2009 NCAA Tournament Mock Selection Committee

[CubbieBum]

My representation: Illinois (although, technically, I suppose I could participate as an unaffiliated commissioner, since I never actually attended Illinois, just root for them)

 

My locks (29):

ACC: UNC, Duke, Wake Forest, Clemson, Florida State

Big East: UConn, Pittsburgh, Louisville, Villanova, Marquette, Syracuse, West Virginia

Big Ten: Michigan State, Purdue, Wisconsin

Big 12: Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas

Pac-10: Washington, UCLA, Arizona State

SEC: LSU

MWC: Utah, BYU

CUSA: Memphis

HORZ: Butler

WCC: Gonzaga

A-10: Xavier

 

Deserve consideration:

Miami, BC, Virginia Tech, Maryland,

Rhode Island, Dayton, Temple,

Georgetown, Notre Dame, Cincinnati, Providence,

Ohio State, Minnesota, Michigan, Penn State, Northwestern,

Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Texas A&M,

VCU,

UAB, Tulsa, Houston,

Siena,

Creighton,

San Diego State, New Mexico, UNLV,

California, Arizona, USC,

Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina, Kentucky,

Davidson,

St. Mary's,

Utah State

 

I would say a majority of us root for schools that we didn't attend.

[bukie]

I'm sure, but there's always some asinine argument that sprouts up in college sports that says you can't be a true fan of a team if you don't attend the college.

[Derwood]

I'm sure, but there's always some asinine argument that sprouts up in college sports that says you can't be a true fan of a team if you don't attend the college.

 

that would be dumb.

[SouthSideRyan]

I haven't followed enough college basketball to participate in this process, but I wondering why everyone is leaving Boston College out of the discussion as a lock?

 

They are a 20+ win team (20 now, but should get 21), have wins over Duke, FSU, and UNC, and are above 500 in arguably the toughest conference this year. While there were some lows, those are some pretty big points in their favor.

 

I can understand Maryland and VT on the bubble, but not BC. They are a lock IMO.

BC's resume: 20-10 overall, 2-4 vs. the top 25, 4-6 vs. the top 50, 2 losses outside the top 100, 6-6 R/N record, 7-5 in their last 12, SOS 47

 

To be honest, those 2 bad losses hurt their profile a lot, and they've had a fairly easy ACC schedule to get to 9-7 in the conference (the only upper tier team they played twice was Wake, while the only lower tier team they didn't play twice was VA). How is their profile that much different from, say, Northwestern's?

 

A, they have at least 3 wins against top 25 teams (Duke, FSU, UNC) and only lost by 4 to Pitt.

 

B, I would say that the ACC (top to bottom) is a better league than the Big 11.

 

What fictional conference is this?

 

Some people consider Indiana as a functioning basketball team. It's a highly controversial school of thought, but one that's prevalent throughout much of the midwest.

[stuy119]

I haven't followed enough college basketball to participate in this process, but I wondering why everyone is leaving Boston College out of the discussion as a lock?

 

They are a 20+ win team (20 now, but should get 21), have wins over Duke, FSU, and UNC, and are above 500 in arguably the toughest conference this year. While there were some lows, those are some pretty big points in their favor.

 

I can understand Maryland and VT on the bubble, but not BC. They are a lock IMO.

BC's resume: 20-10 overall, 2-4 vs. the top 25, 4-6 vs. the top 50, 2 losses outside the top 100, 6-6 R/N record, 7-5 in their last 12, SOS 47

 

To be honest, those 2 bad losses hurt their profile a lot, and they've had a fairly easy ACC schedule to get to 9-7 in the conference (the only upper tier team they played twice was Wake, while the only lower tier team they didn't play twice was VA). How is their profile that much different from, say, Northwestern's?

 

A, they have at least 3 wins against top 25 teams (Duke, FSU, UNC) and only lost by 4 to Pitt.

 

B, I would say that the ACC (top to bottom) is a better league than the Big 11.

 

What fictional conference is this?

 

The Big (I can't count past) 10 conference.

