Cross country travel advantages/disadvantages
Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2024 12:40 pm
Apparently it exists in the NFL and is significant. https://www.sportsinsights.com/blog/nfl ... st%20Coast.
And east coast teams going west have the same issue. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2016/06/ ... eams-suck/
I have no data to support that it occurs in women’s lacrosse but I think it’s reasonable to assume it exists. If so, a profound disadvantage for members of the national super conferences. Premier west coast teams also have far fewer opportunities to play top tier programs unless they travel east or convince a few to come west and those that come west aren’t likely to deliver their peak performance. Those west coast teams wishing to increase their likelihood of an NCAA at large tournament bid if they don’t win their conference have a serious issue creating a superior strength of schedule argument for a bid because they have to travel and playing at peak performance on the East coast is very difficult. Any teams the NCAA selection committee sends cross country is probably down several goals before the 1st draw. If they are statistically matched teams then the traveling team is likely going to loose.
Just food for thought…..
And east coast teams going west have the same issue. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2016/06/ ... eams-suck/
I have no data to support that it occurs in women’s lacrosse but I think it’s reasonable to assume it exists. If so, a profound disadvantage for members of the national super conferences. Premier west coast teams also have far fewer opportunities to play top tier programs unless they travel east or convince a few to come west and those that come west aren’t likely to deliver their peak performance. Those west coast teams wishing to increase their likelihood of an NCAA at large tournament bid if they don’t win their conference have a serious issue creating a superior strength of schedule argument for a bid because they have to travel and playing at peak performance on the East coast is very difficult. Any teams the NCAA selection committee sends cross country is probably down several goals before the 1st draw. If they are statistically matched teams then the traveling team is likely going to loose.
Just food for thought…..