The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1-#59

[seawolfpunk]

#43 - Alaska Anchorage Seawolves
All-Time Record (Division 1): 478-612-107 (.444)
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 3 (1990, 1991, 1992)
NCAA Tournament Record: 2-5
Conference Championships: Regular Season - 1 (Great West - 1986-1987) Tournament - 0
National Championships: 0
Points Earned - 6.3671
Change: 0.9845 (+18.29%)
Last Season Position: 43 (unchanged)

The Alaska Anchorage Seawolves come in at #43. Alaska Anchorage had their first winning season in 21 seasons, going 18-16-4 under first year head coach Matt Thomas. The Seawolves came within an overtime goal of advancing to the WCHA Tournament Championship Game for the first time in their history, but fell just short to MacNaughton Cup winning Ferris State in the Final Five Semifinals. It has to be considered a great season given Anchorage's recent history. The Seawolves had never finished above .500 since joining the WCHA, and they won 14 more games this season than they did in their previous campaign. They won 5 more games this season than their previous two seasons combined. Coach Thomas will have a very difficult challenge in repeating this season's success though, as Anchorage graduates 3 of their top 5 scorers and their top two goalies. However, if Anchorage can continue to add to this success, they stand a good shot of moving up the rankings, especially if they can get back to the NCAA Tournament. For now, Alaska Anchorage sits at #43.

#43 - Alaska Anchorage - 6.3671
#44 - Holy Cross - 5.0707
#45 - Nebraska Omaha - 5.0605
#46 - Minnesota State - 4.6448
#47 - Merrimack - 4.6092
#48 - Mercyhurst - 4.5085
#49 - Alaska - 3.8568
#50 - Massachusetts - 3.5038
#51 - Alabama Huntsville - 2.1932
#52 - Army - 1.6052
#53 - Canisius - 0.6028
#54 - Robert Morris - 0.5497
#55 - Connecticut - 0.2728
#56 - Sacred Heart - 0.1664
#57 - Penn State - 0.0589
#58 - AIC - 0.0374
#59 - Bentley - 0.0363

Well written, but UAA only loses 2 of there top 5 scorers to graduation (Cameron is a 5th year senior)


Other wise well written

[AKSWF]

Well written, but UAA only loses 2 of there top 5 scorers to graduation (Cameron is a 5th year senior)


Other wise well written

Sweet! I didn't/forgot that! How poignant is it that Alaska is ranked 49th...

[UncleRay]

Re: The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1-#59

#47 - Merrimack Warriors
All-Time Record (Division 1): 431-549-90
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 2 (1988, 2011)
NCAA Tournament Record: 2-3
Conference Championships: Regular Season - 0 Tournament - 0
National Championships: 0

#43 - Alaska Anchorage Seawolves
All-Time Record (Division 1): 478-612-107 (.444)
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 3 (1990, 1991, 1992)
NCAA Tournament Record: 2-5
Conference Championships: Regular Season - 1 (Great West - 1986-1987) Tournament - 0
National Championships: 0

How can teams have more tournament losses than tournament appearances?

[Chris]

How can teams have more tournament losses than tournament appearances?

The NCAA quarterfinals used to be a two game, total goal series. Teams weren't eliminated by losing their first NCAA game. I think it was 1989 or '90 when the current, single elimination format started being used.

[sshablak]

Re: The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1-#59

It wasn't 1990 because Colgate defeated Lake State in two games.

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1-#59

Well written, but UAA only loses 2 of there top 5 scorers to graduation (Cameron is a 5th year senior)


Other wise well written

Thank you for the correction. I'll edit the original post to indicate only 2 of the top 5 will be gone.

How can teams have more tournament losses than tournament appearances?

As others have mentioned, there used to be a few different scenarios where a team could lose (or tie) and still advance...

From 1982-1987, 8 teams made the NCAA Tournament, and the Quarterfinals were two game, total goal series.

In 1988, 12 teams made the NCAA Tournament, and both the First Round and the Quarterfinals were two game, total goal series.

From 1989-1991, 12 teams made the NCAA Tournament, and both the First Round and the Quarterfinals were best of 3 series.

In Merrimack's case, they went 2-2-0 in the 1988 tournament, beating Northeastern 10-8 in total goals (3-5 L, 7-3 W) before losing to LSSU 8-4 in total goals (4-3 W, 0-5 L).

Also, during the total goal series time period, there were actually 5 ties.

