SelectionSunday
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Some of you may remember that prior to each season I post the average RPI of nonconference opponents (using the previous season's RPI) for each Big Ten school. Here's an update on how the Gophers' nonconference opponents are doing (not that it will matter unless we get back into the bubble conversation).
The average RPI of the Gophers' nonconference opponents heading into the season was 162.181, which ranked 4th best in the B1G. Obviously, this did not include the Gophers' 2nd (Indiana State) and 3rd (Dayton) opponents at the Old Spice Classic. First we'll look at the numbers prior to the season, then what they are now. I'll list opponents from best to worst.
Preseason (average RPI of 162.181)
1. Virginia Tech (62)
2. USC (67)
3. Bucknell (79)
4. St. Peter's (92)
5. Fairfield (97)
6. South Dakota State (183)
7. Appalachian State (195)
8. Mount St. Mary's (230)
9. DePaul (234)
10. North Dakota State (238)
11. Central Michigan (307)
Summary: 5 top-100 opponents with 1 RPI killer (RPI 250+)
Currently (average RPI of 172.769)
1. South Dakota State (61)
2. Dayton (74)
3. Bucknell (81)
4. Virginia Tech (100)
5. Fairfield (123)
6. Indiana State (132)
7. North Dakota State (149)
8. DePaul (190)
9. USC (238)
10. Appalachian State (241)
11. Central Michigan (275)
12. Mount St. Mary's (287)
13. St. Peter's (295)
Summary: 4 top-100 opponents with 3 RPI killers. The real killer is that we played only 1 bonafide NCAA at-large candidate in Dayton (which we lost), and the bottom 5 opponents (especially USC) are dragging us down. Conversely, some of our second-tier opponents (SDSU, Bucknell, Fairfield, NDSU) have performed close to or beyond last season's performance.
The average RPI of the Gophers' nonconference opponents heading into the season was 162.181, which ranked 4th best in the B1G. Obviously, this did not include the Gophers' 2nd (Indiana State) and 3rd (Dayton) opponents at the Old Spice Classic. First we'll look at the numbers prior to the season, then what they are now. I'll list opponents from best to worst.
Preseason (average RPI of 162.181)
1. Virginia Tech (62)
2. USC (67)
3. Bucknell (79)
4. St. Peter's (92)
5. Fairfield (97)
6. South Dakota State (183)
7. Appalachian State (195)
8. Mount St. Mary's (230)
9. DePaul (234)
10. North Dakota State (238)
11. Central Michigan (307)
Summary: 5 top-100 opponents with 1 RPI killer (RPI 250+)
Currently (average RPI of 172.769)
1. South Dakota State (61)
2. Dayton (74)
3. Bucknell (81)
4. Virginia Tech (100)
5. Fairfield (123)
6. Indiana State (132)
7. North Dakota State (149)
8. DePaul (190)
9. USC (238)
10. Appalachian State (241)
11. Central Michigan (275)
12. Mount St. Mary's (287)
13. St. Peter's (295)
Summary: 4 top-100 opponents with 3 RPI killers. The real killer is that we played only 1 bonafide NCAA at-large candidate in Dayton (which we lost), and the bottom 5 opponents (especially USC) are dragging us down. Conversely, some of our second-tier opponents (SDSU, Bucknell, Fairfield, NDSU) have performed close to or beyond last season's performance.