[SouthSideRyan]

I'm going to fight hard for Michigan. Does any other team in the country(not just bubble teams) have 2 noncon wins as good as UCLA and Duke? That's not even mentioning a solid 8 point loss at UConn.

 

They're being hammered by the computers because they did a horrendous job putting together their schedule playing against 5 RPI killers in Norfolk St., Savannah St.(Who they deserve to be hammered for, getting taken to OT against them), Eastern Michigan, Florida Gulf Coast, and UNC Central.

[Derwood]

I'm going to fight hard for Michigan. Does any other team in the country(not just bubble teams) have 2 noncon wins as good as UCLA and Duke? That's not even mentioning a solid 8 point loss at UConn.

 

They're being hammered by the computers because they did a horrendous job putting together their schedule playing against 5 RPI killers in Norfolk St., Savannah St.(Who they deserve to be hammered for, getting taken to OT against them), Eastern Michigan, Florida Gulf Coast, and UNC Central.

 

Penn State could end up short due to their terrible OOC schedule as well. Beating NJIT isn't exactly going to win you big points

[CubInOK]

I'm going to fight hard for Michigan. Does any other team in the country(not just bubble teams) have 2 noncon wins as good as UCLA and Duke? That's not even mentioning a solid 8 point loss at UConn.

 

They're being hammered by the computers because they did a horrendous job putting together their schedule playing against 5 RPI killers in Norfolk St., Savannah St.(Who they deserve to be hammered for, getting taken to OT against them), Eastern Michigan, Florida Gulf Coast, and UNC Central.

 

Penn State could end up short due to their terrible OOC schedule as well. Beating NJIT isn't exactly going to win you big points

Bad non-con is why Kansas State won't get in. Well, that and losing to Iowa and Oregon.

[SouthSideRyan]

I'm going to fight hard for Michigan. Does any other team in the country(not just bubble teams) have 2 noncon wins as good as UCLA and Duke? That's not even mentioning a solid 8 point loss at UConn.

 

They're being hammered by the computers because they did a horrendous job putting together their schedule playing against 5 RPI killers in Norfolk St., Savannah St.(Who they deserve to be hammered for, getting taken to OT against them), Eastern Michigan, Florida Gulf Coast, and UNC Central.

 

Penn State could end up short due to their terrible OOC schedule as well. Beating NJIT isn't exactly going to win you big points

 

Penn State's problem was losing to Rhode Island and Temple and getting stuck with a nothing to gain matchup against GA Tech in the challenge.

[Derwood]

I'm going to fight hard for Michigan. Does any other team in the country(not just bubble teams) have 2 noncon wins as good as UCLA and Duke? That's not even mentioning a solid 8 point loss at UConn.

 

They're being hammered by the computers because they did a horrendous job putting together their schedule playing against 5 RPI killers in Norfolk St., Savannah St.(Who they deserve to be hammered for, getting taken to OT against them), Eastern Michigan, Florida Gulf Coast, and UNC Central.

 

Penn State could end up short due to their terrible OOC schedule as well. Beating NJIT isn't exactly going to win you big points

 

Penn State's problem was losing to Rhode Island and Temple and getting stuck with a nothing to gain matchup against GA Tech in the challenge.

 

Correct. Two "bad" losses, no good OOC wins, and a bunch of OOC garbage to pad the record. If they make it, it will be on the strength of wins against every team above them in the conference standings and perhaps 1 or 2 BTT wins

[CubbieBum]

I'm sure, but there's always some asinine argument that sprouts up in college sports that says you can't be a true fan of a team if you don't attend the college.

 

that would be dumb.

 

I guarantee I'm a bigger fan of Purdue than a large majority of its students. Its in my blood and is 4th generation. In general I would say the truest of fans aren't students. A lot of student fans disappear when they graduate. They move somewhere else and either switch allegiances or just stop following their school but still say they are a fan. I consider the lifers bigger fans even if their peak fandome doesn't reach one of a avid student.

[TruffleShuffle]

Does any other team in the country(not just bubble teams) have 2 noncon wins as good as UCLA and Duke?

 

xavier beat memphis and mizzou on neutral courts.... that's at least as impressive if not more so.

