FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Definately going to be an interesting matchup between a traditional powerhouse and the pleasant surprise of this tourney.

RIT shut down DU and UNH very effectively... will they be able to do the same against a UW team that just might have more offensive depth? Can UW perform to its potential for a fourth game in a row?

I do know one thing: UW fans will be in full force, and I'm sure RIT fans will be making the relatively short trek. Considering the cavernous venue, the atmosphere should be electric.

 

[HCSmooth]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

I'll be there, as I am every year. Is Cheli's Chili Bar going to be the unofficial Wisconsin fan headquarters??

 

[SiouxFanatic]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

While I'd like to jump on the RIT bandwagon and cheer for the underdogs....

I just gotta say: Win the title for the WCHA Wisconsin.

 

[Terrierbyassociation]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

Definately going to be an interesting matchup between a traditional powerhouse and the pleasant surprise of this tourney.

RIT shut down DU and UNH very effectively... will they be able to do the same against a UW team that just might have more offensive depth? Can UW perform to its potential for a fourth game in a row?

I do know one thing: UW fans will be in full force, and I'm sure RIT fans will be making the relatively short trek. Considering the cavernous venue, the atmosphere should be electric.

Why will they be there in full force when they weren't there in full force at the X? It's one thing when they're in your state, but to go to Detroit? It's only one hour shorter to Detroit than to MN, right?

 

[blockski]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

Why will they be there in full force when they weren't there in full force at the X? It's one thing when they're in your state, but to go to Detroit? It's only one hour shorter to Detroit than to MN, right?

Well, two full weeks of advanced notice (as opposed to less than one week), many Badger fans go to the FF anyway, and the fact that people are more willing to shell out money for the FF than they are for a regional.

 

[HCSmooth]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

Why will they be there in full force when they weren't there in full force at the X? It's one thing when they're in your state, but to go to Detroit? It's only one hour shorter to Detroit than to MN, right?

I don't believe for a second that the Badgers fans will travel nearly as well to a Frozen Four as they used to back in the 70s and 80s. But, I think we'll be very well represented.

My own personal feeling on the sparse attendance at the X over the weekend could've been attributed to the cost of the tickets. Speaking only for myself here I was pretty shocked that it would've cost me $100 for the tickets. I should be their target customer, but I couldn't rationalize going at that price. Whether it's affordable or not, there's a point at which you get diminishing value for your entertainment dollar. So, I stayed in Madison and watched the game at various local watering holes. The Frozen Four is different, and not only because it's the national championship. It's a fun weekend with all of the fans from around the country who go every year.

 

[HighToTheGloveSide]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

Hopefully Eaves will be able to glean something from the two tapes of RIT against DU and UNH. I'm sure that Gwoz may have had a difficult time determining how good RIT really was considering they only played one opponent from the power conferences. That one oppponent was Minnesota State - the 9th place team in the WCHA - and the Tigers were swept by a combined score of 9-1. Maybe DU was a little overconfident? Bucky smoked UNH twice earlier in the season so RIT winning that game was no surprise to me.

Obviously RIT has proven in their first two games to be a quality team and if they do manage to beat Wisconsin it sure won't be because they snuck up on them.

No matter what happens in the FF the RIT coach has done a magnificent job with that program and the Tiger faithful better keep an eye on the Ohio State search committee that is in the process of replacing their coach.

Looking forward to a great semi-final matchup.

 

[Rochester]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

Wayne Wilson will not leave RIT. He has been here for many years and RIT's dynasty in the Atlantic Hockey is all his doing. We in Rochester and Western NY know that this is his hockey program!

GO RIT!!!

 

[HighToTheGloveSide]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

Wayne Wilson will not leave RIT. He has been here for many years and RIT's dynasty in the Atlantic Hockey is all his doing. We in Rochester and Western NY know that this is his hockey program!

For the sake of the RIT program I hope that you're right but the job seems more like a stepping-stone job than a final location, IMHO. Maybe building the program from the ground up will have some sway. If OSU does come calling they'll be able to throw a whole bunch of money at Wilson along with the allure of a major university and superior facilities.

Then again, this is all hypothetical on my part.

It's always tough playing the "Cinderella" of the tournament and hopefully the Badgers come prepared and focused.

 

[hockeyjunkie10]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

For the sake of the RIT program I hope that you're right but the job seems more like a stepping-stone job than a final location, IMHO. Maybe building the program from the ground up will have some sway. If OSU does come calling they'll be able to throw a whole bunch of money at Wilson along with the allure of a major university and superior facilities.

Then again, this is all hypothetical on my part.

It's always tough playing the "Cinderella" of the tournament and hopefully the Badgers come prepared and focused.

RIT is a lot more of a glamorous job than it appears. They have tremendous facilities (apparently with new ones coming), and an incredible fan base. A hockey school in a hockey town with a unique financial aid set up means Wilson can build a legitimate national power at RIT. I believe eventually they will leave the AHA for greener pastures, but can't forsee Wilson going anywhere, and I don't think he should.

