Comparison of 2 hypothetical teams....

by **Zamboni_Driver** on Tue Apr 04, 2006 8:44 am

Before the next poll comes out, I was wondering how the pollsters and non-pollsters value and/ or factor in consistent play vs potential for an upset when ranking teams.

So as not to make this a discussion on any particular team I've created 2 hypothetical teams, and I'm just wondering if you had to pick one of these teams to go to nationals, which one would it be, and why?

Both Team A and Team B are ranked between 12-15th and have the same record.

Both Team A and Team B lost to a Top 5 team by several goals

Team A went 1-1 vs teams ranked 6-10th
Team B went 0-2 vs teams ranked 6-10th

Both Team A and Team B beat 1 team ranked 16-19th

Team A lost to an unranked opponent
Team B has won all contests against non-ranked opponents

So again, the question is when it comes to rankings and/or what you'd rather see at nationals, is it a team that is capable of the upset but also able to be upset, or is it a team that wins the ones they are suppose to and loses the ones they are suppose to?

**Sponsor**

by **bullhighutewoozgriffclam** on Tue Apr 04, 2006 10:29 am

i'd go with a just because they've got that win against a higher ranked opponent.

by **Kyle Berggren** on Tue Apr 04, 2006 11:25 am

I've purposely not followed the A as well as I should have, but my first thought is how do the Arizona schools and BYU fit into this picture?.... Your illustration assumes teams are playing consistently, which I know we've had a problem with in the past.

by **x1dschm** on Tue Apr 04, 2006 11:27 am

As far as who I'd like to see in Nationals... can I pick George Mason? Who is the George Mason fo the USLIA? Texas? A&M?

As far as rankings though it's easier to rank Team B because they beat everyone ranked below them but lost to teams ranked above them so you know basically within a spot or two fo where they belong. The problem with Team A is that on any given night you don't know what you are going to get. And so it's hard to say well they belong at #12 or #17. So a team like Chapman is going to ride the roller coaster in the polls.

by **Benko** on Tue Apr 04, 2006 12:33 pm

Since we are talking about college club lacrosse, you are only as good as the team you take on the road. If team A got their top ten win at home and then lost on the road to an unranked opponent you have to go with B.