EDIT: I should also add that from 1949-1989 there was a third place game at the Final Four. Any team that finished fourth would automatically have two losses in the same NCAA Tournament. That meant that in 1988 and 1989, a team could lose 4 games in the NCAA Tournament. Northern Michigan (1981), Boston College (1985), Denver (1986), Maine (1989), and BU (1990) hold the record for most losses in an NCAA Tournament with 3.

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1-#59

#42 - Air Force Falcons
All-Time Record (Division 1): 686-701-90 (.495)
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 5 (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012)
NCAA Tournament Record: 1-5
Conference Championships: Regular Season - 2 (Atlantic Hockey - 2008-2009, 2011-2012) Tournament - 5 (Atlantic Hockey - 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012)
National Championships: 0
Points Earned - 6.4961
Change: 0.1801 (+2.85%)
Last Season Position: 42 (unchanged)

The Air Force Falcons come in at #42. The Falcons won 21 games this season, finishing third in Atlantic Hockey in the regular season before dropping a home Quarterfinal series against Niagara in the Atlantic Hockey Tournament. The 21 wins were tied for the second most the program has won under Head Coach Frank Serratore. Since joining Atlantic Hockey, the Falcons have been over .500 in each of their 8 seasons, and have won the league's automatic birth to the NCAA Tournament an impressive 5 times. It marks a startling turn around from the first half of Serratore's tenure at Air Force, where the Falcons failed to win any conference hardware in the CHA, and only had one season above .500 in nine attempts. The Falcons will look to continue their run of success next season, as they return their top 4 scorers. While they lose their top netminder, Air Force does return Chris Truehl, who had a strong Freshman campaign. If Air Force can continue their winning ways, they have a good chance of continuing to move up these rankings. For now, they sit at #42.

#42 - Air Force - 6.4961
#43 - Alaska Anchorage - 6.3671
#44 - Holy Cross - 5.0707
#45 - Nebraska Omaha - 5.0605
#46 - Minnesota State - 4.6448
#47 - Merrimack - 4.6092
#48 - Mercyhurst - 4.5085
#49 - Alaska - 3.8568
#50 - Massachusetts - 3.5038
#51 - Alabama Huntsville - 2.1932
#52 - Army - 1.6052
#53 - Canisius - 0.6028
#54 - Robert Morris - 0.5497
#55 - Connecticut - 0.2728
#56 - Sacred Heart - 0.1664
#57 - Penn State - 0.0589
#58 - AIC - 0.0374
#59 - Bentley - 0.0363

[UncleRay]

Re: The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1-#59

Why spend hours looking something up when you can spend mere minutes asking a question? Thanks, guys.

[Chris]

EDIT: I should also add that from 1949-1989 there was a third place game at the Final Four. Any team that finished fourth would automatically have two losses in the same NCAA Tournament. That meant that in 1988 and 1989, a team could lose 4 games in the NCAA Tournament. Maine (1989) and BU (1990) hold the record for most losses in an NCAA Tournament with 3.

DU went 1-3 in the '86 tourney., beating Cornell in total goals 7-6 (4-2, 3-4) and then finishing 4th by losing to Harvard and Minnesota in Providence at the Final 4. I love my Pios but they actually put together a 3 game losing streak in that tourney...

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1-#59

DU went 1-3 in the '86 tourney., beating Cornell in total goals 7-6 (4-2, 3-4) and then finishing 4th by losing to Harvard and Minnesota in Providence at the Final 4. I love my Pios but they actually put together a 3 game losing streak in that tourney...

Good Catch. I was only looking at 1988-1989, so I guess I missed a few. Turns out Boston College in 1985 also completed the trifecta, along with Northern Michigan in 1981. DU and NMU were the only 2 of those 5 to lose three consecutive games. I edited the original edit to reflect these additions to the "3 loss club"

A couple of other wacky situations from those years...

1988: Lake Superior State loses in the NCAA Tournament...and WINS the National Championship

1984: Bowling Green not only loses in the NCAA Tournament, but wins the following night 5-1...IN OVERTIME*. The Falcons would go on to win the National Championship as well.

I believe these are the only two teams to ever lose in the NCAA Tournament, but win the National Championship.

