Aside from the "smoke-filled room" points of view, these four regionals are
not of equal value. By far and away I think the Western regional is clearly
the best in terms of team talent. Minnesota stinks and is falling like a
rock, but nevertheless they are a #1 seed. Cornell should be a #1 seed and
is playing vice-grip defense. Maine finally has Howard healthy and playing
in top form, and given that they took BC to overtime in the HE semifinal,
they may be the most underrated team in the tournament. And then their is
Ohio State who has the added motivation that winning the regional gets them
at least one NCAA frozen four game at home.

It's too bad both of the eastern regionals have the "backdoor" teams who do
not get invited like everyone else, but only because of winning conference
titles (Bemidji and have-Mercyhurst), but I do like the potential for a BU
vs BC matchup, and North Dakota has caught fire the way Denver caught fire
last year. And in the Midwest, though Grand Rapids is not Yost Arena, I just
do not trust Michigan playing close to home. I can understand the financial
reason for having a close-by team play in the regional, but it sure gives
some teams a home-field advantage that is unearned and not shared by all
other teams. Even if Minnesota is a #1 seed, the other #1 seeds do not get
to play in their home arena, so it is an advantage the NCAA gives to teams
that has gone too far.

Nathan Hampton