MBB: State University of New York Athletic Conference

[7express]

Magic, any idea why the YAC got rid of the #7 and #8 for the playoffs.  Mirror image of the LEC who for this year is going back to all 8 teams after having only 6 the last couple years.
Also, call me crazy, but in tournaments with only 6 teams (2 bye's) if you can't get the 1 seed I think having #3 is the next best alternative.  There's usually not much difference between a #2 & a #3, and with a #3 you get a home game in round 1, so you get to see your team again AND your team can get the playoff jitters by playing the 1st round game, something they can't do sitting at home with the bye.  The last 2 years Western Connecticut was the #2 seed in the LEC tourney and lost both games.

[magicman]

Magic, any idea why the YAC got rid of the #7 and #8 for the playoffs.  Mirror image of the LEC who for this year is going back to all 8 teams after having only 6 the last couple years.
Also, call me crazy, but in tournaments with only 6 teams (2 bye's) if you can't get the 1 seed I think having #3 is the next best alternative.  There's usually not much difference between a #2 & a #3, and with a #3 you get a home game in round 1, so you get to see your team again AND your team can get the playoff jitters by playing the 1st round game, something they can't do sitting at home with the bye.  The last 2 years Western Connecticut was the #2 seed in the LEC tourney and lost both games.

I'm not sure why they went to 6 teams this year but I think it had to do with rewarding the top seed for winning the regular season crown. By giving the top 2 seeds a bye and giving the #1 seed the home court advantage for the semi's and finals it also settled the hosting situation right away. In the past, 8 would play 1, 7 would play 2, and so on down the line on the higher seed's home court. The highest remaining seed would then get to host the final four. You never knew where the semis and finals were going to be until the quarterfinals were over. Several times we've had the 8 seed beat the 1 seed in the first round and mess up the best laid plans. Now at the end of the regular season you know where the final 4 will be played and the teams can make their travel plans accordingly. If you book your hotel rooms and then lose in the first round, you still have time to cancel your reservations without penalty.

I agree that the 3 seed is probably just as good as the 2 seed. And as I mentioned in my post a 4th seed isn't bad either because  you get to host a home game also. I think you meant to say your team can get rid of the playoff jitters by hosting a first round game instead of sitting at home which I also agree with.       

[thebear]

I suspect it's also a cost/time away from class issue. 

It's tough to justify in these times spending several thousand dollars (bus, meals, lodging if the game is too far away, etc.) on a team that finished 7th or 8th in a 10 team league and had a losing overall record. 

If say Potsdam were to play at Buff State, or Brockport play at Plattsburgh, those trips require an overnight stay, esp in mid-February. That adds even more to the cost.

Not to mention the surprising number of times in the past decade when an 8 has beaten 1 or 7 has beaten 2, trashing an entire season of effort in a mid-week trap game.

[Bengalsrule]

If say Potsdam were to play at Buff State,

Heck come Feb 17th, I hope we can say that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hawkball]

New Paltz gets a big 3 pointer from Matt Devine with 4 seconds left after a Plattsburgh miss on their possession and the Hawks come from behind and defeat Plattsburgh 75-72. Not a happy camper about the turn of events.

Could well mean a road game for Cards in the Playoffs.  Devine is a stud.

Bear - have to say your Potsdam group are a battle weathered group...sorry to see so many of them beat up...I saw pierce talk to coach rejniak at the end of the game - kids have a lot of class.

Haven't felt like posting because the Hawks had given away too many close opportunities and I thought we were done for the season. Coach rejniak shuffled his starting line up and is now starting three of his freshman.

Donovan seems to run the offense much better - seen better ball movement in the last three games than the majority of the season. Manning, with all his aggressive d gave him trouble yesterday, but Donovan will learn. Also have seen a lot of growth from Kevin Roach.

So happy for Shereef Taylor and Devine - Reef logged his 4th dbl/dbl of the season and had some monster blocks. Missed some key free throws but sank the big 3. Devine was the hero ... Would love for these two to keep it going for their senior year and shock the YAC... We will see... Never seem to know which team will show up.

All I know is hawks have the most dangerous frosh class in the league - will be fun to watch them develop - regardless how the season shakes out.

