Several RPI fans have posted protests on why Brown was selected over
RPI for the NCAA's. I understand their agitation, especially since
RPI had 3 more wins than Brown for the season, and stood higher
in the regular season standings. But there were good reasons to give
Brown the nod. Among them:
Most of Brown's losses came at the beginning of the season, when they
had as many as 6 of their starters injured. How did they finish the
season when everyone was healthy? At 8-1-1 for the last 10 games!
Brown split the series with RPI. But Brown won the last meeting, and
had a much stronger showing in the playoffs where they beat Harvard and
were edged by Clarkson in the final. RPI lost both its playoff games.
Even a diehard RPI fan would have to admit that the teams were a close
match, but that Brown was a hotter team at the end of the season, and
had a better playoff series. The NCAA bid went to the team that came
on strong at the end of the season.
- Ken Miller