Great Lakes Region

[fantastic50]

Regarding Pool C, the question is what the committee will do with La Roche, which has an excellent record, but was defeated by the only good team they played (Marietta).  That game was the season opener, on the road, and was close (91-87).  If they are ranked 5th, despite the lack of quality wins, that might indicate a willingness of the committee to consider them for a Pool C slot.  The .551 non-conference SOS shows that La Roche played a decent schedule outside of the AMCC, but none of the teams that they beat (Calvin, John Carroll, etc.) panned out.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Here are the first rankings for the men this season: https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2019/02/men-regional-rankings-first

[Fifth and Putnam]

Great Lakes
1. Marietta
2. Wooster
3. La Roche
4. Capital
5. Wabash
6. Wittenberg
7. Mount Union
8. Wilmington
9. Baldwin Wallace

Some surprises here and we have our La Roche answer....the Redhawks sit at #3.

[sac]

Mt. Union is in a weird position.  2nd in the OAC yet could be regionally ranked behind as many as 3 OAC programs. 

[fantastic50]

This region continues to be strange.  I have no idea in what order the top four will be ranked, the next four are almost interchangeable, too, and there are several contenders for this last spot.  Here's my guess...

1) Marietta (18-5, 12-4 OAC, 0.783 WP, 0.561 SOS, 0.580 ncSOS, 6-4 vRRO)
2) Capital (19-4, 14-2 OAC, 0.826 WP, 0.524 SOS, 0.535 ncSOS, 6-1 vRRO)
3) Wooster (19-4, 14-2 NCAC, 0.826 WP, 0.530 SOS, 0.544 ncSOS, 3-3 vRRO)
4) La Roche (21-2, 16-0 AMCC, 0.913 WP, 0.506 SOS, 0.548 ncSOS, 0-1 vRRO)
5) Wittenberg (17-5, 12-4 NCAC, 0.773 WP, 0.525 SOS, 0.526 ncSOS, 3-3 vRRO)
6) Wabash (17-4, 13-3 NCAC, 0.810 WP, 0.512 SOS, 0.498 ncSOS, 2-2 vRRO)
7) Wilmington (16-6, 12-4 OAC, 0.727 WP, 0.529 SOS, 0.497 ncSOS, 4-5 vRRO)
8) Mount Union (19-4, 13-3 OAC, 0.826 WP, 0.493 SOS, 0.414 ncSOS, 4-2 vRRO)
9) Hanover (16-5, 13-3 HCAC, 0.762 WP, 0.496 SOS, 0.507 ncSOS, 0-1 vRRO)
----------
Transylvania (15-8, 12-4 HCAC, 0.652 WP, 0.525 SOS, 0.652 ncSOS, 1-4 vRRO)
Albion (16-6, 9-3 MIAA, 0.727 WP, 0.475 SOS, 0.498 ncSOS, 2-1 vRRO)
Penn State-Behrend (20-3, 13-3 AMCC, 0.870 WP, 0.468 SOS, 0.393 ncSOS, 0-2 vRRO)

[Dr. Acula]

Mt. Union is in a weird position.  2nd in the OAC yet could be regionally ranked behind as many as 3 OAC programs.

I don't understand how Mount would be behind Wilm.  They swept the Quakers already.  They have identical results against the other two RR OAC teams.  Surely a December win against Wabash doesn't outweigh getting beat twice head-to-head.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Mt. Union is in a weird position.  2nd in the OAC yet could be regionally ranked behind as many as 3 OAC programs.

I don't understand how Mount would be behind Wilm.  They swept the Quakers already.  They have identical results against the other two RR OAC teams.  Surely a December win against Wabash doesn't outweigh getting beat twice head-to-head.

If referring to the Week 1 rankings, the RR is irrelevant. They didn't use Results versus Regionally Ranked Opponents as it didn't exist when they were ranking. And there is more than WL, SOS, and vRRO. There is comparable results, head-to-heads, and if you get into secondary criteria Non-Conference SOS (which could be a factor here off the top of my head).

If it is the second week's rankings you have in mind... Mount may have an argument, but I haven't dived in that deep as of yet.

[Smitty Oom]

8) Mount Union (19-4, 13-3 OAC, 0.826 WP, 0.493 SOS, 0.414 ncSOS, 4-2 vRRO)

Woof...

Penn State-Behrend (20-3, 13-3 AMCC, 0.870 WP, 0.468 SOS, 0.393 ncSOS, 0-2 vRRO)

Double woof...

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I'd be careful with the use of the non conference SOS information. I get the sense too many people are using that to help make their decisions on where teams should be ranked.

Let's remember that is a SECONDARY criteria item. The only way it will even be considered is if teams being considered (and there could be more than two being considered at once) can't be decided on rankings wise and whatnot based on all the primary criteria. If the primary criteria leaves the RAC or national committee deadlocked, then they would go to secondary criteria. That's where the non-conf SOS will come into play, but ONLY in comparison to the team(s) being discussed. There is also some other secondary criteria like complete record (for anyone with some games not considered on their resume in the primary round).

