Louie LaPlant writes:
 
> Come on guys, do you really believe this? or are you speculating what the
> committe is going to think.
 
I am, as you suspect, speculating about what the committee may think.
 
> An injury to a player (or multiple players for that matter) should not have
> any impact on whether or not a TEAM (according to webster a team is defined
> as a group of people working or playing together,especially as one side in
> a contest) is or is not selected into the tournament. That's just total bull.
> Correct me if I'm wrong, but in the selection criteria, I don't think right
> after head-to-head competition comes healthiest team.
 
Whoa, easy there, Louie. :-)  I did neither said nor meant that team health
comes after head-to-head competition in the selection criteria.  However,
note that Derksen is perhaps Wisconsin's most outstanding player this
season.  If he is unavailable for the playoffs, the committee could take
that into account if it is difficult to choose between Wisconsin and another
team.  Perhaps I should have said it could have a 'slight impact" on
selection, OK? :-)
 
> If any team was not chosen because (or even slightly impacted by) an injury
> it would be a crime.
 
I would certainly hate to see that happen.  I want to see Wisconsin in the
tournament.  In the discussion from which you quoted me I am advocating
the Badgers' chance of making the cut, which I think are very high.  A
strong performance by Derksen's backup, Jon Michelizzi, could only enhance
their position.
 
-- Erik