On Tue, 24 Mar 1998 16:27:48 -0600 John Edwards <[log in to unmask]> writes: >I would be surprised if the NC$$ expanded the tournament. Going to 16 >teams would mean that just under 30% of teams would qualify. (16/54*) > >That would seem to dilute the NC$$ tournament, and serve (in many >ways) to potentially de-emphasize the Conference tournaments. Part of what >makes the conference tournaments exciting is the fact that some of the >teams are fighting for berths. If the tournament is larger, that will >not be as true. ==== John I wholeheartedly agree. For that reason, I don't know if I like the current selection process. I hate to mention a basketball reference here, but 20 + years ago, the ACC had a conference tournament with ONLY the winner making it to the NCAA tourny. Some very good teams got left behind in that scenario. Also, in the days of the 4 team NCAA hockey tournament, the ECAC and WCHA tournament meant something. I'm sure many alumni and fans can remember their favorite school being knocked out early in their tournament and a sure fire (hoped for) NCAA bid went out the door. Now if you win the RS title you're in. The only thing (a BIG thing, maybe) you're playing for in your conference tourny is a bye. BU did not need the HEA playoffs, they had the bye sewed up. If you win the Conference tourny you're in. AGREED. If you could have seen how Princeton played vs Clarkson, knowing that for the Tigers a loss meant no more hockey vs Clarkson who was playing for a bye (well its Clarkson and we know about our playoff misfortunes). IF the tournament was expanded to 16, I'd like to see automatics just for the conference tourny champ with the rest of the field decided on PWR. The "Clarkson Rule" can stay, I suppose. One more day to go and we see if Princeton can upset Michigan. Joe LaCour Clarkson '77 _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.