Well, there IS some method to the madness of the committee. When I gave my first look at the at large teams, I thought that there were 8 in the mix for the 4 slots. As it turns out the committee rewarded at large finish and also win percentage (or wins versus qualified teams). I recap the original list with follow up comments for each of the 8 teams that were in the mix.
With the qualifiers under our belt, there were 24 bids awarded which leaves 4 at large bids. Here is a look at the top candidates. In my view, there are 8 teams in the mix for the 4 at large slots.
1. Vision (10th at Crossroads, 9th at SCVA and 6th at Far West). Vision has a strong 65% match win percentage in qualifiers (17-9) and the 6th place finish this weekend (just missed qualifying with a 15-13 loss in the 5th place match to San Gabriel Roshambo giving San Gabriel the last bid in Far West) should be enough to give them an at large selection.
Received bid - This was my top choice and they clearly deserved it. They were only one win and seven losses in matches against qualified teams in qualifiers but their consistent finishes gave them the nod.
2. Nebraska Elite (4th at Crossroads, 9th at NLQ). The 4th place finish looks strong as we comb through the teams in the running. One negative for this team is a relatively low winning percentage in qualifiers at 56% (9-7).
Received bid - Once again, not strong against qualified teams (1 win, 6 losses) but two good finishes, especially 4th at CC, was enough to impress the committee.
3. FJVC (9th at Big South, 5th at NEQ). Solid performances with the 5th place showing giving them a good shot. Lower win percentage at 59% is a slight negative.
No bid - Although 3 wins in qualifiers against qualified teams tied for the best among this group, the overall win percentage in qualifiers was 59% and wasn't strong enough. Also, some people considered the Big South a "softer" qualifier this year and the 9th place finish there probably didn't help. They must have been very close to a bid.
4. Team Atlantis (4th at MEQ). Interesting choice here. Atlantis played in only one qualifier but they were a stout 7-0 before losing two tough 3 game matches to finish 7-2 and a 4th place. Defeated qualifier St. Louis CYC in pool play.
No bid - A team I liked. Good record, high finish. I would think playing in only one qualifier hurt them. They also had to have been very close.
5. Cincy Classics (8th at Big South, 5th at MEQ). Decent squad but their 5th place finish came with a 5-5 record.
No bid - I think the overall 5-5 record in qualifiers and 0 wins against qualified teams was enough to override the high finishes.
6. AJV (5th at Pacific Northwest, 11th at Lone Star). The 11th place showing might be enough to kick them out but their winning percentage in qualifiers is a solid 63%.
Received bid - Here is a team that likely was helped by their strong win % in qualifiers even though they had just 1 win and 5 losses against qualified teams. The 63% win % was high for the at large list. Did their location close to Dallas give them a boost??
7. NORCO (7th at Crossroads, 11th at NEQ). Similar to AJV, 63% in qualifiers but the 11th place showing may be tough to overcome.
No bid - They just didn't have quite enough in any one category to get them over the top. If the 7th at CC was a 4th or 5th and the 11th at NEQ an 8th, that might have been enough.
8. Synergy (10th at Crossroads, 9th at NEQ). 9th place finish as the best result makes this team a dark horse selection but they do have a winning percentage of 76%, second best to Team Atlantis for the at large candidates.
Received bid - The dark horse candidate came through. The very high win % in qualifiers (10th for the Open field) was impressive along with 3 wins against qualified teams. This overcame their just okay finishes at 10th and 9th.
