UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

In reply to Chuck's thoughts about our postseason prospects, on the now closed second season thread, I think that if we pick up 4 points from our last four games, as he predicts, we should get home ice in the first round. The four bottom dwellers have some tough opponents, and only UMO and Mac play against one another.

So in checking up on NIIC they have a couple of tough last weekends coming up with PC and BU to play. I don't k now about games in hand etc but it will be a fight to the finish for the HE crown me thinks this season...really hope the 'Cats (our 'Cats) can finish up higher than 10th...but then I've thought a lot of things this season...

 

[Snively65]

I'm tempted to ask 'Watcher to check in to provide us with the latest projections for the "March to 600" campaign, but with 10 wins so far (and I'll project a final tally of 12 wins when all is said and done) this season, it seems like the march (crawl?) is probably behind schedule and runs the risk of coming up short two years from now.

Well, he began this season with 560 wins, just coached his 1000th game, and was going to be stuck in ninth place no matter what, so might as well retire at the end of this season? A roughly 0.570 win percentage will be a fine legacy, and probably one of the top 10 all time? Fewer than 5 points in these last four RS games, and losing two games in the first round would likely lower that percentage below 0.570, and two more years certainly would.

 

[Snively65]

Good take, Snively65. I hadn't looked too closely at what our fellow also-rans did this weekend.

Too cold outside this morning, so I have nothing better to do than surf hockey stuff while I recharge iPhone.

 

[Felger]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

In reply to Chuck's thoughts about our postseason prospects, on the now closed second season thread, I think that if we pick up 4 points from our last four games, as he predicts, we should get home ice in the first round. The four bottom dwellers have some tough opponents, and only UMO and Mac play against one another.

Actually, I think 3 points might be enough if they all come against UConn. I think that series will decide the 8th spot. Unfortunately it could also mean a UNH-UConn series in the phony round again this year.

 

[Snively65]

Actually, I think 3 points might be enough if they all come against UConn. I think that series will decide the 8th spot. Unfortunately it could also mean a UNH-UConn series in the phony round again this year.

But, would allow me to attend another game or two beyond this Friday night, if the Cats can dispatch UConn in the first round, and not travel to NICC for the second round. Still a chance that we could face the NC's again and get to the Garden.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

But, would allow me to attend another game or two beyond this Friday night, if the Cats can dispatch UConn in the first round, and not travel to NICC for the second round. Still a chance that we could face the NC's again and get to the Garden.

If that happens I will burn my pom pom in effigy! (not the best choice of words) You heard/read it here folks...knowing the 'Cats luck this is exactly what will happen. And seeing how I've already purchased HE semi tix, one can only hope, pray, wail to the hockey Gods, WEIT!!

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

Actually, I think 3 points might be enough if they all come against UConn. I think that series will decide the 8th spot. Unfortunately it could also mean a UNH-UConn series in the phony round again this year.

Agree with that take ... and boy oh boy, does that tell a tale as to where the UNH program has fallen.

At least we'd have a chance to kick old WIS favorite Luce Canaan to the curb in the MBPBEGAM playoffs.

Well, he began this season with 560 wins, just coached his 1000th game, and was going to be stuck in ninth place no matter what, so might as well retire at the end of this season? A roughly 0.570 win percentage will be a fine legacy, and probably one of the top 10 all time? Fewer than 5 points in these last four RS games, and losing two games in the first round would likely lower that percentage below 0.570, and two more years certainly would.

Depending on how many ties he's got in his career - and assuming for stats' sake that ties count as half-wins for winning % calculations - he may actually be closer to a .600 winning percentage at this point? 60 ties over more than 25 seasons actually isn't a whole lot of ties.

But as far as the "March to 600" goes ... if he's got 3 years to tally 40 wins, then he's probably going to come in behind schedule this year unless they somehow get to 14 wins. Maybe 2 more RS wins, and 2 wins in the MBPBEGAM playoffs this year keeps him on track, short term? Let's say they lose out (or at least there aren't any more wins) ... a 10 win season this year would ratchet things up to require an average of 15 wins apiece the next (last) two seasons to get to the next round number. And I don't see that in any way being a certainty.

Now if he's actually still doing this for numbers only, I would agree 100% with the bolded section of your comment ... which goes to one of the *interesting* topics highlighted in my OP. Ultimately, is this going to be about what's best for Coach, or what's better for his alma mater's program in the long run?

 

[Snively65]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

Good point on the number of ties and their impact on his winning %. At the moment I am absorbed by a NHL game where neither team appears interested in playing D; one of the teams has someone in their admin named Yzerman. But, I will tally ties between the second and third.

 

[Felger]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

Agree with that take ... and boy oh boy, does that tell a tale as to where the UNH program has fallen.

At least we'd have a chance to kick old WIS favorite Luce Canaan to the curb in the MBPBEGAM playoffs.

Just seems boring to face UConn again. I don't think they have ever beaten UNH, even going back to the Yankee Conference, Pre-Division One days.

Would much rather face Maine, at least that would be interesting. And got to think would sell more tickets.

