WBB: Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference

[Enginerd]

I've got Transy 9 (I've been given a vote in the women's poll this year.  I haven't been as vocal about it, because I'm new and want to make sure I'm confident in my knowledge before I spout off too much) - the Tufts win is good, obviously, but it was very early in the season and the rest of the schedule isn't super great.  I like the team a lot, but probably not a Top 5 resume.  That big zero at the end of the record sure looks good, though.

At this time anything between 4-9 is a fair ranking, it will sort itself out in the next month. You mention Tufts, but the John Carroll win was super impressive, a game I saw in person. JC was ranked 3rd coming into that game and is still 12th, but Transylvania completely dismantled a very veteran team of SR's and 5th year SR's that day. They also defeated a Piedmont team by 30 that was receiving votes at the time and since that game Piedmont has defeated Depauw on DePauw's homecourt.
There is a fair amount of envy on this board towards Transylvania and comes out as polluted mindsets from time to time, but they are a legitimate top 4 to 8 team this season. They will need to run the table to hold a top 4 spot for tournament seeding and a homecourt advantage and the 3 road games in a week with the final one at RHIT on 1/22 will loom large for the Pioneers.

Not trying to argue with you, Ryan - and a win is a win. The John Carroll game was at Transylvania, right? Go back and look over the last half-dozen years. They don't leave home unless they have to.
Also, DePauw was without Mya Shannon in the loss to Piedmont and more than any other DePauw team, they really depend on her. She is far and away their most dynamic offensive player and a huge difference-maker for them. There's a large noticeable drop-off when she's not on the floor. When DePauw has been really, really good - like undefeated National champions or regional finals good - they've almost had "anonymous" players - so many kids that were so good that no one single player really stood out. The 2021-22 DePauw team is different and they aren't the same without her. A win over DePauw, however, is still a win over DePauw.


If they finish top-4 "...for tournament seeding and homecourt advantage"? Respectfully, Ryan that doesn't matter ONE BIT in Transy's case. They finished 15th in the final D3Hoops regular season poll in 2019-20 and finished FOURTH in the final regional ranking AND STILL HOSTED. They could lose probably two HCAC games and still host as long as they won the AQ. In fact, I can envision a scenario where they lose the AQ, get an at-large (which they'd certainly deserve) and STILL host. Not only do I believe that RHIT could beat them on the 22nd and not get a single vote afterwards for beating a Top-5 team, a lot of voters would just say to themselves "it was just a one-off and great teams stub their toe occasionally" and RHIT could run the table the rest of the season, finish 19-4, and still wouldn't get more than a handful of votes - if any votes at all.

Admittedly, Ryan, yes, if we're honest with ourselves there's probably a little bit of Transy-envy going-on. I envy how Transy gets treated by voters and the regional committee. I wish that when my team were occasionally good they'd get some attention. Problem is, they just aren't as consistently good as Transy - and ultimately I think that's what makes the difference with voters, at least.

My point is that there are a large number of teams that have cachet with voters and will always be given the benefit of the doubt - and others that have to be perfect and cure cancer between games to get noticed. As an example, I really think Wesleyan down in Macon, GA, could start any given season 8-0 (which likely ain't happening anytime soon) with perhaps a win or two over average-to-above-average teams and maybe one big win over somebody like Piedmont or Maryville. Compare that  same scenario to someone like St. Bens or Gustavus or even Rochester - which  happens about every other year with regularity and they would likely already have been receiving votes and would perhaps even  cracked the top-25 without playing anyone REALLY good. Meanwhile, Wesleyan would have to make it to 18-0 before anyone realized there was an all-women's Division III school in Macon, GA named Wesleyan at all.

Transy is really good, and Coach Fulks has done a wonderful job on building what Greg Todd left in place and actually building on it and taking the program to places he never dreamed of and believe it or not I actually pull for them once the NCAA tournament starts because any success they have reflects well upon the rest of the HCAC which is not universally respected from a competitive standpoint.

What we're talking about and what the voters vote on is our educated conjecture - the only thing that matters is what happens on the court.

I think you've got the wrong poster, here.  You seem to be rebutting Baldini's points.

Indeed I have! LoL. Thanks, Ryan!

[Baldini]

I've got Transy 9 (I've been given a vote in the women's poll this year.  I haven't been as vocal about it, because I'm new and want to make sure I'm confident in my knowledge before I spout off too much) - the Tufts win is good, obviously, but it was very early in the season and the rest of the schedule isn't super great.  I like the team a lot, but probably not a Top 5 resume.  That big zero at the end of the record sure looks good, though.

