2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
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2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
So, what do you basketball experts think about the bracket?
I don't know much, but I know that Arizona State finished below .500 in Pac-12 league play and lost in the first round of the conference tournament. And, was one of the three conference teams to make the field? I know that they beat some strong teams early in the season, but USC should have been in over them.
I also wish St. Mary's had been selected.
I don't know much, but I know that Arizona State finished below .500 in Pac-12 league play and lost in the first round of the conference tournament. And, was one of the three conference teams to make the field? I know that they beat some strong teams early in the season, but USC should have been in over them.
I also wish St. Mary's had been selected.
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
If it were 1950 and football and a bunch of sweaty dudes just voted on the champion Virginia would be an unanimous choice as champion.
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
I need a pool!
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
if missouri wasn't going to missouri and lose in the first round, their bracket is really, really, really set up for a run to the sweet 16 or elite eight
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
I agree with you on ASU. ASU and Oklahoma both had strong starts to the season but their terrible recent play should’ve been given more weight. I think the Committee dissed USC and, to a lesser extent Louisville because of their recent scandals.sancarlos wrote: ↑Sun Mar 11, 2018 6:21 pm So, what do you basketball experts think about the bracket?
I don't know much, but I know that Arizona State finished below .500 in Pac-12 league play and lost in the first round of the conference tournament. And, was one of the three conference teams to make the field? I know that they beat some strong teams early in the season, but USC should have been in over them.
I also wish St. Mary's had been selected.
My other reactions:
1. I think Duke and Michigan State are 2 of the 4 best teams in the country. That’s the strongest Sweet 16 matchup.
2. Arizona and Kentucky are much more dangerous than the 2 and 3 seeds in their region. And there are going to be so many tears about the “demise of college basketball” if one of them beats UVA.
3. Xavier won’t make it past the Sweet Sixteen, at best. Whoever wins the 4/5 matchup in that region will beat them.
4. Villanova has a pretty favorable region but WVU can be annoying to play against if the refs let them get away with all the fouls they commit when they press and trap.
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
Well, Villanova still has to get past lakers.
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
Oklahoma State getting passed over really makes no sense, other than the committee punishing teams associated with the fbi thing.
Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
14-loss Oklahoma State? I think that's the explanation right there.tennbengal wrote: ↑Mon Mar 12, 2018 5:21 am Oklahoma State getting passed over really makes no sense, other than the committee punishing teams associated with the fbi thing.
Totally Kafkaesque
Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
BTW, to echo Joe's point above, Arizona and Kentucky scare the hell out of me in Virginia's bracket. When you have talent like that, you can beat anyone on a good day. Virginia's defense is great, but sometimes dudes are just too good to be stopped. That said, I'm not not taking any games for granted (well, after UMBC), so I'm not too worried about those teams yet.
Totally Kafkaesque
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
I think UMBC hangs tough.
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
14-loss Alabama got inShirley wrote: ↑Mon Mar 12, 2018 8:29 am14-loss Oklahoma State? I think that's the explanation right there.tennbengal wrote: ↑Mon Mar 12, 2018 5:21 am Oklahoma State getting passed over really makes no sense, other than the committee punishing teams associated with the fbi thing.
13-loss Oklahoma got in ... who 14-loss Oklahoma State beat twice
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
You can transitive property yourself into La Salle being within like 20 spots of making the tourney. Thats rarely a great argument.
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
the OSU over OU argument is less transitive property and more "look at how terrible OU was in conference play after teams figured out how to guard Trae Young."
I understand wanting to eliminate recency bias as much as possible from the discussion, but I do think conference play is more important than the beginning of the season. And, again, OSU beat OU twice and was a spot ahead in the standings.
But Baylor got left out too, so honestly, I think Baylor is probably the team that should have gotten in at OU's expense. And then OSU.
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
STRONGLY agree that they've devalued conference play while boosting early season results.
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There's a bit of bitching about MSU getting the "home court" in Detroit over UM (both 3 seeds), but as was kind of alluded to upthread... They can have it as far as I'm concerned. That's a brutal pod. I'd MUCH rather have to face UNC and Xavier to punch a Final Four ticket than Duke and Kansas. Oof.
Not saying I'm counting on anything, because UM can go cold behind the arc. But what's different (and a little scary) about this UM team is that even when they're not shooting well, they have a team D this year that has kept them in/won them games down the stretch. Beilein admitted that the change in the charging rules stymied him, so he's now brought in two defensive specialists coaches and, wow, does it make a difference.
MI got run off the court at the Dean Dome 3 months ago. I think they'd relish a shot at redemption, though with Beilein, that's not the type of thing he typically makes a big deal out of.
