WBB: NESCAC

NH NESCAC Fan · February 28, 2012, 08:25:31 AM

If they are indeed only looking at numbers to fill out the field, then perhaps the problem is that they need to be looking at different numbers. Of the 64 available spots, 43 of them go to conference champions. They then look to "Pool B" which is made up of either independents or teams that play in conferences that don't meet the criteria (whatever that may be) for automatic bids, and then the rest of the picks are from everyone else. This year, St Joe's was the only Pool B selection, and that left 20 at-large picks. I have no idea if the 20 at-large schools they picked are better or worse than Colby. But in looking at the rankings that are posted on the NCAA website, of the 20, 9 are ranked in the top 25 (Colby is not), 6 others received at least one vote for top 25 consideration (Colby also received 1 vote in one of the polls). The remaining 5 teams are Bowdoin, Carthage, Hartwick, University of New England, and St. Vincents. Of those 5, all were included in their regional rankings with the exception of Carthage. They play in the same conference as Illinois Wesleyan, who won their conference, but were only the 6th ranked team in their region. Carthage finished third in their conference. Eight of 10 regionally ranked teams in the Northeast made the tournament. The two that didn't were Colby (8) and Williams (9). Three of the ten are from the NESCAC.

So, all of that confusing stuff being said...did Colby get hosed? Who knows? I would be curious about the selection of Carthage, and I don't agree that St. Joe's should be in the tournament. They finished the season 13-13, and got smoked in their conference final, in which they were the #1 ranked team. I'd be curious to know if the committee HAD to select someone from Pool B.

NE Hoop Guy · February 28, 2012, 08:39:07 AM

Colby got totally hosed. As pointed out their strength of schedule was huge. UNE is the at large that should not have been in. There strength of schedule is barely at .50, they have a similar record of ranked teams. There is just nothing that suggests they should be in, save the fact their coach served on the committee the last three years. I know that seems petty, but give me another explanation? Anyone? Please? When was the last time the CCC had a Pool C participant?

MVP · February 28, 2012, 09:06:49 AM

Amherst faces St Joe's, a pool B bid in the 1st first round, a team w/ barely a .500 record and lost their conference.

NH NESCAC Fan · February 28, 2012, 09:35:48 AM

Devil's advocate - If UNE had played and lost to Amherst twice, as Colby did, my crude calculations have their strength of schedule increasing to at least .585. Of course, they didn't so it is a moot point to some degree, but it is interesting to see what playing an undefeated team does to your numbers...even if you lose. You also have to wonder if Colby hadn't lost to UNE early on would things be different?

Maine 1 · February 28, 2012, 10:40:09 AM

Just clarifying one of the posts--King's College was an at large team that is not in the top 25, has not received votes, did not win its conference, and did not beat a ranked team. Yet made the tournament. (and is hosting)--I haven't reviewed others--just pointing them out. I also believe the pool B team is a 13-13 team, without any great wins. UNE has some bad losses (Endicott, Roger Williams).

NH NESCAC Fan · February 28, 2012, 11:13:22 AM

Kings received one vote in the USA Today poll that is posted on the NCAA website. Those votes are only for games through the 21st, so they are not the most recent, but they are the ones on the NCAA website.

NE Hoop Guy · February 28, 2012, 11:32:01 AM

NH Nescac Fan, That is a totally moot point, because it did not happen. Further had it happened like you said, UNE would have also had two more losses against a ranked opponent and an overall less record, and never would have been considered for an at large. I appreciate the thought nonetheless, because no one can justify UNE as an at large from the CCC to date. But I am still waiting.

sumfun · February 28, 2012, 03:28:16 PM

Congrats to Caroline Stedman from Amherst, a Jostens Trophy Finalst!!! Richly deserved, on and off the court!!

gordonmann · February 28, 2012, 03:52:27 PM

QuoteI'd be curious to know if the committee HAD to select someone from Pool B.

Yes, they did. The allocation of Pool B and Pool C bids is done early in the season and is driven by the number of teams that are part of Pool B (i.e. not in conferences with automatic bids). So someone had to get this bid. Once one team is selected from Pool B, all the other candidates are considered against the at-large candidates (Pool C).

NH NESCAC Fan · February 28, 2012, 07:44:07 PM

Thank you, Gordonmann.

amh63 · February 29, 2012, 05:44:46 PM

The conference picks for all-conf. spots, etc. are posted on the Amherst website and the conference website.
Caroline Stedman is POY and Megan Robertson is ROY. Two other Amherst seniors made the ist and 2nd team.
Don't understand the COY pick.

amh63 · February 29, 2012, 05:52:25 PM

My position on COY has been posted earlier. IMO, it is politics here and this trend really distracts from the level of the coaches in the conference....if it is only the coaches that makes the selection. I could understand it better if Reilly was selected....giving his body of work this year.
Interesting to see that the 2nd team has no guards selected....guess position was not a selection criteria.

NE Hoop Guy · February 29, 2012, 06:42:15 PM

Who else would be coach of the year? Tufts lost a great point guard, yet became an even better team this year. That is good coaching. Assuming I understand your parochial objection as to who should be coach of the year, you should recognize coaches with very good players are expected to win. Coaches who win almost as much with less talent, they are coach of the year material. I think it is an excellent choice and to even suggest politics is myopic.

HoopMama · February 29, 2012, 08:41:21 PM

Quote from: amh63 on February 29, 2012, 05:52:25 PM
My position on COY has been posted earlier. IMO, it is politics here and this trend really distracts from the level of the coaches in the conference....if it is only the coaches that makes the selection. I could understand it better if Reilly was selected....giving his body of work this year.
Interesting to see that the 2nd team has no guards selected....guess position was not a selection criteria.

Who is Reilly???

Maine 1 · February 29, 2012, 08:44:27 PM

I thought that the NESCAC year-end awards were consistent with what I have seen from the NESCAC for six years now. In general, the all league teams is essentially made up of the top four. Very hard for other good players to break in. Given that, I thought the first team was well done. Hard to argue with any of them. Henrikson of Bowdoin probably deserved player of the year, but given Amhersts outstanding record, it is understandable that Stedman got the award.

On Coach of the year, Gromacki could win it every year. He is outstanding. However, Tufts had a very young team, and the Tufts coach did a great job. You could have also given consideration to the Conn College Coach. I believe this might have been Conn College's first trip to the NESCAC tournament.

Everything can't be all Amherst all the time.

WBB: NESCAC

sumfun