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Messages - Libertatem Foederis

#1
Multi-Regional Topics / Re: Pool C
February 27, 2018, 11:19:08 PM
Quote from: AO on February 27, 2018, 10:11:38 PM
Quote from: Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) on February 27, 2018, 07:29:32 PM
Quote from: AO on February 27, 2018, 03:07:24 PM
Quote from: Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) on February 27, 2018, 12:17:33 PM
Maybe one of your math guys can explain it for me, but we often talk about how the conference schedule pulls an SOS closer to .500 - and I get the rationale for that, since every conference game ends up being a wash (.500) in SOS terms.  However, I'm wondering if a power conference has, say, an average SOS of .580 going into conference play and all or almost all the teams have winning records, wouldn't the pull be less, or even actually help the SOS in some cases, since it's both OWP and OOWP?

The NESCAC's the best example - they get a boost in conference play for their SOS, right?  Because they play so many non-con games and their records and SOS numbers are so high to begin with.

Does that translate to other conferences, like the UAA or the WIAC where often all the teams are pretty good?

It would also work in reverse for really bad conferences, right?
I think the easiest way to say it is "the more conference games you play, the closer you'll be to .500"  Since the NESCAC only has 10 games, they've got more opportunities to improve their SOS.  If the NESCAC was terrible they might play bad teams and get beat and have the worst SOS in the nation.  But since they're all pretty good they can beat winning teams from relatively poor conferences and inflate their SOS.

The committee knows the NESCAC numbers are inflated and might have taken that into consideration when they put Amherst 10th in the regional rankings.

But that's what I'm saying, I'm wondering if that "more conference games you play, the better your SOS" is actually true for really good conferences.  I mean, at some point, if you play enough conferences games, it would eventually get to .500, but what if that number is 50?  I think it's conceivable you could play even 18 or 20 conference games and still have a decent SOS if the entire conference did really well against good teams in those 5-7 non-con.

I was just hoping someone better at math could explain it a little better.  I can sort of get the general concept in my head, but I don't have the terminology to explain it in detail.

For example, if your nine team conference entered conference play with everyone having between 7-2 and 9-0 records with an SOS between .550 and .600.  I feel like you'd get pretty far into a 16 game regular season before the SOS started regressing to the mean.  Maybe I'm wrong, but I was hoping one of our resident mathematicians would weigh in.
Yes you can still have a "good" SoS with a 20 game schedule but it will require your conference to win a greater share of their 5 non-conference games since you have more losses built into your SoS.  A NESCAC team like Middlebury can replace one of their sub .500 conference foes like Colby with a 19-8 Morrisville State.  Colby will also have the opportunity to not hurt the NESCAC SoS as much since they can rack up more wins against non-conference foes. The maximum possible SoS is lower when you have more conference games.




To your point regarding the NESCAC, rumor has it the league is considering doing "home & home" in conference in coming seasons (probably not next b/c of contracts already signed but 19'-20').  Going from 10 to 20 conference games and limiting their non-conference games to 4 (I believe NESCAC decided to play 24 , they might change if this happens).  Again to your point I hear coaches within the league are not excited about the possibility.


LF
#2
Region 3 men's basketball / Re: Liberty League
February 17, 2018, 07:07:50 PM
Clarkson did beat Union.... They just might get them in over Vassar. 

LF
#3
Region 3 men's basketball / Re: Liberty League
February 17, 2018, 07:05:57 PM
CORRECTION

#5 Skidmore 9-9

#6 Vassar 8-10

I think Vassar gets in over Clarkson, but let see what the commish does...

LF
#4
Region 3 men's basketball / Re: Liberty League
February 17, 2018, 05:56:27 PM
I think this will be the layout for the LL Tournament



#4 Ithaca           #1 Hobart         
#5 Vassar          #4 or #5 Winner


#3 RIT               #2 Union
#6 Skidmore      #3 or #6 Winner


Vassar jumps RPI with their lose to Clarkson in OT & jumps Skidmore for the #5 spot b/c they have equal records jump swept them this year.



Should be a good one.


