Utah 9, Cal Poly 8 OT FINAL (Fri, 3/17/06 at Seattle, WA)

[Dan Wishengrad]

Is there anybody who will be at a computer tonight from 7-9pm PST (10-Midnight EST) I could call updates into from Dempsey Center? If someone is willing to post scores I will provide regular updates.

Please PM me or post here if you are willing to volunteer...

[WaterBoy]

I should be home by 7, no later than 7:10, and will be home.

If anyone can beat that offer, feel free. Otherwise, I'll available.

[Sonny]

Awesome WaterBoy and Wish. Thanks to both of you making this happen. This should be a pretty key (neutral site) game for the so-called bubble teams.

[Sonny]

LINKS to help identify scorers, etc.:

Cal Poly roster: http://www.uslia.com/team.php?id=88

Utah roster: http://www.uslia.com/team.php?id=57

[Dan Wishengrad]

Thanks to Waterboy, the two of us will combine to get this done.

Sorry again about last night folks, the Blackberry I was trying to use just couldnt handle the job, or more likely I couldn't handle it!!! But talking on the phone I can master

[Dan Wishengrad]

LINKS to help identify scorers, etc.:

Cal Poly roster: http://www.uslia.com/team.php?id=88

Utah roster: http://www.uslia.com/team.php?id=57

I will have the tourney program in front of me, Sonny, as I'll be doing the P.A. announcements. Got all the rosters of all the teams playing in the HIT printed and ready to go!

If anybody else wants to volunteer as a back-up to Waterboy, please PM me with your phone number...

[CATLAX MAN]

I agree that this is a very key bubble team game, perhaps more so for Utah. IMO Utah must win to have any kind of shot at an at-large berth. Poly might still make it if they lose so long as they are not dominated. A win would be huge for either team.

[WaterBoy]

it's always about this time of the year where I feel guilty for the pcll. The west coast is talking about playoffs, and they've barely even begun.

But it's true- we're beginning to see games, even this early, that are make or breaks for teams trying to make nationals- we're even seeing games that are make or break for playoffs in leagues where less than half of the divisional games have been played.

This is a big one for both teams.

[PNWLaxer]

Utah still has a full RMLC schedule to play so I do not necessarily feel this is their 'must win' game. #14 vs #16 will not change the rankings a whole lot win or lose unless it is a lopsided game. For Utah a win against CSU or Colorado will improve their at-large chances much more than a win over Poly. CPSLO still has SSU and Oregon on their radar and a win against either of those clubs will improve their at-large chances as well.

Both teams face tough playoff schedules as well. Utah could get CU, BYU or even CSU in the semi's so they will get another chance there. These games are probably their 'must wins' as there is no AQ for the RMLC, the Utes will either solidify their place or lose it.
Poly will face a though playoff road as well. I can't remember exactly who gets who this year but anyway you cut it, their at large chances will come down to that weekend, again solidifying their place or losing it

[CATLAX MAN]

I am looking at it from a perspective that Utah is probably going to lose their RMLC games. Given the relative rankings, I think that's a pretty safe assumption. If Utah beats Cal Poly and teams ahead of them drop some unexpected games, and Utah is competitive in their RMLC games and against SSU, they have a chance to get in.

[WaterBoy]

I was making my statements with intentions along the lines of what CATLAX said, and they were intended to be blanket statements about the USLIA, not specific to these two teams (so I guess it was a little off topic).

I think this game is critical to both teams. Right now both of them sit outside the the rankings that they need for an at large bid. Poly is on the move up, and I believe so is Utah. The problem is not so much that both teams aren't improving (they are)- the issue is that in order for them to move up, teams above them have to move down.

The top 20 teams are so competitive, that a loss from either of these teams will be just that much more to justify why not that particular team, which is becoming more and more of an importance... if that makes sense (i.e. it's easier to find reasons to move a team down than to move one up). With all the overlaps in wins (A beats B beats C beats A) this season, losses in this competitive range are more certain to indicate movement. As an example, take a look at teams like Colorado and Oregon- Winning all of their games so far hasn't taken them to #1, since it's an issue not of them winning, but teams above them dropping for them to rise.

My point was that both of these teams are (currently at least) next to the bubble, not on it quite yet. The one that loses is going to be that much farther from Plano.

[WaterBoy]

New update- I technically had a prior commitment tonight at 8 (super model date), that completely slipped my mind.

If there is someone that can step up and take my place as the reciever of updates, then I would appreciate it- if not, since I've committed to doing this, I have let my other plans know that I may need to cancel (she understands, I'm out of her league anyway).

So if I can find a volunteer, it'd be great, if not, I'll stay home and do the updates (I'm not a flake... well to you guys... not to her...)

[DG]

This is Utah's best chance to get another win against a team that could be up against them for an at-large bid.

[WaterBoy]

Can no one take the baton on this one?

I'd appreciate it a whole bunch.

[WaterBoy]

Ok so here's the skinny-

I'll be covering the game up until the moment that I have to leave, which should be around 7:40 or so.

lil lady lax fan will take over posting when she gets home from work, which should be sometime after 8, so there will be a window that will be left uncovered, fortunately it should also be right around halftime that will be missed.

I apologize for committing and then withdrawing, especially if it spooked off a more reliable reporter.

Many thanks to lil lady for stepping up on this one- I really do appreciate it.