We all know that the most important thing happening Sunday is the release of the field of 64. That said, I had a pretty good discussion on another board about bubble teams, who is in and who is out. Teams that are in and should be on the bubble and vice versa. Here is the arguement I made, let me know what you think.
Why are we assuming that Arizona gets in? Ok, so they have an RPI of 36 (which is pretty much a joke by looking at their schedule) and 6-5 in their last 11 games. 1 quality win over Texas (in December), a loss to Florida, and 2 losses to Stanford and Washington each. 1-5 versus tournament teams (2-5 if you count Liberty, a 16 seed)? If any team is sweating it should be Arizona. Washington's RPI is now #77 (borderline for an at-large bid) and 12-2 over their last 14 so the poor RPI arguement (when their RPI was 100) can be disgarded.
Anyone else feel the same way about this or other teams.
Are you a professional halfwit or talented amateur?
Washington's RPI is actually very POOR for an at-large team. They would be the worst RPI ever to get an at-large berth. Usually the top 30 or so in the RPI's are the only teams that are locks. But Washington finished the season strong, and I just think they're in...Pac 10 gets 3, IMO.
I think Notre Dame, LSU, and Fla. State are bubble teams that will be dissapointed on Sunday.
(edited by chuckc14 on 11.3.04 1552) 19-8 (8-8) - goin' dancin...SEC Tournament vs. Ole Miss
Here's a question about LSU. I heard that LSU's coach argued that they should get in because they played the end of the season without their star Jamie Lloreda. Is that a good argument? I mean do the people who pick the teams usually say hey they had an injured player so they might've won those games they lost and therefore would've had a better record. Or do they say, well since that player is injured you're not getting in since you're team is going to not play well without him?
South Carolina should beat LSU today to remove all doubt. They went 1-6 down the stretch I think...Not good on the ol' tournament resume. They absolutely STINK without Lloreda.
19-8 (8-8) - goin' dancin...SEC Tournament vs. Ole Miss
Washington's RPI would blow past New Mexico(74) a few years ago for lowest RPI from an at-large team.
Realistically, LSU's RPI should carry them through. But it's iffy.
Today, what the government ought to do, it does badly, and what it ought not do at all, it does too well—such as snoop, control, meddle, and impose the ways of the unwashed on everyone. And it’s going to get worse. Much worse.- Fred Reed
While I'm all for SEC teams making it to the tourney, I think that the Lloreda is hurt argument is WEAK. South Carolina could make the same argument about Howell and Florida could do the same with Drejer leaving (though I think Florida is in).
I know that many, many UK fans will be joyful if Indiana doesn't make the NCAA tourney this year. I haven't heard many people clamor for IU to get in. FWIW, I know a few IU fans who want to NOT make the NCAA tourney just so they can try to run Davis out of Bloomington.
Washington still needs to win today to get in, IMO. And they need a Stanford win over Oregon to get in as well, because if Zona or Stanford or UW don't win the Pac10, then I don't think UW gets in.
Washington and Arizona play each other tonight in the Pac-10 tournament. I would think that if Arizona loses to Washington tonight, making Arizona 0-3 this season against UW, logically UW should get an at-large bid over 'Zona - RPIs and SOS nonwithstanding. But that's why I don't get a vote in these things.
I haven't heard many people clamor for IU to get in. As much as it might have seemed to be true over this season, we really aren't masochistic. The way Indiana's played this year, I didn't think a nice run in the Big Ten tourney would have gotten them into the NIT. Whether that's a coaching fault alone, or the amalgamation of injuries, lack of depth, and nonexistent inside game, is best determined by those IU fans with better knowledge of such things.
093093-012103
Guaranteed to go up the middle three out of four times goes Xtreme-ish.
Originally posted by StegDutchieWashington and Arizona play each other tonight in the Pac-10 tournament. I would think that if Arizona loses to Washington tonight, making Arizona 0-3 this season against UW, logically UW should get an at-large bid over 'Zona - RPIs and SOS nonwithstanding. But that's why I don't get a vote in these things.
I haven't heard many people clamor for IU to get in. As much as it might have seemed to be true over this season, we really aren't masochistic. The way Indiana's played this year, I didn't think a nice run in the Big Ten tourney would have gotten them into the NIT. Whether that's a coaching fault alone, or the amalgamation of injuries, lack of depth, and nonexistent inside game, is best determined by those IU fans with better knowledge of such things.
Well, Washington beats Zona again. How Arizona will get in is beyond me. Strong RPI but bad, bad record against tournament teams.
As for LSC and Florida, I think it comes down to how a lot of the tournaments shake out. The less surprises, Xavier maybe winning the A10 tournament, the better for them as the surprises suck up the at large bids. St. Joseph's now gets a guaranteed at-large bid which ends up popping someone's bubble.
Are you a professional halfwit or talented amateur?
Speaking of the Madness...Maryland vs N.C. State -- all I can say is "wow." I definitely would have like to have heard whatever Gary Williams said to those guys at halftime. Whatever it was lit a fire under John Gilchrist's butt, because he played out of his mind. And it's scary to think how good these guys might be next year, with a year of tournament experience under their belts, and pretty much the entire team coming back.
Power flows to the one who knows how -- desire alone is not enough.
This was just an awesome weekend of Conference Tournament action, and just the prelude to what we can expect beginning this Thursday at noon est. I'm taking my traditional long weekend and will get yardwork out of the way early in the mornings so I can sit on my fat butt and enjoy the rest of the day(s).
