Updated Big Ten RPI Rankings

[SelectionSunday]

What Big 10's Bubble Teams Need to Do

Of interest only for those who haven't given up on the season. If you've checked out for the season, no need to comment here and hijack the thread.

Courtesy of Jerry Palm at collegerpi.com, through games played Tuesday night.

2. Ohio State (26-2, 13-2)
7. Purdue (22-5, 11-3)
17. Wisconsin (20-6, 10-4)
36. Michigan State (15-11, 8-7)
39. Illinois (17-11, 7-8)
49. GOPHERS (17-10, 6-9)
58. Michigan (16-11, 7-8)
61. Penn State (14-12, 7-8)
80. Northwestern (16-10, 6-9)
172. Iowa (10-17, 3-12)
181. Indiana (12-15, 3-11)

In terms of the Big Ten's NCAA pecking order, I think last night's loss drops the Gophers to 7th behind Michigan, and just barely ahead of Penn State. The Wolverines might end up being the biggest beneficiary of the Gophers' collapse, especially if they beat the Badgers tonight and/or win in Williams Arena on Saturday. At this point the Big Ten is looking like a 5- or 6-bid league.

An educated guesstimate of what the Big Ten's potential bubble teams (in my current pecking order) need to do to feel like they're lock city for the NCAA:

1. Sparty: Win 2 of 3 vs. Purdue, Iowa and @ Michigan. Do that and they're a lock even with 0-1 mark at Big Ten Tournament.

2. Illinois: Win 2 of 3 vs. Iowa, @ Purdue and Indiana. Do that and they're a lock even with 0-1 mark at BTT.

3. Michigan: Win 2 of 3 vs. Wisconsin, @ Gophers and Michigan State and they're a lock even with 0-1 mark at BTT.

4. Gophers: Win 3 of 3 vs. Michigan, @ Northwestern and Penn State, then win 1 game at BTT.

5. Penn State: Win 3 of 3 @ Northwestern, Ohio State and @ Gophers, then win 1 game at BTT.

I think #2 will definitely happen, and then either #1 or #3. I'd expect the Sparty-Michigan season finale to be a de-facto play-in game, with the winner locking up a NCAA bid prior to Indianapolis.

 

[Friend Of Tubby]

I Think B10 May Get 6 Bids

Ohio St - Purdue - Wisky - Illini - Sparty - and Gophers / Michigan / Penn St for the 6th bid.

You are correct - Gophers MUST W next 4 in a row (minimum).

 

[howeda7]

We took more of a hit then I thought last night. Still if we win out, we should have an RPI safely in the 40's I would think. Maybe even 30's?

 

[Monty519]

4 in a row....well, the only saving grace I can take is that all of these losses have been close games (against the avg. opponents at least), and you'd just think at some point they'll figure out how to produce late in games to finish off some of these wins. At home against Michigan and Penn State, I'd really hope we can pull that off. @ NU could be a problem, hopefully we can just beat 'em up like we did at the Barn. Then its about winning that first round game to avoid another bad loss, probably against Iowa or IU I'm assuming if we finish 9-9?

This is easily within the realm of possibility, but something's gonna have to change late in games for this to happen, we've botched too many games in the end lately. I say just give the keys to Mav and see what he's got. He'll mess up a lot, but he'll also put some flow and pace into the game that could prove beneficial. I'm not the coach though, so my job isn't on the line with some freshman running my squad lol.

 

[josh087]

SS - Northwestern isn't dead yet, are they? Win their last three and they're 9-9 in Conference, get a big road win @ Wisconsin, and their RPI probably would be in the 60s if not better.

 

[SelectionSunday]

I don't have Northwestern on the radar. Haven't really done anything, and their nonconference schedule was atrocious. But if they pull off a win at Wisconsin, I can always revisit that.

I think I have a better chance of getting a date with Halle Berry than the Wildcats have of winning in Madtown.

 

[Friend Of Tubby]

I don't have Northwestern on the radar. Haven't really done anything, and their nonconference schedule was atrocious. But if they pull off a win at Wisconsin, I can always revisit that.

I think I have a better chance of getting a date with Halle Berry than the Wildcats have of winning in Madtown.

She is single again (I think). Good luck!