Gophers will open with Texas A&M in Vancouver Showcase

[SelectionSunday]

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Gophers7633]

Potentially missing Santa Clara could have huge ramifications on our SOS. Beating A&M is of the utmost importance now. A&M and Washington both have potential to be Quadrant 1 wins.

 

[SelectionSunday]

Potentially missing Santa Clara could have huge ramifications on our SOS. Beating A&M is of the utmost importance now. A&M and Washington both have potential to be Quadrant 1 wins.

Yep.

Avoiding Santa Clara would be quite significant, especially now that there are only 10-11 non-conference games instead of 12-13.

 

[JimmyJamesMD]

Yep.

Avoiding Santa Clara would be quite significant, especially now that there are only 10-11 non-conference games instead of 12-13.

SS, I think you predicted that we wouldn't play SC due to the perception that we are down. Good call

 

[SelectionSunday]

SS, I think you predicted that we wouldn't play SC due to the perception that we are down. Good call

Figured either way Gophers would be projected as the #3 team, Santa Clara #4. It was just a matter of who would be perceived as the #1. I think Washington as the "#1" team is the right call. Huskies have a lot coming back, while Texas A&M is losing a lot.

 

[gopherguy15]

While some of us assumed we would avoid Santa Clara in the first round, it's still great news to hear it officially. It's now up to the Gophers to help themselves. Beating Texas A&M is a must, simply to avoid a Santa Clara matchup. SC finished with an RPI of 250+ last year! This next year will probably be the same. Need to avoid those gut-punching RPI killers as much as possible.

 

[SelectionSunday]

RPI & KenPom Numbers of Vancouver Showcase Teams

Washington -- #71 RPI, #98 KenPom

Texas A&M -- #29 RPI, #29 KenPom

Gophers -- #170 RPI, #117 KenPom

Santa Clara -- #265 RPI, #277 KenPom