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There's a bit of bitching about MSU getting the "home court" in Detroit over UM (both 3 seeds), but as was kind of alluded to upthread... They can have it as far as I'm concerned. That's a brutal pod. I'd MUCH rather have to face UNC and Xavier to punch a Final Four ticket than Duke and Kansas. Oof.
Not saying I'm counting on anything, because UM can go cold behind the arc. But what's different (and a little scary) about this UM team is that even when they're not shooting well, they have a team D this year that has kept them in/won them games down the stretch. Beilein admitted that the change in the charging rules stymied him, so he's now brought in two defensive specialists coaches and, wow, does it make a difference.
MI got run off the court at the Dean Dome 3 months ago. I think they'd relish a shot at redemption, though with Beilein, that's not the type of thing he typically makes a big deal out of.
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
If this conversation gets anywhere close to major conference fans bitching about unfairness, I might break something. Just a little FYI.
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
Didn't OK State beat Kansas - twice? And how are their losses more disqualifying than the 14 loss and 13 loss teams that got in?Shirley wrote: ↑Mon Mar 12, 2018 8:29 am14-loss Oklahoma State? I think that's the explanation right there.tennbengal wrote: ↑Mon Mar 12, 2018 5:21 am Oklahoma State getting passed over really makes no sense, other than the committee punishing teams associated with the fbi thing.
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
That's not my point. I just find it weird that Oklahoma is in, for instance, from their own conference where two of their conference-mates were more deserving selections.
The committee always does fucked up stuff. This year the fucked up stuff seemed to involve punishing teams with the FBI thing hanging over their heads, in some part. Which they of course have denied. But, whatevs.
Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
I was just projecting the next step in this. This time every year I get infuriated by the circular "where are your good OoC wins???" bullshit.
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
Oklahoma State had a non-conference SOS of 295 (from CBS). Unless I missed anyone, Virginia Tech was the only at-large team in the pool with a worse one.tennbengal wrote: ↑Mon Mar 12, 2018 9:45 amDidn't OK State beat Kansas - twice? And how are their losses more disqualifying than the 14 loss and 13 loss teams that got in?Shirley wrote: ↑Mon Mar 12, 2018 8:29 am14-loss Oklahoma State? I think that's the explanation right there.tennbengal wrote: ↑Mon Mar 12, 2018 5:21 am Oklahoma State getting passed over really makes no sense, other than the committee punishing teams associated with the fbi thing.
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
Buffalo got absolutely fucking hosed with its seeding. Not sure how a team with an RPI of 25 (as imperfect as RPI is) gets a 13 seed. Don't be surprised if they beat Arizona.
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
The committee has never factored in conference records or standing. Every year I'm surprised by folks who are surprised by this. This exact conversation happens each year. They've always looked at overall record, not just conference.
I have no opinion on whether 14 losses is better or worse than another team's 14 losses, but I do know that if you lost 14 times, you have no legitimate complaint about not getting in. 14 losses!
FWIW, Oklahoma State's Pomeroy ranking is 56. Eight teams with better rankings were also left out.
I have no opinion on whether 14 losses is better or worse than another team's 14 losses, but I do know that if you lost 14 times, you have no legitimate complaint about not getting in. 14 losses!
FWIW, Oklahoma State's Pomeroy ranking is 56. Eight teams with better rankings were also left out.
Totally Kafkaesque
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
USC might be the team that got fucked hardest.
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
I found it a little surprising and weird that Oklahoma State was the team that the media guys all latched on to, they were barely on the radar. I thought there were 5-6 teams left out that were closer to being in than them. For them, it was a simple case of having a terrible out of conference schedule, as already mentioned.
Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
Pretty clear that you have to have a strong out-of-conference schedule. Otherwise, 28-5 St. Mary's would be in.
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
If you need a pool, my buddy runs a fun one:
Hi all! This is your final email for this year for Hoopla signup! If you didn't get the first email and want more details, check the website below or email me. Long story short, I run a March Madness pool and hope you will join.
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Signing up
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Deadlines
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Tips & Tricks
Here are some random stats from past years - note that the future is not the past!
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
I can't speak for others, but I'm fully aware that they didn't technically look at conference record or standing. But almost without exception, looking at the last 10-12 games is looking at how a team is playing against its own conference, particularly as they are a) closing out the season typically gunning for a league title or a bye in the conf. tournament and/or b) playing in the conference tournament.Shirley wrote: ↑Mon Mar 12, 2018 10:18 am The committee has never factored in conference records or standing. Every year I'm surprised by folks who are surprised by this. This exact conversation happens each year. They've always looked at overall record, not just conference.
