Championship Week

[The Czech Republic 0]

He writes for a newspaper.

[lomasmoney 0]

Ok, you all know where the teams are seeded for the conference tournaments, but now it's time to find out where they're ranked in Iggy's weekly Top 25:

 

1. Illinois 29-1

2. North Carolina 26-3

3. Wake Forest 26-4

4. Duke 22-5

5. Boston College 24-3

6. Kentucky 23-4

7. Kansas 22-5

8. Connecticut 21-6

9. Oklahoma 23-6

10. Oklahoma State 21-6

11. Villanova 21-6

12. Washington 24-5

13. Louisville 26-4

14. Pittsburgh 20-7

15. Michigan State 22-5

16. Gonzaga 24-4

17. Syracuse 24-6

18. Arizona 25-5

19. Pacific 25-2

20. Wisconsin 20-7

21. Alabama 23-6

22. Utah 25-4

23. Florida 20-7

24. Texas 20-9

25. Cincinnatti 24-6

you have the most random rankings ever. Duke is in no way a top 5 team. They just choked big time against UNC and they won't be able to get past the Sweet 16 with their lack of depth. UConn will be dangerous come tourney time but they should not be ahead of Arizona, Gonzaga, or Michigan State. Louisville should be in the top ten, and you totally jobbed out a damn good Utah team. The top three is right, I will give you that, but what the hell do you base your rankings on

[Damaramu 0]

He writes for a newspaper.

Yes and my editor has never had to complain about my style or writing.

On the message board I just type my thoughts and put them down here however the fuck I want. I see no rule saying that it has to look like an essay or newspaper story.

It says to use caps and make it comprehensible which it is. So if you have a problem with it Rant then kindly fuck off.

[The Czech Republic 0]

But it seems, at least to me, that typing things out the wrong way is actually harder than doing it correctly

[MrRant 0]

He writes for a newspaper.

Yes and my editor has never had to complain about my style or writing.

On the message board I just type my thoughts and put them down here however the fuck I want. I see no rule saying that it has to look like an essay or newspaper story.

It says to use caps and make it comprehensible which it is. So if you have a problem with it Rant then kindly fuck off.

So your thoughts are run-on sentences and paragraphs?

 

By the way... I'm glancing at the OU Newspaper online. Care to point out your articles so we can tell you aren't a complete nimrod? I seem to remember you posting on about OU winning the Big 12 and it being horrid.

 

Incase you didn't know the website, its http://www.oudaily.com/vnews/display.v/SEC/Sports

[MrRant 0]

Wait, I think I found one: http://www.oudaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART...7/422c583f1e695

 

Ouch.

[CanadianChris 0]

No, that's not one. Here's one:

 

http://www.oudaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART...4/42285b0e494aa

[iggymcfly 0]

you have the most random rankings ever. Duke is in no way a top 5 team. They just choked big time against UNC and they won't be able to get past the Sweet 16 with their lack of depth. UConn will be dangerous come tourney time but they should not be ahead of Arizona, Gonzaga, or Michigan State. Louisville should be in the top ten, and you totally jobbed out a damn good Utah team. The top three is right, I will give you that, but what the hell do you base your rankings on

Why should Duke be punished for splitting razor-thin decisions with the number 2 team in the country? They actually looked better than Wake the two times they played them, and they have non-conference wins over Michigan State and Oklahoma. They're playing in the toughest conference in America, and the only major conference teams with better records than them are Kentucky and Louisville.

 

Kentucky's playing in a very mediocre SEC, and their only good wins all year are Alabama and Louisville. Louisville, meanwhile has no decent non-conference wins at all, and is playing in a C-USA which might as well be reclassified as a mid-major. Cincinnatti and Charlotte are the only other decent teams, and they haven't really done muich either.

 

And the idea that Louisville and Arizona should be ahead of UConn is laughable. If they had to play Oklahoma, North Carolina, Boston College, Syracuse (twice), Pittsburgh (twice), and Villanova, they'd have at least that many losses as them. The only games Arizona has played that tough are against UW and Wake, while the only games Louisville have played that tough are Kentucky, and maybe at Cincy.

 

As for Utah, their biggest win this season is probably at Air Force, so they'll take their number 22 ranking and like it. Not only does Alabama have better wins, but they don't have that 30 point millstone of a loss to Utah State hanging around their necks either.

[CanadianChris 0]

Old Dominion clinched an NCAA tournament berth with a 73-66 overtime win over Virginia Commonwealth in the CAA tournament final.

 

The Monarchs would have presented the selection committee with a tough decision if they had lost, as they had made a case for themselves as an at-large selection. The Monarchs enter the NCAAs with a 28-5 record (15-3 in conference play) and an RPI of 40, despite a strength of schedule in the bottom third of Division I. Their most impressive win came in a December contest against defending Atlantic 10 champion and 2004 Elite 8 team Saint Joseph's.

