East Region Fan Poll

[theoriginalupstate]

So a win at Kean is the best road win in the east?   While I agree about regional pods conceptually, how do you argue against moving someone in based on this information?

What do road wins have to do with this again?

[pumkinattack]

A team earning a home field advantage throughout an entire pod should be able to prove that they can win a significant road game first.  Unless you believe there's no advantage to being at home (such as in the new RPI field), in which case, why do we care about an imported #1 seed?  Because they're a tougher out prior to the nat'l semifinals?  I hate that MUC's put in "our" bracket because they are so dominant, but I also recognize that you have to beat at least two top 5 teams to win a championship, so going out one round sooner doesn't really make a difference at the end of the day.  How would one differentiate Cortland and Hobart's season's last year?  Is Cortland better because they made it one round further before getting violated by MUC?   

[Mr. Ypsi]

We partisans of the North appreciate when MUC is sent East - except the first time, when they then imported UWW who proved in the 2007 Stagg that they were even better!

Last year was the first time in 'forever' that a North team other than MUC won the North; and, of course, Wheaton was then taken out in the national semis by MUC!

Someday a North team will take out MUC, but it may have to await the retirement of Larry Kehres - please don't let Vince Kehres grow into his father's shoes!

[dlippiel]

A team earning a home field advantage throughout an entire pod should be able to prove that they can win a significant road game first.  Unless you believe there's no advantage to being at home (such as in the new RPI field), in which case, why do we care about an imported #1 seed?  Because they're a tougher out prior to the nat'l semifinals?  I hate that MUC's put in "our" bracket because they are so dominant, but I also recognize that you have to beat at least two top 5 teams to win a championship, so going out one round sooner doesn't really make a difference at the end of the day.  How would one differentiate Cortland and Hobart's season's last year?  Is Cortland better because they made it one round further before getting violated by MUC?   

Solid thoughts pa as usual. This is a good question and dlip really does not have a clear answer. Obviously Del Val's W at Kean is worth a look, but ****, Kean may not even be for real yet. dlip does give SJF some credit for vibrating IC at Butterfield but not enough to warrent this title. Maybe if Union goes down and beats Salisbury we may have another decent East Region road win? dlip just hopes that MUC does not come here again. He respects them and so on and so forth but enough already. dlip would actually rather have Wesley here than MUC, just a change of pace. Of course this Wesley team homogonized DVC whom some consider one of the strongest in our region. Bottom line no matter who comes in our #2 most likely won't make to much noise. Of course dlip hopes he is wrong.

[theoriginalupstate]

PA you make extremely solid points...

I don't have issues with MUC (or any other team that may be moved in), I also don't have a problem with the idea of taking the top 4 teams and then making the brackets work.  However I do have a problem with the NCAA preaching about the importance of Regional wins, then scrapping that belief and making "pods" vs regional brackets...

If they pick one and run with it that's fine but don't waver back and forth based on the results of one particular region...

[union89]

Here's a question for everyone, especially those more incline than myself:

What's the best road win amongst east region teams?  In region and/or out of region?  From the bit I've followed, I haven't seen any impressive road wins (and I don't consider a road win over IC this year as phenomenal and worthy of thinking a team is top 15 because of such a win). 

Also, if AU and/or Albright wins out, a #1 should not be imported (if DelVal is the east's best, how do you argue since they did lose to Wesley, who may or may not otherwise get a #1 seed).

Although not a 'road' win, DelVal's season opening thumping of Johns Hopkins is pretty impressive to me.  The CC is a pretty good conference and that remain's Hopkins' only loss.

[rams1102]

Here's a question for everyone, especially those more incline than myself:

What's the best road win amongst east region teams?  In region and/or out of region?  From the bit I've followed, I haven't seen any impressive road wins (and I don't consider a road win over IC this year as phenomenal and worthy of thinking a team is top 15 because of such a win). 

Also, if AU and/or Albright wins out, a #1 should not be imported (if DelVal is the east's best, how do you argue since they did lose to Wesley, who may or may not otherwise get a #1 seed).

Although not a 'road' win, DelVal's season opening thumping of Johns Hopkins is pretty impressive to me.  The CC is a pretty good conference and that remain's Hopkins' only loss.

I think the NJAC winner will be a decent contender in the East when the dust settles. I also think that Wesley shoulod be the #1 Seed in the East. Wesley should be in the East, but the 150 man roster is a problem. Maybe there is room for change.