I have no opinion on whether 14 losses is better or worse than another team's 14 losses, but I do know that if you lost 14 times, you have no legitimate complaint about not getting in. 14 losses!
FWIW, Oklahoma State's Pomeroy ranking is 56. Eight teams with better rankings were also left out.
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
Which is complete and total bullshit given that mid-majors hold no power in scheduling. I would love to see either mandated matchups or some means of submitting requests centrally where programs get credit for what they would do even if their offers are rejected.
Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
I feel bad for St. Mary's, their season always comes down to how they did in whatever preseason tournament they can manage to get an invite to (the Wooden Legacy this year, they did badly in it), the two games against Gonzaga (they split) and the WCC semifinal against BYU (they lost). So I see how they got left out this year, but that's a very small margin for error.
Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
That's why BYU (basketball only) and Gonzaga are probably going to be joining the Mountain West and don't be surprised if Saint Mary's begs to come along with them. Could expand to as many as 16 teams for basketball I've read.Rex wrote: ↑Mon Mar 12, 2018 10:52 am I feel bad for St. Mary's, their season always comes down to how they did in whatever preseason tournament they can manage to get an invite to (the Wooden Legacy this year, they did badly in it), the two games against Gonzaga (they split) and the WCC semifinal against BYU (they lost). So I see how they got left out this year, but that's a very small margin for error.
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
Only win of note was against Gonzaga. I'm usually a St. Mary's/Gonzaga advocate, because I think the loser of the conf. tournament final tends to get screwed, but this year?
They need to beat Georgia and Wash. State, two very average large conference teams (neither of which made the tournament). And the loss to San Francisco was brutal for them.
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
I could take the CIT talk somewhere else, but if you're amped up and jones-ing for some kind of tournament game right this very second, there is a CIT game between Central Michigan and Fort Wayne tipping off at 11 a.m. Central time inexplicably on CBS Sports Network.
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
St Mary's got two games against top 25 teams, both Gonzaga, and won one. Syracuse got eight games against the top 25 and also won one. Louisville was 0-8. Seton Hall 1-5. Creighton was 1-4. Miami 1-4. Texas 2-8. Kansas St. 2-6. Arkansas 2-5. Butler 2-5. USC 0-2.Nonlinear FC wrote: ↑Mon Mar 12, 2018 10:56 amOnly win of note was against Gonzaga. I'm usually a St. Mary's/Gonzaga advocate, because I think the loser of the conf. tournament final tends to get screwed, but this year?
Its fine to say St. Mary's didn't prove themselves against the top teams, but you have to acknowledge (1) that isn't their fault and (2) like a dozen teams who proved themselves as unable to win against the top 25 did get in. The committee either views wins as gross versus net or gets wowed by 20+ and SoS, which is driven simply by conference affiliation.
(Or, really, its all about money and there are $$$ incentives to bring Syracuse over St. Mary's. The NCAA sucks.)
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
Surprised you say this knowing you watched Ayton this weekend. I'll be surprised if Arizona loses to anyone, especially Buffalo. Ayton is worth whatever they paid for him.
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
Smaller potatoes but Texas Southern has to play in Dayton even though 13 of their 19 losses were to:
Gonzaga
Washington St (OT)
Ohio St
Syracuse
Kansas
Clemson
Oakland
Toledo
Oregon
Baylor
Wyoming
TCU
BYU
All on the road, all in a row to start the year. Their metrics sort of blow anyway and they play in a shit conference with a few losses to shit teams, but I'd give them a 15-seed on principle.
Gonzaga
Washington St (OT)
Ohio St
Syracuse
Kansas
Clemson
Oakland
Toledo
Oregon
Baylor
Wyoming
TCU
BYU
All on the road, all in a row to start the year. Their metrics sort of blow anyway and they play in a shit conference with a few losses to shit teams, but I'd give them a 15-seed on principle.
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
Having conference winners in the play-in is bullshit (unless they win, then its actually really good because the money means a whole lot more to the smaller conferences).
Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
If it were me I'd make the last 8 at-large teams play all of the play-in games
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Re: 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
You mean the Hugh Durham Classic.....who is not excited for this game.brian wrote: ↑Mon Mar 12, 2018 11:03 am I could take the CIT talk somewhere else, but if you're amped up and jones-ing for some kind of tournament game right this very second, there is a CIT game between Central Michigan and Fort Wayne tipping off at 11 a.m. Central time inexplicably on CBS Sports Network.
Amazed the Terps did not get a sniff at any post-season play. But kinda glad they were not running about in the CIT or CBI.