2nd Div A poll (3/9/05) is out!

[CATLAX MAN]

BC:

I think Alumnilax is referring to the fact that winners bracket games are 0-fers. Some people don't put much stock in consolation game results as some teams use it as an opportunity for players to get playing time that otherwise they might not normally get.

[BB]

What if there were a true consolation championship? How hard would that be? I don't know if that would take a lot more administration? And I don't want to put people to have to go through a bbunch more work, but then at least people could put stock in those games. Just a thought. I know most teams do play hard after they lose. But to make it worth something, especially now that there is a end of the year final poll(post nationals), it would make the final poll easier to come up with.

[John Paul]

We use to play the brackets out. Three reasons we don't anymore:

1. Nobody really cared. Teams are there to win a championship. Once they've lost, whether or not there's a full consolation bracket, their priorities change. We've been in the consolation rounds six straight years, and we've won all but two of those games (out of 9 or 10), but to be honest, I wish there was a feasable way for us to get rid of consolation games all together. You lose, you're done. Someday I'm sure we'll go to a regional and final four format. That's still a ways off, but that will take care of the situation.

2. We didn't want any other games on championship Saturday except the championships. It was too chaotic and took away from what we are all there for.

3. Cost. We've grown to the point where officials fees are a huge, huge chunk of the event budget. Adding unnecessary games would add significant cost (game fees, travel, lodging, etc.). It would also add faciliteis and support cost and work, of course.

I don't think too many teams care about the post-season poll. The only spot you want at the end is determined in the final game. You can base a successful season on a lot of things, but rankings, at that point, don't mean anything.

[bbandlax]

In addition to all that JP noted about the consolation idea, I seem to remember that when a true consolation bracket was used there were games played with teams playing for the third time. Who wants to fly all the way to MN (or St. Louis the previous 8 years), loose in the first round, and then end up playing a team you just played in your conference tournament or already played earlier in the season. If you get matched up at the start of the tournament that is one thing, but after you loose your motivation totally changes. Like JP said, nobody really cares about that final ranking. Besides the fact the teams in St. Louis are not the top 16 in the nation, so what purpose would a consolation bracket serve. After the consolation idea was nixed loosing teams were able to match up against teams they had not played before.

[BB]

Just curious, as I thought it would make it more competitive for the teams that were there to try and have something to play. All your points make sense though.

[Bentiss]

What's up with Oakland these days? Sitting pretty at #9...

Beat Buffalo 16-4 yesterday...Laxpower had them at #16 before this weekend's games. If they beat Pittsburgh convincingly today that rank should significantly improve.

Plus you guys need to look at the TSI, that is the true measure of laxpower and a lot more accurate.

Oakland's TSI is #13 which is a little closer. Their only loss was to Division II St. Vincent 14-11...Michigan also lost to St. Vincent 9-8...

Oakland plays an underrated 6-0 Pittsburgh team today that crushed Auburn 12-6 a few weeks ago and should be a Top 25 team. If Pittsburgh plays well today look for them to enter the Top 25.

[DontSpillDaBeansWish]

According to Laxpower's TSI rating:

1 Colorado State
2 Brigham Young
3 Sonoma State
4 UC Santa Barbara
5 Arizona
6 Michigan
7 Colorado
8 UC San Diego
9 Florida State
10 Oregon
11 Cal Poly San Luis
12 Virginia Tech
13 Oakland
14 Chico State
15 Miami - OH
16 Utah
17 Georgia Tech
18 Boston College
19 Simon Fraser
20 Chapman
21 Lindenwood
22 Arizona State
23 Eastern Michigan
24 Washington
25 Indiana

[Bentiss]

Mike Messina
Premium



Joined: 21 Jan 2005
Posts: 63
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 5:22 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Final from Pittsburgh

Oakland 3 - 2 - 3 - 0 - 1 = 9
Pittsburgh 1 - 2 - 3 - 2 - 0 = 8 ot
_________________
Assistant Coach
University of Pittsburgh Lacrosse

I can't say that anyone should be happy with a loss, but Pittsburgh has to be pleased to have played their way into the Top 25...Congrats on that...