To play the hypothetical game - If he were to leave, house money would lean more towards Bowling Green, as that is his alma mater and where he began coaching. Rumor is, however, that Brian Hills (RIT Asst.) would be a better fit there. He had like 200+ points at BGSU. Either way, both of these men are in line for a pay raise it would appear!

 

[jwilli]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

When will it be announced if this game will be the 5:00 or 8:00 game? What criteria is used to determine the order of the semi's?

I'm going to be in Anchorage on business, and I'm hoping this is the late semi so that I'll be able to catch most of it on TV after the work day.

 

[LtPowers]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

Rumor is, however, that Brian Hills (RIT Asst.) would be a better fit there. He had like 200+ points at BGSU.

Except that Ali Hills plays for RIT now and her brother is playing out east. Not that that precludes a switch to BG, but I think more likely that Hills takes over at RIT if Wilson goes for the BG job.


Powers &8^]

 

[RITProf]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

If OSU does come calling they'll be able to throw a whole bunch of money at Wilson along with the allure of a major university and superior facilities.

Really? What makes you think RIT doesn't have bunches of money to throw around? RIT is also one of the largest private universities in the country. (And as our Cornell-alumn President likes to point out, this year we have a larger undergrad enrollment than Cornell ... by 12 I think! ) Sure we're not an all-DI sports machine, but we can hold our own as a quality place to work (and live) with any of the big boys...

That said, I have that little nagging fear in the back of my mind that he might get an offer too good to refuse.

 

[blockski]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

When will it be announced if this game will be the 5:00 or 8:00 game? What criteria is used to determine the order of the semi's?

I'm going to be in Anchorage on business, and I'm hoping this is the late semi so that I'll be able to catch most of it on TV after the work day.

I'd imagine seeding matters some. If Miami wins their regional, then they would be the top overall seed of the 4 remaining teams. If Michigan wins, then Wisconsin is the top remaining seed.

I'm not sure what TV considerations there might be - that will obviously depend on who advances tonight...

 

[HighToTheGloveSide]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

Really? What makes you think RIT doesn't have bunches of money to throw around?

RIT has deeper pockets than OSU whose athletic department topped 100 million dollars in revenue last year? If so then money shouldn't be an issue and you're safe.

but we can hold our own as a quality place to work (and live) with any of the big boys...

I was going to preface this by saying "don't take this the wrong way" but I'm not sure how else you could take it. I've been to Rochester four times on business and couldn't wait to leave. Twice for trade shows at the RRCC and the downtown area is, IMHO, awful. We have a service technician that lives in the area that is originally from Syracuse and he hates it. Now I'm sure that there are areas outside of Rochester that are nice but to say you can hold your own with any of the big boys is a stretch from what I've seen. I'm not trying to start a flame war, just giving you my opinion.

No more comments from me on this topic. I shouldn't have started down this path and would prefer to talk about hockey instead.

 

[RITProf]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

RIT has deeper pockets than OSU whose athletic department topped 100 million dollars in revenue last year? If so then money shouldn't be an issue and you're safe.

I didn't say "deeper", I said "deep enough". No doubt tOSU has a bigger athletic program budget (never tried to say otherwise). Revenue doesn't tell the whole story.

I'll keep out of the "best places to live" argument ... but I wouldn't trust any comparisons coming from a Syracuse native!

I agree ... back to hockey. Let's stay off this topic although I can say that tOSU couldn't throw enough money at me to make me go there. Although I'm sure I could think of a few places that might be able to.

As for hockey, I'm very much looking forward to seeing the RIT-Wisconsin match up. Should be another great game, but I'm not so sure about the atmosphere in Ford Field ... will anyone really be close to the ice?

 

[GB Puck Fan]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

The ESPNU ticker says the UW/RIT game is the 5pm semi, if I read it right...

 

[ansinator]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

The ESPNU ticker says the UW/RIT game is the 5pm semi, if I read it right...

They showed the bracket during the BC/Yale game and it also said 5 eastern.

 

[WeWantMore]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

When will it be announced if this game will be the 5:00 or 8:00 game? What criteria is used to determine the order of the semi's?

I'm going to be in Anchorage on business, and I'm hoping this is the late semi so that I'll be able to catch most of it on TV after the work day.

I would agree with what's been posted above. If Miami wins tonight, then as the #1 seed, they would probably get the late game. Alternately, if Michigan wins tonight, then being at home would probably earn them the late game as well.
So either way, I think it's the 4pm game.

 

[Pucky-Bucky Backer]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

I'd imagine seeding matters some. If Miami wins their regional, then they would be the top overall seed of the 4 remaining teams. If Michigan wins, then Wisconsin is the top remaining seed.

You better go back and check the BC seed and score. They are thrashing Yale.