Fishman'81
Black Bear since D-2
Re: Anyone going to attempt to publish a PairWise ranking for D III?
Good post, but to take this discussion to its logical extreme, 66% of the D-3 NC tournament field could possibly be composed of teams that have absolutely no business being in it. I find that ridiculous.
Being realistic, I do concede that the tournament AQ's are not going away for a small number of highly suspect "reasons"... All I can possibly hope-for is that one fine day when/if simple logic prevails, at least they'll be handed-out to RS conference winners.
The NCAA, by virtue of what its members want, runs tournaments of conference championship teams, with other teams added in to fill out the field. There is no claim that it is the best X number of teams in the field. Never has been. Presumably, the schools like this because it is in place and gives all of them – except for a few independents - an equal shot at getting to the National tournament.
Schools such as Saint Norbert like this. In most sports, the Midwest conference may not be strong enough to get an at-large bid to the field. But as a conference member it knows it has that opportunity
The problem for hockey and also for football is that there are too few, seemingly, at large beds available. Moreso in football, where the 6.5:1 ratio isn’t followed. The upshot? Win your conference tournament or worry.
And given SNC’s season, I think it has to win the Harris Cup or it will stay home. It happens. Does seem odd after the league got three bids last year, but so be it.
Maybe we need a NASCAR-style champions spot!![]()
Good post, but to take this discussion to its logical extreme, 66% of the D-3 NC tournament field could possibly be composed of teams that have absolutely no business being in it. I find that ridiculous.
Being realistic, I do concede that the tournament AQ's are not going away for a small number of highly suspect "reasons"... All I can possibly hope-for is that one fine day when/if simple logic prevails, at least they'll be handed-out to RS conference winners.