WBB: Conference of New England

[deiscanton]

I am starting this new topic to partially discuss U. New England's accomplishments this season in the TCCC.  Feel free to talk about other teams who have done well in the TCCC, such as Endicott and others.

First thing first

Congratulations to Coach Anthony Ewing on being named the TCCC Coach of the Year this season for his accomplishments in leading the U. New England to the #1 seed in the TCCC and for his big non-conference wins this season.   Coach Ewing was Brandeis's former Associate Head Coach with Carol Simon before he took the job at the University of New England, and he has done a great job leading his team to being 2 wins away from qualifying for the NCAAs.

I hope that he finishes the job this week and wins the TCCC tournament.  He has Salve Regina on Thursday, and then should he win that game,   U New England will more likely have a home rematch with Endicott in Saturday's title game.   Endicott is favored to beat Regis (MA) in the other semifinal on Thursday, and the Gulls are the top threat to U New England's ultimate goal on winning the TCCC automatic bid.

U New England is not currently regionally ranked in the Northeast, and I don't anticipate U. New England breaking into the top 6 in the Northeast in today's regional rankings so they will have to win the TCCC tournament this week to get in, but here is their tournament resume.

In-region record as of 2/24:  20-5  .800 regional percentage

OWP as of 2/21 is .566  (#52 in DIII according to D3Hoops.com calculations)

OOWP as of 2/21 is .524

SOS is .552

Record vs regionally ranked opponents as of the 2/24 regional rankings is 1-2

Win vs S. Maine (#9 Northeast as of 2/24 rankings)

Losses to Bowdoin and Colby

Out of conference loss to non-regionally ranked Keene State

Brandeis and Bates are not regionally ranked as of the 2/14 regional rankings.

TCCC is traditionally not a power conference in DIII women's hoop, so traditionally only 1 team from the TCCC gets into the NCAAs.

Note:  Updated to reflect this week's regional ranking results.

[cantdothat]

Why has the Endicott Head Coach left the staff at this late date and who will replace her?

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

First Regional Rankings: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/category/ncaa-stuff/regional-rankings/

[remsleep]

Love to hear about coaching change rumors. Let's dig and find out!

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

So this place is dead, but I thought I'd just mention ENC.  They brought in like a dozen new players, lots of height.  They've been going 10 deep in these first two games - not great competition, but they're really dominating.  Could be interesting to see how things develop.

[deiscanton]

Reviving this topic a little to bring up Roger Williams.

The Hawks defeated Conn College today, 68-62.  It is the first time that the Hawks have defeated the Camels since the 2013-14 season.  Coincidentally, the last time RWU defeated Conn College, they went on to receive a Pool C bid to the NCAAs.

RWU stands at 8-2 with a strong OWP.  The Hawks have defeated 2 opponents who have beaten Babson, giving the Hawks an edge over Babson in the results vs common DIII opponents.  (Conn College and Brandeis).

Results vs regionally ranked opponents may be the weak link in the RWU resume. So far, the only win that the Hawks have over a team regionally ranked last season is the win over UMass-Dartmouth.   On February 21, we will  find out if that win will count as a win on the RvR.  Plenty of basketball still to be played.

The remaining games are all in conference.  Roger Williams needs a win over Univ of New England in January and not lose too many other conference games to be regionally ranked in February and be a Pool C candidate.

[deiscanton]

Roger Williams is at #5 in the Northeast in the Feb. 7, 2018 regional rankings.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Wait... what?! Who won? Hold on, who lost?!

How did... but they... so... wow... okay.

Another crazy week(end) of Division III basketball leaves us more questions to answer, heads to scratch, and what-ifs to contemplate.

Sunday night's episode of Hoopsville promises to ... hmm, maybe we shouldn't promise too much if this season is a lesson in anything. Nothing is guaranteed.

Tune in LIVE starting at 7pm ET as Dave is joined by a few guests from around the country, but more importantly takes the time to look at some of the more interesting conference races and upcoming tournaments. There is plenty to dissect just two weeks away from the close of the regular season.

There will be plenty of questions from fans, so don't forget to interact with the show (more information is n the right) and be sure to email your questions and comments to hoopsville@d3hoops.com to have them answerer or featured show.

Hoopsville is presented by D3hoops.com and airs from the WBCA/NABC Studio. You can watch the show LIVE starting at 7:00 p.m. ET here: http://bit.ly/2EiXbmB. Guests appear on the Hoopsville Hotline presented by the City of Salem.

