By: Tim McCaffrey
The final column of 2022!
We begin with women’s basketball and a top three that have separated from the pack.
TMAC’s Regional Rankings and Oscar Awards
#12) Daemen (7-2) ⬇10
#11) Holy Family (7-5) ⬆2
#10) American International (6-4) NR
#9) Adelphi (6-4) NR
#8) Saint Thomas Aquinas (9-3) ⬆1
#7) Bentley (6-4) ⬇4
#6) New Haven (6-3) ⬆2
#5) Le Moyne (8-4) ↔
#4) Southern Connecticut (6-3) ⬆2
#3) Southern New Hampshire (7-2) ⬆6
#2) Jefferson (10-1) ↔
#1) Assumption (11-0) ↔
OUT: #7 Saint Rose, #11 Dominican, Deer Antlers coming out of Car Windows, #12 Post
We begin with Daemen. The Wildcats are 1-1 versus teams over .500 and have ONE more game remaining against a team (STAC) with a winning record. Past results do NOT give a team bonus points. Unless the Regional Committee has changed criteria, Daemen will need to get the Automatic Qualifier by virtue of winning the league tournament. The ECC in all likelihood will be a one-bid circuit, but Bill Cleary’s contingent has scheduled up. Home affairs post-break against SNHU and Jefferson in the Toll Booth could move the needle in the right direction with the right result.
Frankly, if you have anything other than Assumption, Jefferson and Southern New Hampshire, in that order, you should step back and let the Musings do the work. We will get more into math and the categories in the new year. Looking ahead, this is Jefferson’s season. A win at STAC on January 4 could lead to a very long winning streak.
The CACC also appears to be a one-bid league. That doesn’t mean the conference that is looking for its first-ever Regional Champion can’t have two bids, it just means that there is only one team in the hunt for an at-large. The probability is the Northeast 10 will have five teams. Remember, the committee looks at resumes in total.
The middle of the pack is like my belly after a buffet: it will sort out, but if you don’t have games against teams that can move the needle, you can’t move up. I enjoy watching when two fantastic skilled teams play, not when a very good team plays one that typically isn't!
GAME OF THE WEEK - Part One
#3 SNHU @ #8 STAC: Thursday December 29, 5PM
The Musings will be in the house for what figures to be a wonderful chess game in Sparkill between The Fighting Pinkos’ Penmen and Spartans. SNHU is one of three teams in the hunt for the #1-seed. Beware of the TRAP!! Because.....
GAME OF THE WEEK - Part TWO
#1 Assumption @ #3 SNHU: Saturday December 31, 1:30 PM
I’ll be on the air for another game or else this would be an affair that can’t be missed! SNHU could end the week in the middle of the pack or as a serious contender to repeat as regional host!
We turn to the Men’s Rankings…..
TMAC’s EMMY Award-Winning Top 12
#12) Wilmington (7-4) NR
#11) Jefferson (6-5) ↔
#10) Le Moyne (8-6) NR
#9) Post (5-5 ) ⬆ 3
#8) New Haven (6-3) ⬇4
#7) Southern Connecticut (7-4) NR
#6) Franklin Pierce (7-3) ⬆ 1
#5) Saint Anselm (8-3) ⬆1
#4) Pace (9-3) ⬆1
#3) Saint Thomas Aquinas (11-2) ⬇1
#2) Dominican (10-1) ⬆1 *
#1) Bentley (9-1) ↔
Out: #8 SNHU, #9 UB, Mid-Range Jumper, #12 Bloomfield
*Games against Cheyney do not count as far as ranking purposes.
These rankings will filter out like a plinko chip finds a home. The NE-10 could at the end of the season have as many as six teams and as few as four based on what happens in the other two leagues. The depth in the CACC North isn’t quite where I expected it to be. The team that should be #1 going into the Regional based on everything in the past, present and future: Dominican!
Bentley may be the best team, but the schedule in its league is so much more challenging, day in and day out, so it won’t be unexpected to see the Falcons slip down a peg or two. Lurking is New Haven. This may be the low-water mark for the Chargers. The thing that is certain is all those good NE-10 teams will be beating each other up.
Next Musings will be January 9. We will recap the week-and-a-half of action and break out our TOP 11. Be Well, Be Kind and treat everyday like it is a holiday!!
A gentle reminder that for continued free musings: https://www.patreon.com/