PC vs SHU

[Bill Marsh]

That's the problem with the RPI. Everyone in our league knows that a healthy Seton Hall is not a bad loss.

And I think the selection committee will recognize that too, which is why I think PC is in regardless of result tomorrow. When you look at a 21 win team who's worst loss (by far RPI-wise) is to Seton Hall, that's a tournament team. If something keeps PC out of the tournament, it's not the bad losses, it's the lack of good wins. Something beating SHU doesn't give them. The only way to get another good win is to beat Creighton in the final, which gets them the automatic bid anyway.

Losing this game would damage PC's rpi a bit, but rpi is just a portion of the selection process- not the be all end all. I don't think this game will significantly change PC's resume regardless of result.

Good points.

As for good wins, PC only has 2 against the top 50, but one of those is a very good one vs #8 Creighton. Then add to those, 3 road wins vs the top 100, which have to be just as good as home wins vs the top 50 - St.John's twice and La Salle. PC has their share of good wins.

[billyjack]

At what point does Hall stop being a "bad loss." I mean, they're obviously far from being a "quality win," but I think they've demonstrated that they're no longer a "bad loss."

Without the injuries to Edwin, Gibbs, Auda, etc, in December, there really is no way that the Hall would've lost to Farleigh-Dickinson and St Peter's. Both of those short-handed disasters came down to the last minute. The Mercer loss wasn't good, but it was on the road, SHU had held a 14 or so point lead, and it did go to OT, and Mercer has an RPI of 81.

Besides that, they had a double-digit lead on 27 RPI Oklahoma, and led by 8 with 30-seconds to play, and then the refs let OU play rugby to steal the ball. I guess my point is that without those injuries leading to the bad losses, their RPI would be very good. Will the committee consider the injuries as far as seeding VU after the loss or not letting a potential loss by PC tomorrow hurt the Friars' NCAA chances...?

[billyjack]

Seton Hall will be playing their 3rd game within a 50 hour span, so hopefully for PC's sake, the Hall will have tired legs.

[stever20]

I think if PC loses, it's going to be hinging a lot on things like the ACC tomorrow. They have 3 games where if the lower seeded team wins, it really opens the door big time- especially I think Florida State and NC State. Clemson with a bit more after that.....

I think definitely the loss impacts Nova. I'd guess if one of about 3-4 teams wins their conference, they will be in as a #1 bumping Nova down. I think worst case is if that team is Syracuse.

The thing with Seton Hall, it's not like their losses in December were their only bad ones. They lost 7 of their last 9 games, including losses to DePaul and Butler(who swept them in the regular season).

[Hall2012]

More than I'm worried about Seton Hall having tired legs from the 3rd game in such a short period of time, I'm worried about the mental let down. They're coming off one of the biggest wins in school history and now they need to refocus and realize that the job isn't done yet. Providence doesn't come into this game with a #1 seed, #3 ranking, or any of the glitz and glamour of Villanova, but it's going to take the exact same effort (maybe even a little more) to beat them.

[PhillyPirate]

While I wouldnt say I am feeling confident because fatigue of Teague and only having 2 guards play 3 games in 3 days, this a very winnable game. SHUs win at Providence was without Teague, and Providence's win at SHU was without Edwin. If we can hit 3s (really struggled there yesterday), pound the post, and limit the stretches without scoring SHU has a chance to play in the Championship game for the first time in awhile.

[stever20]

While I wouldnt say I am feeling confident because fatigue of Teague and only having 2 guards play 3 games in 3 days, this a very winnable game. SHUs win at Providence was without Teague, and Providence's win at SHU was without Edwin. If we can hit 3s (really struggled there yesterday), pound the post, and limit the stretches without scoring SHU has a chance to play in the Championship game for the first time in awhile.

you would think if any game would be ok with a lack of depth, it'd be vs Providence given how thin they are. The big question is emotionally how Seton Hall comes out.

[Bill Marsh]

While I wouldnt say I am feeling confident because fatigue of Teague and only having 2 guards play 3 games in 3 days, this a very winnable game. SHUs win at Providence was without Teague, and Providence's win at SHU was without Edwin. If we can hit 3s (really struggled there yesterday), pound the post, and limit the stretches without scoring SHU has a chance to play in the Championship game for the first time in awhile.

PC players are used to playing big minutes, but foul trouble is potentially a big problem for them. They weathered the storm yesterday when Cotton went to the bench, but with a battle of the big men shaping up, I's watch Batts who has a tendency to pick up fouls. With Desrosiers rotating in, they can deal with that, but if anyone else gets in foul trouble, it can be their demise.

[gofriars08]

Teague has killed PC in the past few games - need to find a way to contain him or PC could be in big trouble.

[cu blujs]

I'm just hoping for another epic BE 5 OT game - unless CU loses tonight, then I don't care so much