[dcahill44]

New Paltz is making things interesting but i dont think they will get in the SUNYAC tourny. With game at Oswego, Geneseo and Cortland and a home game vs Buff state. even if they were to beat Buff State i still dont see them getting in. Heres how i think the SUNYAC tournament will look.
1. Cortland
2. Geneseo
3. Oswego
4. Plattsburgh  I think the last regular season game will determine who gets the 3 seed Oswego is going to Plattsburgh.
5.Buffalo State  I think they will win 4 out of 5 heading into the tournament
6. Brockport
I think in the Sunyac Tourny Oswego beats Brockport first round and Buffalo State beats Plattsburgh. Sorry Magicman . which will set up Oswego at Geneseo and Cortland vs Buffalo State. I think the championship game will end up being Oswego at Cortland. Cortland i think will be the Sunyac Champs. Say Cortland loses in the championship i do think they will get an AT Large bid though.

[magicman]

New Paltz is making things interesting but i dont think they will get in the SUNYAC tourny. With game at Oswego, Geneseo and Cortland and a home game vs Buff state. even if they were to beat Buff State i still dont see them getting in. Heres how i think the SUNYAC tournament will look.
1. Cortland
2. Geneseo
3. Oswego
4. Plattsburgh  I think the last regular season game will determine who gets the 3 seed Oswego is going to Plattsburgh.
5.Buffalo State  I think they will win 4 out of 5 heading into the tournament
6. Brockport
I think in the Sunyac Tourny Oswego beats Brockport first round and Buffalo State beats Plattsburgh. Sorry Magicman . which will set up Oswego at Geneseo and Cortland vs Buffalo State. I think the championship game will end up being Oswego at Cortland. Cortland i think will be the Sunyac Champs. Say Cortland loses in the championship i do think they will get an AT Large bid though.

That's a lot of thinking there, my friend, but I'll respectfully disagree with you for the time being. Still a lot of hoops left to be played!

[thebear]

Bear - have to say your Potsdam group are a battle weathered group...sorry to see so many of them beat up...I saw pierce talk to coach rejniak at the end of the game - kids have a lot of class.

Thanks Hawk, - two starters out vs. NP & three vs. Oneonta.  Pierce is a warrior, and one of the finest kids ever to grace the boards of Maxcy, just wish he had a better supporting cast.

[magicman]

Here are Massey's ranking of the top East Region teams through games of 2-2-13.
The number after the team is Massey's National ranking. He may update these later today so the numbers may change a bit.

1   Rochester         7
2   Cortland           26
3   Stevens           50
4   NYU                54
5   Hobart             56
6   Geneseo          86
7   Oswego           87
8   Union              88
9   Plattsburgh      91
10 Ithaca             99
11 Buffalo St.       105
12 Brockport        130
13 Clarkson          136
14 St John Fisher  142
15 Nazareth         147
16 Skidmore         157     

[dcahill44]

Here are the 6 teams in order i think the NCAA will pick for the first Regional Rankings!
1. Rochester 19-1
2. Cortland 17-3
3. Stevens 17-3 Conference 11-2
4. Hobart 13-6 Conference 9-1
5. NYU 13-7 Conference 3-6 I think beating Rochester might get them 4th but 3-6 in the UAA really hurts
6. Oswego 15-5 Conference 8-5 I put them here because of the quality wins they have Brockport twice, Geneseo, Ithaca, Buffalo State.
I would NOT put Union, Clarkson because they havent beat Many good teams. Union has 1 maybe 2 good wins Skidmore and Clarkson. I think you could definetly argue Ithaca because they beat Hobart, Stevens and if you count Fisher twice and LaRoche.
What are your guys opinions?

[Ethelred the Unready]

Here are the 6 teams in order i think the NCAA will pick for the first Regional Rankings!
1. Rochester 19-1
2. Cortland 17-3
3. Stevens 17-3 Conference 11-2
4. Hobart 13-6 Conference 9-1
5. NYU 13-7 Conference 3-6 I think beating Rochester might get them 4th but 3-6 in the UAA really hurts
6. Oswego 15-5 Conference 8-5 I put them here because of the quality wins they have Brockport twice, Geneseo, Ithaca, Buffalo State.
I would NOT put Union, Clarkson because they havent beat Many good teams. Union has 1 maybe 2 good wins Skidmore and Clarkson. I think you could definetly argue Ithaca because they beat Hobart, Stevens and if you count Fisher twice and LaRoche.
What are your guys opinions?

