NCAA Ice Hockey Bracketology: WAY TOO EARLY Edition
So we are about over a month away from the selection committee putting together the final eight teams in the NCAA DI Ice Hockey Tournament. Last year, the committee surprised us with some interesting matchups in opening round, sending Princeton to Minnesota, and Northeastern to Boston College. Throughout this season we have seen a lot of quality hockey, from record-breaking performances to some shocking upsets, the fans have seen it all. This years tournament will be one to watch.
Before we get started on our first Bracketology of the season here is the criteria for women’s college hockey.
The top four teams according to the selection criteria will be seeded 1-4 at the time of the selection call. The remaining four teams will be placed in the bracket based on relative strength as long as these pairings do not result in additional flights. These teams will not be reseeded and the committee will not change the bracket once the tournament has begun.
Assuming it meets the committee’s hosting criteria, the highest seeded team will be given the opportunity to host the quarterfinal game.
Pairings in the quarterfinal round shall be based primarily on the teams’ geographical proximity to one another, regardless of their region, in order to avoid air travel in quarterfinal-round games whenever possible. Teams’ relative strength, according to the committee’s selection criteria, shall be considered when establishing pairings if such pairings do not result in air travel that otherwise could be avoided.
In women's hockey only the top 4 of 8 teams earn a seed, with the primary consideration being minimizing flights between opponents and bracket integrity the second consideration. The following are projections based on current standings and selection committee criteria. AUTOBIDS: (CHA, ECAC, WCHA, WHEA)
#1 Wisconsin (WCHA)
#2 Clarkson (ECAC)
#3 Boston College (WHEA)
#4 Robert Morris (CHA)
Now lets get the next four teams using the current Pairwise Rankings
#1 Wisconsin (WCHA)
#2 St. Lawrence
#3 Minn-Duluth
#4 Clarkson (ECAC)
Boston College (WHEA), Minnesota, Cornell, Robert Morris (CHA)
The straight bracket would look something like this:
Robert Morris v. #1 Wisconsin
Cornell v. #2 St. Lawrence
Minnesota v. #3 Minn-Duluth
Boston College v. #4 Clarkson
Taking in the selection criteria listed above this bracket looks good. Robert Morris looks like they will be flying no matter whom they play in the top 4, as long as they win the conference championship. Unfortunately, Minnesota and Minnesota Duluth who are two of the best teams this year will play each other in the opening round.
We can obviously see some major changes in the remaining few weeks but for now this is our bracket:
MyWSports Projected Bracket:
Robert Morris v. #1 Wisconsin
Cornell v. #2 St. Lawrence
Minnesota v. #3 Minn-Duluth
Boston College v. #4 Clarkson
On the bubble:
Quinnipiac
Princeton
Boston University
North Dakota
Check in next Tuesday for an updated MyWSports Bracketology
