> I always wonder about this.  I think that the unfortunate fact is that there
> just aren't enough games scheduled between top Div. III teams and ANY Div. I
> teams so it's very hard to judge.  With "strength of schedule" being so
> important in making the NC$$ tournament, it's understandable that any school
> with a pipe-dream chance of making it to the top RPI ratings will not
> jeopardize that with a Div. III opponent.
 
The way I understand the rules, a game against a Div. III opponent
doesn't count at all in the tournament selection criteria. Thus
playing a low ranked Div. I team (e.g. the emerging MAAC programs)
hurts your strength of schedule while playing a Div. III team like RIT
does not. Of course, the Div. I game, even if it hurts your SOS,
counts in winning percentage which will help your RPI ranking directly
if you win. So actually the only cost to scheduling a Div. III matchup
is a game out of your schedule.
 
> (Although there was the time decades ago that BU beat Cornell on their own
> ice ... was it 9-0?)
 
Actually, it was a 0-9 Cornell win... by forfeit. (Couldn't resist).
The game was at Lynah in December of '72.
 
Keith Kannenberg
Email: [log in to unmask]
Web: http://mae.cornell.edu/kannenb/
 
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