IIAC 2013

[Madhatter5]

Anyways, getting back to a legitimate conversation rather than talking about top contenders for a tournament 2 months away.

Looking at the IIAC overall standings going into the start of Conference play this weekend, I don't know if we should be "impressed" that Simpson is undefeated thus far or look at it more of a weak schedule with teams that I have never heard of besides Grinnell and Bethal. Strangely enough, I am looking forward to them playing at Loras next Tuesday. Does anyone have any insight as to what their play looks like? Fast, dump and chase, Defensive, or just lucky?

Also gotta be curious about UD and the fact that they have won one game. Granted they have some decent teams on their schedule. I understand building your schedule up but don't you make the whole stew out of them, gotta just pepper it a bit to start.

Thoughts?

P.S Loras vs GAC = 3-0 Loras 

[PaulNewman]

Silly?  Ridiculous?  Non-legitimate?

Ever heard of preseason predictions?  Early and mid-season predictions?  Why so hypercritical regarding one comment about a final four team from last year winning every game this year with a tough schedule being in the conversation for end of the year honors?

OK.  Loras has no chance.  Is that better???

[Puerco Espin]

I'm okay with the discussion. We Duhawk Faitful catch flack, but I don't see many other IIAC teams that have the resume of the Duhawks.

Personally, I like to hear the opinion of "outsiders" or those that aren't regulars to IIAC soccer. So thank you NCAC for your contribution.

UD is struggling and will only continue to struggle. They'll finish below .500 this year.

Simpson's opponents have a combined record of 25-37-6. Two of those teams (Ill. Wesleyan and Fontbonne) have records above .500. So in short, don't get too high on the Storm.

According to the Bennett Rankings, Loras has a SOS of 19, while Simpson checks in at 252. These are based on the team's they have played so far, not the season in total.

The Bennett Rankings are new this year, so I'm not sold on it yet, just providing some evidence to back up my statement.

[Medicated Pete]

Update:
after going down 1-0 to Waldorf (who are they? exactly) Luther now up 3-1...  33min left in 2nd half

[Madhatter5]

Silly?  Ridiculous?  Non-legitimate?

Ever heard of preseason predictions?  Early and mid-season predictions?  Why so hypercritical regarding one comment about a final four team from last year winning every game this year with a tough schedule being in the conversation for end of the year honors?

OK.  Loras has no chance.  Is that better???

Is this comment directed at me?

Preseason predictions are arbitrary. Mid-season predictions are a little bit better but still pointless. How many number 1 teams lose before the final four in March Madness? I didn't mind the prediction, it's something on all Loras fans minds throughout the season. All I was trying to do was change the subject to something more current.

If you're going to throw a prediction out there be prepared to hear some backlash about it...

[Puerco Espin]

Update:
after going down 1-0 to Waldorf (who are they? exactly) Luther now up 3-1...  33min left in 2nd half

Waldorf is a NAIA school.
3-6-1.

Luther is their only regular season NCAA opponent.

[pad3fan]

Puerco Espin, to your question of how to reel kicking the ball away. If the official would enforce The Laws of the Game and start pulling cards, I feel certain it would reduce the practice. If a player does it again, pull the red. If there is one thing I would think any competitive athelete wants to do, it is play

[KICKIN95]

Just checked out the Bennett Rankings.  They even rank the conferences for individual team rankings and it is no surprise to see the IIAC ranked 9 out of 11.  What is surprising to see is that the MIAC is 10th, that should ruffle a few feathers of our friends to the north. These rankings seem to be based on SOS and OWP, so now that conference seasons are about to start how much can these conference rankings really change if they are just playing each other.

[KICKIN95]

Puerco Espin, to your question of how to reel kicking the ball away. If the official would enforce The Laws of the Game and start pulling cards, I feel certain it would reduce the practice. If a player does it again, pull the red. If there is one thing I would think any competitive athelete wants to do, it is play

Yellow card yes, but I don't think a red card would ever be issued for something like that

[PaulNewman]

Looked at the Bennett Rankings also.  Of course disappointed to see NCAC at 14.  Can't figure how they do SOS with NESCAC ranked so highly.  Sure, the NESCAC teams face each other, but otherwise they all have a nice share of cupcakes on their schedules.  None of them play the type of non-conference schedule characteristic of OWU, Calvin, Loras, Wheaton, or even a school like Centre who already has played DePauw, Kenyon and Emory.  And the bottom 3-4 NESCAC teams are fairly weak.

[GarbageGoals33]

Sadly, with the emergence of the UMAC, a lot of the MIAC schools are playing cupcake teams out of the UMAC (Bethany Lutheran, Martin Luther, Northwestern, Crown, etc.).  Prior to the UMAC's existence the MIAC schools were playing the best of the IIAC (Wartburg, Luther, Loras, and Central), Wisconsin schools (UWW and UWO), and the NWC (Puget Sound, Pacific Lutheran, Linfield, and Whitworth).  It is pretty boring to see the MIAC's SOS drop as badly as it has in recent years, I am guessing a lot of it has to do with cutting costs.  In the MIAC, the athletic departments aren't as likely to fly teams out to Colorado Springs to play a couple weekend games vs. Colorado College and another very good opponent anymore.  Lame.

[gustiefan04]

In addition to the finacial implication, the realigment of the regions a few years back had a big hand in this as well. It doesn't make much sense to travel west, as the results won't count toward your NCAA bid, even if the competition is strong. Besides, I think if you combine the North and Central regions, we have plenty of good opponents within a few hours drive...

It would be cool to see some kind of "Champions League" non-conference scheduling, including the teams from the North and Central Region. Could include  1 UMAC, 2-3 IIAC & MIAC, 2 WIAC, 2 CCIW, 1 MWC. Include 8-10 teams total, split them into 2 divisions and play 4 or 5 games prior to conference compeitions, against the best teams...

[KICKIN95]

In addition to the finacial implication, the realigment of the regions a few years back had a big hand in this as well. It doesn't make much sense to travel west, as the results won't count toward your NCAA bid, even if the competition is strong. Besides, I think if you combine the North and Central regions, we have plenty of good opponents within a few hours drive...

It would be cool to see some kind of "Champions League" non-conference scheduling, including the teams from the North and Central Region. Could include  1 UMAC, 2-3 IIAC & MIAC, 2 WIAC, 2 CCIW, 1 MWC. Include 8-10 teams total, split them into 2 divisions and play 4 or 5 games prior to conference compeitions, against the best teams...

Thats's a great idea, I think it would be great to see some top teams who never get a chance to play each other go head to head.

[Puerco Espin]

Prediction: Duhawks will have more goals than UD will have shots on goal.

[Puerco Espin]

Just from watching 30 seconds of the Women's feed, I have motion sickness and may lose my lunch. Do they know what a tri-pod is?