 

michigan has two road games all year, and those were against northwestern and indiana. if they lose at minneosota they'll be 18-13 and below .500 in the conference. non-conference wins are nice, but they haven't done well enough in conference to get in.

[CubbieBum]

Does any other team in the country(not just bubble teams) have 2 noncon wins as good as UCLA and Duke?

 

xavier beat memphis and mizzou on neutral courts.... that's at least as impressive if not more so.

 

michigan has two road games all year, and those were against northwestern and indiana. if they lose at minneosota they'll be 18-13 and below .500 in the conference. non-conference wins are nice, but they haven't done well enough in conference to get in.

 

That and those wins came extremely early on and don't really show how good that team is. They are capable of beating great teams but play way to inconsistent to be a tourny team at this point.

[TruffleShuffle]

Correct. Two "bad" losses, no good OOC wins, and a bunch of OOC garbage to pad the record.

 

what are the bad losses? temple and rhode island are both in the 40s in RPI. the worst RPI team penn state has lost to is rhode island, who's #48. they don't have any bad losses, really.

 

georgia tech isn't that good, but they've beaten wake and miami at home, so i'd say that's a decent ooc win. otherwise it's a bunch of trash. if penn st gets in it'll be because they beat two of the top three teams in the conference on the road.

[Derwood]

Correct. Two "bad" losses, no good OOC wins, and a bunch of OOC garbage to pad the record.

 

what are the bad losses? temple and rhode island are both in the 40s in RPI. the worst RPI team penn state has lost to is rhode island, who's #48. they don't have any bad losses, really.

 

georgia tech isn't that good, but they've beaten wake and miami at home, so i'd say that's a decent ooc win. otherwise it's a bunch of trash. if penn st gets in it'll be because they beat two of the top three teams in the conference on the road.

 

bad per Pomeroy I should have said

[Exile on Waveland]

I haven't followed enough college basketball to participate in this process, but I wondering why everyone is leaving Boston College out of the discussion as a lock?

 

They are a 20+ win team (20 now, but should get 21), have wins over Duke, FSU, and UNC, and are above 500 in arguably the toughest conference this year. While there were some lows, those are some pretty big points in their favor.

 

I can understand Maryland and VT on the bubble, but not BC. They are a lock IMO.

BC's resume: 20-10 overall, 2-4 vs. the top 25, 4-6 vs. the top 50, 2 losses outside the top 100, 6-6 R/N record, 7-5 in their last 12, SOS 47

 

To be honest, those 2 bad losses hurt their profile a lot, and they've had a fairly easy ACC schedule to get to 9-7 in the conference (the only upper tier team they played twice was Wake, while the only lower tier team they didn't play twice was VA). How is their profile that much different from, say, Northwestern's?

 

A, they have at least 3 wins against top 25 teams (Duke, FSU, UNC) and only lost by 4 to Pitt.

 

B, I would say that the ACC (top to bottom) is a better league than the Big 11.

 

What fictional conference is this?

 

Some people consider Indiana as a functioning basketball team. It's a highly controversial school of thought, but one that's prevalent throughout much of the midwest.

 

Hey now, Indiana may not be very good, but they've been relatively functioning and competitive in the Big Ten for a one-win team. Michigan State will be on the top two seed lines, and they were up by a mere two points with under 30 second left Tuesday night.

[Exile on Waveland]

Illinois Rep

 

LOCKS(In no real order)

 

Either you left them out intentionally because you represent them, or you are a defeatist fan. Illinois is a lock.

