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The 2014 Pairwise, Bracketology and History Thread`

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Re: The 2014 Pairwise, Bracketology and History Thread`

Thanks, blue. Also, my thought is that there is no penalty for losing. So,a schedule weighted with lots of strong opponents has no downside.
I think you're missing the rather obvious point that if you schedule a lot of tough opponents, your record will be terrible and you probably won't qualify anyway. Do you really think it would be a good strategy for getting into the tournament to schedule BC, Minnesota, Union, and Ferris 8x each?

I suppose the committee might like that idea, in a way, but it takes away incentive for Minnesota to play at Clarkson and St Lawrence, for example. Or, for Michigan to schedule Huntsville. This QWB, it seems, will have the effect of driving more division in schedules, rather than less. I mean, a gulf will tend to develop between the haves and the have nots. That won't be good over time.

How to fix? Harder question.
The point is that the Minnesotas and Michigans of the world ALREADY weren't playing at Clarkson and St. Lawrence, due to $$$ reasons. The QWB is an attempt to give Clarkson and SLU a little bit more credit for results they're able to get at Minnesota and Michigan, since they have to travel there anyway. I don't think the goal was to affect travel patterns, just to make the existing travel patterns a little more equitable.
 
I think you're missing the rather obvious point that if you schedule a lot of tough opponents, your record will be terrible and you probably won't qualify anyway. Do you really think it would be a good strategy for getting into the tournament to schedule BC, Minnesota, Union, and Ferris 8x each?

The point is that the Minnesotas and Michigans of the world ALREADY weren't playing at Clarkson and St. Lawrence, due to $$$ reasons. The QWB is an attempt to give Clarkson and SLU a little bit more credit for results they're able to get at Minnesota and Michigan, since they have to travel there anyway. I don't think the goal was to affect travel patterns, just to make the existing travel patterns a little more equitable.

I appreciate the perspective. Thanks. I suppose the question is whether it is working...what do you think?

No matter to me. Minnesota won't end up on the sort end regardless.
 
Re: The 2014 Pairwise, Bracketology and History Thread`

Nice. I do think, however, that given the choice, the committee would put either Michigan or Notre Dame in Cincinnati. Other wise, too much potential for an almost empty arena. Do you think otherwise, and if so, why?

I'd also think they'd swap Cornell and North Dakota. Having Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota in the St. Paul Regional would be the committee's wet dream. And I assume Cornell would bring more fans to the Worcester Regional than North Dakota would.
 
I'd also think they'd swap Cornell and North Dakota. Having Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota in the St. Paul Regional would be the committee's wet dream. And I assume Cornell would bring more fans to the Worcester Regional than North Dakota would.

I agree, Dirty. Unless they decided that they still needed help in Cincinnati, so UND goes there, and St. Cloud gets moved, too.
 
Re: The 2014 Pairwise, Bracketology and History Thread`

Interesting. Why not switch Cornell and North Dakota to help boost attendance?

Switching Colgate and Mercyhurst would boost attendance as well, but I guess that would mess with bracket integrity too much.

I think bracket integrity is important and I'm also old school. I like to see some cross-over from east to west and vice versa. It's no fun to see a complete replay of the conference championships.
 
Re: The 2014 Pairwise, Bracketology and History Thread`

I think bracket integrity is important and I'm also old school. I like to see some cross-over from east to west and vice versa. It's no fun to see a complete replay of the conference championships.

You got that right. Too bad $$ drives things as much as it does. BTW, UND will be a #2 seed when it's said and done.
 
Re: The 2014 Pairwise, Bracketology and History Thread`

I'd also think they'd swap Cornell and North Dakota. Having Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota in the St. Paul Regional would be the committee's wet dream. And I assume Cornell would bring more fans to the Worcester Regional than North Dakota would.

I think the term they would use is "Delicious". they are always very happy to have a region of death out West.
 
Re: The 2014 Pairwise, Bracketology and History Thread`

I think the term they would use is "Delicious". they are always very happy to have a region of death out West.

Until the Blue and White legion of doom rolls through town. If they somehow make it this year, you guys are safe as Yale gets BPT.
 