Go Cats!!!!!
"You have the right to suffer. You have the right to feel pain. If you wish to have an attorney present, I'll hurt him too!" - The Big Bossman
Originally posted by DrewDewceThis was just an awesome weekend of Conference Tournament action, and just the prelude to what we can expect beginning this Thursday at noon est. I'm taking my traditional long weekend and will get yardwork out of the way early in the mornings so I can sit on my fat butt and enjoy the rest of the day(s).
Go Cats!!!!!
I haven't got much of a chance to watch all the conference tournaments, but watching the SEC tournament alone has kept me on the edge of my seats. A lot of blowouts the first round but then Georgia playing Kentucky close again as well as back to back overtime games with Vandy/Miss State and Florida/Alabama were awesome. And then the Cats and Gators both looked impressive yesterday. I wouldn't have a problem with another overtime game in the finals.
Originally posted by shockdownSpeaking of the Madness...Maryland vs N.C. State -- all I can say is "wow." I definitely would have like to have heard whatever Gary Williams said to those guys at halftime. Whatever it was lit a fire under John Gilchrist's butt, because he played out of his mind. And it's scary to think how good these guys might be next year, with a year of tournament experience under their belts, and pretty much the entire team coming back.
Another "wow" for Williams getting his team back in gear and forcing and winning in OT against Duke and getting the first Tourny title in 20 years, since Len died...
If the bracketing committee can't wait for the games to end before determining their seeds, then they need to pick new people to fill the committee.
Wisconsin is rated higher than Illinois (plus), lost the regular season title to them (minus), and beat them in the post season tournament (plus). Yet we're seeded lower huh?).
I know that we're "home" in Milwaukee, but we're staring at a rough second round game (if we beat Richmond).
Originally posted by Sec19Row53If the bracketing committee can't wait for the games to end before determining their seeds, then they need to pick new people to fill the committee.
Wisconsin is rated higher than Illinois (plus), lost the regular season title to them (minus), and beat them in the post season tournament (plus). Yet we're seeded lower huh?).
I know that we're "home" in Milwaukee, but we're staring at a rough second round game (if we beat Richmond).
Pitt? I like Pitt but they played 1 out of conference road game so I think this is the committee's way of penalizing them.
Are you a professional halfwit or talented amateur?
Noooo! Not the 5-12 game! My Gators + 5-12 game = me having a heart attack. Last two times we were the five seed, were the buzzer beater by Mike Miller against Butler in 2000, and then that thrilling Creighton game in 2002. It seems a lot of people don't have faith in us and are picking Manhattan, I think we'll pull it out though. Wake Forest will be tough in the second round but if we get past them i'm looking forward to a matchup against Saint Joseph's ANthony Roberson, Jameer Nelson, Matt Walsh, Delonte West, what an exciting game that would be.
As for Wisconsin/Illinois. I think they pretty much don't pay any attention to the rankings, otherwise Arizona would be like a 4 or 5 seed. And since Illinois won the regular season title i'd give that more weight than a tournament title. Althought last time i checked Wisconsin was higher in RPI and SOS. I do like Wisconsin better though, I've got them going to atleast the sweet sixteen.
I had two sleepers that I was going to pick to do well before the bracket came out. THen when the bracket did come out I saw that one of them (UAB) would play Kentucky in the second round and the other (Ill-Chicago) plays Kansas in the first round, so I don't think i can pick them now. Although that would be cool if they did upset Kentucky and Kansas (as well as Washington and probably Providence) and played each other in the sweet sixteen.
Originally posted by CajunManKansas got a gift playing in Kansas City then in St.Louis. They have home court till the final four technically
My response to Kansas with the home court: Duke was in the Carolina's in the second round in '97. They didn't make it to the Sweet Sixteen. See you Sunday. Then again, I also think Kentucky is the only #1 that gets to the Sweet Sixteen, and I see them getting picked off there: Alabama matches up well with Stanford, I'm tempted to pick Liberty over St. Joe's, and Duke has struggled since the beginning of February
Pondering whether the world is ready for the Red Sox Nation Lawrence Welk Workrate Report.
Originally posted by Sec19Row53If the bracketing committee can't wait for the games to end before determining their seeds, then they need to pick new people to fill the committee.
Wisconsin is rated higher than Illinois (plus), lost the regular season title to them (minus), and beat them in the post season tournament (plus). Yet we're seeded lower huh?).
I know that we're "home" in Milwaukee, but we're staring at a rough second round game (if we beat Richmond).
Although considering all the idiot Pitt fans that keep calling The Jim Rome Show to bash Wisconsin with nothing more intelligent and original than "uh...you're all fat," karma's probably on UW's side. I've got Bucky making it to the Sweet 16, then jobbing to Oklahoma State. (Figures...a Wisconsin team loses to the "Cowboys." Yeesh.)
My Final Four: Kentucky, Oklahoma State, Texas, and Maryland. (You happy now, Grimis?) :-)
Star wipe, and...we're out. Thrillin' ain't easy.
THE THRILL ACW-NWA Wisconsin Home Video Technical Director...& A2NWO 4 Life! (Click the big G to hear the Packers Fight Song in RealAudio!)
Betting against Karl Malone in important playoff games has traditionally always been almost as guaranteed money as betting against Peyton Manning in playoff games.