LF
#5
Region 3 men's basketball / Re: Liberty League
February 17, 2018, 12:51:36 PM
LL Playoff Picture


# 1 Seed:


Hobart - LOCKED


# 2 Seed:


Union - LOCKED
- A win or lose they have the tie breaker with RIT & Ithaca (they split with both) of which I'm assuming its best record vs top of the league (Hobart) of which they are the only team the LL to beat them.

# 3 Seed & # 4 Seed:

RIT
- A Win & an Ithaca lose- Both Ithaca & RIT win or lose.....your guess is as good as mine how this gets figured out, they split this year & share the same results against the 2 teams ahead of them.

Ithaca
- A Win & a RIT lose- Both Ithaca & RIT win or lose.....your guess is as good as mine how this gets figured out, they split this year & share the same results against the 2 teams ahead of them.

# 5 Seed & 6 Seed:
What a mess..... fun thou

RPI
- Win & their in. Beat the Golden Knights today and they are either 5th or 6th , but they are in.
- Lose to the Golden Knights and it gets complicated. potentially a 4 way tie between Clarkson, Skidmore , & Vassar ... Vassar as swept them so if they lose they need Vassar to lose as well to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Skidmore
- Win & their in. SLU is on tap.
- Lose , & they like RPI need Vassar to lose as well to get in or at least give themselves a chance.

Vassar
- Win & RPI or Skidmore loses and they will take their spot b/c they will share the same record & they swept both teams this year.

Clarkson
- I put them here, but I don't think them can get in regardless of what happens.  If they win & everyone else loses (RPI , Vassar , Skidmore) they have a 3 way tie & skidmore swept them this year, & RPI split w/ Clarkson , but split with skidmore...and i think that will give them the edge .
#6
Region 3 men's basketball / Re: Liberty League
February 11, 2018, 03:34:43 PM
The Last Spot for the Tournament : Skidmore - Vassar - RPI

3 way tie for 5th .  The interesting thing if Im seeing this correctly Vassar has swept Skidmore & RPI this season, so as I see it all they have to do is mirror (2-0 , 1-1 , 0-2)  one of the other 2 teams and they leap them for that spot. 


All 3 teams are on the road.  With Vassar having the toughest schedule (Ithaca & Hobart) .  RPI & Skidmore are in the north country .  Clarkson is playing well in my eyes and could have a great chance to play spoiler for someone. 


LF
#7
Region 3 men's basketball / Re: Liberty League
February 06, 2018, 03:57:54 PM
Liberty League Power Rankings (Week 7)


1. Hobart : (18-3 Overall & 13-1 in League : Movement: - )  3-0 this past week, RPI gave them a test @ home, but other than that it was a breeze week for the statesmen.  I can't overstate that the margin of victory is staggering (+15.9) with the next team being Skidmore @ +3.3 !!
2. Union : (12-7 Overall & 8-5 in League : Movement: - ) 1-1 this past week.  The road ahead looks favorable 3 of the next 5 games @ home and against the bottom of the league.
3. RPI : (12-9 Overall & 7-7 in League : Movement: +2) 2-1 this past week and they clearly handled the test of last week & are on the move! jumping 5 spots in the past 2 weeks.  Going 4-1 against the top part of the league & getting what appears to be some solid support from other than the usual guys.
4. RIT : (9-11 Overall & 7-6 in League) 1-1 this past week, RIT was able to stop the bleeding w/ a win against the Saints, but this year that does not hold as much weight.  A favorable scheduled heading down the stretch with 4 of 5 games @ home and a mix of teams on either end of the talent spectrum.  There is no reason they shouldn't be able to hold things together.
5. Ithaca : (12-8 Overall & 7-6 in League : Movement: -2) 0-2 this past week part of a 0-4 skid. The hard part of the schedule is over, 4 of the next 5 @ home & the 4 opponents are @ the bottom of the league.  Time will tell if they can right the ship in time for the tournament.
6. Skidmore : (11-8 Overall & 7-6 in League : Movement: +2) 2-0 this past week.  The conundrum of the league...  I feel confident in saying they could finish in the 6th spot make the playoffs and win it all....or not make the playoffs... Feb. 9th Hobart comes to town.  Could be a great game, could be a blow out....
7. Clarkson : (9-11 Overall & 5-8 in Conference : Movement: - ) 1-1 this past week.  Of the next 5 games they have beat Ithaca already & SLU, Union had to go to OT to beat them so I'm not counting them out of that that game either.  finishing 8-10 or 9-9 is a possibility and making the playoffs.
8. Vassar : (6-14 Overall & 5-8 in League : Movement: -) 1-1 this past week.  They have their work cut for them, 3 of their last 5 are on the road & against the top of the league.  I think the magic # to make the playoffs is either 8-9 wins to early to tell, but they need to go 3-2 or 4-1 down the stretch to have a chance.
9. Bard : (6-14 Overall & 4-9 in League : Movement: -) 0-2 this past week.  5 game skid, but all tight 1 or 2 possession games, the won't be easy wins for anyone down the stretch.
10. St. Lawrence : (5-15 Overall & 3-10 in League : Movement: -) 0-2 this past week.  If they can get a split this weekend on the road & Bard continues to slide, I'm pulling them out of the basement!


