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

[Fighting Sioux 23]

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

If they have a total of 0.0589 and that is an increase of 0.0267 from last year, they must have had 0.0322 last season. That represents a 82.9% increase, not 120.6% which is the reciprocal.

Nice catch. I incorrectly put in their points from last season (0.0267) as their change. They actually increased 0.0322 points, for a 120.6% increase. I edited the original post to reflect their true change.

[Fighting Sioux 23]

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

It's nice being #1 but we had better start winning in order to keep that #1.

Yep. I'll do a detailed analysis after I finish listing all the teams, but Michigan will be in true danger of losing the top spot next season.

[Priceless]

If they have a total of 0.0589 and that is an increase of 0.0267 from last year, they must have had 0.0322 last season. That represents a 82.9% increase, not 120.6% which is the reciprocal.

leave it to Ralph to pick up on a math error

[Fighting Sioux 23]

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

#56 - Sacred Heart Pioneers
All-Time Record (Division 1): 263-364-57 (.426)
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 0
Conference Championships: Regular Season - 0, Tournament - 0
National Championships: 0
Points Earned - 0.1664
Change: +0.0035 (+2.15%)
Last Season Position: 55 (down 1 spot)

The Sacred Heart Pioneers come in at #56. The Pioneers won 12 games this season, their first double-digit win season since 2009-2010. It was good enough to slightly increase their point totals, but they fell one spot because of Robert Morris' run to the NCAA Tournament. If Sacred Heart can continue their improved play (they had won 14 games combined over the past three seasons), they will have a shot to continue moving up in these rankings. Of course, nothing helps moving up like a conference title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Pioneers return nearly everyone from last season's run, as just two players graduated, and their top 12 scorers will likely be back. If everything goes well, Sacred Heart could make a push up the rankings next season. For now, they will have to settle in at #56.

#56 - Sacred Heart - 0.1664
#57 - Penn State - 0.0589
#58 - AIC - 0.0374
#59 - Bentley - 0.0363

[Ralph Baer]

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

leave it to Ralph to pick up on a math error

[Fighting Sioux 23]

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

#55 - Connecticut Huskies
All-Time Record (Division 1): 219-303-57
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 0
Conference Championships: Regular Season - 0, Tournament - 1 (2000 - MAAC)
National Championships: 0
Points Earned - 0.2728
Change: +0.0488 (+21.79%)
Last Season Position: 54 (down 1 spot)

The Connecticut Huskies come in at #55 on the list. The Huskies put together their second consecutive winning season, this time under first year head coach Mike Cavanaugh. It marks just the second time in the program's division 1 history that they had consecutive seasons over .500, and just the fourth time overall in sixteen years at the D-1 level. The Huskies will have their hands full as they transition into Hockey East, but that should provide ample opportunity for Connecticut to move up in these rankings. For example, the Huskies have yet to beat a national champion at the D-1 level, going a combined 0-28-7 in their 35 matchups thus far, the only team in D-1 Hockey that has never beaten a national champion. Given that they will have at least a half dozen opportunities in the coming years, and given the level of their competition will increase, if Connecticut can continue to win more than they lose, they should make a jump in these rankings relatively quickly. For now, they sit at #55.

#55 - Connecticut - 0.2728
#56 - Sacred Heart - 0.1664
#57 - Penn State - 0.0589
#58 - AIC - 0.0374
#59 - Bentley - 0.0363

[Fighting Sioux 23]

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

#54 - Robert Morris Colonials
All-Time Record (Division 1): 143-174-45 (.457)
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 1 (2014)
NCAA Tournament Record: 0-1
Conference Championships: Regular Season - 0, Tournament - 1 (2014 - Atlantic Hockey)
National Championships: 0
Points Earned - 0.5497
Change: +0.5221 (+1891.67%)
Last Season Position: 57 (up 3 spots)

The Colonials of Robert Morris come in at #54. RMU had arguably their best year at the Division 1 level, winning 19 games (2nd best in school history) and claiming the 2014 Atlantic Hockey Tournament Championship. The title earned them a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the first time ever, and pushed them up the rankings with the biggest percentage increase of any team. Since moving to Atlantic Hockey, the Colonials have been .500 or better in each of the four seasons in the conference. That marks a drastic change from their early years in the CHA where they failed to finish over .500 in any season. RMU has played at the D-1 level in just 10 seasons, but if they can continue to be a .500+ team and win more conference hardware, look for the Colonials to be back in the NCAA Tournament and to continue to rise in these rankings. For now, they sit at #54.

#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

[Fighting Sioux 23]

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

#53 - Canisius Golden Griffins
All-Time Record (Division 1): 227-284-73 (.451)
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 1 (2013)
NCAA Tournament Record: 0-1
Conference Championships: Regular Season - 0, Tournament - 1 (2013 - Atlantic Hockey)
National Championships: 0
Points Earned - 0.6028
Change: +0.0253 (+4.38%)
Last Season Position: 53 (unchanged)

The Golden Griffins of Canisius come in at #53. Canisius had another decent showing in Atlantic Hockey this season, putting up 17 wins and coming up one game short of back to back Atlantic Hockey Tournament titles and NCAA Tournament appearances. Without the run to the finals of the conference tournament, the Griffins would likely have fallen in the rankings. While Canisius has just 1 20 win season (21 in 1999-2000 while playing in the MAAC), the Griffs appear to be on the right track. If they can continue their strong play in the Atlantic Hockey Tournament, and perhaps win another tournament title to pair with a 20+ win season, Canisius could move on up in the rankings. For now, the Golden Griffins sit at #53.

