2018 NCAA Tournament

[Greek Tragedy]

My apologies. I didn't make myself clear on what part of his post I was responding to. I was responding to his assertion that there was a lack of respect for Nebraska Wesleyan. Yes, they had a very good record, but their non-conference schedule wasn't very good. The IIAC was possibly better than in recent years, but they still only got one team in. It could easily be argued that NWU was the #2 seed in the pod. They were higher in the regional rankings, probably in a tougher region.

Edit: Maybe I thought txg was saying they were the 3rd best team in the pod, but it was Mr. Mo...anyway.... I don't know.

[txg]

I can see how it might look like I was complaining about the NWU seeding if you look at my post in a vacuum.  For clarification:

Declaring NWU the third best team in the pod after the results we saw is disrespectful.  No other way to put it.

Is there a lack of respect for NWU in general?  I'd say probably, but I have watched 0 minutes and 0 seconds of that team this year, so my opinion on that should be treated accordingly.

I have no problem at all with Friday-Saturday games.  The poster I was responding to does.

[Pat Coleman]

Over Saturday and Sunday our team debated and ranked the top 10 first-round upsets of the past 10 NCAA Tournaments. Here's how we ranked them:

http://www.d3hoops.com/playoffs/biggest-upsets-past-10-years/index

[Greek Tragedy]

Over Saturday and Sunday our team debated and ranked the top 10 first-round upsets of the past 10 NCAA Tournaments. Here's how we ranked them:

http://www.d3hoops.com/playoffs/biggest-upsets-past-10-years/index

Great stuff. Hope the buzzer beater page can make a return!

[sac]

Over Saturday and Sunday our team debated and ranked the top 10 first-round upsets of the past 10 NCAA Tournaments. Here's how we ranked them:

http://www.d3hoops.com/playoffs/biggest-upsets-past-10-years/index

So if Webster had hypothetically beaten IWU in 2014(lost 71-70), where might that rank?

[Pat Coleman]

Over Saturday and Sunday our team debated and ranked the top 10 first-round upsets of the past 10 NCAA Tournaments. Here's how we ranked them:

http://www.d3hoops.com/playoffs/biggest-upsets-past-10-years/index

So if Webster had hypothetically beaten IWU in 2014(lost 71-70), where might that rank?

No lower than just behind Northwestern-St. Thomas game, for sure. They're very similar. Game is in Bloomington, but IWU was ranked 6th after losing the CCIW final by 21. In essence, just like Aurora/Wash U.

As a team, we had a lot of debate over the ordering of 1-3 and this would have been right in that discussion if Webster had won.

[AndOne]

I can see how it might look like I was complaining about the NWU seeding if you look at my post in a vacuum.  For clarification:

Declaring NWU the third best team in the pod after the results we saw is disrespectful.  No other way to put it.

Is there a lack of respect for NWU in general?  I'd say probably, but I have watched 0 minutes and 0 seconds of that team this year, so my opinion on that should be treated accordingly.

I have no problem at all with Friday-Saturday games.  The poster I was responding to does.

With some of the comments that have been directed at my alma mater, its fairly obvious that there is at least some degree of lack of respect for the boys from Lincoln. I believe most of the perceived problem results from an analysis of the non-conference portion of their schedule. Granted, some of their non-con opponents can't be considered major powers. And, heaven forbid, the list even contains the name of an NAIA school (long term hated rival Doane). However, consider the geographical limitations that NWU faces. NWU is the only D3 in the state of Nebraska. Going west, I think the closest D3 is Colorado College which is about 500 miles away. Neither of the next two states south, Kansas and Oklahoma, have any D3s. Same thing to the north as there  aren't any D3 schools in So. Dakota either. The closest clusters of D3 schools are up in Minnesota, and east in Iowa which is one of the primary reasons NWU sought membership in the IIAC when they decided to drop the NAIA portion of their dual NAIA-NCAA membership. So they do play in a major D3 conference with some pretty decent teams (Loras, Buena Vista, Warburg). Otherwise, they do the best they can in picking up non-con D3 games, including hosting a tournament and traveling good distances to places like Minneapolis, Texas, and Washington DC for other games. Consider also, that they have two or three players that a vast majority of other teams, including many in the tournament, would probably love to have. But I'm sure they're just fine with a little lack of respect and being overlooked. Its helped them get to a place many other teams only wish they were. 🏀

[WUPHF]

Over Saturday and Sunday our team debated and ranked the top 10 first-round upsets of the past 10 NCAA Tournaments. Here's how we ranked them:

http://www.d3hoops.com/playoffs/biggest-upsets-past-10-years/index

Not that it matters, but it was sophomore Matt Nester who made his fifth three pointer of the game to tie up the game with 1.6 second left.

