Utica College Pioneers 2011-2012

[jconnor]

Re: Utica College Pioneers 2011-2012

Guys, I'm pretty sure altazo's comments today were all fairly tongue-in-cheek, just so you know

If so, I apologize, however, there are those who still "Stir it up" with the "ECAC-W is the toughest conference" stuff, It is what it is, a very tough conf. top to bottom, no "cupcake" teams.

 

[Laker28]

Re: Utica College Pioneers 2011-2012

All the more reason you shouldn't finish one point out of last place in your conference and expect one...


Even if you think your conference is "the toughest of all time."

Edit: I do believe utica will get in if they win the W tourney. But, do they have to play Neumann again?

I think they may get in if they win the West but I don't think they will win the West. I think the Wests inflated reputation might have something to do with the fact that for lesser teams they are a real tough match up. They are very physical and games against them usually turn into a special teams exhibition and some teams, even decent ones have a hard time in games like that. When they get to the post season teams are more prepared, penalties don't happen as liberally and many of the West teams don't have as much success.

And BTW my comment about the pool C was more of and indictment against OSU2010's comments than it was yours. I found it quite funny actually, but to some these types of discussions are real serious business.

 

[NUProf]

Re: Utica College Pioneers 2011-2012

I think they may get in if they win the West but I don't think they will win the West. I think the Wests inflated reputation might have something to do with the fact that for lesser teams they are a real tough match up. They are very physical and games against them usually turn into a special teams exhibition and some teams, even decent ones have a hard time in games like that. When they get to the post season teams are more prepared, penalties don't happen as liberally and many of the West teams don't have as much success.

And BTW my comment about the pool C was more of and indictment against OSU2010's comments than it was yours. I found it quite funny actually, but to some these types of discussions are real serious business.

Except for the ECAC West (and in a couple of years, the WIAC), the only people who should be concerned about Pool C are, by definition "losers." Certainly this year, a least one of Oswego and Plattsburgh will belong to that genus.

 

[Laker28]

Re: Utica College Pioneers 2011-2012

Except for the ECAC West (and in a couple of years, the WIAC), the only people who should be concerned about Pool C are, by definition "losers." Certainly this year, a least one of Oswego and Plattsburgh will belong to that genus.

I agree. We have limited discussions on here about the games that are played and the players playing in them but everyone seems to love to regurgitate the selection criteria and who is going to get screwed when the bracket comes out. altazo tried to poke some fun at a couple of Utica posters and some folks took it as another excuse to spit out their knowledge of how the teams are picked. Thats is why I made the comment on how some folks take it as serious business.

We had some posters in the Oswego thread worrying about any chance at a Pool C before the season started because they could have lost games to certain teams. Then when they lost to Neumann people felt their chances at a bid were gone. I know playoff success hasn't been real frequent for the Lakers in the last 10 years but I think some people take the worrying about at large bids to the extreme.

 

[UCBadger]

Re: Utica College Pioneers 2011-2012

Actually, Utica is only 2 points out of 2nd place in the ECAC-W, the league which is the basis the grandaddy of them all, "ECAC-West pick 'em, the original D-III pick 'em game," now in its 10th year!

 

[Fishman'81]

Re: Utica College Pioneers 2011-2012

I was (of course) kidding re: Utica easily running the table and getting in... Yet, their ducks are perfectly in a row for just that, aside from the "easy" part. They really couldn't have asked for a better scenario, at this desperate juncture.

To wit, I was happy they drew NU in the first game, instead of a good-but-not-exceptional Hobart team. There are many more relative NCAA Brownie-points are to be accrued by taking down Neumann, no doubt about that.

Furthermore, should they advance to Saturday and upset Elmira, UC's stock rises drastically... One more win vs. M'ville/Hobart, and they'll definitely have the best resume of the last team in or out, and a much better body of work than > half the teams with guaranteed berths. That much is completely inarguable.

Lots of "ifs" in the above, to be sure. UC will have to go out and earn it at this late date, and I don't mind that situation at all... Their in-conference W/L has been decidedly lackluster, to say the least, and they still have something to prove if they want to be *selected* over any other team in the W, aside from Hobart.

But, we do have a bonus-game at The Aud on Wednesday, the place will likely have nearly 4,000 fannies (I pray sitting) in their seats, and I have the night off... Sounds like a fun night of hockey to me, especially if MacKinnon can find it within himself to have an off-night. (He's really good; the best goalie I've seen this year.)

Game on, and GO UC!

 

[Fishman'81]

Re: Utica College Pioneers 2011-2012

At this point the only Lock's for Pool C are Oswego, Norwich and Amherst, assuming any of those 3 lose the AQ

I'm curious as to why you think Amherst is one of the "Lock's" for an AL bid? (Just asking.)

 

[AldenPartridge1819]

Re: Utica College Pioneers 2011-2012

I'm curious as to why you think Amherst is one of the "Lock's" for an AL bid? (Just asking.)

Because the NCAA rankings had them in third last week. Those are the only rankings that matter. They beat two ranked teams this weekend, so that only made their case stronger. If they lose in the NESCAC playoffs, they will most likely still be in third, so, yea, they seem like a lock.

 

[bakdraft21]

Re: Utica College Pioneers 2011-2012

I was (of course) kidding re: Utica easily running the table and getting in... Yet, their ducks are perfectly in a row for just that, aside from the "easy" part. They really couldn't have asked for a better scenario, at this desperate juncture.

To wit, I was happy they drew NU in the first game, instead of a good-but-not-exceptional Hobart team. There are many more relative NCAA Brownie-points are to be accrued by taking down Neumann, no doubt about that.

