Future NEC setups

Was just checking the board before I left to see if there was anything anyone wanted me to comment on (mstraublog@hotmail.com is the best way to get me btw), and I saw Big Blue's suggestion, and Blue, this is a historic moment:
WE AGREE!

I suggested this last year in a blog when Bryant got in. Two six-team divisions and a 16-game league schedule. You play the division teams twice and the other division once, and you alternate home and road each year with the other division.

Here are my divisions:
North:
CCSU, QU, SHU, Bryant, LIU, SFNY

South:
Monmouth, FDU, MSM, SFPA, RMU, Wagner.

This setup keeps traditional rivalries (The CT schools, Mon-FDU, the PA schools, the Battle of Brooklyn), creates a balanced schedule (teams you're chasing play the same skeds as you do) and makes the playoffs easier to follow (not as many crazy tiebreakers).

Top four in each division make the tournament, and you could do the bracket one of two ways. The old hockey way, where you go 1-4 and 2-3 in the division first, then have the division champs play in the final, or the crossover format: N1 plays S4 and so on. Either way the final is seeded so the division champs play.

Now for those who will yell about competitive balance issues, think about this: 1) Trends change, RMU and the Mount won't always be the two best teams. 2) Even this year, the Mount would have to get through RMU and SHU, just in reverse order under my plan.

In sports things that make sense don't usually get implemented, so don't hold your breath, but I love it.

More hoops

First a quick reminder to get your butts down to Sacred Heart this weekend, the women deserve it. There's two pages in the paper today on them, so I won't say much more here except to say this.
At the very least you're all required to be at the NEC title game next Sunday at either SHU (if the Pioneers are alive) or CCSU (if the Devils play anyone else).

My thoughts for the NEC awards:
First off, the women: Man, CCSU got hosed. Ed Swanson is a great coach and his team went 18-0 in the league, but he had the player of the year and depth.
What Beryl Piper did, taking a moribund program and making it the 2-seed in today's tourney is, to me, one of the best jobs in the country this year.

I figured CCSU would get jobbed in the individual awards because they play such a balanced style that doesn't allow for big stats. But I'll make a case for three. Look at Ms. Dugan's stats. She's always among the leaders in just about everything. That's all-around. P.J. Wade's scoring has been key to Central's success, especially in the second half.
And Shontice Simmons transformed a team. She gives them not just scoring, but a swagger. She looks like she belongs out there and she's in control of everything. All three should have been honored, especially based on Central's record.

But I digress. Off to see the women. There will be a full men's recap once the women are out. That could be a while, however, so I'll try and do it sooner.

Half my thoughts

More to come tomorrow, as I've gotten home from the game then written my women's preview for Saturday and it's nearly 5 a.m. (the work I do for you people!).
For now I'll say this. You're going to kill me for being an optimist, but I saw the future of the program tonight.
I saw Ken Horton start to find his fire again. I saw Central have a deep backcourt. I saw Aaron Hall give another spark.
Most importantly, I saw David Simmons continue his development. The only thing the kid hasn't done yet is put it together for a full season, but part of that is health. But he plays better the more he plays, which is a great sign. If his shoulders stay together, he'll be a beast next year. Which takes more heat of off Kenny.
By the way, I had someone I respect this week tell me that Vince is going to be a legit player next week. It sounds like there's a point guard on the way too.

Picks for tonight

Real quick my picks for tonight, then lots of breakdown tonight I swear, like 5 posts.
RMU, SHU, LIU and Wagner