We’ve done mid season rankings for the power D1 conferences. Now it’s time for mid major rankings. The rankings below use the Swimulator tool for... Current photo via Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com
We’ve done mid season rankings for the power D1 conferences. Now it’s time for mid major rankings. The rankings below use the Swimulator tool for scoring a conference based on current season best times. The full scoring breakdown of each conference is linked to in the header of each table.
Mid season rankings are a flawed predictor of conference results. Different teams approach in season meets in different ways. However, teams tend to have a consistent approach to mid season meets every year, so comparing this season’s mid season rankings to last year’s rankings at this point and last year’s actual conference scores can give a decent idea of what to expect in February. Teams that picked up a bunch of points last year are more likely to do the same again this year. Teams that saw a big drop off are more likely to be caught by their competitors again. Teams that have noticeably more or less points this year are in a position to perform differently this year than last.
For example: the Massachusetts men won the Atlantic 10 last year, but are ranked 5th right now with 386 points. At this point last year they were 1st with 791 points in the Swimulator scoring of the conference (they won with 671 points). They graduated about 180 points from their Seniors. Their freshmen currently score only 87 points (select “year” in the “Show By” drop down in the Score Report to see scores by class year) and their returning classes are under performing last year. Last year at conference they came in 120 points under their mid season ranking. From the times alone, a repeat championship would be a surprise. They could still get back to last year’s form and win, but the other teams in the A10 should be feeling better about their chances this year.
These rankings don’t include diving so the conference scores tend to be a bit higher than the mid season scores. The mid season scores are calculated though 16 places. If the real conference scores are way higher than the mid season scores, the conference probably scores through 24 places (ex. Ivy League, Coastal College).
Unfortunately, your assessment/ranking of men’s Ivy League reflected Princeton’s men’s swimming & diving. Not sure how that void would affect SwimSwam’s current projection for this part of the season in that conference.
College Swim Mom
7 years ago
Thanks for doing this comparison! It will be fun to see how accurate this is at the end of the season!
Eddie Rowe
7 years ago
Do the Air Force men and women really compete in separate conferences?
CACrushers
7 years ago
Saint Peter’s should be included in the MAAC. yes they didn’t compete at the conference meet last year, but it would still be interesting to see where they are this season and how they’re doing relative to this time last year
Rick Henderson
7 years ago
It appears that in the current tabulations, only 3 of the 5 relays are included in the MPSF women’s scores.
Thanks….
Eagle Fan
7 years ago
Looks like the FGCU Eagles are on track for their 8th title! Let’s see if the new coach can keep them rolling and on to even bigger things! #WingsUp
Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com.
He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming.
Aside from his life on the InterWet, …
Unfortunately, your assessment/ranking of men’s Ivy League reflected Princeton’s men’s swimming & diving. Not sure how that void would affect SwimSwam’s current projection for this part of the season in that conference.
Thanks for doing this comparison! It will be fun to see how accurate this is at the end of the season!
Do the Air Force men and women really compete in separate conferences?
Saint Peter’s should be included in the MAAC. yes they didn’t compete at the conference meet last year, but it would still be interesting to see where they are this season and how they’re doing relative to this time last year
It appears that in the current tabulations, only 3 of the 5 relays are included in the MPSF women’s scores.
Thanks….
Looks like the FGCU Eagles are on track for their 8th title! Let’s see if the new coach can keep them rolling and on to even bigger things! #WingsUp