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Everything posted by fknbuflobo
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Any reader on this forum must read the comprehensive and historical review of NCAA MSOC Tournament selection authored by BigSoccer.com icon Sandon Mibut. Sandon Mibut's posts are toward the end of the thread, which was started by Gaucho Dan. Priceless! Enjoy! https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/ncaa-tournament-selection.2128408/
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Humans who vote in polls may (or may not) evaluate the quality of individual wins or losses. Algorithms cannot make that sort of evaluation unless the formula is constructed to do. so. I do not believe RPI can distinguish between a 6-0 drubbing At Notre Dame and a 2-1 loss at Virginia. RPI does give weight to Away matches vs. Home matches. Otherwise, a loss is a loss, and an opponent's accumulated RPI is plugged into the algorithm. Nothing else is considered. Only humans can think outside the formula. RPI is far, far away from perfect. One might even describe RPI as an archaic, clumsy and lazy method of evaluation. Likewise, SOS is just mathematics; it is not voodoo. If I possessed the actual algorithm (and understood it) I would undoubtedly share it with you.
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http://United Soccer Coaches Men's Top 25 Poll In the last coaches' poll, published 11/6, Akron was in the category of "also receiving votes". This means that in the eyes of United Soccer Coaches Men's Top 25 Poll, Zips are no worse than the 33rd best team in NCAA. There are 48 teams in the NCAA MSOC Tournament, as has been the format for quite some time. As you know, winners of conference tournaments automatically qualify. In this way, several teams with lower RPI than Akron made the tournament. (Someone can provide that total; I have no doubt.) Nothing unusual here; this occurs every single year. Aside from the automatic qualifiers, every team making the tournament had an RPI greater than 41, where our Zips are. https://rpiupdatemenssoccer.blogspot.com/search/label/RPI Rank The United Soccer Coaches Men's Top 25 Poll heavily suggests that the Zips should be in the NCAA Tournament. RPI indicates otherwise. As they nearly always do, with only rare and notable exceptions, the selection committee again chose according to RPI (outside of automatic qualifiers). Which is more relevant, polls or RPI?
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2023 Women's Soccer
fknbuflobo replied to zippy-claws's topic in Akron Zips NCAA Championship Soccer
Some players make their choice based on the school itself. Others seek to maximize their chances at hardware. Some are loyal to a team they have followed since childhood. But most NCAA players come for the coach. Period. It is time for Simonetti to engage in retail door to door recruiting. Every quality player in NEO, and there are many, should know about opportunities with Akron Zips. -
2023 Women's Soccer
fknbuflobo replied to zippy-claws's topic in Akron Zips NCAA Championship Soccer
Congratulations to Walsh Lady Warriors who are yet again state champions. One would sincerely hope that someone from that squad would play for Zips next year. -
XAV 1-0 AKR There is no credible way to sugar coat this. Zips are a worse side now than they were in August. Nothing has grown; nothing has improved. If each season is a journey, then this one has been a bad trip. Xavier is a mediocre team. Their strength is in their back four and GK. (In particular I would single out CB #3 Makel Rasheed.) But offensively, Musketeers scare no one. Zips could not (cannot) unlock the stout Xavier defense. Last night, the passes were consistently telegraphed, late, and without conviction. Seemingly gone are the days of three consecutive one-touch passes in the offensive third. Zips offense has become plodding, methodical and predictable. We are easily frustrated. And our defensive concentration wavers when our offense is stymied. Akron's participation in the NCAA Tournament is now dependent upon the charity of the committee. But it is difficult to argue that the Zips deserve one of the 48 slots. Our last victory was October 10th at Cleveland State, nearly a month ago. Since then, Zips have tied three matches and lost two. Our RPI is 38. We finished 7th in a twelve-team league and then failed to win the first-round match of the conference tournament. Our overall winning percentage is just shy of .700, but we are 1-2-4 away from home. Perhaps others on this forum can make a case for Zips qualifying for the tourney. I cannot. It probably does not matter too much anyway since our likely prospects would be traveling for a Thursday match. Players and Coaches always want one more chance to compete, and rightly so. They should want to prove themselves. But as a fan, it might be better to start looking toward Spring schedule. It is not too early to start gathering information on incoming recruits, and contemplating which current underclassmen will get their chances. I especially anticipate watching Caleb Borneo returning from injury and playing for Zips.
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In particular, Ashton Kamdem played very well along mostly our left flank. He recorded lots of mileage, getting involved in the offense without neglecting his defensive responsibilities.
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AKR 1-1 MAR Zips scored first and second, the second an Own Goal by our senior defender and captain. It happens. Every experienced defender has a story about an OG. A hard fought and physical contest, but Akron is currently lacking quality in the final third. We usually win the match when we shoot 20 times. I fear Zips will remain a pedestrian side until some key personnel return to action.
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October 18 - at Creighton
fknbuflobo replied to TennZip's topic in Akron Zips NCAA Championship Soccer
CRE 3-2 AKR Creighton gave Akron fits with relentless high pressure and composure on the ball when in possession. Bluejays were the better side. Creighton are a better squad than their record indicates. Yes, Zips were missing some key personnel to injury. Too bad; lots of knocks in mid-October. No excuse. There were some questionable no calls on offside on the first two goals. In particular, the second goal had a very offside Bluejay standing directly in front of Zip GK Budler, occluding his vision on the shot. (This is why the "passive offside" rule is ridiculously bad on all levels of the game. Simplify the rule for the referee; they already have too much to watch. On or Off.) Still, No excuse. Zips had to travel to a different time zone to play on a Wednesday. Duh! What exactly did you think joining the Big East would entail? No excuse. Zips hit the frame twice, had 15 Corner Kicks and shot 18(7). In many ways it was just not an Akron night. No excuse. Zips had better get their act together quick or the season is nearly over. Akron need 6 points from the next two matches to have a realistic chance of a prolonged postseason. -
Akron at Xavier - Oct 14 - 7 PM
fknbuflobo replied to MDZip's topic in Akron Zips NCAA Championship Soccer
I think Zips would win best of three on these Musketeers. Mostly an evenly matched contest, but Zips probably the better side if at full strength. -
Akron at Xavier - Oct 14 - 7 PM
fknbuflobo replied to MDZip's topic in Akron Zips NCAA Championship Soccer
Meh. In time, this will likely be considered a good result. But right now, it feels nauseating. -
Akron at Xavier - Oct 14 - 7 PM
fknbuflobo replied to MDZip's topic in Akron Zips NCAA Championship Soccer
Injury to Budler. -
Akron at Xavier - Oct 14 - 7 PM
fknbuflobo replied to MDZip's topic in Akron Zips NCAA Championship Soccer
Terrible camera angle.