Great Lakes Region

[kiltedbryan]

Put this in NCAC room, but figure it makes sense here, too:

That's probably it for DePauw but they'll be sitting somewhere near the edge of the bubble. They go into the selection with an 18-8 (.692) with a decent SOS and (probably) a 4-5 vRRO mark.

If they aren't selected, pretty easy to point to the losses to Oberlin, Allegheny and Kenyon. Win 2 of those 3 and they're 20-6 (.769) with the same peripherals; win all three and it's 21-5 (.808) and they'd probably be almost a lock.

[KnightSlappy]

This must be exceptionally close, with head to heads being the difference
DePauw               .738/.539/4-4
Wittenberg         .760/.512/2-3
Ohio Wesleyan   .760/.529/2-3

I'm thinking that Wittenberg's victory tonight moves them ahead of DePauw in the pecking order, which means that the New Tigers would be at best the third NCAC team in the mix. If OWU wins their game tonight, they too would move ahead of DPU, making DePauw's Pool C chances very long indeed.

As of this moment I see Wittenberg and DePauw as nearly dead-even. You could make a reasonable argument for either team (especially with the 2-1 h2h advantage for DePauw). But Wittenberg's SOS boost from playing in the finals could put them on top.

Marietta and Mount Union look to be solidly behind both of these, and probably OWU as well.

[David Collinge]

Wooster 78, OWU 67. That sound you hear is a bubble bursting in Delaware.

[KnightSlappy]

I'm betting Calvin slides into the final (hidden, super-secret) rankings. Bethany should fall below them, both they and Mount Union could fall out of the rankings completely.

[HOPEful]

I'm betting Calvin slides into the final (hidden, super-secret) rankings. Bethany should fall below them, both they and Mount Union could fall out of the rankings completely.

I agree. All of their D3 losses come to ranked regional opponents. Calvin entering the rankings would give Hope two more wins against ranked regional opponents, as well...

[KnightSlappy]

I'm betting Calvin slides into the final (hidden, super-secret) rankings. Bethany should fall below them, both they and Mount Union could fall out of the rankings completely.

I agree. All of their D3 losses come to ranked regional opponents. Calvin entering the rankings would give Hope two more wins against ranked regional opponents, as well...

I wouldn't be completely surprised if C-M-S falls out of the West Region rankings, so that one might not be, but yeah they didn't ever lose to a bad team.

[sac]

Hope became ranked #2 in this region on Feb 19

Since then
Hope       3-1
DePauw   3-1
Wittenberg 4-1
Marietta  1-2
Mt. Union  1-2
Ohio Wes.   2-2


At the last ranking date of Feb 26.  Hope had the highest SOS recorded of all Great Lakes teams, is there any conceivable reason Hope shouldn't be #2 in the region and thus first at the table or am I missing something?

[HOPEful]

Hope became ranked #2 in this region on Feb 19

Since then
Hope       3-1
DePauw   3-1
Wittenberg 4-1
Marietta  1-2
Mt. Union  1-2
Ohio Wes.   2-2


At the last ranking date of Feb 26.  Hope had the highest SOS recorded of all Great Lakes teams, is there any conceivable reason Hope shouldn't be #2 in the region and thus first at the table or am I missing something?

I don't think so. With Wooster getting the automatic qualifier, Hope has to be the first GL teams on the NCAA's super secret final rankings. I'm also assuming Calvin jumps onto the rankings, which would give Hope two more wins against regionally ranked opponents...

[sac]

Hope/Wittenberg comparison

Hope  .760/.535/ 2-4
Witt   .750/.520/ 3-4

This is estimating SOS and assuming DePauw remains ranked.  If Calvin slides into the final ranking that would give Hope 9 RRO's, even without that I don't know how you justify ranking Wittenberg ahead of Hope.

In fact I think its a better controversy between DePauw and Wittenberg

DePauw   .692/.544/4-5
Witt         .750/.520/3-4

DePauw has a 2-1 head-to-head advantage plus a win over top ranked Wooster.  Without putting more emphasis on the most recent head-to-head result (Witt win) I think arguments could be made either way.  If things are done correctly, one of these two should be among the final selections.

[David Collinge]

I don't know who is or would be arguing for Witt over Hope. Seems fairly straightforward to me.

DePauw could make some noise in the tourney if they get selected. They had a pretty good season against top-caliber teams, and there's no Oberlins or Alleghenys in the NCAA tournament field.

[hope1]

i see hope hosting the first round game this week

[wooscotsfan]

i see hope hosting the first round game this week

Very likely...there are certainly plenty of examples in past tournaments where Pool C teams have hosted first round games.

[HopeConvert]

I don't know who is or would be arguing for Witt over Hope. Seems fairly straightforward to me.

DePauw could make some noise in the tourney if they get selected. They had a pretty good season against top-caliber teams, and there's no Oberlins or Alleghenys in the NCAA tournament field.

Nervous Dutchmen, that's who.

[Roundball999]

i see hope hosting the first round game this week

Would be a little unfortunate for the Hope women, who are 27-0 and surely deserving to host.  But it is the men's turn to host this year if both are selected. Not begrudging the men at all... but have to acknowledge that the women are deserving

[sac]

i see hope hosting the first round game this week

Would be a little unfortunate for the Hope women, who are 27-0 and surely deserving to host.  But it is the men's turn to host this year if both are selected. Not begrudging the men at all... but have to acknowledge that the women are deserving

Which brings up something.  I wonder if Hope could decline to host the men.