I'd like to think that the new HE alignment (BC,PC,UNH,UMLowell -
BU,Maine,Merrimack,NU) was designed more for balance of strength
rather than to give easier rides to the perennial strong teams.
For instance, roughly approximating last years performances, the
conference appeared 3 tiered:
 
                (BC, Maine, BU)
                (PC, UNH)
                (UMLowell, Merrimack, NU)
 
If you accept this as a representation of recent strength, then the
new alignment seems logically balanced. I at least hope that it was
balance rather than jockeying for better NCAA position that led to
these divisions. Whatever the case, I agree with Mike that the
divisions definitely ought to be changed each year, perhaps based on the
previous year's finish, but changed nonetheless.
 
				Mark Daly
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