Bracketology: March 18, 2008

USCHO Newsbot · 03-19-2008, 02:30 AM

The NCAA tournament picture is becoming clearer, but plenty hangs in the balance this weekend. Jayson Moy brings out the latest edition of Bracketology.

Read more at uscho.com ...

AFHockeyFan · 03-19-2008, 07:40 AM

If Harvard winds up winning the ECAC, you have a much more compelling reason to keep the ECAC champ in Worcester as the 4 seed, and swap Air Force and Minnesota State to avoid the intraconference matchup. That would save all three teams (and their fans) a flight.

Yinka Double Dare · 03-19-2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AFHockeyFan

If Harvard winds up winning the ECAC, you have a much more compelling reason to keep the ECAC champ in Worcester as the 4 seed, and swap Air Force and Minnesota State to avoid the intraconference matchup. That would save all three teams (and their fans) a flight.

They would never switch it like that though due to bracket integrity. You can at least reasonably switch autobid-only teams, but there's no way in hell they'd force the #1 overall seed to play a WCHA at-large in the first round.

This would be a lot easier if CC wins out at the Final Five. If so, they'll almost certainly be one of the top two seeds and the committee could then reasonably keep Air Force out west. Niagara ends up in Madison then (presuming Michigan or Miami win both their games this weekend and end up as the 1 or 2 overall), and the ECAC autobid stays out east.

Hockey_East_Friar · 03-19-2008, 02:04 PM

I have to agree with Mr. Moy, bracket integrity looks good, not much to say this week. What could be interesting is if BU or UVM were to win the Hockey East Tournament or if someone other than Princeton wins the ECAC.

ncwildcat · 03-19-2008, 02:55 PM

I cannot imagine that with only 2 Hockey East Teams in the Mix that you would put them in the same Regional so that only one can advance. Certainly the can switch out either UNH or BC with one of the WCHA teams to avoid that.

SoCalSiouxFan · 03-19-2008, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncwildcat

I cannot imagine that with only 2 Hockey East Teams in the Mix that you would put them in the same Regional so that only one can advance. Certainly the can switch out either UNH or BC with one of the WCHA teams to avoid that.

Doesn't make sence to have the top two WCHA teams in the west regional either. Maybe UND could switch places with BC.

SteveF · 03-19-2008, 07:23 PM

I like it.. CC, DU, AFA, and BC advance to FF

hostile crowd like 2006

jdorf40 · 03-19-2008, 07:54 PM

I really can't argue with this setup. It does make sense. Being a Sioux fan I can't really say that I'd like to have us playing CC at home, but I definitely would like our chances against Notre Dame. If things stay the way that you have them...I would say there's a good chance that there will be 3 teams from the WCHA in the Frozen Four, along with New Hampshire. I work in Ann Arbor and am looking forward to watching them get bounced by the WCHA again. Kind of like the last two years.

AFHockeyFan · 03-19-2008, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yinka Double Dare

there's no way in hell they'd force the #1 overall seed to play a WCHA at-large in the first round.

Right. Because there's such a huge difference between Air Force and the #6 team in the WCHA. There's a whopping .021 in the RPI, and Air Force was only 1-1-1 against teams in the WCHA Final Five, including a 1-goal loss to the McNaughton Cup winners on their sheet. Please.

I don't see that much difference between Michigan playing Minnesota State or Air Force, at least not enough to make three teams get on planes.

garryt50 · 03-19-2008, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncwildcat

I cannot imagine that with only 2 Hockey East Teams in the Mix that you would put them in the same Regional so that only one can advance. Certainly the can switch out either UNH or BC with one of the WCHA teams to avoid that.

I hear what you are saying man, but just look at last year when they threw minnesota and North Dakota in the same regional. Both had just played a huge final five championship game the week earlier, and you could argue that those two teams were the best in the nation at that time. Not to mention border rivals who never fail to put up an intense game. Wouldn't that have been great to see that game on ESPN nationally in the FF, instead in the regional chanmpionship game with limited coverage?
My point is, that just because the HE only got two teams in this year doesn't mean they should be seperated in regionals. They should be treated the same way two ECAC teams that make it. it shouldn't matter if they end up in the same region, simply because the evidence points to the fact; that conference just wasn't that good this year.
my prediction, which i know none of you really care. But if gophs beat st. cloud on thursday they could take that momentum all the way to the ship and into the NCAA's. Just think, when were the gophers not favored to do well in this whole thing?... Underdogs?
P.S. how good are kangas and bachman for being freshman in the WCHA...

MagnessMan · 03-22-2008, 01:40 AM

I think the Gophers played an awful game last year against AF and were lucky to escape.