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The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

Fighting Sioux 23 said:
To be fair, I fully agreed with you that the B1G is improving, and, with the addition of Notre Dame, should be a better conference next season. With the history/size/budget/prestige/investment of the B1G programs, I don't think anyone felt the conference would struggle long term. I think most people are surprised that the B1G has struggled to the extent it has in its first four years.
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IMO, part of the problem the casual fans of the schools are not interested as much anymore in college hockey if we look at the attendance of all five WCHA/CCHA schools they are way down. Almost every Big Ten game seems to be half empty in years past the fans would have been furious if their schools were not winning but today apathy. This does not bode well for the college game if the Big Ten becomes more disinterested or worse putting less money into their programs it could change the landscape of college hockey forever.
 
Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

4four4 said:
IMO, part of the problem the casual fans of the schools are not interested as much anymore in college hockey if we look at the attendance of all five WCHA/CCHA schools they are way down. Almost every Big Ten game seems to be half empty in years past the fans would have been furious if their schools were not winning but today apathy. This does not bode well for the college game if the Big Ten becomes more disinterested or worse putting less money into their programs it could change the landscape of college hockey forever.
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Fortunately, there are other conferences than the B1G.

FWIW, when conference realignment happened, no conference changed the way that the B1G did. It also doesn't help that Michigan has been on the decline, Wisconsin really struggled for a couple years, and Michigan State is in shambles. If the B1G programs hope to get back somewhat close to where they were pre-realignment, those three schools need to get better products on the ice. Having Minnesota dominate the conference and then embarrass it in the NCAA Tournament isn't a recipe for fans to get excited and back in the seats.
 
Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

Fighting Sioux 23 said:
Fortunately, there are other conferences than the B1G.

FWIW, when conference realignment happened, no conference changed the way that the B1G did. It also doesn't help that Michigan has been on the decline, Wisconsin really struggled for a couple years, and Michigan State is in shambles. If the B1G programs hope to get back somewhat close to where they were pre-realignment, those three schools need to get better products on the ice. Having Minnesota dominate the conference and then embarrass it in the NCAA Tournament isn't a recipe for fans to get excited and back in the seats.
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Embarrass is a pretty strong word.
 
Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

4four4 said:
IMO, part of the problem the casual fans of the schools are not interested as much anymore in college hockey if we look at the attendance of all five WCHA/CCHA schools they are way down. Almost every Big Ten game seems to be half empty in years past the fans would have been furious if their schools were not winning but today apathy. This does not bode well for the college game if the Big Ten becomes more disinterested or worse putting less money into their programs it could change the landscape of college hockey forever.
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Quite a consistent doom and gloom post. Are you always this negative? Couldn't disagree more on the future of Big Ten hockey. I think the future looks pretty good at this point. After 62 years in the WCHA, many Gopher fans needed time to lament their departure in 2013. That's human nature for devoted sports fans in general when major changes emerge. I think you should check attendance data first for accuracy.
 
Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

Fighting Sioux 23 said:
With its win yesterday, Duluth set an NCAA record with its 16th win over an NCAA Tournament team this season.

Given how strong both Duluth and Denver have been this year, whoever wins on Saturday will likely flirt with cracking the Top 10. Heck, even the loser will likely finish around the Top 25. To put that in perspective...only 1 season in the NCAA Tournament Era features 2 teams in the Top 25: 1955-1956 (Clarkson (#17) and Michigan (#23)). Whoever wins on Saturday will definitely have earned it.
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I'm intrigued to see where this UMD team stacks up to other UMD teams. I'd say it's second to the 84 team which had a higher winning percentage in more games, obviously the best team Sandelin has put together.
 
Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

Biddco said:
I'm intrigued to see where this UMD team stacks up to other UMD teams. I'd say it's second to the 84 team which had a higher winning percentage in more games, obviously the best team Sandelin has put together.
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I'm almost done doing the triple-double check for these numbers, but I'm fairly certain that this season's UMD squad will come in above both the 1983-1984 and 1984-1985 squads and be the best Duluth squad in its history. The 2016-2017 Bulldogs played 23 of its 42 games against NCAA Tournament teams...and won 16 of those. They were never out of a game, losing only two games by two or more goals (including a game where Western scored 2 ENGs). Unfortunately for Duluth, they played in a season with Denver, who put together an even better season.
 
Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

I have a favor...not including the 2016-17 season, can I get a summary of the top 25 teams all-time? struggling to find it in this thread.
 
Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

Shirtless Guy said:
I have a favor...not including the 2016-17 season, can I get a summary of the top 25 teams all-time? struggling to find it in this thread.
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I'm almost ready to post the 2016-2017 season, so I will post the updated Top 25 shortly thereafter. I believe the original Top 25 was posted on College Hockey Weekly, which is no longer. That is likely why you can't find it.
 
Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

Here are where the 2016-2017 Frozen Four Teams ranked:

#12 – Denver – 206.325 Points

The Pioneers dominated the 2016-2017 college hockey landscape and capped it off with a National Championship. DU won an impressive 14 games by 3 goals or more…truly a dominant campaign. The Pios finished just behind the 1977-1978 BU Terriers squad and just ahead of the 1968-1969 Cornell Big Red.

#22 – Minnesota Duluth – 194 Points

The Bulldogs set an NCAA record with 16 wins over NCAA Tournament teams. UMD excelled in 1-goal games, going an impressive 14-5-7. Unfortunately for Duluth, they came up on the wrong end of a 1-goal game, but still manage to crack the Top 25 teams in college hockey since 1947. The Dogs finished just behind the 1995-1996 Michigan Wolverines and just ahead of the 2000-2001 BC Eagles.

#93 -Harvard – 145.4874 Points

The Crimson went 8-3-0 against NCAA Tournament teams this season, and took home both the ECAC Regular Season and Tournament Titles. A +.800 season, with 20 wins by 3 goals or more, the 2016-2017 Harvard squad finished just short of the ultimate title. Harvard finished just behind the 1999-2000 Wisconsin Badgers and just ahead of the 1952-1953 Minnesota Gopher squad.

#334 – Notre Dame – 75.8568 Points

The Fighting Irish failed to capture any hardware, but with an impressive run in the Northeast Regional, Notre Dame went to the program’s third Frozen Four. Notre Dame had a strong schedule, playing 18 games against NCAA Tournament teams (going 9-7-2). The Irish succumbed to Denver in the National Semifinals, but altogether a strong season for the Golden Domers. Notre Dame finished just behind their 2010-2011 squad (who finished with 76.0875 Points) and just ahead of the 1999-2000 New Hampshire Wildcats.

And the rest of the 2016-2017 Tournament teams:

#231 – Massachusetts Lowell – 97.6873 Points
#304 – Minnesota – 82.3585 Points
#314 – Boston University – 80.4352 Points
#370 – Western Michigan – 68.8407 Points
#375 – Union – 68.2748 Points
#413 – Penn State – 62.5146 Points
#440 – Air Force – 58.534 Points
#485 – Ohio State – 50.7072 Points
#539 – Providence -41.0715 Points
#545 – North Dakota – 40.201 Points
#571 – Cornell – 34.9728 Points
#572 – Michigan Tech – 34.6738 Points

A very top-heavy group this season. As discussed previously, only one other season featured two Top 25 teams (1955-1956). Add in a third top 100 squad, and that represents a very strong high-end group. However, after that, there were no other 100+ point squads, and just six teams at or above the median (There have been 628 teams ranked (all 613 NCAA Tournament Teams and 15 others who achieved unique success but failed to make the NCAA Tournament (e.g. 1993-1994 Colorado College – Won WCHA Regular Season title, but did not get selected to NCAA Tournament)).
 
Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

As promised, here are the current Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era:

1. 1992-1993 Maine – 313.0946 Points
2. 1969-1970 Cornell – 244.61 Points
3. 1960-1961 Denver – 243.7658 Points
4. 1986-1987 North Dakota – 233.8107 Points
5. 1990-1991 Northern Michigan – 229.6944 Points
6. 2008-2009 Boston University – 227.0232 Points
7. 1976-1977 Wisconsin – 226.5776 Points
8. 1984-1985 Rensselaer – 213.5499 Points
9. 1961-1962 Michigan Tech – 212.8708 Points
10. 1997-1998 Michigan State – 211.5676 Points
11. 1977-1978 Boston University – 210.0053 Points
12. 2016-2017 Denver – 209.325 Points
13. 1968-1969 Cornell – 206.6362 Points
14. 2004-2005 Denver – 206.428 Points
15. 2015-2016 North Dakota – 206.293 Points
16. 1967-1968 Denver – 204.7811 Points
17. 1966-1967 Cornell – 203.6961 Points
18. 1955-1956 Clarkson – 203.691 Points
19. 2003-2004 North Dakota – 201.94 Points
20. 1980-1981 Minnesota – 200.2411 Points
21. 1995-1996 Michigan – 197.7472 Points
22. 2016-2017 Minnesota Duluth – 194 Points
23. 2000-2001 Boston College – 192.2315 Points
24. 2010-2011 North Dakota – 192.042 Points
25. 1955-1956 Michigan – 191.7456 Points
 
Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

Fighting Sioux 23 said:
Here are where the 2016-2017 Frozen Four Teams ranked:

#12 – Denver – 206.325 Points

The Pioneers dominated the 2016-2017 college hockey landscape and capped it off with a National Championship. DU won an impressive 14 games by 3 goals or more…truly a dominant campaign. The Pios finished just behind the 1977-1978 BU Terriers squad and just ahead of the 1968-1969 Cornell Big Red.

#22 – Minnesota Duluth – 194 Points

The Bulldogs set an NCAA record with 16 wins over NCAA Tournament teams. UMD excelled in 1-goal games, going an impressive 14-5-7. Unfortunately for Duluth, they came up on the wrong end of a 1-goal game, but still manage to crack the Top 25 teams in college hockey since 1947. The Dogs finished just behind the 1995-1996 Michigan Wolverines and just ahead of the 2000-2001 BC Eagles.

#93 -Harvard – 145.4874 Points

The Crimson went 8-3-0 against NCAA Tournament teams this season, and took home both the ECAC Regular Season and Tournament Titles. A +.800 season, with 20 wins by 3 goals or more, the 2016-2017 Harvard squad finished just short of the ultimate title. Harvard finished just behind the 1999-2000 Wisconsin Badgers and just ahead of the 1952-1953 Minnesota Gopher squad.

#334 – Notre Dame – 75.8568 Points

The Fighting Irish failed to capture any hardware, but with an impressive run in the Northeast Regional, Notre Dame went to the program’s third Frozen Four. Notre Dame had a strong schedule, playing 18 games against NCAA Tournament teams (going 9-7-2). The Irish succumbed to Denver in the National Semifinals, but altogether a strong season for the Golden Domers. Notre Dame finished just behind their 2010-2011 squad (who finished with 76.0875 Points) and just ahead of the 1999-2000 New Hampshire Wildcats.

And the rest of the 2016-2017 Tournament teams:

#231 – Massachusetts Lowell – 97.6873 Points
#304 – Minnesota – 82.3585 Points
#314 – Boston University – 80.4352 Points
#370 – Western Michigan – 68.8407 Points
#375 – Union – 68.2748 Points
#413 – Penn State – 62.5146 Points
#440 – Air Force – 58.534 Points
#485 – Ohio State – 50.7072 Points
#539 – Providence -41.0715 Points
#545 – North Dakota – 40.201 Points
#571 – Cornell – 34.9728 Points
#572 – Michigan Tech – 34.6738 Points

A very top-heavy group this season. As discussed previously, only one other season featured two Top 25 teams (1955-1956). Add in a third top 100 squad, and that represents a very strong high-end group. However, after that, there were no other 100+ point squads, and just six teams at or above the median (There have been 628 teams ranked (all 613 NCAA Tournament Teams and 15 others who achieved unique success but failed to make the NCAA Tournament (e.g. 1993-1994 Colorado College – Won WCHA Regular Season title, but did not get selected to NCAA Tournament)).
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FS23. How much higher would Lowell have climbed had they made the F4? I assume the 12-13 Lowell team came in higher than the 16-17?
 
Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

UML Puck Hawk said:
FS23. How much higher would Lowell have climbed had they made the F4? I assume the 12-13 Lowell team came in higher than the 16-17?
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They would have jumped 30-40 spots most likely....right around 200. The 2012-2013 Lowell squad finished with 86.2792 Points, and currently sits at 285th. The 2013-2014 Lowell squad is the highest ranked Riverhawk squad, finishing with 110.5879 Points, and currently sits at 189th.
 
Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

Surprised 1968=1969 Denver team isn't in the top 25 since they beat #13 '68-'69 Cornell (with Ken Dryden) for the Championship that year.
 
Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

Fighting Sioux 23 said:
I'm almost done doing the triple-double check for these numbers, but I'm fairly certain that this season's UMD squad will come in above both the 1983-1984 and 1984-1985 squads and be the best Duluth squad in its history. The 2016-2017 Bulldogs played 23 of its 42 games against NCAA Tournament teams...and won 16 of those. They were never out of a game, losing only two games by two or more goals (including a game where Western scored 2 ENGs). Unfortunately for Duluth, they played in a season with Denver, who put together an even better season.
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Oh wow, well said.
 
Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

vizoroo said:
Surprised 1968=1969 Denver team isn't in the top 25 since they beat #13 '68-'69 Cornell (with Ken Dryden) for the Championship that year.
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The '68-69 DU squad is currently ranked #98 with 144.2989 points. Failing to win the WCHA hurt that Pioneers squad, and they weren't entirely dominant against their competition. Cornell meanwhile went 27-2-0, with 19 wins by 3+ goals, and lost their only game against NCAA Tournament competition in the NCAA Championship game. The NCAA Championship game is obviously the most important game in the entire college hockey season, and I'm sure Cornell fans would gladly trade some of that squad's gaudy stats for a win in the big game, but, accordingly to the formula at least, Cornell was the better team.
 
Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

I just wanted to bump this thread so I can find it. Obviously still some data left to enter, but it doesn't look like we will have a Top 25 team this season. Notre Dame has an outside shot with a national title, but even then I think they'll come up a bit short.
 
Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

So here is where the teams who made the NCAA Tournament from this season shook out:

#46 - Notre Dame - 170.95 Points

Notre Dame slotted right between two national champions, finishing just behind the 1956-1957 CC Tigers and just ahead of the 2005-2006 Wisconsin Badgers. The Irish won more games against NCAA Tournament competition (13) than any other team this season, but fell one game short of the ultimate prize. The 1-goal loss to Duluth was rather uncharacteristic for this squad, as they were 14-3-2 in one-goal games heading into the championship tilt. Had Notre Dame won the national title, they would have been very close to a top 25 team. According to this formula, this was the best Notre Dame squad in the program's history.

#166 - Ohio State - 119.9718 Points

The Buckeyes finished between the 1997-1998 Michigan squad that lifted the national title, and the 1975-1976 BU team. The Buckeyes went a solid 9-7-1 against NCAA Tournament competition, but fell short against the Bulldogs in the National Semifinals. Ohio State had 8 wins by 4+ goals, but somewhat struggled in tight contests, going 7-6-5. According to this formula, this was the best OSU squad in the program's history.

#458 - Minnesota Duluth - 57.0192 Points

The Bulldogs finished just behind the 1993-1994 Michigan State team and just ahead of the 2017-2018 Michigan squad. After two seasons of historically great seasons by the national champion (both of whom cracked the Top 15 in this list), Duluth put together the fifth-worst point total for a national titlist and had the most losses ever for a national champion. UMD was only 2-10-0 against NCAA Tournament competition entering the tournament, but strung together four one-goal wins to claim the program's second national title. I doubt any Bulldog will lose too much sleep over that though. :)

#459 - Michigan - 56.7406 Points

The Wolverines came just short of this season's national champion Minnesota Duluth, and finished just ahead of the 1994-1995 New Hampshire squad. Michigan went 7-10-0 against NCAA Tournament competition, and was 7-7-3 in one-goal games. Their inability to dominate in close games was ultimately their downfall, as they fell in the closing seconds against Notre Dame in the National Semifinals.

And the rest of the NCAA Tournament teams (out of 644 total ranked):

#149 - Denver - 124.9548 Points
#228 - Minnesota State Mankato - 99.5116 Points
#262 - St. Cloud State - 91.6869 Points
#331 - Cornell - 77.2524 Points
#376 - Northeastern - 68.8531 Points
#425 - Clarkson - 61.55 Points
#498 - Providence - 50.2455 Points
#582 - Boston University - 35.07 Points
#588 - Princeton - 33.2966 Points
#603 - Penn State - 29.586 Points
#618 - Air Force - 23.0058 Points
#621 - Michigan Tech - 21.9807 Points

Recap:
There were no Top 25 teams, and only 1 Top 50 team. No other team cracked the Top 100, and just one other cracked the Top 150. Indeed, 11 of the 16 squads finished in the bottom half, and 6 teams finished in the bottom quarter. Conversely, only 2 teams finished in the top quarter. Overall, it appears, at least based on this formula, that it was a relatively down season in college hockey and that parity reigned supreme. We'll see how next season goes!
 
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