[pumkinattack]

PA you make extremely solid points...

I don't have issues with MUC (or any other team that may be moved in), I also don't have a problem with the idea of taking the top 4 teams and then making the brackets work.  However I do have a problem with the NCAA preaching about the importance of Regional wins, then scrapping that belief and making "pods" vs regional brackets...

If they pick one and run with it that's fine but don't waver back and forth based on the results of one particular region...

I agree with you.  Why not count out of region games, which would, to a certain degree encourage more interesting out of conference matchups, or only counting regional games and keeping the brackets regionally structured.  It doesn't make sense to have the current structure.

Although not a 'road' win, DelVal's season opening thumping of Johns Hopkins is pretty impressive to me.  The CC is a pretty good conference and that remain's Hopkins' only loss.

Good point.  DelVal's body of work sets them up as the best #2 so far (JHU and Road vs. Kean), but again, if they're the East's best you kind of have to move Wesley over.  If Albright can beat DelVal or AU runs the table, absent any evidence that these other out of region teams are better one of those should be #1.  How is the roster an issue at Wesley when MUC carries like 200+?  I get depth, but really, the top 50-55 are the guys that matter (coming from someone who didn't start travelling until midway through SO year).  

[theoriginalupstate]

I agree with you.  Why not count out of region games, which would, to a certain degree encourage more interesting out of conference matchups, or only counting regional games and keeping the brackets regionally structured.  It doesn't make sense to have the current structure. 

I would suggest teams from now on just schedule as many cakes as possible (except RPI they can't fit anymore on the schedule) and try and fluff their record to 10-0...

[PA_wesleyfan]

pumpkinattack

I think rams1102 is talking about the NJAC having a 100 roster limit which some people believe has kept Wesley from joining the conference if in fact they have ever been invited. Which would place them in the east region

[union89]

PA you make extremely solid points...

I don't have issues with MUC (or any other team that may be moved in), I also don't have a problem with the idea of taking the top 4 teams and then making the brackets work.  However I do have a problem with the NCAA preaching about the importance of Regional wins, then scrapping that belief and making "pods" vs regional brackets...

If they pick one and run with it that's fine but don't waver back and forth based on the results of one particular region...

I agree with you.  Why not count out of region games, which would, to a certain degree encourage more interesting out of conference matchups, or only counting regional games and keeping the brackets regionally structured.  It doesn't make sense to have the current structure.

Although not a 'road' win, DelVal's season opening thumping of Johns Hopkins is pretty impressive to me.  The CC is a pretty good conference and that remain's Hopkins' only loss.

Good point.  DelVal's body of work sets them up as the best #2 so far (JHU and Road vs. Kean), but again, if they're the East's best you kind of have to move Wesley over.  If Albright can beat DelVal or AU runs the table, absent any evidence that these other out of region teams are better one of those should be #1.  How is the roster an issue at Wesley when MUC carries like 200+?  I get depth, but really, the top 50-55 are the guys that matter (coming from someone who didn't start travelling until midway through SO year).  

I think Alfred is the only Eastern team with a shot at the #1 seed at this point.

[RedDragonFan]

I agree the top 50-55 players are what typically defines a team on game day but the other 50 or so play a pretty important role on the team in helping to prepare the travel squad.  Those players above 50 on the depth chart can become critical when you lose multiple players at one position....like say QB!  

I would submit that a coaching staff that is capable of keeping "the other 50" on the scout team engaged, will fair better during the season and build a solid foundation for the future.  

[union89]

I agree the top 50-55 players are what typically defines a team on game day but the other 50 or so play a pretty important role on the team in helping to prepare the travel squad.  Those players above 50 on the depth chart can become critical when you lose multiple players at one position....like say QB!  

I would submit that a coaching staff that is capable of keeping "the other 50" on the scout team engaged, will fair better during the season and build a solid foundation for the future.  

Fantastic point and very, very true.

[rams1102]

pumpkinattack

I think rams1102 is talking about the NJAC having a 100 roster limit which some people believe has kept Wesley from joining the conference if in fact they have ever been invited. Which would place them in the east region

Have some brass balls and invite Wesley to the NJAC, let's see what happens.

[PA_wesleyfan]

+ 1 k  rams for saying what ya feel !!