Thursday, February 21, 2008

What's with the Four-Way Ties?

Ok so we all know about the four-way tie atop the MAAC (Niagara, Rider, Siena Loyola), but how about the four-way tie for third place in the America East.

UAlbany could have separated themselves from the pack with what would have been a dramatic victory last night. The Great Danes lost 81-77 in overtime and with the other results here's how things stack up at the top of the AE.

UMBC 11-2, 19-7*
Hartford 9-5, 15-14
UAlbany 8-6, 13-13
Vermont 8-6, 13-13
Binghamton 8-6, 12-14
Boston U. 8-6, 11-15
*clinched a share of league title

Here are the tied team's remaining games

Boston U.
vs. Hartford
@ UAlbany

UAlbany
@ Binghamton
vs. Boston U.

Vermont
@ New Hampshire
vs. Maine

Binghamton
vs. UAlbany
@ Stony Brook

From a quick look at the schedules, Vermont has the easiest road to two wins and Boston U. has the toughest, but that's the greatest thing about this league this year....you never know.

The interesting thing about this four-way tie is that these four teams (five, with the addition of Hartford possibly) will end up playing each other in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament in the 4 vs. 5 and 3 vs. 6 matchup.

Like UAlbany coach Will Brown has said though, the key is to get the highest seed possible because the highest remaining seed hosts the conference championship game.

For the Great Danes, winning their final two games is important if they want to avoid possible title games trips to Hartford or Vermont or Binghamton.

All of that doesn't really matter if UMBC wins out and makes it to the title game because then the trophy will go through Baltimore.

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