Third Regional Rankings Released

 Well, the brain-wizards of the NCAA Division III selection committee are at it again and they came out with this latest release of "rankings" (and I use that term loosely) earlier this afternoon.  As I've said before, brace yourself:

Region 9
1	UW-Whitewater	10-4	19-6
2	Loras	14-2	21-4
3	UW-Oshkosh	8-6	19-7
4	UW-Eau Claire	9-5	19-7
5	Wartburg	15-1	20-5
6	Gustavus Adolphus	20-2	23-2
7	UW-Stout	10-4	18-7

 

Sigh.......So, when I first saw this release this afternoon, I looked at it and tried like hell to figure out what the committee was actually rewarding and punishing teams for.  And this evening, I STILL can't quite figure it out.  So, we've got UW-Whitewater; still firmly entrenched in the top spot despite the fact that they got dumped - quite unceremoniously - at UW-Platteville back on 2-15 and still are awaiting to play a WIAC semifinal playoff game.  Now Loras on the other hand picked up a HUGE home win this last Saturday against conference rival Wartburg which gives them the nod at the number two spot on these Regional Rankings despite the fact that the Knights will be the number-one seed in the ARC Playoffs.  

Now, UW-Oshkosh (b'gosh) did take care of business on its end as the Titans trounced UW-Stevens Point back on 2-15 and then had to hold off a strong challenge from UW-La Crosse last night at home in Kolf Sports Center and they're slated to face off against said UW-Whitewater in one of the WIAC Playoff semifinals.  UW-Eau Claire meanwhile got stomped on by UW-Stout back on 2-15 in Menominee but recovered by beating UW-Platteville last night in the WIAC Playoff Quarterfinals and they'll have a rematch with UW-Stout in the other WIAC semifinal game.  

Wartburg meanwhile slipped only one spot after the loss at Loras this last Saturday and they're set to face off against Luther in one of the ARC semifinals after the Norse upset Coe last night.  Then, of course, there's GAC which drop-kicked both Hamline and SMU by twenty-plus this last week - on the road no less - and remains entrenched in the sixth spot and are above only UW-Stout - a team that the Gusties beat handily in Menominee in the season opener.  

Again, as I pointed out last week, if it isn't clear already that the committee is rewarding regionally-ranked wins and SOS, then this should stamp home that fact easily to the naysayers.  You have the Gusties - with more wins than anyone else on here - and a conference record at least equal of Loras that's stuck in the sixth spot and can't do a damn thing about it.  As one MIAC coach texted me earlier today, "The system is broken!"  Underscoring that notion is the fact that Concordia at 18-4 in the MIAC and 21-4 overall isn't to be found anywhere on these rankings despite the fact that they have a win over Amherst (ranked third in Region 1) and, of course, the win over GAC back in late November up in Moorhead.  At this point, I'd say it's pretty obvious that Concordia Head Coach Kim Wagers and her staff along with the team know full and well that they're now playing with house money and will have no choice but to roll the dice and take their chances on winning the whole ball of wax in the MIAC Playoffs.  

As always, feel free to fire away with thoughts.....