Sooooo.....after my Final Four appearance(humblebrag) last season, I'm complete crap this season. I really dicked up my guard situation(D1 took my PG option 2 seasons ago on last cycle) and we keep falling short on games I think I should win. I'm 7-13 and 68th on the projection report. I'm not making the NT. I'm not making the PT.

So I figure I'd be better served playing my underclassmen for both me and my conference mates over the last 6 games. Essentially throwing in the towel. Since some of my conference mates are "on the bubble" is that considered poor form? My losses might help them make the NT thus keeping someone from another conference out.

Wow, that conference is brutal. Fitchburg St. might be good enough to be top 10 in DII.

Personally, to me, it comes down to motivation - I don't think you should intentionally throw a game to allow your conference mates a better shot at making the tournament. However, if you're making a move to make your team better in the long run, and the result is that it gives your conference mates a better shot, then that's fair game. It's a bit of a blurry line, but oh well.

Think of it kind of like a keeper league fantasy team - if you're out of the running, you might trade a high salary stud for a low salary top prospect to a contender. Such a move would improve their prospects of winning the league, but you're making the move out of a motivation to improve your team. If, on the other hand, you traded a stud for waiver wire fodder that you place no value on just to improve that other team's chance of winning, that would be collusive.

That being said, you should also weigh the implications of the prestige hit of losing out, as well.

I have 3 seniors. I was thinking of simply moving them to 2nd team and starting younger guys. It would probably cut 24m to 16m per game and vice versa to the underclassmen. Truth is, I might not win any of the remaining six anyway. I just feel a little odd about knowing I'm not giving my best effort to win. It's a HBD thing.

so long as you think it is the best path for your team - and not doing a favor or throwing a game for a buddy or the like - I think thats part of the game

I don't see this as a favor to your conference mates, you're essentially just strengthening your team for future season by playing your younger guys. It evens out.

Go for it.

If any of the underclassmen have low we, do it.

part of the game. To liken it to HBD, if you are out of it and playing fringe MLB guys to see if they can handle the bigs or not...then go for it. But if you are purposely putting out High A Fodder to tank games then thats a NO.

So yeah, playing youngsters to give them minutes/ ratings bumps is all part of the game...nothing wrong.

Posted by fd343ny on 9/8/2017 2:10:00 PM (view original):
so long as you think it is the best path for your team - and not doing a favor or throwing a game for a buddy or the like - I think thats part of the game

Agreed. Go ahead and make the depth chart changes if that best for the future of your team.

However still game plan like you normally do to give your team a chance to win.

Ironclad rule of HD: if you are going to lose games anyways, then lose games with young players.

Where was this mentality a few days ago? Convenient how you throw in the towel after our match up.

It does screw over those of us who scheduled you in non conference but that's not your problem.

It's not my intention and, since it's a legit point, I'll play my starters if they're clear better options.

And I had to make two changes to the depth chart to go from "Lose young" to "start best." Which is sad because I thought I'd have to do more. Guess my team is just not very good.

FWIW, I'm still 71 RPI and 71 on the projection report. My terrible season isn't really hurting anyone with a legit shot at the NT.