[Damaramu 0]

No, that's not one. Here's one:

 

http://www.oudaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART...4/42285b0e494aa

Yeah. That's my name.

Rant is there exactly a reason why you decided to enter this thread and start a fight with me?

Everything was going fine and everyone was talking about basketball just fine until you started shit.

 

Anyways back to the games. I thought that Gonzaga and St. Mary's were playing tonight? Or is that later or tomorrow?

 

There's talk that OU won't get put in Oklahoma City for the tournament. Well it's between OU, OSU, and Kansas. I mean all of them except Kansas would draw fans here. OSU though.....oh boy......I bet they get a 3 seed at this point. Maybe lower? Nah probably not lower? What do you think Chris?

[CanadianChris 0]

The WCC final is at midnight ET.

 

As for Oklahoma not going to Oklahoma City...I have no idea how the cities are seeded anymore, since they switched to the pod system. They only thing I do know is that top seeds are given the highest consideration. They have no chance to get a 1 seed, even if they win the Big XII tournament. They could still get a 2 seed if they win it and other teams lose before their tourney final, though, which would shuffle the brackets and possibly put them in Oklahoma City. Any prediction is a guess at this point, though.

[MrRant 0]

No, that's not one.  Here's one:

 

http://www.oudaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART...4/42285b0e494aa

Yeah. That's my name.

Rant is there exactly a reason why you decided to enter this thread and start a fight with me?

Everything was going fine and everyone was talking about basketball just fine until you started shit.

 

Anyways back to the games. I thought that Gonzaga and St. Mary's were playing tonight? Or is that later or tomorrow?

 

There's talk that OU won't get put in Oklahoma City for the tournament. Well it's between OU, OSU, and Kansas. I mean all of them except Kansas would draw fans here. OSU though.....oh boy......I bet they get a 3 seed at this point. Maybe lower? Nah probably not lower? What do you think Chris?

I came in to catch up on some of the basketball action since I've been on a work trip and then came your posts of horror that make me have to read them 2-3 times to figure out what you were trying to say.

[Damaramu 0]

The WCC final is at midnight ET.

 

As for Oklahoma not going to Oklahoma City...I have no idea how the cities are seeded anymore, since they switched to the pod system. They only thing I do know is that top seeds are given the highest consideration. They have no chance to get a 1 seed, even if they win the Big XII tournament. They could still get a 2 seed if they win it and other teams lose before their tourney final, though, which would shuffle the brackets and possibly put them in Oklahoma City. Any prediction is a guess at this point, though.

Actually I was seeing how you thought OSU would end up.

I still have a feeling Kansas will get that 2 seed. Langford's leg isn't broken or fractured. They're just saying that it's a bad sprain. But if he isn't ready I can see Kansas taking an early exit from the Big XII tourney and the NCAA tourney.

[CanadianChris 0]

Niagara defeated Rider 81-59 to win their first ever MAAC championship.

 

The Purple Eagles (20-9, 13-5 MAAC) were co-champions in the regular season with Rider, and have an RPI of 137. Niagara makes its first NCAA tournament appearance since 1970 as a member of the old East Coast Athletic Conference, led by senior (and future Hall of Famer) Calvin Murphy.

[CanadianChris 0]

Creighton won the Missouri Valley tournament, defeating Southwest Missouri State 75-57 in the final.

 

The Blue Jays finished another strong season at 23-10 (11-7 MVC), making a case for themselves as an at-large with an RPI of 46 and a strength of schedule in the top 100. Both teams who finished ahead of them in the regular season, Southern Illinois and Wichita State, are either considered locks or strong candidates for inclusion in this year's NCAA tournament. Creighton's wins include ones over major-conference teams Missouri, Ohio State, and Nebraska, as well as defending Atlantic 10 tournament champion Xavier.

[Damaramu 0]

How many of these small conference schools like this make a huge impact in the tourney?

And I'm not counting the West Coast Conference and A-10. I'm talking about all of these championship games that have happened recently. Do they ever move into the Sweet 16? Or are they just there to job to the higher seeds?

[CanadianChris 0]

The WCC final is at midnight ET.

 

As for Oklahoma not going to Oklahoma City...I have no idea how the cities are seeded anymore, since they switched to the pod system.  They only thing I do know is that top seeds are given the highest consideration.  They have no chance to get a 1 seed, even if they win the Big XII tournament.  They could still get a 2 seed if they win it and other teams lose before their tourney final, though, which would shuffle the brackets and possibly put them in Oklahoma City.  Any prediction is a guess at this point, though.

Actually I was seeing how you thought OSU would end up.