[Z38Cubs]

My Rep: Illinois

 

Locks: 25

ACC: Duke, UNC, Wake Forest, Clemson, Florida St.(5)

Big East: UConn, Pittsburgh, Louisville, Marquette, Villanova, Syracuse(6)

Big 12: Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri(3)

Big Ten: Michigan St., Purdue(2)

Pac 10: Washington, UCLA, Arizona St.(3)

Sec: LSU(1)

Non-BCS: Memphis, Gonzaga, Xavier, BYU, Utah(5)

 

Under Consideration: 35

ACC: Maryland, Miami, Boston College, Virginia Tech(4)

Big East: West Virginia, Providence(2)

Big 12: Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma St., Kansas St.(4)

Big Ten: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio St., Penn St., Northwestern(6)

Pac 10: Arizona, California(2)

Sec: Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, Florida(4)

Non-BCS: Davidson, Butler, Dayton, Rhode Island, UAB, Utah St., St. Mary's, Siena, Niagara, San Diego St., UNLV, New Mexico, Creighton(13)

Edited March 5, 2009 by Z38Cubs

[bukie]

Illinois Rep

 

LOCKS(In no real order)

 

Either you left them out intentionally because you represent them, or you are a defeatist fan. Illinois is a lock.

Yeah, that was part of the deal. No votes for the team you represent, to try to maintain as unbiased a selection set as possible.

[TruffleShuffle]

Non-BCS: Davidson, Butler, Dayton, Rhode Island, UAB, Utah St., St. Mary's, Siena, Niagara, San Diego St., UNLV, New Mexico(12)

 

creighton

[Exile on Waveland]

Illinois Rep

 

LOCKS(In no real order)

 

Either you left them out intentionally because you represent them, or you are a defeatist fan. Illinois is a lock.

Yeah, that was part of the deal. No votes for the team you represent, to try to maintain as unbiased a selection set as possible.

 

Ok. Didn't exactly know how far that rule went. Obviously seeding discussion should be limited to impartial observers, but I just didn't think it was terribly improper to state the obvious.

[SouthSideRyan]

Does any other team in the country(not just bubble teams) have 2 noncon wins as good as UCLA and Duke?

 

xavier beat memphis and mizzou on neutral courts.... that's at least as impressive if not more so.

 

michigan has two road games all year, and those were against northwestern and indiana. if they lose at minneosota they'll be 18-13 and below .500 in the conference. non-conference wins are nice, but they haven't done well enough in conference to get in.

 

That and those wins came extremely early on and don't really show how good that team is. They are capable of beating great teams but play way to inconsistent to be a tourny team at this point.

 

Who cares when the wins came? Teams should make the tournamet based on what they've done, not how good they are.

[Exile on Waveland]

Does any other team in the country(not just bubble teams) have 2 noncon wins as good as UCLA and Duke?

 

xavier beat memphis and mizzou on neutral courts.... that's at least as impressive if not more so.

 

michigan has two road games all year, and those were against northwestern and indiana. if they lose at minneosota they'll be 18-13 and below .500 in the conference. non-conference wins are nice, but they haven't done well enough in conference to get in.

 

That and those wins came extremely early on and don't really show how good that team is. They are capable of beating great teams but play way to inconsistent to be a tourny team at this point.

 

Who cares when the wins came? Teams should make the tournamet based on what they've done, not how good they are.

 

There is no other logical path. It must be an objective, rather than subjective, standard.

[ISUCubsFan]

I did this on Monday, so a few things have changed since then, but here's what I had:

 

Representing: Iowa State

 

Locks (28):

 

Duke, North Carolina, Wake Forest, Florida St., Clemson

Washington, UCLA, Arizona St., Cal

Pitt, UConn, Louisville, Marquette, Villanova, Syracuse, West Virginia

Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri

Michigan St., Illinois, Purdue

LSU

Utah

Xavier

Memphis

Butler

Gonzaga

 

Under Consideration (38):

 

BC, Maryland, Virginia Tech, Miami (FL)

Arizona, USC, Washington St.

Cincinnati, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Providence

Texas, Oklahoma St., Kansas St., Texas A&M, Nebraska, Baylor

Wisconsin, Ohio St., Penn St., Michigan, Minnesota, Northwestern

Tennessee, South Carolina, Kentucky, Florida

BYU, San Diego St., UNLV, New Mexico

Dayton, Rhode Island

Creighton

Utah St.

Saint Mary's

Siena

Davidson

[bukie]

As far as auto bids, tonight's games include first-round action of the Missouri Valley, Atlantic Sun and Northeast conferences, along with semifinal action in the Big South.