Examining the recent RPI ratings, something very interesting began to go through my mind... Although I realize the RPI will be deemphasized in favor of the former tie-breakers, I still can't ignore that the RPI indicates that the West is having a very, very strong year. With Maine out of the post-season tourney, after BU, the next best Eastern team is Vermont, rated at #9. Although, based on past experience, any answer is premature, I ask the rhetorical question: Would they go 1-6 in the West, and THEN wrap around the bottom 2 Western teams (presently Denver, who would then get a #3 in the East, and Bowling Green, who would get a #6) OR send over teams like Western Michigan (who would then get a bye in the East) and Michigan State (who would move from a #6W to a #3E). I guess the added question is, "Would you rather have a good seed half-way across the country, or a bad seed closer to home?" I'm not expecting an answer on what the NCAA will do, since only Keith Instone or maybe a lurker coach could come close to having the answer, it's just something that's really got me thinking. Either way, I'm sure that unless something is come up with and announced soon, there'll be more than one or two fans who feel "screwed" come tourney selection time. HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.