I still have a feeling Kansas will get that 2 seed. Langford's leg isn't broken or fractured. They're just saying that it's a bad sprain. But if he isn't ready I can see Kansas taking an early exit from the Big XII tourney and the NCAA tourney.

Ah. Oklahoma State is pretty much a 3 seed at most, no matter what happens. If they go out early, they could drop. If they win, I see them getting placed in the region with the weakest 2 seed (as the 9th best team in the tournament).

[Damaramu 0]

Igg seems to have moved OU above OSU. I guess that's fair. I never thought OU would be the best team in the Big XII this season. I sure hope they get stuck in the OKC bracket.

How do you guys see them doing in the tourney? Hell where do you think all the Big XII teams are going?

 

Kansas: Kansas is either going to shake the funk and win it all or take a Sweet 16 exit after one of the Seniors injures himself and they try to figure out what the hell to do.

 

OSU: OSU I think can make it to the Final Four again if they figure out how the hell to play defense. If not they'll go out in the Elite 8.

 

OU: OU I think right now is going to the Sweet 16 and more than likely the Elite 8 if they stay hot. They'd have to be really lucky to get the Final Four though with the amount of talent that's in the tourney this year.

 

Texas Tech: they're falling apart. I think they go out in the first round.

 

Texas: they're a first round or second round exit easy.

 

Texas A&M/ISU/whoever: i don't think they'll do anything special.

[CanadianChris 0]

How many of these small conference schools like this make a huge impact in the tourney?

And I'm not counting the West Coast Conference and A-10. I'm talking about all of these championship games that have happened recently. Do they ever move into the Sweet 16? Or are they just there to job to the higher seeds?

Most of the small schools go one-and-done, although plenty of upsets have happened before. North Carolina (Weber State- Big Sky), Iowa State (Hampton - MEAC), South Carolina (Coppin State - MEAC), Arizona (Santa Clara - West Coast before Gonzaga), Syracuse (Richmond - Colonial) and UCLA (Princeton - Ivy) have all lost first round games as top-4 seeds to small conference teams.

[cabbageboy 0]

What's up with Langford? Is he out for the tourney? I thought Kansas was toast either way but man if that's true they are really screwed.

 

Why does everyone pay attention to Iggy's rankings anyway? I mean this guy thinks GA Tech will go to the FF again for crying out loud.

[iggymcfly 0]

Hey, my rankings are completely impartial, and based solely on the teams' performance. And they're a lot more accurate than the AP and Coaches poll. I mean, they have Louisville ranked above Boston College for god's sakes. And they have Arizona ranked above Kansas. There's just no logic for that whatsoever.

 

They basically just look at the team's records, see if they have name value, and then look at how long it's been since they lost to decide the rest. It's like they don't pay any attention at all to who teams have beaten or what they've accomplished.

 

As for Georgia Tech in the Final Four, I said I think they have the potential to get there if they get a weak bracket, and are probably the best sleeper in the tournament. That's just a fact. They were 9-1 and up 16 on Kansas when BJ Elder got hurt, and they made it to the national championship with nine losses last year.

 

For the record, last year I got three of my four Final Four teams right, and was one less foul on Shelden Williams away from winning a pool with 25 people in it.

[alfdogg 0]

Is there a thread or something somewhere that shows who all has qualified for the tourney?

[MrRant 0]

Hey, my rankings are completely impartial, and based solely on the teams' performance. And they're a lot more accurate than the AP and Coaches poll. I mean, they have Louisville ranked above Boston College for god's sakes. And they have Arizona ranked above Kansas. There's just no logic for that whatsoever.

 

They basically just look at the team's records, see if they have name value, and then look at how long it's been since they lost to decide the rest. It's like they don't pay any attention at all to who teams have beaten or what they've accomplished.

 

As for Georgia Tech in the Final Four, I said I think they have the potential to get there if they get a weak bracket, and are probably the best sleeper in the tournament. That's just a fact. They were 9-1 and up 16 on Kansas when BJ Elder got hurt, and they made it to the national championship with nine losses last year.

 

For the record, last year I got three of my four Final Four teams right, and was one less foul on Shelden Williams away from winning a pool with 25 people in it.

Calm down. Have some dip....

[Fökai 0]

Is there a thread or something somewhere that shows who all has qualified for the tourney?

Here's the ESPN page that shows the information on each conference championship.

 

So far, it's...

1. Central Florida

2. Winthrop

3. Old Dominion

4. Penn

5. Niagara

6. Creighton

7. Eastern Michigan

8. Chattanooga

 

Projected brackets, which will be updated constantly within the week.

 

Tracking the 34 at-large spots, sorted by conference.

[alfdogg 0]

Thanks. I'm just trying to get an idea of how long it will be before the Yahoo leagues begin.

[fazzle 0]

Most of the small schools go one-and-done, although plenty of upsets have happened before.

