Big Dance 2022 - Let's Go!

[PaulNewman]

On paper I would say NYU has the edge over Williams.  I am certainly appreciative in the different views presented here but respectfully, almost no amount of reasoning will ever convince me that WestConn sitting at home right now isn't criminal conduct by the NCAA Committee and powers that be.

Sure they had a couple 'cupcake' teams on the schedule but they didn't play nobody's.  An undefeated team is sitting at home scratching their heads wondering what all their hard work this year meant.  I did not watch their conference final and I fully understand they should've taken care of business, but that doesn't mean one blemish in PKS in 22 games should have you sitting out at home.  They didn't lose a single game and yet they were even a discussion by the committee! Yikes.

No one (or at least almost no one) here disagrees with you about W CT. 

[Planters Nuts]

Did anyone else watch Westconn play this season?  I started taking my kids about 4 years ago to get around to notable college games throughout CT.  It's a shame they weren't able to showcase themselves in the national level.  I can't even imagine what that locker room and coaches office must feel like these last few days. 

[PaulNewman]

It's interesting that the sentiment now after the fact seems to be nearly 100% in W CT's favor.  A week or so before the selections no one was actually predicting a bid for them.  I borderline endorsed a bid around that time and got a reply that presumed I was joking.

Not saying this was the intent, but the cmte inserting W CT in the rankings week 3 was a bit of tease, opening the door just enough to think W CT might jump Hamilton.  Not many actually seemed to think that would happen.  But now after the fact we're all aghast.

[paclassic89]

Jknezek and I were commenting on the W CT rank situation since the first regional rankings.   I still get the impression that the committee were hedging their bets with the parity in NESCAC by trying to jam as many NESCACs in as possible assuming W CT would get the AQ and then they got into a situation where W CT had been under ranked throughout and they didn't feel like there was enough to jump them up the couple of spots they should have been in the final rankings.   

[College Soccer Observer]

That might be plausible, but the same committee showed no hesitation in rearranging the other NESCACs with a lot of movement between weeks 3 and 4.

[PaulNewman]

Jknezek and I were commenting on the W CT rank situation since the first regional rankings.   I still get the impression that the committee were hedging their bets with the parity in NESCAC by trying to jam as many NESCACs in as possible assuming W CT would get the AQ and then they got into a situation where W CT had been under ranked throughout and they didn't feel like there was enough to jump them up the couple of spots they should have been in the final rankings.

You're right.  My apologies.  I do remember that.  I was probably mostly thinking of my Chicago friend @4samuy....

From 11/5...

Pn,

I haven't seen to this point that anyone has put them in the conversation to be included in the tournament.  I may have missed something but Imho they have no shot without the auto bid. Not a chance.  They will come up to the table in round 75. Now that's being facetious. Knowing you I'm pretty sure your being  facetious as well.

Few minutes later...

Wow, I guess facetious may have been the wrong word.  Imho there is no way they have a chance.  They won't jump anyone in region 1.  It was get the aq or bust. Other than winning percentage, NOTHING works in their favor.

[PaulNewman]

This is probably a FW question....

Has any LEC team ever gotten an at-large bid in the history of the tournament?  Of course one might also ask if any LEC team previously has been 20-0-2.

I'm guessing NO to the first question...unless maybe Keene State back in the day or maybe ECSU.

[4samuy]

Pn,

I admittadly mentioned that facetious may be the wrong word. Also I prefaced my statements with IMHO.  These boards are all about opinions and also facts.  No disrespect was intended what so ever  :)but through the years following d3 soccer and d3 basketball IMO I've developed a pretty good idea as to how the committee (regional or national) work and think and IMHO at the time is that west conn was not going to jump Hamilton, undefeated season or not.  As I mentioned, imho it was going to win conference tournament or bust.

I also mentioned on one of the boards that it was sad the west conn didn't make the tournament, but I'm too tired to go back and find the board.

[PaulNewman]

Yankeesoccerdad, here ya go...One of your best bets is to stick around for Babson-Vassar...and bring your phone and a burner phone so you can do live stats or video with your phone and then tune in if there's an upset alert or big game of interest...

Friday is easy...just two games...Depending on the outcome the 1:00 game on Saturday could be one of the games of the tournament...

Rest of Saturday 1st round action...all times Eastern...

10:00 -- Aurora @ GAC -- Upset alert....Aurora drew with both Calvin and North Central so shouldn't be awed

1:00 -- St Joseph (CT) @ F&M -- For whatever reason I feeling an upset alert

1:30 -- Roger Williams-SLU -- After all the banter on the board sort of a must-see

1:30 -- Rose Hulman-North Park -- Could be over first 30 minutes but if level at the half potential for upset alert

1:30 -- UMass-Boston-Tufts -- Pure entertainment value...for neutrals

1:30 -- Vassar-Babson -- Hope this matches the hype...would be a shame if Vassar doesn't show well

2:30 -- Luther-UWEC -- UWEC is a great story and have a shot at a run to Sweet 16 but Luther wants some respect

3:30 -- Rowan- Midd -- One of the can't miss games in round 1

3:30 -- Catholic-Lynchburg -- Should be competitive match but might be....a little boring?

