>I just hope Ryan likes school and gives himself and us 4 years.  I don't
>know if he can become a "Chris Imes" (and anyone that knows me knows
>that is my highest praise!), but maybe ...  just maybe.  But then I've
>just come from listening to Football Head Coach Jack Cosgrove discuss
>and explain how his training players in leadership helped make this
>year's success possible.  I'm psyched to think Prestin Ryan is getting a
>similar education!
>

Wayne,

Question; Does Prestin Ryan have 4 years of elligibility? Or did he lose a year, like Yahtzee, because he played in major junior games?

Maine Fans,

It is probably obvious to a lot of you, but Maine is in a very similar situation to last season. At the end of the regular season last
year Maine had a chance, due to circumstances, of increasing their pwr and getting into the tourny if they swept PC at home. They did.
But they took and early exit from the Fleet and that put them in the same bracket as BC. Basically if they were fortunate enough to beat
Minnesota(not an easy task) they would play BC the next night. BC being the bye team had a major advantage having rested legs. It was
pretty impossible for Maine to get by BC given that team coupled with the game the night before going to OT. Not saying Maine couldn't
have done it, but the chances were real slim given the way everything went.

This year they are at that same cross roads. I think this playoff series against BC is like last year's regular season finally with PC.
If Maine wins, they are in the tourny. However, if Maine goes to the Fleet and takes and early exit with a lack luster performance, then
they very well could end up either the 4th or 5th east seed. As it stands right now, and what is a probable senario, that results in
Maine being placed in UNH's bracket. In other words, if Maine does a carbon copy of last season, they very well could wind up facing UNH
on the second night, with a bit of a disadvantage having played the night before. Very similar to the ways things unfolded last season.
I think this year's Maine team is better than last year's team in that this Maine has more scoring punch, and they've demonstrated they
can come from behind(UNH, Providence, etc...), but the odds are not in a team's favor given the format of the tournament. I'm not
complaining, because Maine has had the benefit of the bye in year's past, but rather stating a fact.

This basically means that every game Maine plays from here on out has a significant impact on their chances. I know that sounds like
common sense anyway. But I think most will agree that playing UNH in the playoffs is tough, but playing a rested UNH on night two after
having played the day before is REAL tough. The Maine team in 99 did it, but that was Clarkson. UNH(2002) is no Clarkson(1999).

Just thought I'd throw that out so that Maine fans make sure they realize the difference between going to the Fleet and winning at the
Fleet. So the next three/four games could/should/will be considered do or die by the team, and why not the fans?!?!?! :) Not looking
past BC, but rather emphasizing the importance of treating each game as a battle and must win for Maine. So basically I'm hoping the
Maine fans put a little extra into the next few games knowing this. Again, probably obvious to most, but some people aren't that
familiar with the pairwise and selection/seeding process.

-Cory (BS'98 & MS'00)