I still fondly remember watching UNCW's upset of USC....and then their complete chokejob against defending champ Maryland the next year.

[CanadianChris 0]

Gonzaga (No. 11 AP, No. 12 ESPN/USA Today) won their second straight West Coast conference tournament, defeating St. Mary's 80-67.

 

The Bulldogs (25-4, 12-2 WCC) will enter this year's tournament as a high seed, although not as high as last year when they were ranked as high as fourth in the country en route to a 2 seed. Gonzaga owns high-profile wins over Washington, Georgia Tech and Oklahoma State, and is 16th in the RPI.

 

Despite the loss, St. Mary's (25-8, 11-3 WCC, RPI 37) is widely expected to receive an at-large bid into the NCAA tournament.

[CanadianChris 0]

Tonight's games:

 

Mid-Continent: (1) Oral Roberts vs. (7) Oakland, 7:00 ET

 

Horizon: (1) Wisconsin-Milwaukee vs. (3) Detroit, 9:00 ET

 

Sun Belt: Denver vs. Louisiana-Lafayette, 9:00 ET

[SilverPhoenix 0]

As far as St Mary's goes, here is a fuller tournament Resume.

 

Wins: 25 (24 in the NCAA Selection Commitee's Eyes, cause wins over DII schools don't count.)

Losses: 8

New RPI: 32

Old RPI: 38

Strength of Schedule 98 out of 330

Conference: West Coast Conference (WCC)

Conference RPI: 7

 

Marquee Wins (Any Victory Over any Team in the Top 25 RPI): Gonzaga

Key Wins (Any Victory Over any Team in the Top 100 RPI): San Fransisco (X2)

 

Bad Losses (Any Defeat Aganist any Team with an RPI past 150, and any Series where you were swept aganist Conference Oppoents with an RPI Past 100): Rutgers, Santa Clara (X2)

 

The Key things to look for.

 

- The WCC has a RPI Ranking of 7. Usually those Rankings are reserved for Major Conferences like the Atlantic 10, CUSA and Mountain West. Though I don't consider the Missouri Valley, Western Athletic and WCC Mid Majors anymore, these conferences are usually in that "Near Major/High Mid Major" Void, where there RPI Rankings range from 10 - 12 any given year. (Meaning that an At-Large Bid can be received, if they schedule correctly, and win their key OOC games.) Being just behind the Power/BCS Conferences is major accomplishment for the WCC. No Doubts about it, this Conference is good.

 

- The New RPI may give too much lean towards the Mid Majors, but St. Mary's is a true solid contender with a RPI of 32, and an old RPI 38. Usually Teams in the Top 50 are taken into the Big Dance as at Larges. Only Olkahoma in '94 was not taken, with a similar RPI.

 

- Their Strength of Schedule is 98, which is in the top 70 Percentile for Division I hoops. They have a better SoS than Pacific (157), which is a 98% lock for the Tourney, if they take a dive in the Final. (And even if they lose eariler, they're still a 85 - 92% lock to make the tourney.)

 

- Wins wise, they have the wins that a "Major" Conference (20+) member needs to make the tourney. Even if you do take away the DII win, 24 is still a very good number for this team aganist quality competition.

 

Overall St Mary's, by the stats, overall performance, and playing a hard game last night has proven themselves worthy to get an At Large Bid, even if it is a double digit ranking, they do deserve it.

 

Notes:

 

- From Common Sense Alone, it is unusual for the 7th Best Conference to only send one Team to the NCAAs.

 

- What could work aganist St. Mary's is Politics. Every Year, a Mid Major has a Amazing Season, by any standards. However, Conference Rankings, Strength of Schedules, and that one Key Loss (Utah State to UC Northridge) in the conference tournament, they are left to linger in the NIT.

 

- AP and Coach Poll Rankings do not matter as much as the other stuff. Although 99% of Ranked Teams make it, Utah State set the Precident for Ranked Teams, not makiing it. (Utah State is the new Measuring Stick for all Mid/Low Major Bubble Teams.)

[cabbageboy 0]

Iggy, you talk like it's some sort of outrage that U of L is ranked ahead of BC. I mean BC is in the midst of tanking, we outta be ranked ahead of them. In terms of the BE conf. I know they are the 1 seed but I'd take UConn, Pitt, and even Syracuse to win it over them. Hell add Nova to the list as well. BC is simply a team that had a favorable schedule and some luck (only having UConn and Pitt once for example). If they had Cuse's schedule they'd be about where Cuse is now: looking at a 4/5 type seed.

 

As far as Zona being ahead of Kansas, why not? They won the Pac 10 outright and Kansas is quickly falling apart having lost 4 of 5.

 

Anyway what kind of seed you guys think Zaga will get now? I'm thinking a 3 or so since they are ranked 11 or 12 and I believe they're about the same on www.collegerpi.com.