2014 D3 Season: National Perspective

[Mr.Right]

The Babson ranking bothers me. They have a decent SOS just lost to WPI and are 1-4-0 against ranked teams. They also have 6 losses.

Liberty League just lost a 2nd bid unless SLU loses. Poor RPI, they really are not a dangerous team but they have squeaked out some impressive results. Themselves and Brockport will need to win their leagues respectfully.

Honestly, Luther has a very weak schedule and no great wins.

How does Salisbury jump RNU?

[gobash83]

These are some crazy rankings.



Geneva?  Really?

I agree and would question Capital as well.  Yes, I have a bias, but Wabash, Penn St-Behrend and even DePauw have as much of a claim (if not more) to those last two spots.   

[lastguyoffthebench]

I agree that Luther SOS is well below the standard, but then why put them in the initial rankings?

Is the North Park more of a formality that while Calvin has more wins vs regionally ranked teams, NP win percentage vs those is better (2-1 vs Calvins 3-2).

Swat's win over Dickinson shot them up, plus Eastern and Haverford losing improved their case.  After the loss to Washington, Swat will drop out.   In the same breath, Camden beats Newark and Swat and does not crack the regional rankings.   

[Mr.Right]

It is interesting that good wins can shoot teams up a lot faster than bad losses shooting teams down.

[Mr.Right]

Is it just me or are the record vs ranked teams for some teams not accurate?

[PaulNewman]

We can argue about Luther all day (even though I think they are very good and have watched them several times).  What can't be argued is that they were #2 in the regional rankings LAST WEEK, DIDN'T LOSE (or tie) and now are OUT.  Incomprehensible.

[lastguyoffthebench]

It only goes by who is ranked regionally from the NCAA poll.   Rutgers-Camden has played 7 regionally ranked teams, but Eastern fell off after dropping to DSU this week, so the record adjusts (I think);   F&M, CNU, MSU, RU-N, Swat, Haverford  (2-4 record).    Losing to Cabrini and Rowan really hurt them this year.

[Mr.Right]

It would be really interesting to see  top 15 teams with the best SOS in the country. Listed from top to bottom

[blooter442]

I know I'm beating a dead horse here, but still befuddled at how Coast Guard is above Tufts in today's rankings. I would maybe expect it in the NSCAA Top 25, but not the Regional Rankings, much less the second one. I don't care if they're 13-1-2, they lost to Clark and their two draws were both at home.

[Mr.Right]

With a #2 ranking Coast Guard could lose to Springfield on Saturday and lose in the first round in the Newmac and still get in. At #5 Amherst needs to be careful because they cannot lose their next two games or they would be out.

[lastguyoffthebench]

http://www.masseyratings.com/rate.php?s=csoc2014&sub=11620

Sort by Rating, SOS, etc...

[oldonionbag]

Agreed. Coast Guard hasn't really played anyone of note. WPI is the only semi-decent team they've beaten (but they have a very weak SOS also) - they tied the other good team, Wheaton 0-0. That's it. I don't understand how they stay at #2 with back to back ties since the last ranking...

[Durantula]

We can argue about Luther all day (even though I think they are very good and have watched them several times).  What can't be argued is that they were #2 in the regional rankings LAST WEEK, DIDN'T LOSE (or tie) and now are OUT.  Incomprehensible.

I wonder hypothetically if they would have a .501 SOS if they would immediately be back at number 2. They could get back above .500 by playing Wartburg in the conf tourney although they also play Central who is not very good.

[lastguyoffthebench]

That's a ridiculously slippery slope, Durantula.    However, I feel that it's very possible.

If only the PDF NCAA Data Sheets could be exported to a spreadsheet to see the full SOS, Mr.Right.

[Flying Weasel]

http://www.masseyratings.com/rate.php?s=csoc2014&sub=11620

Sort by Rating, SOS, etc...

The Massey SOS values are irrelevant.  It's the NCAA's SOS values that are used and therefore the ones that matter.  The NCAA SOS values can be found in the regional data sheets they make available.