With Spingfield (8-3 NEWMAC) winning tonight and MIT (9-2 NEWMAC) losing, the game between the two teams in Springfield this Saturday will be for a share of the regular season NEWMAC crown. However, if there is a tie, there are several tiebreaking scenarios that could lead to MIT or Springfield being awarded the right to host the NEWMAC tourney February 28-29. Below is the list of scenarios that could play out next weekend, and who would host in each case. In general, MIT controls their own destiny, but Springfield needs help from other teams to host.
Scenario 1:
MIT beats Springfield
Result: MIT is 10-2 and Springfield is 8-4. MIT hosts.
Scenario 2:
Springfield beats MIT
WPI beats Clark
Result: MIT and Springfield are tied at 9-3. The head-to-head between the two is also tied at 1-1. The next tiebreaker is record against the 3rd ranked team in the conference, which in this case would be WPI at 7-5. Since MIT is 2-0 against WPI and Springfield split with them (1-1), MIT would hold this tiebreaker. MIT hosts.
Scenario 3:
Springfield beats MIT
Clark beats WPI
Wheaton beats CGA
Result: MIT and Springfield are tied at 9-3. The head-to-head between the two is also tied at 1-1. The next tiebreaker is record against the 3rd ranked team in the conference. However, in this case, Wheaton and WPI would be 6-6 in conference, tied for 3rd place. Since ties are broken top to bottom, the tiebreaker would go to the team with the best combined record against WPI and Wheaton. MIT would be 2-0 vs. WPI and 0-2 vs. Wheaton, while Springfield would be 1-1 against WPI and 2-0 against Wheaton. Therefore, in this case, Springfield would win the tiebreaker 3-1, vs. 2-2 for MIT. Springfield hosts.
In summary, MIT will host if they beat Springfield on Saturday, or if WPI or CGA win. Springfield needs all three games to go their way on Saturday to host the NEWMAC tourney.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
MIT Again Drops Close Decision to Wheaton
For the second time this season, MIT lost a close game in the final minute to Wheaton in NEWMAC conference action tonight. The loss drops MIT to 21-3 overall, and 9-2 in the NEWMAC. Wheaton won behind a blistering shooting performance, as they were 10-16 on the game from 3, as well as 24-27 from the FT line. MIT was only 8-31 from 3 and attempted just 8 FTs, making 5.
The game starting out with Wheaton in control, storming out to a 14-6 lead in the first 5 minutes of the game. MIT would respond, going on a 23-3 run over an 8 minute span, to take over the lead and push it to 12 with 7 minutes remaining in the first half. Wheaton would end the half on a short spurt to cut the halftime lead to 6, with MIT leading 34-28.
The second half started much like the first, as MIT came out slumbering. They would not score in the first 4 minutes, as Wheaton mounted a 13-0 run to start the half to go up 41-34. Wheaton would never relinquish that lead, building it to as many as 11 points with 5 minutes remaining in the half. MIT made one last push, going on a 19-10 run over the next 4.5 minutes to cut the lead to 2 with 36 seconds remainig. Wheaton would shut the door, however, making their FTs to close out the game. The final score was 84-77.
MIT endured one of their worst shooting games of the season, going 32-82 from the field (39%) and 8-31 from 3 (26%). Noel Hollingsworth and Eric Zuk both fouled out for MIT. Mitchel Kates paced MIT with 24 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals. Noel Hollingsworth had his 12th double-double of the season with 21 points and 11 rebounds, also adding 3 steals. Jimmy Burke chipped in with 15 points.
MIT next travels to Springfield on Saturday to play a game that could be for the NEWMAC regular-season championship. More to come later on tie-breaking scenarios on Tech Hoops, so check back.
Official MIT Release
The game starting out with Wheaton in control, storming out to a 14-6 lead in the first 5 minutes of the game. MIT would respond, going on a 23-3 run over an 8 minute span, to take over the lead and push it to 12 with 7 minutes remaining in the first half. Wheaton would end the half on a short spurt to cut the halftime lead to 6, with MIT leading 34-28.
The second half started much like the first, as MIT came out slumbering. They would not score in the first 4 minutes, as Wheaton mounted a 13-0 run to start the half to go up 41-34. Wheaton would never relinquish that lead, building it to as many as 11 points with 5 minutes remaining in the half. MIT made one last push, going on a 19-10 run over the next 4.5 minutes to cut the lead to 2 with 36 seconds remainig. Wheaton would shut the door, however, making their FTs to close out the game. The final score was 84-77.
MIT endured one of their worst shooting games of the season, going 32-82 from the field (39%) and 8-31 from 3 (26%). Noel Hollingsworth and Eric Zuk both fouled out for MIT. Mitchel Kates paced MIT with 24 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals. Noel Hollingsworth had his 12th double-double of the season with 21 points and 11 rebounds, also adding 3 steals. Jimmy Burke chipped in with 15 points.
MIT next travels to Springfield on Saturday to play a game that could be for the NEWMAC regular-season championship. More to come later on tie-breaking scenarios on Tech Hoops, so check back.
Official MIT Release
MIT Again #2 in Northeast NCAA Rankings
The third of four in-season regional rankings were released today by the NCAA, and MIT again held onto its #2 ranking in the Northeast region, only trailing regionally undefeated Williams. MIT is still undefeated against regionally ranked opponents, defeating WPI (#10) twice and Gordon (#9) earlier in the season. Full rankings can be found here: NCAA Release.
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