Hey Selection Sunday, A Couple Questions...

[TheHofferette]

so I have a few questions that I am curious your opinions on. I am sure a few answers will become as clear as they can become during conference tourney week, but if you have a little time I'd love to hear your thoughts.

is the UAB or Memphis debate ended as simply as by who plays UTEP in the CUSA final?

why so much love from the experts re: Ga Tech, the Illini, and Florida? mediocre major conference teams...what puts them in and leaves RI, W&M, Wich St (etc) out?

how on earth are Cincy and UConn even on anybody's radar? they are 7-11 in the BEast! SH and So Fla seem more Dance worthy.

how is St Mary's not already a lock? do they really need to beat Gonzaga in a season to prove their merit?

the A10 tourney is huge this year: how many bids do you think they can get? RI, Dayton, and St L seem just as worthy as a few other bubble teams people are talking about.

if you have some time, I'd love your insights!

 

[SelectionSunday]

UAB/Memphis: No, the debate is not that simple, but sometimes the talking heads will portray it that way. That said, I would agree that odds are one of Memphis/UAB will make the field (as an at-large), even though at this point I have neither in the field. Can't see any way they both get in.

Georgia Tech, Flordia, Illinois, Rhode Island, Wichita State, William & Mary: I like Florida and William & Mary better than most people do. I like Illinois' quality wins (especially the 2 outside the league that supplement their quality Big 10 wins), but the crappy finish has put them in peril. I don't really like the resumes of URI (crappy finish) and Wichita State (who have they beaten other than Northern Iowa?), but I'm still considering them. Georgia Tech is similar to Illinois (crappy finish), but doesn't have the quality of wins that Illini have.

Cincy/UConn: Not on my radar at this point. Can't justify it with 7-11 conference mark. I agree with you; I'd take USF or (especially) Seton Hall ahead of UConn at this point if I had to select a 9th Big East squad.

St. Mary's: I like St. Mary's a lot more than what I hear on TV. I think they're going to get in even if they lose tonight. Their resume isn't as weak as it's being made out to be. Relative to other bubble teams, I think it's really solid. Wins over San Diego State and @ Utah State (an incredibly difficult place to win) are of high quality. There are some other solid wins as well. ... vs. Northeastern (#72 in the RPI, finished 2nd in Colonial) on a neutral court, New Mexico State (#67, finished tied for 2nd in the WAC) and Pacific (co-champs of the Big West). To be safe, the Gaels would best avoid getting blown out of the water by the Zags. That wouldn't leave a good final impression.

A-10: Richmond, Temple and Xavier are all locks. The A-10 might sneak a 4th bid, but I think those 3 are about it. The remainder of the A-10's potential at-larges (Dayton, URI, Charlotte) flat-out choked down the stretch. Saint Louis has an outside chance if it gets to the finals and picks up a quality win or two along the way. If the A-10 ends up getting just the 3 bids, all they need to do is look in the mirror (read: don't blame the Selection Committee). If a couple of those teams (most notably Dayton & URI) had simply won the games they were supposed to, the A-10 would be looking at 5 bids, easy.

 

[TheHofferette]

awesome, thank you! I like W&M too, but I am struggling w/ putting them in over Northeastern. I don't think the Committee often jumps over teams (my struggle w/ putting Washington in as well, although they are more worthy than ASU, IMO)