BIG Game - UC vs Notre Dame!

[boatcapt]

This Saturdays match up between the undefeated Falcons and once defeated Eagles in Charleston will go a long way in determining MEC NCAA playoff participation at the end of the year. Any hope the MEC has of getting a second team in the playoffs revolves around that team having no more than one loss. UC is already at that level and therefore, must run the table. Tall order when they have NDC this coming Saturday and two loss UNCP a couple of weeks after that! UC's roadmap to the playoffs is simple, win EVERY game from now until the end of the season!

On another note, UNCP HC get's the Bonner Award for the season! Why would you take a last minute game against an out of conference foe that required you to travel across FOUR states to get to? Especially when the option was to sit tight, claim the two COIVD forfeits, and play as scheduled the next weekend with an unblemished W-L record at 2-0. Instead, they now stand at 2-2 on the season following the last second game OT loss and last weeks last minute loss to Fairmont...and their season for all intents and purposes is over!

[Real_FSU_47]

you only get better by playing games, no point in being in the sport if you're not trying to play.

[boatcapt]

you only get better by playing games, no point in being in the sport if you're not trying to play.

Coach is responsible for navigating his team to the best possible record at the end of the season. If you are a good team with playoff asperations, you have to know that the maximum number of losses you can have in the season is one. Taking a game against a good opponent on 48 hours notice that requires you to pick-up and drive 10 hours was a risky proposition with many negatives and few positives. As they say, the proof is in the pudding. UNCP took the game, lost, and now their playoff opportunities are about zero.

[Ram040506]

Coach is responsible for navigating his team to the best possible record at the end of the season. If you are a good team with playoff asperations, you have to know that the maximum number of losses you can have in the season is one. Taking a game against a good opponent on 48 hours notice that requires you to pick-up and drive 10 hours was a risky proposition with many negatives and few positives. As they say, the proof is in the pudding. UNCP took the game, lost, and now their playoff opportunities are about zero.

You owe it to your players to play as many games as is typically expected in a regular season. Playoffs aren't guaranteed and they probably realized the playoffs was a long shot proposition as well. As a former player, I would have preferred the coach do exactly what they did rather than miss a game.

I do agree with your premise though, as it certainly didn't help their playoff opportunity. But I think scheduling the game his team will be more grateful down the line for it.

[EastStroud13]

If you want to make the playoffs, don't lose to Fairmont State. Simple.

[boatcapt]

You owe it to your players to play as many games as is typically expected in a regular season. Playoffs aren't guaranteed and they probably realized the playoffs was a long shot proposition as well. As a former player, I would have preferred the coach do exactly what they did rather than miss a game.

I do agree with your premise though, as it certainly didn't help their playoff opportunity. But I think scheduling the game his team will be more grateful down the line for it.

As a former player, I expect my coach to put the team in the best position to win AND the best position to enter post season play. In this case the coach gambled the short term "benefit" of playing an early season game against the potential prospect of playing at least one extra game in the playoffs. The coach was penny wise but pound foolish.

[boatcapt]

If you want to make the playoffs, don't lose to Fairmont State. Simple.

Gee, it's that simple?? So there should be no complaining on this board if a one loss team doesn't make the playoffs! They should have won all their games...simple!

[Real_FSU_47]

As a former player, I expect my coach to put the team in the best position to win AND the best position to enter post season play. In this case the coach gambled the short term "benefit" of playing an early season game against the potential prospect of playing at least one extra game in the playoffs. The coach was penny wise but pound foolish.

But he did put them in a position to succeed, they lost in OT. If they would have won that game then it's a strong Regional win. Should always play a game if possible instead of running from a game. Pembroke only has 1 loss in the conference and that matters, while 2 losses will make it a long shot. This game against Frostburg is there last shot.

[boatcapt]

But he did put them in a position to succeed, they lost in OT. If they would have won that game then it's a strong Regional win. Should always play a game if possible instead of running from a game. Pembroke only has 1 loss in the conference and that matters, while 2 losses will make it a long shot. This game against Frostburg is there last shot.

For playoff consideration, they have 2 losses and their season is pretty much over baring extremely unlikely senarios. There's a difference between running from a game and choosing to not schedule it on extremely short notice.

[Real_FSU_47]

For playoff consideration, they have 2 losses and their season is pretty much over baring extremely unlikely senarios. There's a difference between running from a game and choosing to not schedule it on extremely short notice.

they had a chance to play a game, that is always the right way to go. You only get so many opportunities to play this sport. it would have been a disservice to the kids if they didnt try to play a game.

[EastStroud13]

Gee, it's that simple?? So there should be no complaining on this board if a one loss team doesn't make the playoffs! They should have won all their games...simple!

Well, when that loss is to a middling-at-best MEC team... yes. It is that simple.

[boatcapt]

they had a chance to play a game, that is always the right way to go. You only get so many opportunities to play this sport. it would have been a disservice to the kids if they didnt try to play a game.

There are quite a few teams that have an opportunity to play an 11th game and chose not to play. Has the coach done a disservice to the kids by not scheduling that 11th game? There are conferences that chose not to play a spring schedule even though the NCAA allowed it, Did these conferences do a disservice to the kids?

[CALUPA69]

There are quite a few teams that have an opportunity to play an 11th game and chose not to play. Has the coach done a disservice to the kids by not scheduling that 11th game? There are conferences that chose not to play a spring schedule even though the NCAA allowed it, Did these conferences do a disservice to the kids?

With all due respect, choosing not to schedule an 11th game, whether as a one off or year to year, can potentially have the unintended consequence of missing the playoffs which is a disservice. Choosing to pass on a make believe season in the middle of a pandemic is hardly an equivalent decision let alone a disservice.