2008 NCAA Tournament - Mock Selection/Discussion

[bukie]

So, there are bad conferences, and there is the SWAC. The entire conference is 0-64 against the RPI top 200. Their best team has an RPI of 233, but the second best team (Miss Valley State) is at 320. Yes, 9 of their 10 members are 320 and lower on the RPI (there are 341 teams overall). Somehow they keep avoiding the play-in game, though. Play in game should most likely be between the winner of this conference and the winner of the MEAC, another pathetic overall conference.

[Guest]

Ahh, good call. I meant Washington State.

 

It does hurt your RPI when you play Oregon State but Arizona should be able to withstand that.

[Exile on Waveland]

So, there are bad conferences, and there is the SWAC. The entire conference is 0-64 against the RPI top 200. Their best team has an RPI of 233, but the second best team (Miss Valley State) is at 320. Yes, 9 of their 10 members are 320 and lower on the RPI (there are 341 teams overall). Somehow they keep avoiding the play-in game, though. Play in game should most likely be between the winner of this conference and the winner of the MEAC, another pathetic overall conference.

 

It's political. The NCAA doesn't want the play-in game to feature the winners of the SWAC and the MEAC. One perhaps, but not both.

[ISUCubsFan]

South Alabama just added themselves to the bubble discussion with a loss to Middle Tennessee State in the Sun Belt semis. They're in much better shape than VCU, but the Sun Belt is getting one for sure, two if USA gets in (they're around a 8 or 9 seed in most projections before today), and a possible 3rd if Western Kentucky can sneak in with a loss in the semifinals or finals (unlikely). Not good news for the rest of the bubble.

[Guest]

South Alabama just added themselves to the bubble discussion with a loss to Middle Tennessee State in the Sun Belt semis. They're in much better shape than VCU, but the Sun Belt is getting one for sure, two if USA gets in (they're around a 8 or 9 seed in most projections before today), and a possible 3rd if Western Kentucky can sneak in with a loss in the semifinals or finals (unlikely). Not good news for the rest of the bubble.

 

Good. More mid-majors and less crappy major conference teams. I hope Billy Packer's head explodes.

 

EDIT: Well, not necessarily crappy major conference teams, but less fifth and sixth place teams from major conferences.

[bukie]

Conference tournament previews on the rest of the one bid conferences: MEAC, MAC, WAC, Big West, SWAC and Southland. Although, I do think Kent State gets an at-large bid as long as they don't lose again in the quarters.

[ISUCubsFan]

South Alabama just added themselves to the bubble discussion with a loss to Middle Tennessee State in the Sun Belt semis. They're in much better shape than VCU, but the Sun Belt is getting one for sure, two if USA gets in (they're around a 8 or 9 seed in most projections before today), and a possible 3rd if Western Kentucky can sneak in with a loss in the semifinals or finals (unlikely). Not good news for the rest of the bubble.

 

Good. More mid-majors and less crappy major conference teams. I hope Billy Packer's head explodes.

 

EDIT: Well, not necessarily crappy major conference teams, but less fifth and sixth place teams from major conferences.

 

Well, San Diego just took another spot by beating Gonzaga in the WCC Championship. Bad night for the bubble/Billy Packer.

[Guest]

Conference tournament previews on the rest of the one bid conferences: MEAC, MAC, WAC, Big West, SWAC and Southland. Although, I do think Kent State gets an at-large bid as long as they don't lose again in the quarters.

 

Kent State should be in regardless of if they lose early or not.

[bukie]

Auto bids tonight to Siena (MAAC), George Mason (Colonial), San Diego (WCC) and Davidson (Southern).

 

Davidson has been removed from at-large consideration.

[Flames24Rulz]

Peace, ISU.

 

Today's games hurt them more than any other bubble team IMO.

[Andy]

Conference tournament previews on the rest of the one bid conferences: MEAC, MAC, WAC, Big West, SWAC and Southland. Although, I do think Kent State gets an at-large bid as long as they don't lose again in the quarters.

 

Kent State should be in regardless of if they lose early or not.

I agree. It'd be fun to have two MAC teams to follow for once, too. The other, of course, will be Ball State after their miraculous run to a MAC title. :wink:

[Derwood]

i like the new(ish) rule that regular season conference champs who don't make the NCAA tourney (ie lose in the conf. tourney) get automatic bids to the NIT

[Guest]

Lunardi's most recent stab: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology

 

Oregon and ASU are amongst the last 4 in.

[bukie]

Previews today on the multi-bid conference tournaments starting Wednesday: Conference USA, Mountain West, Atlantic 10, Big East, Pac 10.

[bukie]

Oral Roberts, Butler and Western Kentucky earned three more automatic bids tonight. Butler and Western Kentucky removed from at-large consideration.

[SouthSideRyan]

Updated my post on page 2. I've got 30 locks/virtual locks, 23 bubble teams for 4 spots. 10 spots can open up with the right teams winning conference tourneys.

[bukie]

Previews of the last 4 conference tournaments: SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC

 

For the Big Ten, not sure if I'd go so far as to say 4 teams are there for decoration, especially since one of those decorations swept the team they're playing in the first round.

 

OTOH, would not be surprised in the least to see Minnesota or Illinois in the finals come Sunday.

[CuseCubFan69]

18 minutes until the elimination game and I actually get to see it! GO CUSE!

[bukie]

Syracuse blown out by Villanova 82-63, Dayton squeaks by Saint Louis 63-62 in OT.

 

The bright side is maybe the selection show won't have Boeheim on standby this year to complain about not getting a bid.

[Exile on Waveland]

Syracuse blown out by Villanova 82-63, Dayton squeaks by Saint Louis 63-62 in OT.

 

The bright side is maybe the selection show won't have Boeheim on standby this year to complain about not getting a bid.

 

I thought the 'Cuse would win; I was way wrong. I think that effectively bursts their bubble. Don't think it clinches 'Nova's berth either, though.

[bukie]

West Virginia holds off Providence 68-63, St. Joe's rolls Fordham 80-62.

 

(I'll keep reporting bubble scores in this thread, simply to keep people updated on what's happening)

[jiml60]

Syracuse blown out by Villanova 82-63, Dayton squeaks by Saint Louis 63-62 in OT.

 

The bright side is maybe the selection show won't have Boeheim on standby this year to complain about not getting a bid.

 

I hope not, that's my favorite part of the show.

[Flames24Rulz]

Syracuse blown out by Villanova 82-63, Dayton squeaks by Saint Louis 63-62 in OT.

 

The bright side is maybe the selection show won't have Boeheim on standby this year to complain about not getting a bid.

 

I hope not, that's my favorite part of the show.

 

Mine too. His vent last year was amazing.

[bukie]

Mount St. Mary's (NEC) and Portland State (Big Sky) earned auto bids tonight with wins.

 

As for at-large teams' games, Pittsburgh held off Cincy 70-64, Marquette beat Seton Hall 67-54, Rhode Island lost yet again, this time to Charlotte 65-63 (they are done).

 

Arizona looks awake so far against Oregon State, leading 45-15.

 

EDIT: Now 59-21 at the half. Oregon State is baaaaad.

[Guest]

Cal beats Washington, Arizona kills Oregon State.

 

Tomorrow at Staples:

 

USC vs. Arizona State

UCLA vs. Cal

Washington State vs. Oregon

Stanford vs. Arizona.

 

I work 5 blocks from Staples, I really need to figure out how to get out of work at 2 and head over there for the UCLA-Cal game.