#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

[Fighting Sioux 23]

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

#52 - Army Black Knights
All-Time Record (Division 1): 1067-1021-120 (.510)
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 0
Conference Championships: Regular Season - 1 (2007-2008 Atlantic Hockey), Tournament - 0
National Championships: 0
Points Earned - 1.6052
Change: -0.0043 (-0.27%)
Last Season Position: 52 (unchanged)

The Army Black Knights suffered an extremely disappointing season, winning just 6 games. It marks the programs 3 consecutive season with 7 or fewer wins, and their 0.176 winning percentage was the lowest for the program since 1941-1942 (when something called World War II was going on). However, the Black Knights remain the best program to have yet reached the NCAA Tournament. Of course, that is largely due to the fact that they have an overall winning percentage at the D-1 level (the only program in the bottom 10 to have such an accomplishment),and the fact that they have been playing hockey for a tremendously long time. Of course, the longer that the Black Knights go without making a trip to the NCAA Tournament, the more likelihood that they will drop in the rankings. The Black Knights have only played for the Atlantic Hockey Tournament Championship once (2007), and have only made the semifinals twice. If they continue to win single digit games, they will continue to fall in points, and subsequently fall in the rankings. Given their history and patriotic mission, I hope that they can make a resurgence back to the top of Atlantic Hockey and rise up in these rankings. For now, they sit at #52, and atop the heap of programs that have yet to make an NCAA Tournament appearance.

#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

[Fighting Sioux 23]

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

#51 - Alabama Huntsville Chargers
All-Time Record (Division 1): 253-268-48 (.487)
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 2 (2007, 2010)
NCAA Tournament Record: 0-2
Conference Championships: Regular Season - 2 (2000-2001, 2002-2003 CHA), Tournament - 2 (2007, 2010 CHA)
National Championships: 0
Points Earned - 2.1932
Change: -0.1437 (-6.15%)
Last Season Position: 51 (unchanged)

The Alabama-Huntsville Chargers just came off their worst season in their history, regardless of division, winning just 2 games and losing 35. However, at least they still have a program. Getting into the WCHA was key for the Chargers to remain a viable D-1 program, but now they need to turn their attention to the ice and fix those issues. Over the last four seasons, the Chargers have won just 11 games, and have lost a whopping 110. The last winning season for the Chargers came back in 2005-2006. Second year coach Mike Corbett will be tasked with trying to turn those numbers around. He will have to for Huntsville to get back to earning points and avoid dropping in the rankings. For now, the Chargers sit at #51.

#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

[Fighting Sioux 23]

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

#50 - Massachusetts Minutemen
All-Time Record (Division 1): 412-602-86 (.414)
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 1 (2007)
NCAA Tournament Record: 1-1
Conference Championships: Regular Season - 0, Tournament - 0
National Championships: 0
Points Earned - 3.5038
Change: 0.1771 (5.32%)
Last Season Position: 50 (unchanged)

The UMASS Minutemen come in at #50. Under second year head coach John Micheletto, the Minutemen won just 8 games. Over the past four seasons, Massachusetts is averaging just less than 10 wins per season. That is not how a program moves up the rankings. The last season over .500 was back in 2007, and the Minutemen are going to need more seasons like that to start to challenge to move up the rankings. On the bright side, UMASS has had challenges like this before in their program's history and have come back to have some very good seasons. Playing in Hockey East also helps their strength of schedule, as they get to play high-end programs like Maine, BC, and BU. If they can right the ship and get back to the NCAA Tournament and have success, the Minutemen can make a charge up the rankings. For now, they sit at #50.

#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

[Siouxfaninseattle]

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

Should their NCAA tournament record be 0-1?

[Fighting Sioux 23]

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

Should their NCAA tournament record be 0-1?

I'm assuming you're talking about UMASS. They beat Clarkson in the First Round in OT in 2007 before falling to Maine in the Regional Final.

[Fighting Sioux 23]

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

#49 - Alaska Nanooks
All-Time Record (Division 1): 564-600-112 (.486)
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 1 (2010)
NCAA Tournament Record: 0-1
Conference Championships: Regular Season - 1 (1987-1988 Great West Hockey Conference), Tournament - 0
National Championships: 0
Points Earned - 3.8568
Change: 0.4328 (12.64%)
Last Season Position: 48 (down 1 spot)

The Alaska Nanooks come in at #49 this season. The Nanooks had a strong first season in the WCHA, winning 18 games and finishing over .500 for the second consecutive year under sixth-year head coach Dallas Ferguson. In Ferguson's six seasons, Alaska has finished above .500 four times and made a trip to the NCAA Tournament. If the Nanooks can hold on to him, and if Ferguson can continue to keep the program at a winning level, more trips to the NCAA Tournament are likely, and would also likely jump them up these rankings. This season, they fell largely because Minnesota State jumped over them. However, if the Nanooks continue on their upward climb, they will be the program that jumps over others in the near future. For now, they sit at #49.

#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

[drshoen]

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

I'm assuming you're talking about UMASS. They beat Clarkson in the First Round in OT in 2007 before falling to Maine in the Regional Final.

I remember it well - not happily, but well.