[AndOne]

Why don't the Titans get any respect on this site?  They were lampooned in the pre-tournament reviews as well.

Congratulations to Illinois Wesleyan 🏀 

He is talking about UW-Oshkosh.

http://www.d3hoops.com/playoffs/men/2018/tournament-preview

I'm aware.
Just a little facetious/tongue-in-cheek humor, and a reminder that there is more than one Titans team. 😏

[Pat Coleman]

I believe most of the perceived problem results from an analysis of the non-conference portion of their schedule. Granted, some of their non-con opponents can't be considered major powers.

Nov. 17   7:30 PM   at North Central (Minn.) (7-18) •   W, 122-84
Nov. 18   5:00 PM   at Northwestern (Minn.) (14-13) •   W, 78-67
Nov. 24   7:00 PM   Iowa Wesleyan (5-20) •   W, 117-54
Nov. 25   5:00 PM   Bethany Lutheran (20-9) •   W, 95-78
Dec. 4   8:00 PM   Doane    W, 107-80
Dec. 10   12:00 PM   at Austin (4-21) •   W, 92-67
Dec. 17   2:00 PM   at Gallaudet (9-17) •   W, 99-77
Dec. 18   7:00 PM   at Marymount (8-17) •   W, 87-46
Dec. 30   4:00 PM   at Grinnell (13-11) •   W, 121-103

Just to put the actual facts here instead of the poor attempt at spin. Good thing the UMAC champ is in here or there wouldn't be anything at all.

(Nobody really begrudges one NAIA opponent, AO.)

[Pat Coleman]

Over Saturday and Sunday our team debated and ranked the top 10 first-round upsets of the past 10 NCAA Tournaments. Here's how we ranked them:

http://www.d3hoops.com/playoffs/biggest-upsets-past-10-years/index

You guys got the wrong Bears shooter in the Aurora @ Wash U game. It was Matt Nester who hit the game-tying trey for Wash U in the waning seconds, not Jack Nolan.

WUPHF beat you to it and it's already been fixed.

[Gregory Sager]

I posted it when I saw your link, Pat, and then took it down once I got to WUPHF's post.

[Gregory Sager]

I had a strong suspicion prior to this season that NebWes was going to be really good, based upon the fact that the Prairie Wolves had all five starters returning from an 18-8 team. However, without any proof at hand that I said that, I suppose that it probably looks like 20/20 hindsight to everybody else.

[Greek Tragedy]

I had a strong suspicion prior to this season that NebWes was going to be really good, based upon the fact that the Prairie Wolves had all five starters returning from an 18-8 team. However, without any proof at hand that I said that, I suppose that it probably looks like 20/20 hindsight to everybody else.

You weren't the only one to think they'd be pretty good this year. Simply based on returning players, I thought they would win the conference as well. But, winning your conference and gaining national respect can be two different things.

Also, all because there might be a lack of respect, doesn't mean we don't like them! Their opponents to date don't have me declaring them as "favorites". Yes, they blew out their two tournament opponents, but like their non-conference opponents, they hardly scream out "high caliber". Maryville and Aurora come from traditionally weak 1-bid conferences.

[AndOne]

I had a strong suspicion prior to this season that NebWes was going to be really good, based upon the fact that the Prairie Wolves had all five starters returning from an 18-8 team. However, without any proof at hand that I said that, I suppose that it probably looks like 20/20 hindsight to everybody else.

I'll be your assist man on this one GS. I don't know exactly where you posted it, but I distinctly remember a pre-season entry in which you opined that NWU would be having a very good season.