Re: The 2014 Pairwise, Bracketology and History Thread`

Until the Blue and White legion of doom rolls through town. If they somehow make it this year, you guys are safe as Yale gets BPT.

Trust me, if Yale somehow makes it we Gopher fans will be crossing our fingers that such a softie will get shipped to St. Paul. ;)

On a serious note, to go back to an earlier suggestion (getting some crossover between east and west), considering the new conference make-ups and the current PWR situation it is possible we could see both Cinci and St. Paul made up of entirely "western" teams (if you consider Notre Dame to be western, which I think makes sense for the purposes of this discussion). If the committee had the opportunity to do so, they would jump at it.
 
Re: The 2014 Pairwise, Bracketology and History Thread`

Until the Blue and White legion of doom rolls through town. If they somehow make it this year, you guys are safe as Yale gets BPT.

you got lucky in ot. In a few months, your one year of glory is gone, probably never to be repeated.
 
Re: The 2014 Pairwise, Bracketology and History Thread`

you got lucky in ot. In a few months, your one year of glory is gone, probably never to be repeated.

No, I don't think beating three number ones seeds and a number two seed in the tourney will ever be repeated either. I prefer to think of it as taking advantage of a Minnesota defenseman's mistake. Call it luck if that is what makes you feel better. Good luck the rest of the way, you have a nice team (again).
 
Re: The 2014 Pairwise, Bracketology and History Thread`

No, I don't think beating three number ones seeds and a number two seed in the tourney will ever be repeated either. I prefer to think of it as taking advantage of a Minnesota defenseman's mistake. Call it luck if that is what makes you feel better. Good luck the rest of the way, you have a nice team (again).

Yeah, a Minnesota fan saying Yale got lucky is sour grapes. Yale deserved exactly what they got last year, a national championship. I just wish North Dakota could have played better in that 3rd period vs. the Bulldogs and had that same chance, there's always this year though.
 
Yeah, a Minnesota fan saying Yale got lucky is sour grapes. Yale deserved exactly what they got last year, a national championship. I just wish North Dakota could have played better in that 3rd period vs. the Bulldogs and had that same chance, there's always this year though.

They didn't get lucky, they got hot at the right time. Same thing can be said of a few of the Gopher National Championship teams in the mid 1970's.

I think what Happy was referring to though was Marshall's turnover in OT. It was an unfortunate play for Gopher fans, but you have to credit Yale for capitalizing.
 
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Re: The 2014 Pairwise, Bracketology and History Thread`

Nice. I do think, however, that given the choice, the committee would put either Michigan or Notre Dame in Cincinnati. Other wise, too much potential for an almost empty arena. Do you think otherwise, and if so, why?

Then I guess it's Michigan. As I look at Notre Dame's place, schedule and playoff path, I don't think they make the tournament.

I do recognize that you can only work with what the math puts in front of you today, I just think the committee has a big problem (as usual?) on their hands in Cincy.
 
Re: The 2014 Pairwise, Bracketology and History Thread`

You already get a bigger RPI benefit from beating a top RPI team...

Mathematically, I think this statement is inaccurate. You get the same RPI benefit from any win. You get a bigger benefit for PLAYING a top team, regardless of the outcome. Yes?
 
Re: The 2014 Pairwise, Bracketology and History Thread`

I'd also think they'd swap Cornell and North Dakota. Having Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota in the St. Paul Regional would be the committee's wet dream. And I assume Cornell would bring more fans to the Worcester Regional than North Dakota would.

I agree Dirty. I didn't even consider that. I was thinking the obvious switch would be switching Notre Dame and Colgate. The West Regional, with Minn and Wisconsin, has no attendance problems no matter who is there. Though having NoDak there too would be a wet dream. But good job CollegeHockeyRinkReport. I love this time of year.
 
Re: The 2014 Pairwise, Bracketology and History Thread`

Mathematically, I think this statement is inaccurate. You get the same RPI benefit from any win. You get a bigger benefit for PLAYING a top team, regardless of the outcome. Yes?
You are correct. Your winning percentage and opponents records (SOS) are what count, the exact breakdown of your own wins/losses is irrelevant in RPI.
 
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