Calmest week to date as far as movement goes in my eyes.  RPI has had a great 2 weeks moving up the board nicely.  The league continues to be in flux, Hobart is the clear #1 & then 2-7 I feel anything can happen!
#8
Region 3 men's basketball / Re: Liberty League
January 31, 2018, 11:11:29 PM
Quote from: Dave 'd-mac' McHugh on January 31, 2018, 10:57:51 PM
Quote from: Libertatem Foederis on January 31, 2018, 08:53:57 PM
I wanted to jump in on this Top 25 Discussion, I'm looking at this from a different perspective, non the less worth considering.  The Top 25 in D3, its a fun thing to do, and by all means you want it to reflect the best teams in country.  This is very very hard to do in my opinion with their being so many teams and those teams stretching the spectrum of talent.  The curve of talent is much longer than D-2 or D-1.  Programs with full-time coaches playing programs with part-time coaches, the refs vary from doing only D-3 games to across the board D-1-2-3 to refs that in some areas of the country and primarily doing High School games and picking up a D-3 game on the weekends.  The spectrum is so broad at the D-3 level it makes making a Top 25 incredibly difficult.  At the same time for D-3 basketball junkies this can be really fun and the debate is a good thing. I'm of the belief that b/c of this board spectrum the Top 25 can carry no real weight in the process for the tournament which is the ultimate goal & then you see what can happen from there.  Its fun to talk about but doesn't mean anything.  When regional committees gather I would be very surprised if the Top 25 ranking ever gets discussed let alone mentioned.  The at-large bids are not being determined by whether a team was ranked or not ranked.   For those that are disappointed that their team haven't cracked the top 25 yet, i'm confident in saying that it won't effect them making the tournament as an at-large if it comes to that. 


A good case in point is the Top 25 ranking the last week of Feb. before the Tournament started last year.  The Final Four consisted of:   Babson was #3, Williams NR , Whitman #1 , & Augustana NR (had just fallen out of the Top 25) .  Thats a really good Top 25 to have 2 ranked in the top 4 and make it, but b/c the spectrum is so large its a hard thing to do.  Its not the end all be all if they aren't in the Top 25, they can still have a very very successful season.


I hope everyone enjoys Feb.  should be fun to watch across all of D-3.


LF

The Top 25 has NOTHING to do with regional rankings or national committee/selections. It doesn't in DIII men's basketball, women's basketball... or ANY NCAA sport. Even D1 it isn't a criteria factor. No NCAA sponsor tournament (where the NCAA hands out a trophy) does Top 25 polls play a role in ... anything.

The regional advistory committees and the national committee have a very specific items in their primary and secondary criteria that they are to follow. That criteria is very specific and also limited to some degree. Top 25 voters have no limitations or criteria to follow specifically.


D-mac, thank you for chiming in, I think this is really important for fans to be aware of this. The Top 25 is a fun thing, and I'm sure people at D3hoops work hard to make it as accurate as they can.  When the committees start meeting soon this is how the tournament takes shape.


Feb. will be fun, it always is.


