|
INCH
4x4
Feb. 5, 2008
The
INCH 4x4 represents how we think the NCAA Tournament field
will look WHEN THE BRACKET IS ANNOUNCED Sunday, March
23 |
| ALBANY
East Regional |
WORCESTER
Northeast Regional |
 1.
Miami |
Critics say they've played a weak
schedule. Maybe, counter the RedHawks, but we've won all but
three games on it. |
 1.
North Dakota |
After last weekend's firestorm
in Minneapolis, a week off to regroup would probably do the
Sioux some good. |
 2.
Boston College |
Last week, we had Clarkson and
BC flipped. Why the change? Eh, just call it a hunch. |
 2.
Michigan State |
We gave MSU's chances at a 1 the
short sell last time. If they play like they did against UNO
Friday, it won't happen. |
 3.
Clarkson |
George Roll's team is perfect
in seven league games at home this season. Cornell and Colgate
visit Cheel this weekend. |
 3.
Providence |
The Friars still have series with
UNH and BC on the docket, so a low 2 seed certainly isn't out
of the question. |
 4.
Army |
The Black Knights
have allowed four goals during their current five-game winning
streak. |
 4.
Quinnipiac |
Our rationale:
We think the Q is the least flawed of all the candidates for
our last at-large spot. |
| MADISON
Midwest Regional |
COLORADO
SPRINGS West Regional |
 1.
Michigan |
Wolverines are winless in their
last four. Seeing that streak grow to six at Miami is a real
possibility. |
 1.
Colorado College |
The Tigers are 13-0-0
at home this season. Gulp. |
 2.
New Hampshire |
The Wildcats, who head to Maine
this weekend are the only Hockey East team with 10+ league wins. |
 2.
Denver |
DU is 1-4 since Jan.
12. Last season, the Pies (or Pios) were 3-8-2 after Jan. 20.
Double gulp. |
 3.
Wisconsin |
The Badgers are 4-1-2 since Disallowed
Goal-gate, and their remaining eight regular-season games are
eminently winnable. |
 3.
Notre Dame |
The Irish dropped a
few rungs in the computer rankings, but that won't deter us
from keeping them in this spot. |
 4.
Minnesota Duluth |
Consider the Bulldogs'
grasp on this spot tenuous at best. UMD still has series with
CC, NoDak, and Minnesota remaining. |
 4.
Niagara |
We know Bemidji is
the runaway leader in the CHA, but we like the Purps' nifty
8-4-1 non-league mark. |
|
Last
two in: Quinnipiac,
Minnesota Duluth First
two out: Northeastern,
Minnesota State
Stock rising: North Dakota, Providence Stock
falling: Denver, Michigan
INCH's projected auto-bids: Atlantic Hockey-Army;
CCHA-Miami; CHA-Niagara;
ECAC Hockey-Clarkson; Hockey East-Boston College; WCHA-North
Dakota |