WBB: NESCAC

[deiscanton]

Amherst has a perfect record (all games played in-region for Amherst)  coming into the weekend, and has 8 wins vs regionally ranked opponents, the most in Division III.   If Amherst wins out this weekend, they will go into the NCAAs having gotten their 9th win vs a regionally ranked opponent this season-- with that win coming in the NESCAC title game.

(Amherst's 8-0 vs regionally ranked opposition:  Amherst defeated W. Connecticut, E. Connecticut, Emmanuel, Williams (2 wins vs Williams), Colby, Bowdoin, and Tufts).   Should Amherst win on Saturday, they would face either Bowdoin or Colby again in the NESCAC title game.

I can't see why Amherst doesn't host the first two weekends of the NCAA tournament under those circumstances-- of course, as long as Amherst wins these games and remains in the NCAA tournament, that is.

Note:  Even if Amherst is upset this weekend, Amherst would still host NCAA tournament games up until the Final Four assuming Amherst wins both games in the first weekend of the NCAA tournament.

[Pat Coleman]

Amherst hosts all the way to the final 4 from here?  Well deserved, but did I hear that correctly (Sunday's Hoopsville interview)? 

There's the potential, absolutely.

[deiscanton]

NCAA has just released this week's regional rankings, and the top 5 teams in the Northeast this week are all NESCAC teams.

In order, they are ranked as follows:  Amherst, Colby, Bowdoin, Tufts, and Williams.

Below them are Emmanuel, the top 3 Little East teams, and Babson.

(It's a shame that the Tufts loss on Saturday could have cost the Jumbos the opportunity to host first and second rounds of the NCAA-- after they worked so hard to renovate Cousens Gym over the summer to make it NCAA regulation size in order to achieve that goal.)

PS-- That Bowdoin v Tufts match last Saturday was very exciting-- just like a game in one of the later rounds of the NCAA tournament most years.

PPS-- Does Colby have a regulation size court on their campus in Waterville, Maine?  I'm just asking.

[moseshightower]

Colby's court is regulation.  They could host but I'm guessing that may depend on who ends up winning some of those smaller Northeast conferences.

[sumfun]

NESCAC conference semis and finals this weekend.  Maine is coming to Amherst with Colby playing Bowdoin and Bates playing Amherst.  Should be great games as all three teams are very competitive.  They've given eachother a run for their money as well as Amherst.

[amh63]

Considering the weather conditions on the coastal areas of Maine, here's hoping the Maine teams and their supporters arrive safely.  Good luck to all.

[amh63]

Saw the game on Jeffcast.  Amherst looked great after the first  10 minutes.  Glad to see Kim F., Bridget C. and Courtney L. get extended playing time....over 6 plus minutes.  Surprised by the stats that show Sarah L. only get 2 rebounds!  Thought she got twice that much in the first half.  Whatever, Sarah played strong today as well as the whole team in the win.
Back to the 2nd game.

[deiscanton]

Bracket is being announced today.    According to D3Hoops.com projections, RPI's upset wins over St. Lawrence and Skidmore in the Liberty League tournament may have costed NESCAC a 5th team in the NCAAs.  We will see when the official bracket is released this afternoon.

D3Hoops.com projections currently have just Colby, Bowdoin, and Tufts getting in as Pool C's, with Williams on the table when the final Pool C bid is announced-- but having the 21 Pool C's run out before Williams is selected.

However, here is my question now.   D3Hoops.com projections had Williams at 2-5 vs regionally ranked opponents in their secret regional rankings-- which are the deeper rankings that the NCAA uses to select teams.   If RPI replaced Skidmore in the East regional rankings as a result of their LIberty League title,  isn't Williams still 3-5 vs regionally ranked opponents since Williams also defeated RPI in regular season competition?   If so, just put RPI instead of Skidmore  for the 3rd quality win-- RPI is also within 200 miles of Williams.   Amherst also gets another regionally ranked victory if RPI is now a regionally ranked opponent in the East as a result of RPI's Liberty League automatic bid.

Just my thoughts-- just over 30 minutes to go until the bracket gets announced.

[Pat Coleman]

Women's bracket posted: http://www.d3boards.com/playoffs/wbkb-bracket2010.pdf

All five.

[sumfun]

Congrats to 5 NESCAC teams for making the NCAA's.  Colby and Williams could run up against Amherst again, while Tufts and Bowdoin come in from the other side and have to go through Kean.  Great conference, great schools!!!!

[toad22]

I am very happy for the Williams women. I talked with a few of them yesterday and about half were pessimistic and half optimistic. All very much wanted a chance at the big dance! They have their work cut out for them. Congratulations and good luck.

[remsleep]

As an admitted anti-NESCAC low-life, I continue to be astounded by the unconscionable favoritism bestowed upon the tweedy topsiders from Brunswick, Williamstown, etc. by the fawning and cooing members of the selection committee.  Year after year.  Nothing ever changes.  Holy Blueblood!!!!....get your collective heads out of your
%$#ses! 

[sumfun]

Hey Rem....I think you can save comments like that for yourself or your other anti-NESCAC friends.   Your supposed bias didn't help on the men's side.  Though 5 is a lot, just maybe strength of schedule, and the power rating of the conference helped.

[Title9Fan]

If it were an exclusively mathematical, wholly objective selection process than the D3Hoops predictions would never be off.  I think the predictions made more sense than the official bracket.  Williams/NESCAC has a lot of people scratching their heads.  (Especially Capital if you read the NCAA Championship discussion - some valid questions from Weiser). 

I wish people who spend their time here would care more about the integrity of the game than just pumping their own team or conference.  (yeah, right.  well, one can hope!)  I'm ok if people write some vitriol once in awhile if they also talk about the actual GAME of women's D3-level basketball.  Little less hype, little more substance -     

[sumfun]

See Deiscanton explanation under NCAA Tourney in Multi-Regional topics.  The math and record vs regional competion makes sense whether the number from one conference or another doesn't.