I've never been very clear on how the regional ranking treat members of the UAA.  Since their league is spread from Boston to St. Louis and down to Atlanta, do league games count as "in region"?   If so, NYU's in region record sucks.  While a win over Rochester is great on their overall resume, the UAA road trips are brutal and Rochester was ""likely" to lose one of the games.  In fact, until 2009 Rochester had never swept the Brandeis/NYU weekend and while they did it again in 2011, they were swept in 2010 and 2012. 

[magicman]

I've never been very clear on how the regional ranking treat members of the UAA.  Since their league is spread from Boston to St. Louis and down to Atlanta, do league games count as "in region"?   If so, NYU's in region record sucks.  While a win over Rochester is great on their overall resume, the UAA road trips are brutal and Rochester was ""likely" to lose one of the games.  In fact, until 2009 Rochester had never swept the Brandeis/NYU weekend and while they did it again in 2011, they were swept in 2010 and 2012. 

Ethelred,
All games in the UAA are considered in region games. NYU has an overall record  of 13-7 and since every one of their games was a regional contest, that is their regional record as well.

[Ethelred the Unready]

I've never been very clear on how the regional ranking treat members of the UAA.  Since their league is spread from Boston to St. Louis and down to Atlanta, do league games count as "in region"?   If so, NYU's in region record sucks.  While a win over Rochester is great on their overall resume, the UAA road trips are brutal and Rochester was ""likely" to lose one of the games.  In fact, until 2009 Rochester had never swept the Brandeis/NYU weekend and while they did it again in 2011, they were swept in 2010 and 2012. 

Ethelred,
All games in the UAA are considered in region games. NYU has an overall record  of 13-7 and since every one of their games was a regional contest, that is their regional record as well.

Thanks Magic.  Had a feeling that was how it was done, but it's one of those things that I can never remember.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Magic, any idea why the YAC got rid of the #7 and #8 for the playoffs.  Mirror image of the LEC who for this year is going back to all 8 teams after having only 6 the last couple years.
Also, call me crazy, but in tournaments with only 6 teams (2 bye's) if you can't get the 1 seed I think having #3 is the next best alternative.  There's usually not much difference between a #2 & a #3, and with a #3 you get a home game in round 1, so you get to see your team again AND your team can get the playoff jitters by playing the 1st round game, something they can't do sitting at home with the bye.  The last 2 years Western Connecticut was the #2 seed in the LEC tourney and lost both games.

I'm not sure why they went to 6 teams this year but I think it had to do with rewarding the top seed for winning the regular season crown. By giving the top 2 seeds a bye and giving the #1 seed the home court advantage for the semi's and finals it also settled the hosting situation right away. In the past, 8 would play 1, 7 would play 2, and so on down the line on the higher seed's home court. The highest remaining seed would then get to host the final four. You never knew where the semis and finals were going to be until the quarterfinals were over. Several times we've had the 8 seed beat the 1 seed in the first round and mess up the best laid plans. Now at the end of the regular season you know where the final 4 will be played and the teams can make their travel plans accordingly. If you book your hotel rooms and then lose in the first round, you still have time to cancel your reservations without penalty.

I agree that the 3 seed is probably just as good as the 2 seed. And as I mentioned in my post a 4th seed isn't bad either because  you get to host a home game also. I think you meant to say your team can get rid of the playoff jitters by hosting a first round game instead of sitting at home which I also agree with.     

From what I have learned... this is partially true. The biggest key was trying to give the top seeds an advantage not only in the tournament, but at getting a bid to the NCAA tournament. There was worry that a bad loss to a #8 or a #7 would possibly eliminate a team from the post season. So, here they will play probably a more competitive team in regards to SOS and such and thus a loss may not hurt as much.

In other words, there is a mentality of trying to protect the top teams for the post-season and not lose an extra bid if one is possible.

I am not sure I agree with this mentality as I think, especially in Division III, that everyone should participate if possible... but to each their own.

[magicman]

Fresh off the announcement on Hoopsville seconds ago,  the YAC gets back into the Top 25 as Cortland State checks in at #24 this week.

I had them entering my Top 25 last week in the Posters' Poll at number 25 and after they went 3-0 this past week, with 2 road wins, I moved them up to #22. Glad to see that the real poll followed my lead.

I'd be willing to bet that Dave McHugh had Cortland in his Top 25 this week and possibly last week too as they had their first entrance into the ORV category at that time.