LF
#9
Region 3 men's basketball / Re: Liberty League
January 31, 2018, 08:53:57 PM
I wanted to jump in on this Top 25 Discussion, I'm looking at this from a different perspective, non the less worth considering.  The Top 25 in D3, its a fun thing to do, and by all means you want it to reflect the best teams in country.  This is very very hard to do in my opinion with their being so many teams and those teams stretching the spectrum of talent.  The curve of talent is much longer than D-2 or D-1.  Programs with full-time coaches playing programs with part-time coaches, the refs vary from doing only D-3 games to across the board D-1-2-3 to refs that in some areas of the country and primarily doing High School games and picking up a D-3 game on the weekends.  The spectrum is so broad at the D-3 level it makes making a Top 25 incredibly difficult.  At the same time for D-3 basketball junkies this can be really fun and the debate is a good thing.  I'm of the belief that b/c of this board spectrum the Top 25 can carry no real weight in the process for the tournament which is the ultimate goal & then you see what can happen from there.  Its fun to talk about but doesn't mean anything.  When regional committees gather I would be very surprised if the Top 25 ranking ever gets discussed let alone mentioned.  The at-large bids are not being determined by whether a team was ranked or not ranked.   For those that are disappointed that their team haven't cracked the top 25 yet, i'm confident in saying that it won't effect them making the tournament as an at-large if it comes to that. 


A good case in point is the Top 25 ranking the last week of Feb. before the Tournament started last year.  The Final Four consisted of:   Babson was #3, Williams NR , Whitman #1 , & Augustana NR (had just fallen out of the Top 25) .  Thats a really good Top 25 to have 2 ranked in the top 4 and make it, but b/c the spectrum is so large its a hard thing to do.  Its not the end all be all if they aren't in the Top 25, they can still have a very very successful season.


I hope everyone enjoys Feb.  should be fun to watch across all of D-3.


LF



#10
Region 3 men's basketball / Re: Liberty League
January 31, 2018, 08:11:21 PM
Liberty League Power Ranks (Week 6)
1. Hobart : (15-3 Overall & 10-1 in League, movement: - ) 2-0 this weekend and on a 9 game winning streak. To be cute, they haven't lost a game in 2018!  Complete dominance of the league, ave. margin of victory is 14.5 in league.  aside for injury I think its safe to say they will be playing the final weekend of LL play.
2. Union : (11-6 Overall & 7-4 in League, movement: +2 ) 2-0 this weekend and on a 4 game winning streak as well as winning 7 of their last 8.  Coach Murph has done a great job with this squad and if I recall didn't think the Dutchman got much love in the Pre-season coaches poll.....picked to finish 8th...
3. Ithaca : (12-6 Overall & 7-4 in League, movement: -1 ) 0-2 this weekend, but a tough 0-2 playing @ Hobart & @ Union.  Dropped to 3rd in my rankings but could easily be a 2B team.  Looking at the remainder of Ithaca's schedule , they have a chance to be in the drivers seat with their last 4 being at home starting 2/9 against: Clarkson, SLU , Bard , Vassar.  I would be surprised if they don't finish out strong.
4. RIT : 8-10 Overall & 6-5 in League, movement : -1 ) 0-2 this weekend on the road, both bad loses by 18 to RPI & 29 to Hobart.  only one more road game left of 7, so as long as they take care of business @ home it should be a strong finish for the Tigers.
5. RPI ; (10-8 Overall & 5-6 in League, movement: +3 ) 2-0 this weekend @ home.  The Engineers have been Yo-Yoing all league play.  next 3 are big tests for them (@ Hobart , Union , Ithaca) .  The Top 3 in my opinion, if they can steal 1 game is a stretch. 
6. Clarkson : (8-10 Overall & 4-7 in League, movement: +3 ) 2-0 this weekend.  they have done well @ home going 4-2 this month.  The bad news they are on the road for 5 of their last 7 & their 0-4 on the road in league play.
7. Vassar : (5-13 Overall & 4-7 in League, movement: -2 ) 0-2 this weekend in the North Country & a tough go of it as a whole on this extended road trip. Have played their last 6 games on the road and have gone 2-4.
8. Skidmore : (9-8 Overall & 5-6 in League, movement: -1 ) 0-2 this weekend, and on a bad 5 game losing streak.  it has been a really bad Jan.  Feb. has to be better!
9. Bard : (6-12 Overall & 4-7 in League, movement : -3 ) 0-2 this weekend and have dropped 3 in a row.  doesn't have an easy Feb. ahead with games against Hobart, Ithaca & Union
10. St. Lawrence : (5-13 Overall & 3-8 in League, movement : - ) 2-0 this weekend!! Good for the Saints this weekend! On the road for the next 4, but some life out of Canton!
A little late with this having it be mid-week, but life happens.  A lot of movement again this past weekend, Should be interesting to see how the southern teams respond.  The only thing I'm confident about is the next 2 weekends should be fun to watch and anything can happen!  Enjoy the games.
#11
Region 3 men's basketball / Re: Liberty League
January 21, 2018, 11:45:49 AM
Liberty League Power Rankings (Week 4)

