NCAA tourney

[upprdeck]

who says that the brackets have to be done by merit?  you could argue its only the attendance factor thats allowed it to go beyond a 4 team east vs west thing. once you are in it only the teams that get in outside the first 16 pwr could be argued as being easier wins

[Trotsky]

who says that the brackets have to be done by merit?  you could argue its only the attendance factor thats allowed it to go beyond a 4 team east vs west thing. once you are in it only the teams that get in outside the first 16 pwr could be argued as being easier wins

Then just choose the top 16 drawing teams every year, no matter what their record, with 16 @ 1, 15 @ 2, etc, and re-seeding each round.  Why have merit enter into it at all?

[Jim Hyla]

HOW SOON BEFORE THE GAMES START!!!!!!!  THERE'S TOO MUCH ANXIETY IN THE AIR.

[upprdeck]

merit gets you in..

why does seeding have to be done by merit..  

Some thought has been given that random would be better,, what would happen if the ncaa did it random and a 16 seed ended up with the same type of seeding that a 1 getsnow.

the reward is to get in, why do they need addition rewards of playing an easier road if they really are a better team?

[LGR14]

I love the idea that "Cornell was screwed" despite being kept away from a team that they have gone 0-3 against this year and is the hottest in the nation. Lowell being a relatively slightly more difficult first hurdle is balanced by Minnesota being a relatively slightly not as difficult second hurdle. Either way, Cornell is going to end the season as champions or not. If they're going to be champions, they should be able to put four of their best games together in a row. They don't deserve it otherwise.

Also: look at past years--the first round is NEVER chalk.

[billhoward]

It does kinda suck that we got UML and not WMU, but at this stage, I'm okay with it.

You have to go through the best teams at some point if you want to win it all.

If you're not going to win it all, your season is more successful the more rounds you advance. Better to not play the best teams until the final four meet in Chicago.

"You have to go through the best teams at some point if you want to win it all" could be something the old coach would say, along with "The other guys put their pants on one leg at a time, just  like we do." Somebody on our son's HS hockey team, hearing that before playing Delbarton (NJ), said, "And then they step into size 14 skates, one foot at a time."

Should we make it past UMass Lowell, Cornell is lucky, comparatively, in having the lowest of the 1-seeds in our bracket in Minnesota. That and not having to play them in Mariucci Arena. It's already been a good year for this century of Cornell hockey, getting to Lake Placid, to the title game, and into the NCAAs.

[Hooking]

Percentage posters hedge their bets, while zealots are certain where certainty does not exist. Cornell wins, 3-1.

[Beeeej]

Percentage posters hedge their bets, while zealots are certain where certainty does not exist. Cornell wins, 3-1.

WOOHOOOOO!! Who won the other semi? Can't wait for the final on Sunday.

[wakester2468]

Just came from practice in Manchester. Things were very upbeat. Looked like cautious optimism to me.

[Jim Hyla]

USCHO Picks.

At least they get better as you read down.

Northeast Regional: The only regional with no NCHC teams. I don't know too much about any of these teams. Minnesota has looked good, but I'll pick UMass Lowell to make it through.

Northeast Regional: UMass Lowell is playing its best hockey down the stretch. If that continues in the regional, look for the River Hawks, paced by balanced scoring, to emerge. Teams will have to play disciplined against the River Hawks if they want to win. Lowell boasts the third-best power play in the nation.

Northeast Regional: UMass Lowell — All Norm Bazin knows how to do is win as the River Hawks have made the NCAA tournament five of the past six years. They have the right mix of offense and defense. Being 40 minutes from campus, they could make Manchester a second home for the weekend.

Northeast Regional: Minnesota over Notre Dame. The Golden Gophers have a deep, consistent, experienced team. The Fighting Irish have a deep, slightly less-consistent, experienced team. Notre Dame's defense may be the factor, but I see Minnesota advancing.

UMass Lowell over Cornell. Lowell is arguably the best team in this bracket, in spite of its second seed. The River Hawks have the third-best scoring margin in D-I and they've dropped just one game in their last 12.

UMass Lowell over Minnesota. I'm just not picking against the River Hawks.

Northeast Regional: UMass Lowell — It seems a little cliche to pick the River Hawks, but I'm okay with it. They looked the part of a national champion in winning Hockey East, and they'll have the benefit of playing closer to home than everyone. Cornell is a sneaky sleeper pick for me here.

Northeast Regional:

Minnesota over Notre Dame
Cornell over Umass Lowell

Minnesota over Cornell

The Gophers feel like a heavy favorite to me in this region. I don't see them falling short of Frozen Four.

[Iceberg]

Strange that everyone seems to think BU is doomed. Cohesiveness and coaching issues aside, they do have some highly skilled players on their roster, even if that west regional is nasty.

[jkahn]

No. Dakota 1 - BU 1 after 2
Providence 0 - Harvard 0 after 1

[upprdeck]

looking at tickets available right now.. one section has none.  cornell has a few left in their corner. one other has a few scattered around and one has just a touch more.  less than 100 on ticket master and the upper bowl still seems closed.

lowell will have its crowd  but its not like it will be 80% of the crowd.

[abmarks]

Just sat down in the arena in providence as Harvard goes up 1-0.

So much for Harvard traveling well... No more than 100 Harvard fans here.

[upprdeck]

if you added up all the harvard fans at lynah the last 20 years would it add up to 100?