But if UNH-ME did happen in the phony round, what would that say about BOTH teams fortunes these days

 

[Snively65]

Good point on the number of ties and their impact on his winning %. At the moment I am absorbed by a NHL game where neither team appears interested in playing D; one of the team's has someone in their admin named Yzerman. But, I will tally ties between the second and third.

To date, DU (not Univ Denver, Dan) is 570-328-102. If we split ties, as Chuck suggests, that is is a 0.621 winning percentage, not too shabby for a 26- year career. So, time to go; will be easier without a planned retirement tour season, with all of the hand-shaking, hugs and kisses, etc, at center ice.

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

To date, DU (not Univ Denver, Dan) is 570-328-102. If we split ties, as Chuck suggests, that is is a 0.621 winning percentage, not too shabby for a 26- year career. So, time to go; will be easier without a planned retirement tour season, with all of the hand-shaking, hugs and kisses, etc, at center ice.

I'll tell you what, this weekend's DU/UND series was incredible hockey. With the two rivals going head-to-head and end-to-end in a critical series, it was reminiscent of 1999 at the Whitt. Denver swept, but North Dakota is good. Talk about a defensive corp to envy. Big, strong, mean, puck-movers...

BTW - four of those UND defensemen grew up in either North Dakota or in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, right across the river from the University. Sure helps to keep the local kids at home...

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

But as far as the "March to 600" goes ...

I have a hard time understanding why he'd simply want to hang on for 600, piecing together crappy seasons until the wins add up. I think Umile honestly thought he'd have good teams when this group grew up. The forward group is clearly getting more talented and older. The defensemen will all be upperclassmen next year and mostly seniors the year after that. And I can only imagine how excited he gets thinking about an experienced Tirone. Sounds pretty good for a return to the NCAA Tournament before he bows out...

Unfortunately - since Umile's plan was announced - Tirone has been awful, the defense has taken a step backwards, Foegel has left school and Poturalski may head to professional hockey a year or even two early. So much for the best laid plans of Dick Umile...

 

[Snively65]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

Trivia Questions (without looking up ):

(We covered the single-digit win seasons in the last thread).

1. The Cats played 40 games last season, what with no bye and two 3-game series in the HEA postseason, along with one game at the Garden; when was the last previous season when the Cats played at least 40 games?

2. The Cats have won 30 or more games in a season twice in the Umile era; which two seasons?

3. How many and in which seasons during the Umile era did the Cats lose a single-digit number of games (not as easy as you might think)?

 

[Snively65]

Good point on the number of ties and their impact on his winning %. At the moment I am absorbed by a NHL game where neither team appears interested in playing D; one of the team's has someone in their admin named Yzerman. But, I will tally ties between the second and third.

Oh, and BTW, Snively65, Yzerman left the Wings management to become GM of the Lightning way back in 2010; let's try keep up, eh? [pm from Jacques "Rabbit" Poriveau].

 

[norbert]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

Actually, I think 3 points might be enough if they all come against UConn. I think that series will decide the 8th spot. Unfortunately it could also mean a UNH-UConn series in the phony round again this year.

I am wishing for enough points to finish 9th, so my never ending donation to UNH Wildcats can end after the UConn game. The thought of another $200 for a weekend playoff series is not on my list of things to do.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

Whoa was surprised to see that there's not many seats left for the BU game at Agganis...have only been there twice to catch games and neither was that well attended; even with the Eichel influence last season! Maybe it's because they sell beer there and not at the 'whitt hahaha...

 

[Snively65]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

Time running out on the quiz; tick, tock, tick, tock.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

Oh, and BTW, Snively65, Yzerman left the Wings management to become GM of the Lightning way back in 2010; let's try keep up, eh? [pm from Jacques "Rabbit" Poriveau].

Oui monsieur ... et bonjour Jacques!!

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

OK I'll take a wing-ding at your quiz, not looking things up will make this faster ...

Trivia Questions (without looking up ):

(We covered the single-digit win seasons in the last thread).

1. The Cats played 40 games last season, what with no bye and two 3-game series in the HEA postseason, along with one game at the Garden; when was the last previous season when the Cats played at least 40 games?

2002/2003? (guessing)

2. The Cats have won 30 or more games in a season twice in the Umile era; which two seasons?

Pretty sure '98/'99 and '01/'02?

3. How many and in which seasons during the Umile era did the Cats lose a single-digit number of games (not as easy as you might think)?

Honestly, no idea ... I'll guess '96/'97 thru '98/'99, '01/'02 and ''02/'03? Apex years of the glory days.

Quiz with loaded question in return: What season did Scott Borek take over for Brian McCloskey?

 

[Snively65]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Three) - Living in Interesting Times

Excellent answers, Chuck.

1. Only need to go back to '05/06 for 40 games, which was fifth year in a row.

2. Bingo.

3. Three out of four correct with '98/99 (7 losses), '99/00 (9), '01/02 (7), and '02/03 (8); 12 losses in '97/98 and '00/01. Only lost 10 games in '07/08, 11 in '10/11, and 11 in '12/13, but 19 losses in '11/12 and '14/15, and 17 losses in '13/14. Sigh.

Just providing some hints for the others on your Borek quiz.