Top 25 D2 Results for Poll #6

[TheRev34]

SOS should be taken into consideration, but there should be some caveats. For teams like Creighton, GVSU, those in the PCLL, you might be a powerhouse in that league, but with very little equal or better talent in a geographically close location, it gets hard to validate your success.

that is why GVSU played and beat St. Thomas...

Let me start by saying that I think GVSU and Westminster are the best two teams in the country right now, who should be number one seems to be a moot point to me because they're both going to Dallas and both will get their chance when it matters.

With that said I don't see why you have to knock westminster's schedule so much when the combined record of the MCLA-2 teams that GVSU has played (excluding the st. thomas game) is 41-63. The UST game was definitely a statement, and i have no doubt that GVSU is one of the best in the nation, but other than that game against st. thomas, they haven't played anyone in the top 25.

[Gvlax]

SOS should be taken into consideration, but there should be some caveats. For teams like Creighton, GVSU, those in the PCLL, you might be a powerhouse in that league, but with very little equal or better talent in a geographically close location, it gets hard to validate your success.

that is why GVSU played and beat St. Thomas...

Let me start by saying that I think GVSU and Westminster are the best two teams in the country right now, who should be number one seems to be a moot point to me because they're both going to Dallas and both will get their chance when it matters.

With that said I don't see why you have to knock westminster's schedule so much when the combined record of the MCLA-2 teams that GVSU has played (excluding the st. thomas game) is 41-63. The UST game was definitely a statement, and i have no doubt that GVSU is one of the best in the nation, but other than that game against st. thomas, they haven't played anyone in the top 25.

No knocking on their schedule i was just pointing out that people were stating that GVSU along with other teams have a weak schedule with missing Top 25 teams so i just thought i would point out that almost every team could be said to have a "weak" schedule since many teams do not play Top 25 OOC games. Most top 25 teams people play come from their conference. It was a way to get everyone to look at everyones schedule and see that all teams have their weaknesses. CCLA is weak and that does hurt us, thank god we scheduled that St. Thomas game or we would be watching the live feed from Texas in Allendale, MI.

GVSU is still on the bubble, after may 3rd it will become more clear who deserves to go to nationals more.

[Matt_Gardiner]

I am just curious, but why does it matter if a top 25 game is OOC or not. It seems to be coming up continually. I thought a top 25 team was a top 25 team wether they were in conference or not.

[norway]

[AuggieLaxCoach]

Dont take GVSU's win vs UST as luck. When the season is over i'll post a highlight reel of that game on Youtube for sure.

I was at this game, and I must echo the words of GVLax here... this coming from a UST Alum. The Tommies were simply outplayed in that game. PERIOD. One "how the hell did he do that" goal from Michaelson and some quicks scoring runs late covered up their defenses absolute inability to stop the offense of GVSC. The score did not represent, in my opinion, the handling of UST by GVSC.

That being said, UST played their worst game of the season that day (I didn't see the games in Atlanta, but from what I hear, they had down games there too and weather was a factor). UST is just peaking now, at the right time, where in past seasons, they hit their stride mid-season and faltered in the play-offs and at the NC. The weekend will be very telling as to what the capabilites of UST are and if SJU has enough left in the tank.

I believe GVSC should be in the discussion for the #1 spot. I would have to see Westminster play before I could throw them off the top. I will be curious to see how all the chips fall, who gets the bids for NC and what the seeding is. This is going to be the most enjoyable Nationals yet... I really wish I could be there. (MCLA, get that TV deal figured out for me please )

[Gvlax]

I am just curious, but why does it matter if a top 25 game is OOC or not. It seems to be coming up continually. I thought a top 25 team was a top 25 team wether they were in conference or not.

To me it seems if you want to prove you are the best you play the best. You go outside of your league and play the best. Thankfully GVSU is starting to get that message and I anticipate many OOC games with top ranked opponents next year.

OOC games help fit you in the top 25 better than playing only league games. Voters see how you compare to other conferences. BYU did this best with a stacked OOC TOP 25 schedule even though there is only 4 in their conference. They didnt shy away from playing the best and they have suffered a few times. This is what i would love to see with the D2 and the top 10 teams. A boy can dream

[The_Buddha_Man]

Most top 25 teams people play come from their conference.

Definitely not in Creighton's case. We need an 8 hour drive east, West, and southeast to make that happen.... A lot like you guys.

Isn't Puget Sound in the same predicament?

[The_Buddha_Man]

I am just curious, but why does it matter if a top 25 game is OOC or not. It seems to be coming up continually. I thought a top 25 team was a top 25 team whether they were in conference or not.