1. Hobart : (13-3 Overall & 8-1 in League, Movement: - ) 2-0 this weekend in the north country, Best Win: @ Ithaca by 10 , Worst Lose: @ Union by 5.  1/2 half thru the league & average margin of W by 13.3 PPG, clearly a cut above the rest.
2. Ithaca : (12-4 Overall & 7-2 in League, Movement: - ) 2-0 this weekend @ home, Best Win: RIT by 16 , Worst lose: @ Clarkson by 13.Have won 4 of their last 5 and probably kicking themselves for dropping one against Clarkson.This Friday they get another shot @ the Statesmen & it should be a good one!
3. RIT : (8-8 Overall & 6-3 in League, Movement: +2 ) 2-0 this weekend in the north country, Best Win: @ Union by 3 Worst Lose: Skidmore by 1 in OT.  The Tigers have sneaked up to the 3 spot, looking at their results with a workman type manner beating the teams they should, and doing it in a different way then years past with a much slower pace. 
4. Union : (9-6 Overall & 5-4 in League, Movement: - ) 2-1 this week, Best Win: Hobart by 5 & Worst Lose: @ Bard by 2.  The Dutchman have won 5 of their last 6 & have a testing schedule ahead of them next weekend.  (Skidmore & Ithaca Both Home)
5. Vassar : (5-11 Overall & 4-5 in League, Movement: +1 ) 1-1 this weekend on the road, Best Win: @ Bard by 7 & Worst Lose: SLU by 1.  If the Brewers are going to make a run the time is now, next 3 games will be against the bottom half of the league going 3-0 will go a long way to making the conference tournament.
6. Bard : (6-10 Overall & 4-5 in League, Movement: +3 ) 2-1 this week @ home.  Best Win: Union by 2 Worst Lose: @ RPI by 5.  I mentioned last week how poorly Bard has been shooting, taking a snap shot of their last 3 games: Union (W) 47% , Skidmore (W) 33% , Vassar (L) 39% .  its not perfect but its an improvement. 
7. Skidmore : (9-6 Overall & 5-4 in League, Movement: -5 ) 0-2 this weekend on the road.  Best Win: Union by 11 in OT Worse Lose: @ Vassar by 8.  The spiral continues with no end in sight, taking a snapshot of their last 3 games they can't score like they have been (67.6 PPG) & having trouble getting stops (78.6 PPG).  shuffling down 5 spots is a lot, but i think i was perhaps giving them the benefit of the doubt the past few weeks that they could turn this around (which they very well may with the talent they have) and ranking them higher than i should.
8. RPI : (8-8 Overall & 3-6 in League, Movement: -1 ) 0-2 this weekend on the road. Best Win: Bard by 5 Worse Lose: @ Skidmore by 20.  This is quite a skid for the Engineers 1-7 in their last 8.  I don't see it getting much better until their start scoring more 70+ points a night or holding teams down in the 50's.
9. Clarkson : (6-10 Overall & 2-7 in League, Movement: -1 ) 0-2 this weekend @ home: Best Win: Ithaca by 13 Worst Lose: RPI by 11.  The Golden Knights aren't dead yet!  I give them a sliver of hope here in the 2nd half 8 wins (6 more) in conference might get you that 6th spot in the tourney.
10. St. Lawrence : (3-13 Overall & 1-8 in League, Movement: - ) 0-2 this weekend @ Home, Best Win: @ Vassar by 1 Worst Lose: @ Clarkson by 28.  I don't foresee the Saints pulling out of this, It appears it will be small , moral victories from this point further and hoping that guys continue to develop and improve for next year.

