Coming up later in the week, as promised, a comprehensive look at the state of basketball officiating in our region and ways to make it better! Yes, it’s a rare and special MIDWEEK Musing!
TMAC’s Nifty Nine - WBB
#9) American International (10-6)* NR
#8) Southern Connecticut (10-7) ⬇2
#7) Holy Family (14-6) ↔
#6) St. Thomas Aquinas (14-5) ⬆2
#5) Bentley (12-6) ⬇3
#4) Le Moyne (13-5)⬆1
#3) Jefferson (17-2) ⬆1
#2) Southern New Hampshire (13-3) ⬆1
#1) Assumption (14-2) ↔
OUT: #9 Dominican, #10 Daemen
*AIC is 10-6, despite having an 11-8 record. The loss at the University of Vermont is against a Division I team and does not qualify for criteria purposes. The two games in Puerto Rico count towards the minimum contests played, but they are not used in the criteria either. This is actually very good news and boosts the Yellow Jackets.
Jefferson is ready to pounce with any slips from the top two. Southern Connecticut plays at #2 SNHU Tuesday and hosts #5 Bentley Saturday. Two losses probably would make at-large chances a memory, but just one win and the Owls would be thrust right back into the thick of things.
There are no games involving teams in the top seven this week, which means, losses will mean upsets!
The eight line could be a cluster with teams like Dominican, Saint Rose, Adelphi, AIC, and SCSU all jockeying for position. Sometimes all it takes is a three-game winning streak and a squad can go from invisible to in the mix!
While there are no games to feature on the women’s side, there are three such games on the other. Before we look at those, shall we parse the men’s Rankings?
TMAC’s Not So Nebulous Nine - MBB
#9) Franklin Pierce (11-7) ↔
#8) St. Thomas Aquinas (17-3) ↔
#7) Pace (14-6) ⬇3
#6) Southern Connecticut (13-6) ⬆1
#5) Southern New Hampshire (10-7) ⬆1
#4) Dominican (14-3)* ⬇2
#3) Saint Anselm (14-4) ⬆2
#2) New Haven (13-4) ↔
#1) Bentley (15-2) ↔
*Games against Cheyney do not count as far as ranking purposes.
Out: #10 Post
This week’s rankings are subject to change as there are three games that will give us movement and clarity no matter what the results. Post has wins over #3, #5, AND #6 but needs to put together a string of victories. Also, don’t discount a nice win at Florida Southern.
#6 SCSU @ #5 SNHU: Tuesday, January 24, 7:30 PM
The Penmen won a game in the Moore Field House and have the higher line for that reason. That can be flipped if Scott Burrell’s group can win on their second venture to Manchester in four days. A loss for SCSU isn’t the end of the world, but a Penmen loss would most certainly move them south.
#3 St. A’s @ #1 Bentley: Wednesday, January 25, 7:30 PM
One week ago, #3 UNH (Now #2) went into Waltham and stunned #1 Bentley in one of the greatest comebacks in NCAA history, let alone the region. The Hawks won the opener between these two and if they sweep the season series, Bentley would be three and the Hawks two. New Haven should be rooting hard for the road team, because they are already 2-0 versus Bentley and Saint Anselm, with both triumphs on the road.
#7 Pace @ #5 SNHU: Saturday, January 28, 3:30 PM
Simply put, Pace cannot afford to lose this game. All of the leeway that had been gained has been lost. Pace held serve at home versus SNHU, but a defeat here, levels the field and makes the Setters vulnerable. This region is so balanced that even an 0-2 week for the Penmen wouldn’t crush the group, but they would be in a similar location to last year.
Next week we get into the Top 8 and begin to talk about how the bracket could look. Until then….. Stay Tuned for a Midweek Musings……
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This was written by Tim McCaffrey, to write to him, try t.p.mccaffrey@gmail.com, he returns every e-mail!