I think the Gopher Nation needs to prepare itself for what could be another in a long line of snubs from the NCAA. Who can forget 1992/93 campaign when the Gophers went on to win the NIT? Most observers thought the Gophers were a lock that year. Further snubs in the 90's and the year the Gophers became the first team in the modern era to have a winning record in the conference and not a get a bid...was that 2002? Anyway, I think the committee has their hands full...at least 4 teams will feel terribly snubbed.
Here are 10 reasons the Gophers might get snubbed:
1)RPI over 60 - Looks like the Gophers will enter Sunday with an RPI of 61. Theoretically, only teams in the top 50 should be "locks" for a bid...based on the theory that roughly 15 teams outside the top 50 will earn auto-bids in most seasons. Getting an at-large bid with an RPI of 61 or higher has happened before but certainly, not the norm. The Gophers RPI was killed by the losses to Indiana and Portland.
2)Houston, we have a problem. The upset over an uninspired UTEP team stole a bid that was never gonna go Houston's way without that win. When I saw that game's last 2 minutes, my heart sank.
3)Utah State - They are choking right now to New Mexico State....If the Aggies win, that's another bid gone. Utah State are a lock for an at-large bid.
4).500 record in mediocre Big 10 - Normally its not a big deal for a Big 10 team to be .500 and make it, but with the perception around the country that the league is somewhat down, Minnesota could be left out based on the perception.
5)Big Ten bias toward Chicago and Illinois - Don't laugh! The NCAA and the Big Ten would probably rather have an Illinois team get in so they could captivate the Chicago market that much more...Not sure who is representing the Big Ten on the Committee but chances are, he's not associated with Minnesota and has to answer to the Big Ten Commissioner.
6)Miss-Information from CBS - Kellogg and Nantz perpetuating a rumor/lie that the Gophers beat OSU while they were without Turner, thus minimizing a key win. I heard Kellogg say it three times during the broadcast. Meanwhile, both Nantz and Kellogg went to bat for for the Illini.
7)Gophers could get blown out by OSU - Playing their 4th game in 65 hours, could seriously be too much to ask. If the Gophers get blown out, it could minimize all that they accomplished in this tourney's first 3 days.
8)Kent State - They lost early in their conference tourney and are pretty much a lock for an at-large bid with a 24-7 record and RPI of 48. Meanwhile, Ohio gets the auto-bid with a win over Akron. the Mac gets 2 spots with only 1 team inside the top 75 RPI...yuck!
9)Negativity surrounding Minnesota program with suspensions - It may not be a huge problem, but there could be some who feel that Tubby has recruited thugs and poor students...the powers in the NCAA may not wanna reward Tubby for having a quarter of his roster suspended.
10)Minnesotans are too nice - What group of fans would take an ass-reaming better than Minnesotans?
If I were Tubby, I would be telling my team that we have to win the game...NOTHING is guarenteed and especially not for the Gophers and Minnesota when it comes to the NCAA Tourney.
Here are 10 reasons the Gophers might get snubbed:
1)RPI over 60 - Looks like the Gophers will enter Sunday with an RPI of 61. Theoretically, only teams in the top 50 should be "locks" for a bid...based on the theory that roughly 15 teams outside the top 50 will earn auto-bids in most seasons. Getting an at-large bid with an RPI of 61 or higher has happened before but certainly, not the norm. The Gophers RPI was killed by the losses to Indiana and Portland.
2)Houston, we have a problem. The upset over an uninspired UTEP team stole a bid that was never gonna go Houston's way without that win. When I saw that game's last 2 minutes, my heart sank.
3)Utah State - They are choking right now to New Mexico State....If the Aggies win, that's another bid gone. Utah State are a lock for an at-large bid.
4).500 record in mediocre Big 10 - Normally its not a big deal for a Big 10 team to be .500 and make it, but with the perception around the country that the league is somewhat down, Minnesota could be left out based on the perception.
5)Big Ten bias toward Chicago and Illinois - Don't laugh! The NCAA and the Big Ten would probably rather have an Illinois team get in so they could captivate the Chicago market that much more...Not sure who is representing the Big Ten on the Committee but chances are, he's not associated with Minnesota and has to answer to the Big Ten Commissioner.
6)Miss-Information from CBS - Kellogg and Nantz perpetuating a rumor/lie that the Gophers beat OSU while they were without Turner, thus minimizing a key win. I heard Kellogg say it three times during the broadcast. Meanwhile, both Nantz and Kellogg went to bat for for the Illini.
7)Gophers could get blown out by OSU - Playing their 4th game in 65 hours, could seriously be too much to ask. If the Gophers get blown out, it could minimize all that they accomplished in this tourney's first 3 days.
8)Kent State - They lost early in their conference tourney and are pretty much a lock for an at-large bid with a 24-7 record and RPI of 48. Meanwhile, Ohio gets the auto-bid with a win over Akron. the Mac gets 2 spots with only 1 team inside the top 75 RPI...yuck!
9)Negativity surrounding Minnesota program with suspensions - It may not be a huge problem, but there could be some who feel that Tubby has recruited thugs and poor students...the powers in the NCAA may not wanna reward Tubby for having a quarter of his roster suspended.
10)Minnesotans are too nice - What group of fans would take an ass-reaming better than Minnesotans?
If I were Tubby, I would be telling my team that we have to win the game...NOTHING is guarenteed and especially not for the Gophers and Minnesota when it comes to the NCAA Tourney.