At this time anything between 4-9 is a fair ranking, it will sort itself out in the next month. You mention Tufts, but the John Carroll win was super impressive, a game I saw in person. JC was ranked 3rd coming into that game and is still 12th, but Transylvania completely dismantled a very veteran team of SR's and 5th year SR's that day. They also defeated a Piedmont team by 30 that was receiving votes at the time and since that game Piedmont has defeated Depauw on DePauw's homecourt.
There is a fair amount of envy on this board towards Transylvania and comes out as polluted mindsets from time to time, but they are a legitimate top 4 to 8 team this season. They will need to run the table to hold a top 4 spot for tournament seeding and a homecourt advantage and the 3 road games in a week with the final one at RHIT on 1/22 will loom large for the Pioneers.

Upon thinking about it you're probably right about where they belong ranking-wise, Baldini - I just want to point out something that I think is important to consider - that over the last half-dozen years, other than Tufts, every single "good" or "great" win Transy has had has been at home. Being able to play big games at home matters. It's why most conferences award the home-court advantage in the AQ tournament to their regular season champion. Didn't home court advantage in wins/losses figure in Division III men's SOS for regional ranking purposes in the very recent past? I'm not blaming Transy for their schedule - who WOULDN'T want to host multiple tournaments and try to get good teams to come and play on YOUR home court. Just like John Carroll did.

Now, if Transy thrashes RHIT in Terre Haute on the 22nd and RHIT finishes 18-5 I think the Transy/home game theory can be effectively laid to rest.

Also, DePauw was without Mya Shannon in the loss to Piedmont and more than any other DePauw team, they really depend on her. She is far and away their most dynamic offensive player and a huge difference-maker for them. There's a large noticeable drop-off when she's not on the floor. When DePauw has been really, really good - like undefeated National champions or regional finals good - they've almost had "anonymous" players - so many kids that were so good that no one single player really stood out. The 2021-22 DePauw team is different and they aren't the same without her. A win over DePauw, however, is still a win over DePauw.


If they finish top-4 "...for tournament seeding and homecourt advantage"? Respectfully, Ryan that doesn't matter ONE BIT in Transy's case. They finished 15th in the final D3Hoops regular season poll in 2019-20 and finished FOURTH in the final regional ranking AND STILL HOSTED. I have no way of knowing for certain but I'd speculate that in the history of the regional rankings/committee system, Transy in 2019-20 was the only #4-regionally- ranked team to ever host a pod.
I'd bet Transy could lose probably two HCAC games and still host as long as they won the AQ. In fact, I can envision a scenario where they lose the AQ, get an at-large (which they'd certainly deserve) and STILL host. Not only do I believe that RHIT could beat them on the 22nd and not get a single vote afterwards for beating a Top-5 team, a lot of voters would just say to themselves "it was just a one-off and great teams stub their toe occasionally" and RHIT could run the table the rest of the season, finish 19-4, and still wouldn't get more than a handful of votes - if any votes at all.

Admittedly, Baldini, yes, if we're honest with ourselves there's probably a little bit of Transy-envy going-on. I envy how Transy gets treated by voters and the regional committee. I wish that when my team were occasionally good they'd get some attention. Problem is, admittedly and in all fairness, they just aren't as consistently good as Transy - and ultimately I think that's what makes the difference with voters, at least.

My point is that there are a large number of teams that have cachet with voters and will always be given the benefit of the doubt - and others that have to be perfect and cure cancer between games to get noticed. As an example, I really think Wesleyan down in Macon, GA, could start any given season 8-0 (which likely ain't happening anytime soon) with perhaps a win or two over average-to-above-average teams and maybe one big win over somebody like Piedmont or Maryville. Compare that  same scenario to someone like St. Bens or Gustavus or even Rochester - which  happens about every other year with regularity and they would likely already have been receiving votes and would perhaps even  cracked the top-25 without playing anyone REALLY good. Meanwhile, Wesleyan would have to make it to 18-0 before anyone realized there was an all-women's Division III school in Macon, GA named Wesleyan at all.

Transy is really good, and Coach Fulks has done a wonderful job on building what Greg Todd left in place and actually building on it and taking the program to places he never dreamed of. She's been successful everywhere she's even been and is a really, really good basketball coach. Believe it or not, I actually pull for Transy once the NCAA tournament starts because any success they have reflects well upon the rest of the HCAC which is obviously not universally respected from a competitive standpoint.

What we're talking about and what the voters vote on is our educated conjecture - the only thing that matters is what happens on the court.

Agree with most of what you are saying Enginerd, life is a little unfair to those that don't win on a consistent level for sure. As for the game on the 22nd, I would love to take that game in but Terre Haute is just a little too far for me to drive for a game. Should be a great game and I will be surprised if RHIT doesn't get the win that day. I believe RHIT is for real and has a chance to be another playoff type team for the HCAC, but fear their only chance this year is to get the AQ.  Conferences are always healthier went they are wide open with who might win on a given night, like what is going on with HCAC men's basketball right now. Or at least have two powerhouse types to battle it out, hopefully we have that on the women's side this year with Transylvania and RHIT.     