Halfway thru league play I thought it would be a good time to do Best/Worst look.  I feel confident with the top 2 & the bottom 2, 3 thru 8 I think anything can happen in the next 4 weekends. 
#12
Region 3 men's basketball / Re: Liberty League
January 14, 2018, 02:17:27 PM
Liberty League Power Ranking (Week 3)
1. Hobart (11-3 Overall , 6-1 in League, Movement +1) : 3-0 this week and crushed everyone, average margin of victory this week was 22 pts! 
2. Ithaca (10-4 Overall , 5-2 in League, Movement +1) : A bad lose to Clarkson, but I still have them moving up going 2-1 this week and Skidmore dropping.
3. Skidmore (9-4 Overall , 5-2 in League, Movement -2) : Skidmore is in a funk, going 1-2 this week barely. easily could have been 0-3
4. Union (7-5 Overall, 3-3 in League, Movement +1) : 2-0 in the north country this week. has not played a game @ home since Dec. 11th & won't until Jan. 19th.  having said that they are 3-2 on this road trip and trending upward.
5. RIT (6-8 Overall, 4-3 in League, Movement -1) : 1-2 this week, playing some tough teams & nearly going 3-0 for the week with a 1 point lose to Skidmore.  leads the league with Overtime games (3), I feel this experience could really pay off later in the year.
6. Vassar (4-10 Overall , 3-4 in League , Movement: +3) : 2-1 with a huge win over Skidmore and following that up with a W over RPI, the biggest mover of the league. The hardest team for me to gauge where they should be on this list.
7. RPI (8-6 Overall , 3-4 in League , Movement: -1) : snapped a 5 game skid with a W of Bard this weekend. a really tough lose to Vassar @ home this weekend.  Up 15 points with 6 & 1/2 to go in the game and lost by 3.  Vassar goes on a 21-3 run to win the game.
8. Clarkson (6-8 Overall, 2-5 in League, Movement: +2) : Clarkson got back home & went 2-1 this week, nearly 3-0 w/ the OT lose to Union. They are home for the rest of the month so they could be a out for Jan.
9. Bard (4-9 Overall, 2-4 in League, Movement: -2) : dropped 2 games this week. They are last in the league shooting the ball (36.1%) & this weekend they shot 34% vs RPI & 33% vs Hobart
10. St. Lawrence (3-11 Overall, 1-6 in League, Movement: -2) : 0-3 this week, & wasn't very competitive any of the games with exception to the Union game.

Really tough power ranking to handicap this week, a lot of movement.  If it happens to continue like this it will be a fun next 2 months! I see the league in 3 tiers , #1 : 1-3 (Hobart, Ithaca, Skidmore) @ the moment I think they are in a group by themselves.  #2 4-6 (Union, RIT , Vassar) not a lot separating them & Vassar is on the move we'll see if they can maintain it.  #3 7-10 (RPI, Clarkson, Bard , SLU) I think RPI is the best of this group, I think Vassar is the key for them to either move up or stay.
#13
Region 3 men's basketball / Re: Liberty League
January 07, 2018, 02:13:05 PM
Liberty League Power Ranking (Week 2)


1. Skidmore : (8-2 Overall & 4-0 in League, Movement: - ) A little shaky , but held on to the #1 spot in the LL.The margin of victory in league is incredible (18.3 PPG) .
2. Hobart : (8-3 Overall & 3-1 in League, Movement: - ) Playing well, and in my opinion treading towards # 1 spot, & perhaps should be a 1B, in this power ranking.
3. Ithaca : (8-3 Overall & 3-1 in League, Movement: - ) Coming into the LL and showing they are top shelf material. Leading the league in scoring (82.3 PPG).
4. RIT : (5-6 Overall & 3-1 in League, Movement: - ) Proving to be a tough defensive team & winning games that way.allowing 2nd fewest PPG (68.3) in the league and 2nd best Def. FG % (39.9%).
5. Union : (4-5 Overall & 1-3 in League, Movement: +1 ) I think they are a "sneaky" 5 spot @ the moment, playing good teams tough.Some could make the agreement they are as high as 4th in the league & i would listen.
6. RPI : (7-4 Overall & 2-2 in League, Movement: -1 ) Middle of the pack @ the moment, 2-0 @ home & 0-2 on the road, 3 home games coming up & a big test on Tuesday with Hobart to see if they below in the conversation with the top tier teams.
7. Bard : (4-7 Overall & 2-2 in League, Movement: +2 ) The raptors are on the move!  Played teams really tough in non-conference look to be a handful for teams and if they maintain injury free could be knocking on the door of the playoffs all season.
8. St. Lawrence : (3-8 Overall & 1-3 in League, Movement: -1) Going to seriously miss 18/8 a game from Naclerio.having said that if anyone can figure it out Coach Downs & 20+ years @ SLU can figure it out.it would be a hell of a season if they can make the 6 spot & the playoffs.
9. Vassar : (2-9 Overall 1-3 in League, Movement: +1 ) Tough schedule paying off and on an upward trend.
10. Clarkson : (4-7 Overall & 0-4 in League, Movement: -2 ) Tough start to league play, having said that they have been on the road the whole time and if they get back home (3-2) perhaps they can salvage the season.

