NCAA Tourney: MNSU???

grizz77 · Post by **grizz77** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:31 am

Can MN State still go to the NCAA Tourney even after losing the series to the UM? Im a bit confused, how does this work?

new2hockey · Post by **new2hockey** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:39 am

Yes they can. Search pairwise at uscho.com. They are currently tied with Wisconsin for 13th. Top 14 "technically" are in. However, still hockey to play next weekend. Mavs have a strong chance but no guarantees.

PuckRanger · Post by **PuckRanger** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 6:29 am

Below are the current top 16 in the pairwise rankings, along with other teams that have a shot or have already qualified for the NCAA's:

1 Michigan 24
2 Miami 23
3 New Hampshire 22
4 Colorado College 21
5 North Dakota 20
6t Boston College 18
6t Denver 18
8 St. Cloud State 17
9t Michigan State 16
9t Clarkson 16
11 Minnesota 14
12 Notre Dame 13
13t Minnesota State 11
13t Wisconsin 11
15 Harvard 9
16t Princeton 7*
16t Vermont 7*
18t Boston University 6*
21t Cornell 4*
21t Niagra 4**
23t Northern Michigan 3*
UR Colgate 0*
UR Air Force 0**

Teams in bold are in by virtue of their ranking and the math along with upcoming opponents assures they won't drop far enough to be out.
**Team is in by virtue of winning conference tournament.
* Team could still get in by winning conference tournament.

I'll try to explain what the remaining possibilities are:

In reality it looks like there are only two availalbe spots left. There are three teams that have a legitimate shot at an at large bid (ie. finishing in the top 14): Minnesota State, Wisconsin, and Harvard. They could lose those at large bids, however, and they will lose one to the ECAC champion (which could be Harvard).

If the current playoff situation plays out with no further upsets, it would be Harvard getting in for sure, because they would win the ECAC and get an automatic bid. That leaves one spot for either Mankato State or Wisconsin. Minnesota State holds the individual comparison edge when it comes to head-to-head in the pairwise over Wisconsin, so MSU would likely get the nod. Wisconsin is probably not going to get a bid in any scenario.

If Northern Michigan wins the CCHA tournament, they are in, along with the ECAC champ and both Wisconsin and Mankato State are out.

I do not beleive that Harvard can overtake Minnesota State for the #13 spot in the rankings and not win the ECAC, so you can rule out having both Harvard and a different ECAC champ both getting bids.

In a nutshell, the 14 teams in bold above should be in. The winner of the ECAC is in. Minnesota State should be in if Northern Michigan doesn't win the CCHA. Northern Michigan is in and Minnesota State is out if they do. I don't see the math to allow for any other realistic possibilities.

Gopher Blog · Post by **Gopher Blog** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 10:04 am

It would appear there will be only 13 spots left. Clarkson lost in an upset to Colgate so the ECAC winner will be outside of the top 16. With Niagara and Air Force having locked up their spots, only the top 13 in the pairwise will make it in. So it will be a very close call for Mankato/Wisconsin.