[Enginerd]

7 of 65; 10.8% on FG and only 31 points... I'm trying to find the last time they were that bad... last time they were held under 50 points was 2019 when Rose won 50-35.

Previous low this year was 13-54 for 24.1% against Albion
2021 was 20-60; 33.3% against Transylvania
2020 was 19-67; 28.4% against Hanover in the conference tourney
2019 was 20-66; 30.3% against Bluffton
2018 was 12-57; 21.1% against Trine (only scored 32 points)
2017 was 16-71; 22.5% against Hanover
2016 was 20-72; 27.8% against UW-Eau Claire
2015 was 14-53; 26.4% against Hope
2014 was 15-49; 30.6% against Manchester
2013 was 16-57; 28.1% against Rose
2012 was 9-39; 23.1% against Manchester (the last time making less than 10 FG)
2011 was 15-53; 28.3% against Benedictine
2010 was 19-58; 32.8% against Elmhurst
after that the stats are sparce. Not once under even 20% in that span.

Dec 5th 2007 Rose beat Franklin 38-30. That's the last time Franklin scored less.


Looks like the Pioneers and Engineers are going to run away with the conference this year. January 22nd will be a fun one. Make sure everyone is healthy so it's not cancelled please.

This RHIT team is beginning to look more and more like the 2015-19 Bromenschenkel teams defensively. It looked like the Engineers got a little tired or otherwise lost their intensity midway through the 2nd quarter. I thought they'd keep them in single-digits points for the first half.
It'll be difficult to top the 2017-18 RHIT team which held both Earlham and MSJ to FOUR points in the first half - both on their respective home courts.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Transylvania results vs Massey Top 100 (for what that's worth)

21-22 (#15)
A #12 Tufts 66-65 W
H #91 Rose-Hulman 64-57 W
H #20 John Carroll 83-75 W
A #91 Rose-Hulman 1/22

20-21 (#63)
A #66 Piedmont 69-71 L
N #12 E Texas Baptist 46-61 L
A #98 Hanover 87-67 W
H #98 Hanover 99-78 W
H #98 Hanover 69-65 W

19-20 (#40)
A #96 Berea 65-57 W
A #71 Wittenberg 59-56 W
H #45 Redlands 59-57 W

18-19 (#23)
H #65 Wittenberg 57-51 W
N #56 Johns Hopkins 65-73 L
H #28 Emory 90-87 OT W
H #88 Hanover 84-62 W
A #40 Rose-Hulman 59-77 L
H #5 Trine 63-52 W
A #88 Hanover 78-70 W
H #40 Rose-Hulman 61-47 W
H #40 Rose-Hulman 63-61 W
H #63 Oglethorpe 76-56 W
A #1 Thomas More 74-89 L

17-18 (#42)
A #30 Marietta 67-70 L
H #68 Otterbein 71-47 W
A #78 Hanover 69-75 L
H #19 Rose-Hulman 58-69 L
A #60 TCNJ 60-64 OT L
H #92 Oglethorpe 68-55 W
A #76 Bluffton 64-59 W
H #76 Bluffton 73-59 W
H #78 Hanover 69-59 W
A #19 Rose-Hulman 56-68 L
N #76 Bluffton 57-42 W
A #19 Rose-Hulman 51-57 L

[Baldini]

Tufts was an away game.

[RogK]

FCGrizzliesGrad, for the prior seasons in your list, I assume the Massey ratings are the end-of-season ratings.
The ratings shown in your '21-'22 list for Tufts, RHIT and John Carroll will surely change by March.
I point this out solely for the purpose of being a minor irritant, not to diminish the effort you put into compiling the info. Ha!

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Fixed the Tufts game. Previous years are season end rankings.

As far as this season goes... the next best teams are:
H #133 Berea 67-47 W
H #137 Piedmont 76-46 W
A #146 Bluffton 64-50 W
H #146 Bluffton 1/29
H #166 Capital 78-38 W
H/A #191 Hanover
no one else in the top 200. So while rankings will certainly change over the coming weeks, those 4 games listed previously could likely be their 4 toughest matchups. 

The HCAC has gone downhill in recent years... a few years ago Transylvania faced 2 or 3 other conference teams in the top 100... the past few seasons it's been at best one team barely in the top 100.

