Mid-Season RMLC thoughts.

[mcneito]

With the conference tourney less than a month away, who are some surprise/dissappointing teams/players so far from the league both A and B divisions?

[MinesGoallie45]

I am a bit surprised with Fort Lewis with the way that they seemed so set in the fall...but now it doesnt look the same....also the same with CSU Pueblo. I think Teddy Hicks is the standout player for the season so far and still waiting to see if Montana State is the Dark Horse.

[ktrost58]

If Teddy Hicks is the #45 from boise that i think you are refering to, I don't know if i would go so far as to call him the standout player for the season. This is about the 15th time you have talked about how good he is, so either you two are childhood friends, or he had an amazing game against mines. he is a great player, i agree, and a really nice guy, but i don't know if i can say he is the standout player in the rmlc. How many teams have you even seen play? and as for montana state, i don't know if i would consider them a dark horse, they are legit and ranked.
I would say that fort is the biggest suprise so far. they are 1-6, and have been getting blown out. they played well against us, and we played not so well, but still beat them by 7. I'm not giving a plug for UVSC, just saying that i thought fort was going to be big this year, thats all.

[boisestateD]

Honestly, I've been surprised with UVSC this year. Not that they have been doing well, but the manner in which they have done it. Historically they have been an isolation team that relied on a couple of guys to do most of their scoring and they weren't quite the sportsmen they are now. This year UV has doubled their squad size, controlled their play, and are beating people pretty soundly while remaining one of the most respected teams in the RMLC. Good job so far this year and make some noise at nationals (seeing that we have no chance of going). As far as standout players go.......I haven't really seen any individual players that are being completely dominant on any team. All of the players that are doing well points wise seem to have a good supporting cast that takes some weight off of their shoulders.

[MinesGoallie45]

He had a really good game against Mines......

I had never met the guy before the game.

[Fortlax23]

for all of you guys that say that fort is haveing a bad year, i ask that you wait a couple of weeks and we will see who wins in greely. We are coming together as a team and we have played the tougest schedule in the country (for div b) so just wait until greely to write off the fort.

[MinesGoallie45]

Actually acording to Lax power you have the 5th hardest schedule in the nation.

1 Pacific Lutheran 15 69.38 4- 7- 0
2 Cal Lutheran 8 69.38 0- 3- 0
3 Colorado School of Mines 12 68.70 1- 4- 0
4 Western State 13 67.80 2- 5- 0
5 Fort Lewis 14 67.74 1- 6- 0
6 Western Washington 12 67.46 3- 4- 0
7 Claremont 17 67.33 5- 3- 0
8 San Diego 10 67.04 5- 0- 0
9 Pepperdine 10 67.01 3- 3- 0
10 Wyoming 11 66.91 0- 4- 0

[the lax]

CSU right where they belong. Utah could scare Colorado in the tournament if they square off.

[AflacLax]

My mid season thought is that we need more games. I understand that we all have spring break, but without many March games, accurate rankings are still left undecided. Look at Montana State, they have only played one weekend's worth of games and that was about a month ago. Look at Mines, we haven't played in almost a month too. And Wyoming hasn't played since the 6th, and UNC, since the 10th.
I wish we all had schedules more like Boise's and that we all could battle on the field a couple times a season to really see where teams stand. Hopefully, next year we could try to squeeze a few more conference games before and after spring break, cause this break is killing me.

[Kyle Berggren]

From someone outside the RMLC, I'd say Utah is the biggest shock in the A. For B, it has to be the way UVSC is winning. Absolute domination. The season isn't over, and I think I heard everyone gets to the RMLC playoffs so anything can happen. Fort could shock everyone and start clicking then, same with UNC. The sad part is, Boise even has a chance at that B division crown, taking away the AQ. Your playoffs could be very interesting.

[bbandlax]

CSU right where they belong. Utah could scare Colorado in the tournament if they square off.

They probably won't see each other in the RMLC tournament. The most likely scenario will be: Utah (the 4 seed) will face CSU (the 1 seed), and CU (3 seed) will face BYU (2 seed).

Of course the BYU/Utah game and the CU/CSU game are still to be played. If CU wins that game that will put 3 teams at 2-1 in the conference (assuming BYU can beat Utah). I have no idea what the tie breakers are.

Whatever happens I sure hope Utah gets a chance at MN. I know at least 2 of the coaches in the RMLC A group (not counting Mason) feel that Utah is easily one of the top 10-16 teams in the country.

[WyoPoke]

I think the fact Wyoming plays only RMLC teams and still has the 10th toughest schedule according LaxPower speaks to the overall toughness of the RMLC.

Now if only Wyoming could win a game or two and stop bringing down everyone else's strength of schedule.

But how would RMLC parity affect the rankings and strength of shcedule?

[mcneito]

I know at least 2 of the coaches in the RMLC A group (not counting Mason) feel that Utah is easily one of the top 10-16 teams in the country.

I feel the same way they do. Utah is full of talent and they play as a team. They are DEFINITELY one of the 10-16 div. A teams. Their Attack is solid, and their goalie is sick. They deserve Minnesota.

[ktrost58]

I agree, utah is legit and should be at nationals. If it really is the 16 best teams in the nation, they will be there.
another question, if boise does win the RMLC, does that mean that our conference would not be represented in Blaine? I thought the point of this set up was so that every conference would be represented at natoinals. does anyone know the offical rules on this (if there even are any?)

[Kyle Berggren]

It would go to the highest ranked team in the final poll, that does not recieve an AQ. If you were to keep pounding teams like you have, and just lost your championship, it would probably be you.