Atlantic Region - 2019-20

[boatcapt]

Kinda surprised after their awful week that WCU didn't swap places with Ship in this poll. Can't believe the Rams hung on to their Top-25 spot after losing 3 of 4 (and two of those are likely viewed as "bad losses"). Ship continues to get disrespected on the national level, but they won't take anyone by surprise in the PSAC tourney. No one wants to see the Raiders on the bracket line in March.

Particularly given the "strength" of their OOC opponents!! 285th team in the nation on SOS.

[Ship69]

Kinda surprised after their awful week that WCU didn't swap places with Ship in this poll. Can't believe the Rams hung on to their Top-25 spot after losing 3 of 4 (and two of those are likely viewed as "bad losses"). Ship continues to get disrespected on the national level, but they won't take anyone by surprise in the PSAC tourney. No one wants to see the Raiders on the bracket line in March.

[jrshooter]

It's much like it has been for Shippensburg in recent years. If they're shooting like they can, they're going to be a handful for anyone. And if they have a night of bricks from outside the arc, they can go down to anyone.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Atlantic Region Top 15 (Men's) per the Massey Ratings (they use a wide variety of metrics):


8. IUP
41. Charleston
47. West Liberty
48. Shippensburg
73. Fayetteville State
92. UPJ
96. Mercyhurst
102. Virginia State
________________________
107. West Chester
112. Fairmont State
117. Johnson C. Smith
121. California
142. West Virginia State
156. Bowie State
158. Virginia Union



Despite the polls, this is probably what the regional rankings would closely resemble at this moment in time.

[Inkblot]

Here's what my proxy regional rankings have this week:

1. Indiana
2. Shippensburg
3. Charleston
4. Fayetteville State
5. Fairmont State
6. Pitt Johnstown
7. Johnson C. Smith
8. West Liberty
9. West Chester
10. Virginia State

[boatcapt]

Atlantic Region Top 15 (Men's) per the Massey Ratings (they use a wide variety of metrics):


8. IUP
41. Charleston
47. West Liberty
48. Shippensburg
73. Fayetteville State
92. UPJ
96. Mercyhurst
102. Virginia State
________________________
107. West Chester
112. Fairmont State
117. Johnson C. Smith
121. California
142. West Virginia State
156. Bowie State
158. Virginia Union



Despite the polls, this is probably what the regional rankings would closely resemble at this moment in time.

Massey differs from polls in that they are really trying to determine teams likely chance to defeat other teams in a game. According to the metrics used by their formula (and it is a formula as opposed to an opinion poll), IUP would be favored to beat any Atlantic Region team on a given night...UC would be favored against every team except IUP, etc, etc. NABC, D2SIDA and even the NCAA Regional Rankings are based on the "gut feel" of the person preparing the individual vote. So for example if a voter feels that WCU should never be ranked below a CIAA team because he fells the PSAC is a stronger conference, he is going to vote for WCU over VA State regardless of what the records and on court play says.

I've posted bets using Massey and their picks are pretty accurate...particularly on Money Line bets.

[Ship69]

It's much like it has been for Shippensburg in recent years. If they're shooting like they can, they're going to be a handful for anyone. And if they have a night of bricks from outside the arc, they can go down to anyone.

I think it's a little more of a fine line this season as the shooting isn't as consistent as it was on the best Dustin Sleva teams. They do seem to have good team chemistry this year.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Virginia State bouced back last night, winning at Fayetteville State. That's a really big road win for VSU.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

WV State wins a thriller over Charleston. What a crowd down there in Institute.

[jrshooter]

WV State wins a thriller over Charleston. What a crowd down there in Institute.

Game was on what used to be ROOT. Wasn't blown away by the level of play, but yeah, that crowd was outstanding.

[Scrub]

Coupled with a convincing Hilltoppers win over city rival Wheeling, that UC loss is huge for conference and, perhaps, regional seeding. Now the Hilltoppers have to hold serve until they host Charleston in a few weeks with a chance to control the conference.

[Scrub]

Just checked the box score: WVSU's bench played a combined total of 18 minutes. The starters all played 35+ minutes. Wow. You don't see that very much in the MEC with the typical pace of play in the conference.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Through games played - Jan. 26 (Men's)

The leaders in the clubhouse (in order only by losses ... you can figure the rest out):

IUP (12-1, 17-1)
Shippensburg (12-1, 16-3)
West Liberty (10-2, 15-3)
Charleston (9-2, 15-3)
Fairmont State (8-4, 13-4)
Pitt-Johnstown (10-3, 16-4)
West Virginia State (8-4, 13-4)
Fayetteville State (5-5, 16-5)
West Chester (8-5, 14-5)
Johnson C. Smith (6-3, 12-5)
Virginia State (8-1, 14-6)
California (9-4, 13-6)


The Bubble:

Bowie State, Mercyhurst, East Stroudsburg, Glenville State, Wheeling

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Women's Regional Update:


Front-runners (the field is still pretty cluttered):

IUP (13-0, 18-1)
Notre Dame (10-2, 16-2)
Virginia Union (7-1, 16-2)
Lincoln (8-1, 18-3)
Bowie State (6-2, 16-3)
Gannon (11-2, 15-4)
Glenville State (10-2, 14-4)
Charleston (9-3, 14-3)
Shepherd (8-5, 14-5)
Shippensburg (10-3, 13-6)
California (7-6, 13-6)
East Stroudsburg 9-4, 13-6)
Seton Hill (7-6, 12-6)
Urbana (8-4, 12-6)
Concord (8-4, 11-6)




Bubble: Edinboro, UPJ, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Fairmont State, Fayetteville State

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Bravado Joe and his MASH Unit should move up in today's Top 25 -- perhaps two spots. Bellarmine lost twice last week and St. Edwards lost once.

Shippensburg and West Liberty should return to the Top 25. The bottom of last week's poll was blasted with losses. Obviously West Chester will be long gone. We'll see what happens to Charleston.