NCAA Hockey - 2023/24 **Insert Witty Tagline**

[Kepler]

Because apparently we can’t. NCAA now doesn’t allow single sports conferences. I guess the others could RMISA like UAA.

Then form a conference for hockey and tiddlywinks.

[Jimjamesak]

Why not form a conference then?

Because apparently we can’t. NCAA now doesn’t allow single sports conferences. I guess the others could RMISA like UAA.

[Kepler]

Why not form a conference then?

[Russell Jaslow]

Independents discussing plan to create tournament for an autobid.

https://www.collegehockeynews.com/ne...ssing-Plan.php

I’ve seen something similar at the D3 level in something called the Coast 2 Coast where schools from all over the country would play independent schedules but come together for a tournament at the end of the year to get autobids. However, I think that was still technically a conference and it was multiple sports. Not sure how that would work if they don’t create a conference or the one sport conference moratorium doesn’t end.

They would NOT get an autobid. In fact, the article even states that. Unless they actually form a conference, just having an independent end of season tournament does not qualify for an autobid. It doesn't even qualify for extra games. The games would count towards your 34 limit.

[Jimjamesak]

Independents discussing plan to create tournament for an autobid.

https://www.collegehockeynews.com/ne...ssing-Plan.php

I’ve seen something similar at the D3 level in something called the Coast 2 Coast where schools from all over the country would play independent schedules but come together for a tournament at the end of the year to get autobids. However, I think that was still technically a conference and it was multiple sports. Not sure how that would work if they don’t create a conference or the one sport conference moratorium doesn’t end.

What's old is new again, the NCAA did this from 1988 to 1992 benefiting Merrimack (1988), St. Cloud (1989), and UAA (1990, 1991, and 1992).

[Spartanforlife4]

Independents discussing plan to create tournament for an autobid.

https://www.collegehockeynews.com/ne...ssing-Plan.php

I’ve seen something similar at the D3 level in something called the Coast 2 Coast where schools from all over the country would play independent schedules but come together for a tournament at the end of the year to get autobids. However, I think that was still technically a conference and it was multiple sports. Not sure how that would work if they don’t create a conference or the one sport conference moratorium doesn’t end.

[dxmnkd316]

That’s a good point. They’d gain six points but MN and MSU would only lose one and two points, so they’d still be up leas than a game with four more played.

Not sure how the schedule got that imbalanced, and it’s been that way since early on.

I think this happened to the goofs as well last year. I think.

imbalanced schedules really aren't good for the teams or the conference. I do think all teams should be within two games of each other by December break.

[Spartanforlife4]

That’s a good point. They’d gain six points but MN and MSU would only lose one and two points, so they’d still be up leas than a game with four more played.

Not sure how the schedule got that imbalanced, and it’s been that way since early on.

[dxmnkd316]

Keep in mind that while they're four points back, they also have four extra games played already compared to MSU and UMN. They're still in a pretty big hole.

[Spartanforlife4]

Also, while Wisconsin has turned it around the last month, I didn't realize how painfully close they are from having an outstanding season.

9-12-1 overall record and 5-9-0 in conference. Of those 12 losses, 9 are by one goal and 6 (SIX!) are in OT, and all six of those are conference games so they could theoretically be in first if OT went the other way in those. In fact, they've gone to OT nine times this season. If you change those to ties (six losses, two wins, and one already a tie) they would be up at 17th in the Pairwise from their current 23rd. Heck, if you just put last night as a tie since they were literally one second away, that would bump them up three spots to 20th.

[Bronco]

Well, the ice at Wrigley wasn't really meant for four games in two days. Especially the two games yesterday got very rough in the last ten minutes of each period. But, you can't say that it wasn't a good weekend of hockey. OSU-UM was 4-3 with OSU scoring in the last 30 seconds of regulation, PSU-ND was 3-3 and went to a shootout with ND winning, OSU-UW women was 3-3 and went to a shootout with OSU winning, and MSU scored with one second left in OT to beat Wisconsin 4-3 after Wisconsin tied it up in the last minute of regulation.

And the Blackhawks lost so it really was something for everybody.

[Spartanforlife4]

Well, the ice at Wrigley wasn't really meant for four games in two days. Especially the two games yesterday got very rough in the last ten minutes of each period. But, you can't say that it wasn't a good weekend of hockey. OSU-UM was 4-3 with OSU scoring in the last 30 seconds of regulation, PSU-ND was 3-3 and went to a shootout with ND winning, OSU-UW women was 3-3 and went to a shootout with OSU winning, and MSU scored with one second left in OT to beat Wisconsin 4-3 after Wisconsin tied it up in the last minute of regulation.

[Spartanforlife4]

MSU gets the come from behind win against Wisconsin. Down 3-1 before tying it at 3 early in the third. Then got the game winner from former UW transfer Stramel with five minutes left to take it 4-3.

[Spartanforlife4]

Wisconsin has jumped around 20 spots in the Pairwise the last three game weeks. They were ~44 when they started the series against MSU and have jumped up to 22nd after going 4-2 with both losses in OT. A couple more chances to move up with a road/neutral series against MSU this week. Hopefully they don't, but Hastings looks to have righted the ship.

[Bronco]

Boy I’d hate to be the team Western Michigan plays next…

I secretly think WMU schedule makers just look at who is left in the cafe and try to schedule them.