Re: NAQT Heartland (?) sectionals (at MU-Columbia)

• From: dpucollegebowl <no_reply_at_yahoogroups.com>
• Date: Mon, 10 Feb 2003 04:29:41 -0000
• Message-ID: <b279rl+aimc_at_...>

As far as the ranking thing goes, I agree with the principle, but 
think everything can be remedied (and may very well be, if NAQT 
makes as much sense as I think they do):

In theory, NAQT adjusts its proverbial "S-Value" of teams based on 
their competition.  In order to do this, it seems to me they would 
have to painstakingly go game by game, if they take the entirety of 
all the sectionals as a group.

However, even if they take the groups sectional by sectional, then 
the more times you play Emory or Florida, the better off you are, in 
theory.  To be totally frank, we here at DePauw are clinging to this 
hope, in the absence of "wild card" bids.  In theory, going 1-1 
against Iowa and losing one match to Arkansas by only 10 points 
should work in our favor (I hope).

Again, I have no idea how complex this NAQT formula gets, but I have 
faith in the people who created it.  In the end, the numbers are the 
numbers.  I don't personally like the power matching system that 
Charlie uses (on the heels of having to play both Florida and 
Kentucky in the playoffs for a second time each last year -- OUCH), 
but it's what he uses.  If NAQT allows him to use the system, it 
makes sense that they will correct the numbers to give those teams 
that had tougher schedules the benefit of the doubt.

On another hand, why doesn't NAQT just release its formula?  I 
understand the suspense of the bids and even happen to like the nail-
biting aspect of it, but it's not like the NCAA tournament where the 
selections and the rankings are arbitrary and the selection 
committee can take one 17-5 team over another just because they 
happen to like the former's jersey colors better.  In the end, the 
numbers here are the same no matter how you slice it.  If you set up 
parameters and everyone plays the games, there's really no way to 
make a formula work for you (Teams are not going to run up the score 
just because they can, in my experience, especially if the most 
emphasis is placed on just winning.  If anything, teams will play 
with the same intensity all game long.  Although I do thank Arkansas 
for not beating us badly the second time we played.)

Stan J.