Not a lot of changes for me @ the top, Union might seem high for some but they beat Hobart & took Skidmore to TO on the road, that carries weight for me.  It will be interesting to see the new travel schedule play out, some teams had schedules this weekend that they have never had to deal with before. 
#14
Region 3 men's basketball / Re: Liberty League
December 07, 2017, 10:44:21 PM
LL Power Rankings (Week 1)

1. Skidmore: (6-0 overall & 2-0 in league) Skidmore has been dominating their opponent  by 17.5 points on average a league best.  The non league schedule hasn't really tested them, until tomorrow night when Middlebury makes their way into the Spa.  should be a fun match-up and a good "heat check" for both teams.
2. Hobart: (3-2 overall 1-1 in League) The Statesmen had a tough road trip this past weekend with a split.  The reason I'm holding them in high regard is the schedule they have played so far, and that big win over U of R I think thy will have a good year in the AUU & that win could really help them down the road when LL is looking for At-Large bids in March.  Statistically they don't currently look as strong as years past, but its early & teams are still figuring things out.
3. Ithaca: (5-1 overall, 2-0 in league) The bombers are coming in to the LL after having a few down years in the E8.  They are an unknown and should be fun to watch them and see how they measure up.  So far so good, They split with Cortland which is a solid program in SUNYAC and I respect that win. They swept this past weekend in the mid-Hudson Valley, with a battle @ Bard.
4. RIT: (4-3 overall , 2-0 in league) The Tigers are off to a good start with a medium non-conference schedule, & A big win on the road @ Union this past weekend could be very helpful as LL progresses.  At the moment they could easily be ranked 3rd , not a lot is separating 3-6 @ the moment, but I like their non conference schedule & the W @ Union.
5. RPI: (6-1 overall , 2-0 in league) Great start for the Engineers, statistically they are in the upper tier of the league, however their non conference probably doesn't match-up like the teams above them.  Swept home opening weekend in the LL, but yet to be tested.
6. Union: (3-3 overall, 1-1 in league) Big win over Hobart @ home, & then the classic "let down" game the next day and they let one slip to RIT.  I think this team can out play their pre-season ranking and finish in the middle of the pack.
7. St. Lawrence: (2-5 overall, 0-2 in league) The Saints seem to always play a tough non-conference schedule and use that schedule to prepare them for the LL.  We will see if they continue to grow & get better.  The lose to RPI this weekend i feel was a "tell" that they aren't a top half team yet.
8. Clarkson: (3-4 overall, 0-2 in league) The Golden Knights have one of the weaker non-conference schedules.  We'll see how the win over SUNY Potsdam works out, but that is there best W.  I don't think a lot separates 6-10 in these rankings and they shouldn't , its early and as we progress teams will sort themselves out.
9. Bard: (2-6 overall, 0-2 in league) 2 close games this weekend, a nice double digit win on the @ Sage, we'll see what happens the rest of the way.
10. Vassar: (0-7 overall, 0-2 in league) By far has played the toughest schedule of any LL team.  It will be interesting if that services them well as we start LL play.  I think there is potential for the Brewers but I have to put them in the basement and refer to the Big Tuna "You are what your record says you are."

I hope it stays close between all of them as play continues!

Happy Holidays!