INCH 4x4
March 18, 2009

The INCH 4x4 represents how we think the NCAA Tournament field
will look WHEN THE BRACKET IS ANNOUNCED Sunday, March 22

Thought bubble: Now that roughly two-thirds of the Division I hockey-playing institutions are eliminated from the NCAA Tournament picture, it gives us the opportunity to focus on seeding scenarios for the remaining teams. Boston University and Notre Dame are locked into the top two overall seeds, and it appears likely that Michigan and Denver will end up as the other no. 1 seeds, though one could make a case for North Dakota if the Fighting Sioux end up winning both the McNaughton and Broadmoor awards.

Minnesota is in an intriguing spot. The Gophers, believe it or not, would be better off losing their WCHA Final Five play-in game against Minnesota Duluth Thursday than beating the Bulldogs and then losing twice. Still, I think Minnesota wins twice in St. Paul to cement a bid, something that didn't seem possible a month ago. — Mike Eidelbes

BRIDGEPORT East Regional

MANCHESTER Northeast Regional
1.
Denver		 If the Pios win the WCHA and Notre Dame wins the CCHA, DU could vault into the third overall seed which would likely mean a trip to Minneapolis. 1.
Boston University		 Signed, sealed, delivered. The Terriers have locked up the top overall seed in the tournament.
2.
Northeastern		 A No. 1 seed is a long shot for the Huskies, who'd likely need two wins, two losses by DU and Michigan, and one NoDak loss for that to happen. 2.
New Hampshire

Maybe UNH and UVM could get together in, say, White River Junction for a weekend watch party?
3.
Yale		 The Bulldogs could climb to a high no. 2 seed by winning the ECAC, but I think St. Lawrence knocks them off in the semifinals, hence the no. 3. 3.
Cornell

Even if the Big Red end up winning ECAC Hockey, they still look like a high no. 3 seed; putting them a little lower than their ceiling seems like a safe bet.
4.
St. Lawrence

I like the Saints' chances against Yale in the ECAC semifinals, and I think one win in Albany will be enough to guarantee an at-large bid.

 4.
Bemidji State

There are teams that will make the NCAA Tournament regardless of what happens this weekend, but the Beavs are currently the only guaranteed participant.

GRAND RAPIDS Midwest Regional

MINNEAPOLIS West Regional
1.
Notre Dame

Same situation as BU, only with the second overall seed. Even two losses at the Joe won't matter.

 1.
Michigan		 Another virtual assurity, the Wolves can really salt away a top seed with just one win at the Joe.
2.
Princeton		 The Tigers are still the pick to win the ECAC Hockey playoff title, hence the no. 2 seed. One win gets them a no. 3, but two losses and they're on the outside looking in. 2.
North Dakota		 The Sioux can sneak into a no. 1 seed by winning the Broadmoor Trophy and DU losing twice. But we think they're OK with this spot.

3.
Vermont

The Catamounts are no more than interested bystanders, locked into an overall seed in the 8-10 range. I lean toward the lower end of that spectrum.

 3.
Miami

The RedHawks appear to be in, but they wouldn't start the tourney on a roll — Miami is 2-4-1 in its last seven games, which were preceded by a seven-game win streak.
4.
Air Force

The Falcons are our choice to represent the AHA, but look out for Mercyhurst. The Lakers have the most momentum coming into the weekend.

 4.
Minnesota		 The worst thing that could happen to the Gophers would be beating UMD and losing their next two. That said, I think they win two games at the X.
 Last two in: St. Lawrence, Minnesota     First two out: Minnesota Duluth, Ohio State
Stock rising: North Dakota    Stock falling: Miami
INCH's projected auto-bids: Atlantic Hockey-Air Force; CCHA-Notre Dame; College Hockey America-Bemidji State;
ECAC Hockey-Princeton; Hockey East-Boston University; WCHA-North Dakota