*Technically, the Falcons won the second game 4-1, knotting up the total goals, which required a mini-game to be played to determine the winner...at least, that's the way I understand it...wasn't really around for that game

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1-#59

#41 - Princeton Tigers
All-Time Record (Division 1): 931-1272-125 (.427)
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 3 (1998, 2008, 2009)
NCAA Tournament Record: 0-3
Conference Championships: Regular Season - 0 Tournament - 2 (ECAC - 1998, 2008)
National Championships: 0
Points Earned - 7.1971
Change: 0.2534 (+3.65%)
Last Season Position: 41 (unchanged)

The Princeton Tigers come in at #41. The Tigers struggled this season, winning only 6 games, the program's fewest since the Len Quesnelle era. In the three seasons since Guy Gadowsky left, head coach Bob Prier has struggled, going just 25-58-12 (.326). Were it not for conference mates Yale and Union winning the last two national championships, the Tigers would be falling in points, and falling in these rankings. Princeton will look to repeat what happened the last time they were in a rut, and bounce back with improving season win totals that ultimately culminated in two trips to the NCAA Tournament and an ECAC Tournament Title. It will be a difficult task, as the ECAC is currently at the top of the heap as a conference. However, if they can do it, they should be able to rise up these rankings. For now, the Tigers sit at #41.

#41 - Princeton - 7.1971
#42 - Air Force - 6.4961
#43 - Alaska Anchorage - 6.3671
#44 - Holy Cross - 5.0707
#45 - Nebraska Omaha - 5.0605
#46 - Minnesota State - 4.6448
#47 - Merrimack - 4.6092
#48 - Mercyhurst - 4.5085
#49 - Alaska - 3.8568
#50 - Massachusetts - 3.5038
#51 - Alabama Huntsville - 2.1932
#52 - Army - 1.6052
#53 - Canisius - 0.6028
#54 - Robert Morris - 0.5497
#55 - Connecticut - 0.2728
#56 - Sacred Heart - 0.1664
#57 - Penn State - 0.0589
#58 - AIC - 0.0374
#59 - Bentley - 0.0363

[burd]

Re: The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1-#59

This is great stuff you are working up, FS.

So, you gonna give us the top 50 Supreme Court Decisions next, or are you leaving all that con law back where it belongs?

[Terry Switzer]

Re: The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1-#59

Single game elimination started in 1992

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1-#59

This is great stuff you are working up, FS.

So, you gonna give us the top 50 Supreme Court Decisions next, or are you leaving all that con law back where it belongs?

Thanks. I think I'll pass on the Supreme Court stuff for now.

#40 coming up shortly...

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1-#59

#40 - Niagara Purple Eagles
All-Time Record (Division 1): 320-253-72 (.552)
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 4 (2000, 2004, 2008, 2013)
NCAA Tournament Record: 1-4
Conference Championships: Regular Season - 4 (CHA - 1999-2000, 2005-2006, 2006-2007; Atlantic Hockey - 2012-2013) Tournament - 3 (CHA - 2000, 2004, 2008)
National Championships: 0
Points Earned - 7.9213
Change: - 0.2578 (- 3.15%)
Last Season Position: 39 (down 1 spot)

The Niagara Purple Eagles come in at #40. Niagara had a rough season by their standards, dropping below the .500 mark for just the fifth time in program history, and just the second time in the last 9 seasons. Moreover, their 20 losses this season tied a program record for most losses in a season. The Purple Eagles nearly salvaged their season in the Atlantic Hockey Tournament, beating Air Force in Colorado Springs to advance to the Semifinals. Unfortunately for Niagara, their run would end there, as they fell to Robert Morris in a heartbreaker in overtime after scoring twice in the final 3:03 to force the extra session. The Purple Eagles have a young team though, and they return 5 of their top 6 scorers, and both goalies. That should give coach Dave Burkholder a good chance to claim some hardware next season, and perhaps grab the program's fifth trip to the NCAA Tournament. If they do, look for Niagara to move up in the rankings. For now, they sit at #40.

#40 - Niagara - 7.9213
#41 - Princeton - 7.1971
#42 - Air Force - 6.4961
#43 - Alaska Anchorage - 6.3671
#44 - Holy Cross - 5.0707
#45 - Nebraska Omaha - 5.0605
#46 - Minnesota State - 4.6448
#47 - Merrimack - 4.6092
#48 - Mercyhurst - 4.5085
#49 - Alaska - 3.8568
#50 - Massachusetts - 3.5038
#51 - Alabama Huntsville - 2.1932
#52 - Army - 1.6052
#53 - Canisius - 0.6028
#54 - Robert Morris - 0.5497
#55 - Connecticut - 0.2728
#56 - Sacred Heart - 0.1664
#57 - Penn State - 0.0589
#58 - AIC - 0.0374
#59 - Bentley - 0.0363