I just want to make sure, because even I have fallen trap to looking at the non-conference SOS a bit too soon.

[Gregory Sager]

Good point, Dave.

It never hurts to keep re-posting the criteria. Here's the primary criteria:

The primary criteria emphasize competition leading up to NCAA championships; all criteria listed will be evaluated (not listed
in priority order).
● Won-lost percentage against Division III opponents;
● Division III head-to-head competition;
● Results versus common Division III opponents;
● Results versus ranked Division III teams as established by the final ranking and the ranking preceding the final ranking.
Conference postseason contests are included.
● Division III strength of schedule;
- Opponents' Average Winning Percentage (OWP).
- Opponents' Opponents' Average Winning Percentage (OOWP).
● Nullification (Bylaw 31.02.4).
Note: Contests versus provisional and reclassifying members in their third and fourth years shall count in the
primary criteria. Provisional and reclassifying members shall remain ineligible for rankings and selections.

... and here's the secondary criteria:

If the evaluation of the primary criteria does not result in a decision, the secondary criteria will be reviewed. All the criteria
listed will be evaluated (not listed in priority order). The secondary criteria introduce results against all other opponents from
other classifications (i.e., provisionals, NAIA, NCAA Divisions I and II).
● Non-Division III won-lost percentage;
● Results versus common non-Division III opponents;
● Division III non-conference strength-of-schedule.
Additionally, input is provided by regional advisory committees for consideration by the Men's Basketball Committee.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Thanks - at least someone thinks I have a good point these days.

[Dr. Acula]

Mt. Union is in a weird position.  2nd in the OAC yet could be regionally ranked behind as many as 3 OAC programs.

I don't understand how Mount would be behind Wilm.  They swept the Quakers already.  They have identical results against the other two RR OAC teams.  Surely a December win against Wabash doesn't outweigh getting beat twice head-to-head.

If referring to the Week 1 rankings, the RR is irrelevant. They didn't use Results versus Regionally Ranked Opponents as it didn't exist when they were ranking. And there is more than WL, SOS, and vRRO. There is comparable results, head-to-heads, and if you get into secondary criteria Non-Conference SOS (which could be a factor here off the top of my head).

If it is the second week's rankings you have in mind... Mount may have an argument, but I haven't dived in that deep as of yet.

I was just referring to 50's guess at the upcoming RR.  Mount needs to win the OAC tourney so I'm not trying to split hairs on the RR for their at-large resume.  I was just wondering aloud what the case would be for Wilm.

And thanks to GS for the criteria.  Very educational for a novice such as myself.

[sac]

The only case I can see for Wilmington over Mt. Union is the 9 RRO's and higher win%.  I'm a big head-to-head results guy, those should always matter most to me.


Anyway I said Mt. Union "could" be ranked behind "as many as" 3, not "would".  With new interpretations of the criteria and introduction of RRO's this week either in front of or behind Wilmington wouldn't surprise me.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The second week Regional Rankings have been released: https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2019/02/men-regional-rankings-second

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

It is now or never.

The last week of the Division III basketball regular season is here. Conferences will decide who will earn automatic bids to the NCAA Tournaments and teams try and position themselves for at-large bids, hosting opportunities, and bracketing considerations.

For teams who have been faltering, this is the last chance to right the ship. For programs which have underachieved, this is the last opportunity to live up to expectations. And of course for those with Cinderella dreams, this is the chance to try on the glass slipper.

Sunday's Hoopsville will cover it all in a special, extended, episode which for the first time (outside of Marathon programming) will feature a guest from each of the eight regions. We will also discuss which teams may be on the bubble, who has most likely secured at-large bid, and which teams need to win the AQs. Plus, we talk about how regions as we know it now could very well change in the future.

Hoopsville is presented by D3hoops.com and airs from the WBCA/NABC Studio. Sunday's show will hit the air at 6:00 p.m. ET. It can be watched live right here: http://bit.ly/2EeG5ZE (and simulcast on Facebook Live and Periscope).

If you have questions about Division III basketball, feel free to send them and we will answer them on a the show. Email them to dave.mchugh@d3sports.com or use any of the social media options below.

Guests Schedule (order subject to change):
- Katherine Bixby, Johns Hopkins women's coach
- Jonathan Crosthwaite, Occidental men's junior
- Marc Brown, NJCU men's coach
- Justin LeBlanc, Millsaps women's coach
- Jamie Seward, SUNY New Paltz women's coach
- Marcos Echevarria, No. 17 Nichols men's senior
- Herman Carmichael, La Roche men's coach
- Klay Knueppel, Wisconsin Luthern women's coach
- Brad Bankston, ODAC Commissioner
- Pat Coleman & Ryan Scott, D3hoops.com (Bubble Talk)

If you enjoy the show via the podcasts, choose your favorite avenue to listen and/or subscribe via the the following four avenues (click on the images when necessary):
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