type team, but they would be in consideration. It all depends on how the final SOS numbers come out, but so far they're looking pretty strong in that category.

[wally_wabash]

Does losing to Denison on a 35 footer hurt more than beating #1 on the road helps?  I'm not sure.  I'd like to think that Wabash has enough "good win" capital built up this season to not get killed for the Denison buzzer beater.  

[ScotsFan]

Does losing to Denison on a 35 footer hurt more than beating #1 on the road helps?  I'm not sure.  I'd like to think that Wabash has enough "good win" capital built up this season to not get killed for the Denison buzzer beater.  

The win at Wooster will help offset the Denison loss somewhat, but not enough to help Wabash pass a team ahead of them with only one in-region loss in Hope.  

And whether the Denison loss was a buzzer beater or not, doesn't matter.  In the end it was an L, and that is all that matters...

[KnightSlappy]

Calvin's loss could end up hurting Hope in the rankings and tournament seeding.

Calvin's chances at becoming ranked at any point this year are now pretty slim, so Hope 'loses' the 1-1 with a possible third game that would have been considered 'results versus regionally ranked teams".

[wally_wabash]

I wouldn't expect Wabash to move ahead of Hope either.  I just don't think Wabash gets killed for that Denison loss...there's too many good wins on Wabash's record to think that what happened at Denison is representative.  

[KnightSlappy]

I wouldn't expect Wabash to move ahead of Hope either.  I just don't think Wabash gets killed for that Denison loss...there's too many good wins on Wabash's record to think that what happened at Denison is representative.  

Wabash will be fine at the #3 spot and their Pool C chances are still really good. I was talking to ziggy about the Region after Wabash lost to Denison, and we both agreed that Wabash would need to beat either Woo or Witt to stay in the Pool C race. Check that box. They're now back firmly in the mix.

[ScotsFan]

I wouldn't expect Wabash to move ahead of Hope either.  I just don't think Wabash gets killed for that Denison loss...there's too many good wins on Wabash's record to think that what happened at Denison is representative.  

Where was that a part of the discussion?  The only thing I was pointing out to sac was that I felt Wabash would stay put at #3.  Just in case you missed it:

I too think Wooster should remain in the top spot in the regional rankings this week.  But, I don't know if Wabash's win over Wooster will be enough offset their loss to Denison.  I think they still remain behind Hope because it will be tough to overcome that Denison loss.

I never said Wabash would get killed for losing to Denison.  However, had they not lost to Denison, I think Wabash would have a legit argument at passing Hope in this weeks rankings.  So, while that loss won't kill Wabash, it certainly hurt their chances of moving up in the rankings after beating top ranked Wooster.

[KnightSlappy]

I wouldn't count Olivet as dead in terms of Pool C quite yet either.

Their max 'Pool C' record would only be 0.700, but they could have a very very strong SOS. They'd have to win out until the MIAA championship, and that may not happen, but it's possible. It would involve a win at Hope.

[sac]

I wouldn't count Olivet as dead in terms of Pool C quite yet either.

Their max 'Pool C' record would only be 0.700, but they could have a very very strong SOS. They'd have to win out until the MIAA championship, and that may not happen, but it's possible. It would involve a win at Hope.

As much as I'd like to believe the MIAA could get 2, we're at a point where someone has to win out, and so far no one has shown they can win more than 2 or 3 in a row in this league if you aren't Hope.

Olivet has the 'easiest' schedule remaining of the 4 vying for 2nd, and they did beat Hope in Holland last year.  But I think its pretty unlikely anyone of the 2-6 teams makes it through these next 2 weeks unscathed.  Too many head to head matchups and roadtrips.

[KnightSlappy]

I wouldn't count Olivet as dead in terms of Pool C quite yet either.

Their max 'Pool C' record would only be 0.700, but they could have a very very strong SOS. They'd have to win out until the MIAA championship, and that may not happen, but it's possible. It would involve a win at Hope.

As much as I'd like to believe the MIAA could get 2, we're at a point where someone has to win out, and so far no one has shown they can win more than 2 or 3 in a row in this league if you aren't Hope.

Olivet has the 'easiest' schedule remaining of the 4 vying for 2nd, and they did beat Hope in Holland last year.  But I think its pretty unlikely anyone of the 2-6 teams makes it through these next 2 weeks unscathed.  Too many head to head matchups and roadtrips.

I don't think it is likely that either Calvin or Olivet win out, but should either of them do so, they'll get their shot 'at the table' near the end of the selection process. I agree that winning out is a long shot, and it might not be enough to get either selected in the end, but I don't think it's quite fair to rule either as 'dead' just yet.

[sac]

First column overall record/second column in-region record

1. Wooster 20-1 17-1
2. Hope  16-5  12-1
--------------------------------------.900
3. Marietta 20-2  17-2
4. Penn St.-Behrend  18-2  16-2
5. Thiel 15-6  15-3
6. Wittenberg  15-5   13-3
7. Wabash  17-4  16-4
--------------------------------------.800
--------------------------------------.700
8. John Carroll 15-6  13-6
8. Bethany 13-6 13-6
10. Capital 14-6  12-6
11. Calvin 11-11  8-4
--------------------------------------.600
12. Olivet 11-10 7-5
13. Albion 12-9  8-6
14. Adrian 10-10 6-6


Last week's key games, winners in bold

2-2   Thiel at Bethany

2-5   Wabash at Wooster
2-5  Albion at Adrian

Next week's key games
2-9  Olivet @ Hope
2-9  Calvin @ Adrian

2-12  Hope @ Adrian
2-12   Wooster @ Wittenberg


I've decided to keep teams listed until their 7th loss.  Speaking of that, give Thomas More a little love and they go out and promptly drop 2 straight, so Thomas More has dropped out after their 7th in-region loss.

OWU has 8 in-region losses but it should be noted the Bishops have won 9 in a row and play Witt on Wed.  Witt won the first meeting 64-62.

Added Olivet who won 3 games last week over Albion, Adrian and Calvin to up their in region record to 7-5.  Should include that Olivet has a win over John Carroll.

Anyone below .700 really can't afford another loss.

[sac]

For this week

PSU-Behrend played and lost to Middle Atlantic #2 LaRoche 61-67 just two weeks after hammering them by 23.

Thats a crucial loss at first glance, I don't have all the RPI etc. etc. but I would think it will be difficult for PSU-B to get in as 'C' candidate with 4 in-region losses.  Their schedule is really weak on massey, and I would guess the RPI isn't much better.

They probably need to win their tournament.

[ziggy]

Anyone below .700 really can't afford another loss.

I may be misremembering but I believe Wheaton (Ill.) was the only Pool C with a sub-.700 WP last season. You better have a strong SOS and some wins over regionally ranked to have a chance below .700.