Guests include (in order of appearance):
- Lauren Johnson, Ripon women's coach
- Kelly Thompson, Roger Williams women's coach
- Clif Carroll, Sul Ross State men's coach
- Ryan Scott, "Top 25 Double-take"

If you enjoy the show via the podcasts instead, you can get access to them or subscribe one of the three following ways (click on the images when necessary):
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[deiscanton]

Let's clarify things on the Roger Williams women vs Curry this season--

1.). Roger Williams lost at Curry by 2 points in January, 49-47.

2.). Roger Williams defeated Curry, 66-48, in the rematch in Bristol, RI yesterday.  Roger Williams is 1-1 vs Curry this season, not 0-2.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Let's clarify things on the Roger Williams women vs Curry this season--

1.). Roger Williams lost at Curry by 2 points in January, 49-47.

2.). Roger Williams defeated Curry, 66-48, in the rematch in Bristol, RI yesterday.  Roger Williams is 1-1 vs Curry this season, not 0-2.

Wrong board?

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

New women's regional rankings: http://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2018/02/women-regional-rankings-second

[deiscanton]

Roger Williams lost at home on Senior Day by 2 points to Endicott yesterday.  The Hawks would have been the #1 seed in the CCC tournament had they won, as the results vs subsequent finishers in the league standings would have given RWU the tiebreaker over Univ. of New England.

However, the Endicott win yesterday helped give U. New England the #1 seed once again in the CCC tournament.

The seeds:

#1-- Univ of New England
#2-- Roger Williams
#3-- Endicott
#4-- WNEU
#5-- Salve Regina
#6-- Curry
#7-- Gordon
#8-- Eastern Nazarene

Conference tournament release:

UNE Earns Top Seed in CCC Women's Basketball Tournament as Regular-Season Champion

[SidelineHero]

Roger Williams lost at home on Senior Day by 2 points to Endicott yesterday.  The Hawks would have been the #1 seed in the CCC tournament had they won, as the results vs subsequent finishers in the league standings would have given RWU the tiebreaker over Univ. of New England.

However, the Endicott win yesterday helped give U. New England the #1 seed once again in the CCC tournament.

The seeds:

#1-- Univ of New England
#2-- Roger Williams
#3-- Endicott
#4-- WNEU
#5-- Salve Regina
#6-- Curry
#7-- Gordon
#8-- Eastern Nazarene

Conference tournament release:

UNE Earns Top Seed in CCC Women's Basketball Tournament as Regular-Season Champion

Does Roger Williams need to win the tournament to go to the NCAA's...in your opinion?

[deiscanton]

Roger Williams lost at home on Senior Day by 2 points to Endicott yesterday.  The Hawks would have been the #1 seed in the CCC tournament had they won, as the results vs subsequent finishers in the league standings would have given RWU the tiebreaker over Univ. of New England.

However, the Endicott win yesterday helped give U. New England the #1 seed once again in the CCC tournament.

The seeds:

#1-- Univ of New England
#2-- Roger Williams
#3-- Endicott
#4-- WNEU
#5-- Salve Regina
#6-- Curry
#7-- Gordon
#8-- Eastern Nazarene

Conference tournament release:

UNE Earns Top Seed in CCC Women's Basketball Tournament as Regular-Season Champion

Does Roger Williams need to win the tournament to go to the NCAA's...in your opinion?

Right now, I would see Roger Williams on the Pool C bubble if they lose in the CCC tournament.  It all depends on if Connecticut College ends up ranked when the regional rankings come out today.  If the Conn College Camels remain at #12 or better in the Northeast, then Roger Williams will be able to take 3 wins vs regionally ranked opponents to the selection table, and may be on the right side of the bubble. Under the current definition of regionally ranked opponent, a result vs a team ranked in the Feb. 21 rankings or in the final Feb. 26 rankings, which will be released after the Feb. 26 selection announcement on NCAA.com count as results vs ranked teams for selection purposes.

I expect Roger Williams to be on the national table for Pool C discussion if UNE wins the AQ, which means that RWU coach Kelly Thompson, who sits on the national committee, will have to leave the call and designate someone else from the Northeast RAC to represent the Northeast on the national call when the DIII Women's Basketball Committee brings up Roger Williams for discussion.

If Conn College is not ranked this week , then RWU still has 2 wins against regionally ranked opponents to bring to the selection table.  RWU's resume will get a very deep look from the national committee.

Bottom line--  Roger Williams is not a Pool C lock, but the Hawks seem to be on the good side of the Pool C bubble.

Clarification-- Roger Williams definitely carries 2 wins vs regionally ranked opponents to the selection table-- Univ of New England and U Mass Dartmouth.  Roger Williams looks to me like they are on the good side of the Pool C bubble right now.

[deiscanton]

Right now, I would project Roger Williams probably getting the 15th to 18th Pool C pick of the 20 national Pool C picks alloted if they do not win the AQ.  Good side of the bubble, but not a lock.