>I just seems that the effort put forth by many of the voters seems to
be
>fairly minimal, especially at this point of the season. I would be
curious
>to see how a coaches-only poll would match up against a press-only
poll.
 
You can have your wish --- there's the WMEB media poll (10 voters) and
the ACHA/USA Today coaches poll (10 voters).
 
Most of those coaches are represented in the USCHO poll.
 
>The question of the day is: If polls this early in the season are
>"inaccurate" and "overly opinion-based" and "not to be minded" -- then
why
>conduct them at all?
 
Because they are fun.  There's no other reason to do them at all -- they
are pointless otherwise -- they have no meaning.  They're fun and it
gives people something to talk about -- but why worry so much?
 
>Whether players, coaches, media, fans, whoever like to admit it or not,
>polls *do* make a difference. A team's position in the polls throughout
the
>season can have great effect on both their own and their opponents
>performance. To see this all you need to do is go to a game where the
"#1
>team in the country" is playing... anybody else, especially if they're
>playing at the lesser-ranked (or unranked) team's home rink.
 
I understand your point --- but if it weren't for the poll, the team
would find a different reason to get motivated.  Like "that team is
first place, let's get fired up."
 
>Finally, I can't believe that a team's standing in the leading national
>poll doesn't have at least *some* effect on the selection committee. If
a
>team is ranked significantly high in the polls all year but lower
>mathetmatically and statistically, you can bet the polls will influence
a
>decision to seed that team just a bit higher come tournament time.
 
NONE!!!!!!!!!!!!  READ MY LIPS!!!!  THERE IS NO FACTOR FROM THE POLL!!!
 
There is no subjectivity used in selecting the 12 team field.  It is a
cut and dried formula. PERIOD!!!  Live it, learn it.  Can it say it any
more clearly?
 
AW
 
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