NCAA North Region

[casualfan]

Where do you get those SOS numbers from? Just curious.

If those SOS's are correct, you'd think UWW would probably get the bid no matter what with a solid SOS and a decent record. I'm sure the conference tournament could affect things though. Winning out and tied UWO would probably clinch it for UWW in my opinion. Should be an exciting last few weeks. Also, the NCAA Regional Rankings should tell us a lot about what they're thinking for Pool B.

[lastguyoffthebench]

                      Region WP      SOS                    Record vs Ranked
UWW 53rd       .700           81  (.596)          2-1 (W: MSOE 1-0, NP 1-0;  L: Loras 0-3)

UWO  85th       .567          107  (.633)         0-2-1 (L: MSOE 0-2, NP 2-2; T: Loras 2-2)  If CSS ranked (1-2-1)       

UWS 133rd

SOS number was pulled from Massey Rankings. SOS percentage is OWP (OOWP not calculated).  It's interesting to see UWO SOS not as strong, but OWP is higher.   

Common opponents:

                            UWW             UWO
Loras                     0-3                2-2
MSOE                     1-0                0-2
North Park             1-0                0-2
Central                  1-0                1-0
Concordia              1-1                4-1
UWS                      3-3                1-0

                            3-1-3             3-2-1

[casualfan]

Thanks for the stats lastguy.

How is it possible that UWO SOS is not as high, but OWP is? Do both/either stat take home & away matches into account? Just trying to wrap my head around that.

Hard to split them apart with UWW 3-1-2 record compared to UWO's 3-2-1. Most likely will come down to the finale like we are normally used to.

[D3 Scout]

First Official Regional Rankings:

1. Loras
2. Luther
3. Wartburg
4. St. Olaf
5. UW Whitewater
6. Gustavus Adolphus
7. UW Oshkosh

What does everyone think?

[gustiefan04]

Looks about right I'd say. One might argue that Luther & Wartburg could be flipped in rank, or UWW and GAC. But based on recent results, I think its a pretty solid/accurate ranking.

Something to keep in mind too is that no UMAC or MWC teams appear in the rankings. So if we operate under the assumption that the North will get 6 or 7 teams into the tournament. This is going to push the teams at the bottom of these regional rankings out of the dance, unless they win their confernce AQ or Pool B bid...

[casualfan]

Seems about accurate. Plenty of games left for the rankings to change. Here's the remaining matches prior to conference tournaments.

1. Loras....vs. Wartburg, @ Coe
2. Luther....vs. St. Mary's, @ Central, @ Dubuque
3. Wartburg....@ Loras, vs. Buena Vista
4. St. Olaf....@ UST, @ Augsburg, @ Carleton
5. UWW....vs. Chicago, vs. Marian, vs. UWP, vs. UWO
6. GAC....@ Augsburg, vs. Bethel, @ Hamline
7. UWO....vs. Finlandia, vs. UWP, @ UWW

Not sure I can find another team deserving of being in this group. Knox & CSS have great records but in bad conferences.

GAC may be in need of the AQ in order to make the tourney.
UWW & UWO are Pool B or bust
Probably 2 out of the 3 IIAC's get in.
St. Olaf should be in with a strong finish to the year and make it to the conference tournament final.

Lot of season left...

[D3 Scout]

If UWW beats Chicago this weekend and Wartburg and St. Olaf lose on the road to solid teams does UWW jump to third?

Does Loras hold on to the top spot with a loss at home to Wartburg?

Does UST jump into the #7 spot with a win against St. Olaf and UWO losing SOS with a game vs Findlandia?

I feel as though Loras are alone at the top with their strong SOS and Record. Luther and Wartburg are neck and neck for two and three. And then 4-7 is all a close race. Next weeks rankings will straighten a lot of things out.

[D3 Scout]

Loras beats Wartburg 3-1
Luther beats Central
St. Olaf Ties St. Thomas
UWW beats Chicago in OT
GAC wins over Augsburg
UWO beats UWP

In my opinion St. Olaf lacks a quality win on their schedule. In big games they havent been able to get the job done. GAC on the other hand has two good wins over Scholastica and Oshkosh. I believe GAC should be the higher MIAC team, especially with having tied Olaf on the road.

As for Wartburg it seems as though this is the wrong time to start slumping. 0-1-2 in their last 3. Granted they played very good competition, these are the teams they need to beat to prove they are tournament worthy.

[dontshootthegoose]

By your judgment, how should this weeks regional rankings look? And give me your overall thoughts with the week ahead. Please?

[D3 Scout]

Projected Regional Rankings

1. Loras
2. Luther
3. UWW (Wins against North Park and Chicago and not having lost since 9/26 earn them this spot)
4. Wartburg (Recent form needs to be taken into consideration, they havent performed lately and that is why they drop a spot)
5. GAC (The better MIAC School)
6. St. Olaf (No big win drops them in my mind)
7. UWO (A win against UWW Sunday will do wonders for their tournament hopes)

[PaulNewman]

Out of my element here in the North, but assuming both win last 2 games don't see how you can put GAC at 7-2-1 ahead of St Olaf at 8-0-2.

[D3 Scout]

St. Olaf has not beat a team that has a tournament worthy resume. GAC has beaten a St. Scholastica team that will be in the tournament and be competitive and they have beaten Wisconsin Oshkosh who narrowly beat Loras and are a win Sunday away from being the top candidate for the pool b bid.

Looking at these quality wins along with the fact that they went to St Olaf and got a result is why I believe they are the more deserving side

[casualfan]

My thoughts for the Regional Rankings

1. Loras
2. Luther
3. UWW
4. Wartburg
5. St. Olaf
Tied  for 6. UWO
Tied for 6. GAC

I would argue that Luther would have the easiest schedule of the group, but they've come out with a pretty good record. A final match with a Dubuque squad who have been surprising in the IIAC. UWW & UWO come away from the week with important wins. UWO may be creeping a bit up the rankings imo. That showdown in Whitewater next weekend should be a good one. GAC should win out and finish right around 5-7 prior to the MIAC tourney. St. Olaf should have a telling match when they face Carleton.

Not too many surprise results since week 1 of the NCAA Regional Rankings.

[Medicated Pete]

St. Olaf has not beat a team that has a tournament worthy resume. GAC has beaten a St. Scholastica team that will be in the tournament and be competitive and they have beaten Wisconsin Oshkosh who narrowly beat Loras and are a win Sunday away from being the top candidate for the pool b bid.

Looking at these quality wins along with the fact that they went to St Olaf and got a result is why I believe they are the more deserving side

Loras 2-2 UWOshkosh 

[D3 Scout]

My mistake meant to add "narrowly ALMOST"