I also couldn't agree more. What's the point of having a ranking if some of the league comes up with reasons to denounce it.

I have to go shower, It's starting to smell like the BCS...

[Laxer19]

Agreed, a top 25 win, is a top 25 win. No matter which conference it comes from. It is a fact that its easier for some teams to find quality opponents. However, SJU was at the same place, same time when GVSU played St. Thomas. Why was there not a game against the two?

GVlax: "i just thought i would point out that almost every team could be said to have a "weak" schedule since many teams do not play Top 25 OOC games."

I completely disagree with this statement. I know SJU went to california this year to play a D-I, and two top 25 d-II teams. UST went out to play emory, charlotte, and keneesaw. And UST, Dayton, SJU, and UNC all met to play each other in MN. This is just an example of how some of the top teams travel to play top competition. Yes, GVSU has come up with one big win this season. However, that is the only big win that they have. Plain and simple.

Like GVSU, Westminster has not given any reason to be anything lower than 1 or 2. However, Westminster is a battle-tested team and has shown they can play with top competition. It will take more than one top-25 win for GVSU to win the national chip.

[Gvlax]

Agreed, a top 25 win, is a top 25 win. No matter which conference it comes from. It is a fact that its easier for some teams to find quality opponents. However, SJU was at the same place, same time when GVSU played St. Thomas. Why was there not a game against the two?

GVlax: "i just thought i would point out that almost every team could be said to have a "weak" schedule since many teams do not play Top 25 OOC games."

I completely disagree with this statement. I know SJU went to california this year to play a D-I, and two top 25 d-II teams. UST went out to play emory, charlotte, and keneesaw. And UST, Dayton, SJU, and UNC all met to play each other in MN. This is just an example of how some of the top teams travel to play top competition. Yes, GVSU has come up with one big win this season. However, that is the only big win that they have. Plain and simple.

Like GVSU, Westminster has not given any reason to be anything lower than 1 or 2. However, Westminster is a battle-tested team and has shown they can play with top competition. It will take more than one top-25 win for GVSU to win the national chip.

We tried, it just didnt happen with SJU.

I dont think Dayton and UNC played, even so that would be 4 of the top 25 that traveled to see some good teams. I said almost every team for a reason, those teams you mentioned were on my mind and the reason that i used the word "almost".

[TheRev34]

Most top 25 teams people play come from their conference.

Definitely not in Creighton's case. We need an 8 hour drive east, West, and southeast to make that happen.... A lot like you guys.

Isn't Puget Sound in the same predicament?

there's a lot of teams who don't have much going on near them. our closest conference game is 7-8 hours away and most of our games are even further away than that.

[GrizLens]

Gonna go out on a limb here and say that Montana and Montana State are the two most isolated MCLA teams in the country. I can't stand listening to folks complain about traveling 8 hours for an OOC game when both of these teams travel 13+ hours (one way) to play conference games.

[The_Buddha_Man]

Gonna go out on a limb here and say that Montana and Montana State are the two most isolated MCLA teams in the country. I can't stand listening to folks complain about traveling 8 hours for an OOC game when both of these teams travel 13+ hours (one way) to play conference games.

Touche, well played, and very true. I was only speaking about situations that I was aware of. There are obviously teams out there with bigger travel steps. D2 schools also have smaller budgets though. Just something to think about. But with your isolation, you validate my point about having to go "to the ends of the earth" for good competition....

[Johnnielax13]

Gonna go out on a limb here and say that Montana and Montana State are the two most isolated MCLA teams in the country. I can't stand listening to folks complain about traveling 8 hours for an OOC game when both of these teams travel 13+ hours (one way) to play conference games.

Touche, well played, and very true. I was only speaking about situations that I was aware of. There are obviously teams out there with bigger travel steps. D2 schools also have smaller budgets though. Just something to think about. But with your isolation, you validate my point about having to go "to the ends of the earth" for good competition....

I don't understand why everyone assumes that DII schools operate on a smaller budget. I hate hearing people cry out that it is not a development league, and then turn around and make excuses as to why it is not fair to compare DI and DII.

You could say that your school has a smaller budget, but I am sure there are many DII schools have larger operating budgets than some DI schools.

I don't mean to jump all over your comment, but to say that DII schools have smaller budgets simply isn't true, and just further perpetuates the notion that DII is somehow inferior.

[James Foote]

Not a huge game, but:

Metro 12
Missouri S&T 2

Final from Rolla, MO.

Now we're just hoping some things 'work out' in our favor this afternoon.