3:30 -- NYU-Williams -- Might end up being better game than Rowan-Midd

6:30 -- UW-P-Will-AM-et -- Chance for East Coast to see what these teams are like

6:30 -- Pac Luth-MHB -- Same and maybe (just guessing really) the more open, exciting one of the two 6:30 clashes

[PaulNewman]

Pn,

I admittadly mentioned that facetious may be the wrong word. Also I prefaced my statements with IMHO.  These boards are all about opinions and also facts.  No disrespect was intended what so ever  :)but through the years following d3 soccer and d3 basketball IMO I've developed a pretty good idea as to how the committee (regional or national) work and think and IMHO at the time is that west conn was not going to jump Hamilton, undefeated season or not.  As I mentioned, imho it was going to win conference tournament or bust.

I also mentioned on one of the boards that it was sad the west conn didn't make the tournament, but I'm too tired to go back and find the board.

I didn't mean it the way you're taking it.  At the time I probably agreed with you and I know you were not alone.  That was the prevailing take....not that they didn't deserve but that a Pool C would be a bit of a reach even if a lot of us disagreed.

[coach analytics]

Did anyone else watch Westconn play this season?  I started taking my kids about 4 years ago to get around to notable college games throughout CT.  It's a shame they weren't able to showcase themselves in the national level.  I can't even imagine what that locker room and coaches office must feel like these last few days.

I saw West Conn play a couple times and I can tell you they would not make the NESCAC tournament if they competed in that league. Definitely not as good as Conn or Colby and maybe not Bates.  They did beat Trinity at home but it was 1-1 late in the game and 2-1 until a last second goal.  I actually think they deserved a bid on results but not on pure quality.  They played only 2 regionally ranked teams all year.  Win the conf tournament if you play in a weak conference and that conference is weak compared to other 2+ bid conferences.

[Yankeesoccerdad]

Yankeesoccerdad, here ya go...One of your best bets is to stick around for Babson-Vassar...and bring your phone and a burner phone so you can do live stats or video with your phone and then tune in if there's an upset alert or big game of interest...

Friday is easy...just two games...Depending on the outcome the 1:00 game on Saturday could be one of the games of the tournament...

Rest of Saturday 1st round action...all times Eastern...

10:00 -- Aurora @ GAC -- Upset alert....Aurora drew with both Calvin and North Central so shouldn't be awed

1:00 -- St Joseph (CT) @ F&M -- For whatever reason I feeling an upset alert

1:30 -- Roger Williams-SLU -- After all the banter on the board sort of a must-see

1:30 -- Rose Hulman-North Park -- Could be over first 30 minutes but if level at the half potential for upset alert

1:30 -- UMass-Boston-Tufts -- Pure entertainment value...for neutrals

1:30 -- Vassar-Babson -- Hope this matches the hype...would be a shame if Vassar doesn't show well

2:30 -- Luther-UWEC -- UWEC is a great story and have a shot at a run to Sweet 16 but Luther wants some respect

3:30 -- Rowan- Midd -- One of the can't miss games in round 1

3:30 -- Catholic-Lynchburg -- Should be competitive match but might be....a little boring?

3:30 -- NYU-Williams -- Might end up being better game than Rowan-Midd

6:30 -- UW-P-Will-AM-et -- Chance for East Coast to see what these teams are like

6:30 -- Pac Luth-MHB -- Same and maybe (just guessing really) the more open, exciting one of the two 6:30 clashes

PN, I knew you would not disappoint!  Paul Finebaum of d3 soccer.

[paclassic89]

[PaulNewman]

LOL!  That is hilarious.

[Christan Shirk]

Has any LEC team ever gotten an at-large bid in the history of the tournament?  Of course one might also ask if any LEC team previously has been 20-0-2.

I'm guessing NO to the first question...unless maybe Keene State back in the day or maybe ECSU.

POOL C AT-LARGE BERTHS (2008-2022)

Conference	Berths	Most Recent
UAA	39	2022
NESCAC	36	2022
Centennial	26	2022
NJAC	20	2021
NCAC	17	2022
SUNYAC	13	2022
Liberty	12	2022
MIAC	11	2022
NEWMAC	10	2019
OAC	9	2022
ARC / IIAC	8	2019
C2C / CAC	8	2022
CCIW	7	2022
Landmark	6	2022
ODAC	6	2022
MIAA	5	2021
SCAC	5	2019
ASC	3	2017
MAC Commonw'lth	3	2018
MAC Freedom	3	2013
SCIAC	3	2016
CCC	2	2013
USA South	2	2012
WIAC	2	2015
Empire 8	1	2008
LEC	1	2010
NACC	1	2014
NWC	1	2022
Presidents'	1	2015
SAA	1	2019
AEC	0	--
AMCC	0	--
CCS	0	--
CSAC	0	--
CUNYAC	0	--
GNAC	0	--
HCAC	0	--
Independent	0	--
MASCAC	0	--
MWC	0	--
NAC	0	--
NECC	0	--
Skyline	0	--
SLIAC	0	--
UEC / NEAC	0	--
UMAC	0	--