[Jester1390]

Engine. I say this respectfully.    I know you didn't mean as a slight and fans always compare. But this isn't the sisters team.  They had a legacy and it was built largely around the superstar sister and to a lesser degree her sister.  I heard a lot of crap my daughters freshman year how people couldn't believe they were losing to the schools they were losing to.  This isn't rose tradition.  Well anyone has coached k owe that except for Duke you don't want the whole team to be freshman.   That is what these girls walked into.  The entire recruiting batch from year before left or quit.  All the upper classmen except Hannah woody had to leave because of academics or quit because the freshman were better.  So you had 7 freshman and 1 senior.  They were Snow White.  They always showed rebounding and defense ability but lacked true ball handlers.  The turn over ratio was crazy. You can't win games at 30 to.    Jamie and rowen have brought that guard play that allows jester to be in middle on press and she's tall and sees the floor so now the press is nothing and teams don't even try anymore

I watched some games the sisters last season. Not taking anything away from them and you would k ow more on this them I do. But I think this team is much deeper and I think Baum if not already will be even better then main sister. That girl does it all

[Jester1390]

The question now is can they set a legacy of their own now this year and next.  I don't see any of the girls coming back for additional year as they will all have very high paying job offers puppy graduation

I think this years Transy team is the best they have had. It will be interesting to see what happens at Rose    Does anyone know how the tie breaker works for conference. If rose should beat them.   They loss by 7 do they just need to win by more then 7. I just don't see either team being beat by any other team   If they do this then they will have a legacy to call their own. If not they will be dominate thier season and won't have the legacy but we're the bridge from one dominate team to Another

[Jester1390]

Interesting note I saw in the recap of mount saint Joe's massive come from behind victory over Hanover.  It appears all American Habernathy is leaving. She is a 5th year player.  Article says it was senior night and it was her last game at home.  Terrific scorer not much of a defender but I hope she is sticking around long enough to play In Transylvania game

hloe Jansen led the Lions 25 points and followed that up with 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Maddie Haberthy would add 17 points and 7 assists in her final game at the Harrington Center.

[Baldini]

I think this years Transy team is the best they have had.

I'm not ready to go there just yet, that 27 win '18-'19 group was a special team whose season ended on the National Champion Thomas More floor. This team has a way to go to reach that level.   

[Baldini]

Fixed the Tufts game. Previous years are season end rankings.

As far as this season goes... the next best teams are:
H #133 Berea 67-47 W
H #137 Piedmont 76-46 W
A #146 Bluffton 64-50 W
H #146 Bluffton 1/29
H #166 Capital 78-38 W
H/A #191 Hanover
no one else in the top 200. So while rankings will certainly change over the coming weeks, those 4 games listed previously could likely be their 4 toughest matchups. 

The HCAC has gone downhill in recent years... a few years ago Transylvania faced 2 or 3 other conference teams in the top 100... the past few seasons it's been at best one team barely in the top 100.

HCAC can only schedule 7 non-conference games so when they get into conference play the SOS take a hit, Transylvania's SOS was in the 30's before entering league play and now sits at 51st overall. By comparison RHIT is currently 110th and they have the benefit of playing Transy to help that number.

[Jester1390]

Rose was supposed to play Rhodes also this year by but they cancelled with not giving Rose a reason.  I know people were not happy about how it was handled. This was before the new wave of every thing

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The start of the 2022 portion of the basketball season is off to a sluggish one. A number of teams are pausing team activities, postponing or canceling games, or a combination of all of the above as the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus blasts through every portion of life in our country.

Thursday night on Hoopsville, we chat about the impact positive test results has caused on the Division III basketball season so far. We also discuss how teams are trying to adjust to changes in schedules. And how this could impact things come late February and March.

Plus there are the teams who, for now, are still playing or trying to play. We talk to some teams who are making heads turn around the country.

You can watch the show LIVE (or on demand) here: https://www.d3hoops.com/hoopsville/archives/2021-22/jan6 or http://www.d3hoops.com/x/lvmbp

We are also simulcasting on our Facebook Live page (www.facebook.com/Hoopsville) AND tonight on our YouTube page (http://www.youtube.com/Hoopsville)

Guests include:
- Brian Niemuth, No. 6 Simpson women's coach
- Juli Fulks, No. 4 Transylvania women's coach
- Kevin App, No. 17 Williams men's coach

Hoopsville is hosted by Dave McHugh from the the NABC Studio. It is presented by D3hoops.com and thanks to our partner WBCA. All guests are featured on the BlueFrame Technology Hoopsville Hotline.

If you have questions, ideas, or want to interact with the show, feel free to send them to hoopsville@d3sports.com or use any of the social media options available.

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[Jester1390]

So according to what I have been told new policy.  They are making the kids get booster shots.  If you have a booster shot and someone tests positive you will not be impacted but if you don't have the booster shot you are quarantined along with the test positive person for 10 days plus another 4-8 days depending on protocols and also must get a ekg test after at end abs pass