(Deron posted John Whelan's "If the season ended today" seeds) ..

So Maine has played themselves into contention for the NCAA's. Good!

But the teams that will actually make it will win a bunch more games,
including important league tournament games against the best of their
league.  Also, chance and history tell us that some of the league
tournament winners will not be top-12, thus making a top-9 or top-10 a
more probable cutoff.

It could be argued that (exactly) a split with PC and 2 wins over BU are
needed by Maine.

The split gives Maine the season series over PC, but keeps PC in
contention for *consideration* for the NCAAs (0.500 or better record).
Two wins over BU gives Maine the season series over BU and probably
enough standing in the PWR to be selected, no matter the HEA results.

My guess is that if both don't happen, Maine will have to play in the
HEA championship game ...  and perhaps have to win it to make the NCAA
tourney.

IMHO, the UMA weekend game results don't matter statisticly, but may be
important for confidence going into WBA and the tournies.

BU has a very rough schedule (PC-2, UML-2, ME-2) going into the HEA
tournament.  Maine, BU and UML can propel themselves into great position
by winning out in the last 3 weekends of the regular season.  Probably
none of them will.  NU's hope at an NCAA bid may rise or end this
weekend with a UNH home-and-home, but look for them to be strong in the
HEA tournament after nearly winning the Beanpot.

The HEA tournament could be one of the best ever in terms of close,
hard-fought games.

What do you think? Do the players know and excel at their team roles?
Can they be in control of the games and themselves?

cheers, wayne