BB: Central Region Rankings

[buc em up]

Beloit has now guaranteed that they will at least have a play in game to get in the tournament.  Cinderella isn't nearly over.

[BigPoppa]

NEW Central Region RANKINGS:

1. Carthage: 26-5/19-2
2. IWU: 21-10/ 19-9
3. Webster: 26-11/25-7
4. Buena Vista: 25-9/20-8
5. Luther: 23-11/21-11
6. Beloit:22-7/16-5

I am shocked that IWU did not move a single spot after getting swept by Wheaton. I thought Webster would bump to #2.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Don't forget that the third IWU loss to Wheaton is not included in these rankings.

[Ralph Turner]

NEW Central Region RANKINGS:

1. Carthage: 26-5/19-2
2. IWU: 21-10/ 19-9
3. Webster: 26-11/25-7
4. Buena Vista: 25-9/20-8
5. Luther: 23-11/21-11
6. Beloit:22-7/16-5

I am shocked that IWU did not move a single spot after getting swept by Wheaton. I thought Webster would bump to #2.

http://www.d3sports.com/dailydose/2009/04/30/ncaa-regional-rankings-week-2/#comments

[TheSportsFan]

Could somebody inform me on exactly what Pool A, Pool B, and Pool C all mean?

Pool A I assume are the automatic bids.  I think Pool C is the at-large bids.  What am I missing here?

Also, six teams get into the Central Region tournament, correct?  How many of those are automatic bids.

Lastly, in regards to the rankings.  I find them quite interesting, I also noticed that the last game between IWU and Wheaton did not make it.  Note that Luther's win over Buena Vista also did not make it in, I wonder if that would have put Luther over BV in the rankings.

[BigPoppa]

Pool B is for NCAA Independent schools without a conference affililiation or schools in conferences that are not awarded Pool A bids... the UMAC is an example. St. Scholastica is an example.

As for Luther vs. Buena Vista... I think only the team that wins the IIAC tourney will be awarded a bid. The IIAC is a bit down this year.

[trip21]

Wesleyan now has 2 losses to Benedictine and 3 to Wheaton (who just lost to U Chicago). How likely is it for the CCIW to only get 1 bid? Same question for ILIAC.

If Carthage, Buena Vista, Webster, and Beloit win their conference tourneys then who gets the last 2 bids?
I feel like if this situation occurs one team gets shipped in from another region and its a battle between Wesleyan, Wash U and ILIAC #2 for the last spot.

Thoughts?

[Mr. Ypsi]

Also, the 'Central Region' tourney is not necessarily just Central region teams; if a region doesn't fill a regional, teams can be imported; if a region is really loaded, teams can make the tourney but be sent elsewhere.  While not many teams get moved around, it is actually more precise to speak of the 'Regional at Augustana', rather than the 'Central Regional'.  But, to address the other part of your question, the AQ's from the CCIW, MWC, SLIAC, and IIAC will probably account for 4 slots in Augie.

Something I haven't checked but Big Poppa (or someone) is bound to know and save me the trouble : do we know ahead of time whether Augie is a 6-team or 8-team regional?  Or is that not decided until teams are selected and the committee figures out the cheapest way to group them?

[Mr. Ypsi]

Wesleyan now has 2 losses to Benedictine and 3 to Wheaton (who just lost to U Chicago). How likely is it for the CCIW to only get 1 bid? Same question for ILIAC.

If Carthage, Buena Vista, Webster, and Beloit win their conference tourneys then who gets the last 2 bids?
I feel like if this situation occurs one team gets shipped in from another region and its a battle between Wesleyan, Wash U and ILIAC #2 for the last spot.

Thoughts?

With the late season losses by IWU and Augie (and too many early season losses for Wheaton), I fear the CCIW may be a 1-team conference (unless someone else wins the AQ; Carthage would be a lock for a C).

[TheSportsFan]

It seems strange to me that no IIAC team could even be in the running for a Pool C bid.

Luther, Buena Vista and even Loras seem like they could be in the talk.

If Luther takes care of Dubuque this weekend they end up either 1st or 2nd in the IIAC with an overall record of 27-11.  If they finish second in the tournament why would they not be in consideration with a record of approx. 29-13?

Buena Vista has been ranked all year long (despite playing poorly at the end of the year) they do have a few big wins and will have a very good record.  Loras also has put together a decent year, I realize they don't have a great overall record but will most likely win the IIAC regular season.

If Carthage, Beloit, Webster and then the IIAC bid are 4 automatics, why wouldn't the IIAC get an at-large.  I feel they should be in consideration.

If someone was to rank teams in the Central.....a top 8 or 10 what would it be?

It would consist of Carthage, Webster, Illinois Wesleyan, Buena Vista, Luther, Beloit, Augustana and whoelse?

[JohnnyU]

WashU is certainly in there. 22-8 is the 3rd best record in the region.

[Ralph Turner]

Could somebody inform me on exactly what Pool A, Pool B, and Pool C all mean?

Pool A I assume are the automatic bids.  I think Pool C is the at-large bids.  What am I missing here?

Also, six teams get into the Central Region tournament, correct?  How many of those are automatic bids.

Lastly, in regards to the rankings.  I find them quite interesting, I also noticed that the last game between IWU and Wheaton did not make it.  Note that Luther's win over Buena Vista also did not make it in, I wonder if that would have put Luther over BV in the rankings.

Welcome Sports fan

FAQ

http://www.d3baseball.com/faq/category/NCAA+Tournament

[Ralph Turner]

WashU is certainly in there. 22-8 is the 3rd best record in the region.

I think that Wash U can play themselves into the tourney and there will be one more Regional Ranking that we see next Thursday.  If the Bears are listed then the Bears are in.

[JAdaPrince]

I don't think the regionals, whether 6-team or 8-team is predetermined. It all depends on the tournament team make-up and the travel needed ....

Augustana Regional (my guess)
SLIAC Champ
IIAC Champ
MWC Champ
CCIW Champ
WIAC runner up
Wash U

[OshDude]

I don't think the regionals, whether 6-team or 8-team is predetermined. It all depends on the tournament team make-up and the travel needed ....

Augustana Regional (my guess)
SLIAC Champ
IIAC Champ
MWC Champ
CCIW Champ
WIAC runner up
Wash U

Not a difference in the number of teams, but don't rule out the NAC winner going to Illinois and the MWC winner to Wisconsin, depending on which teams win.