Furthermore, should they advance to Saturday and upset Elmira, UC's stock rises drastically... One more win vs. M'ville/Hobart, and they'll definitely have the best resume of the last team in or out, and a much better body of work than > half the teams with guaranteed berths. That much is completely inarguable.

Lots of "ifs" in the above, to be sure. UC will have to go out and earn it at this late date, and I don't mind that situation at all... Their in-conference W/L has been decidedly lackluster, to say the least, and they still have something to prove if they want to be *selected* over any other team in the W, aside from Hobart.

But, we do have a bonus-game at The Aud on Wednesday, the place will likely have nearly 4,000 fannies (I pray sitting) in their seats, and I have the night off... Sounds like a fun night of hockey to me, especially if MacKinnon can find it within himself to have an off-night. (He's really good; the best goalie I've seen this year.)

Game on, and GO UC!

"Just win baby"" A.D.,,,,,,,,and I think you guys will make the NCAAs

 

[Fishman'81]

Re: Utica College Pioneers 2011-2012

Because the NCAA rankings had them in third last week. Those are the only rankings that matter. They beat two ranked teams this weekend, so that only made their case stronger. If they lose in the NESCAC playoffs, they will most likely still be in third, so, yea, they seem like a lock.

20-3 is an impressive W/L, for sure... But, that record is somewhat less compelling when one considers their SOS.

Amherst has played only three teams with a snowball's chance at a berth this season (M'ville, Hobart and Utica) and has gone 0-2-1 in the process.

If they don't win the AQ, I don't think they're anything resembling a lock.

 

[jerrynu26]

Re: Utica College Pioneers 2011-2012

20-3 is an impressive W/L, for sure... But, that record is somewhat less compelling when one considers their SOS.

Amherst has played only three teams with a snowball's chance at a berth this season (M'ville, Hobart and Utica) and has gone 0-2-1 in the process.

If they don't win the AQ, I don't think they're anything resembling a lock.

7-1-3 against ranked teams is pretty good.

 

[AldenPartridge1819]

Re: Utica College Pioneers 2011-2012

20-3 is an impressive W/L, for sure... But, that record is somewhat less compelling when one considers their SOS.

Amherst has played only three teams with a snowball's chance at a berth this season (M'ville, Hobart and Utica) and has gone 0-2-1 in the process.

If they don't win the AQ, I don't think they're anything resembling a lock.

I'm sorry to be harsh but, in this case, what you think doesn't matter at all. The Official NCAA Rankings have them 3rd. As of right now, they would still get in even if every favorite lost. The Pool C's would be OZ, Norwich, Amherst.

 

[Ozz]

I'm sorry to be harsh but, in this case, what you think doesn't matter at all. The Official NCAA Rankings have them 3rd. As of right now, they would still get in even if every favorite lost. The Pool C's would be OZ, Norwich, Amherst.

While I think I agree with those being the three pool c bids, being third does not guarantee them one of those spots. There's a little thing known as the West region

 

[AldenPartridge1819]

Re: Utica College Pioneers 2011-2012

While I think I agree with those being the three pool c bids, being third does not guarantee them one of those spots. There's a little thing known as the West region

Team Amherst St. Norbert
WIN .848 .700
SOS .530 .531
H2H 0-0-0 0-0-0
COP 0-0-0 0-0-0
RNK 7-3-1 7-4-2
____________________________
2 1

Amherst beats the west's best team in the comparison. And, as you can see, SNC's SOS win is only by .001.

 

[Ozz]

Re: Utica College Pioneers 2011-2012

Like I said, I agree they would get the third spot, but not because they are third in the NCAA rankings. They would get the third spot because they are third in the NCAA rankings AND beat out the top team in the West...

 

[AldenPartridge1819]

Re: Utica College Pioneers 2011-2012

Sorry for the improper wording. Clearly we are on the same page.

I simply wanted to point out that the NCAA rankings are all that matter, not someone's opinion of who has a shot and who doesn't.

 

[Ozz]

Sorry for the improper wording. Clearly we are on the same page.

I simply wanted to point out that the NCAA rankings are all that matter, not someone's opinion of who has a shot and who doesn't.

Agreed!

 

[norm1909]

Re: Utica College Pioneers 2011-2012

Sorry for the improper wording. Clearly we are on the same page.

I simply wanted to point out that the NCAA rankings are all that matter, not someone's opinion of who has a shot and who doesn't.

This is true UNTIL the $$ enter the picture and smoke fills the "opinion room".

 

[ecfan90]

Re: Utica College Pioneers 2011-2012

As of today Elmira may have something to say about Amherst's chances at a pool c spot. While Amherst holds a significant advantage in overall win% they lose all of the other primary criteria (though RNK is by the smallest of margins)

Team Amherst Elmira
WIN .854 .660
SOS .530 .565
H2H 0-0-0 0-0-0
COP 2-2-1 7-2-1
RNK 7-3-1 12-5-2
____________________________
1 3

 

[OSU2010]

As of today Elmira may have something to say about Amherst's chances at a pool c spot. While Amherst holds a significant advantage in overall win% they lose all of the other primary criteria (though RNK is by the smallest of margins)

Team Amherst Elmira
WIN .854 .660
SOS .530 .565
H2H 0-0-0 0-0-0
COP 2-2-1 7-2-1
RNK 7-3-1 12-5-2
____________________________
1 3

They look at the highest seeded team first, but I could see them ranking Elmira higher especially if hey win the ECAC-West, since the entire west is all ranked any wins they get are going to be ranked wins.