Keith scoops: >BC, UMLowell, UNH, PC and >BU, Maine, Merrimack, Northeastern. > >(The coaches/ADs set up these divisions based on past performances of >each team.) > >Why would HEA want 4 more non-league games? Just speculation, but I'd >say they feel they are a strong league and will be able win the majority of >these extra games, thus improving their chances of getting in the NCAA >tournament. First, thanks to Keith for sending this out. Has anyone else noticed that this seems to be stacked in favor of the teams that are perennial contenders? I think what Keith says about being "able to win the majority of these extra games, thus improving their chances of getting in the NCAA tournament" is absolutely correct. What a sly way of doing it! Insure that your contenders will play their extra games against teams they can beat! I.e., * Why is Merrimack placed with two teams it has never beaten (BU/Me), and kept away from four teams it HAS beaten (BC/Low/NH/PC)? * Why is Lowell placed with three teams it has trouble with (BC/NH/PC) and kept away from two teams it can beat (Merr/NU) AND from one it has been known to upset (Me)? * Why is NH placed with two teams it struggles with (BC/PC) and kept away from two teams it can beat (Merr/NU)? The end result is that of the three games added to the schedule from this season's 21, the perennial contenders get to face teams they should beat instead of teams they might lose to. * BU gets Maine/Merr/NU; BU has had trouble with Maine, but should win the other two. * BC gets Low/NH/PC, three teams they should beat. * Maine gets BU/Merr/NU, perhaps 2-1 since NU always plays Maine tough. This favors the contenders to finish higher in the standings and to rack up a better overall record. It's as if they are saying, "We want to guarantee we will always have at least three teams in the NCAAs for the good of the league." Why not rotate the "divisions" every year? - mike