stever20 wrote:kayako wrote:stever20 wrote:Has any team been more disappointing 1st 3 weeks than Saint Mary's? They're only 3-4 and still have OOC games left with Boise, Colorado St, and UNLV. KP has them projected at 19-12. Could the WCC be a 1 bid conference?
Michigan State, Maryland, maybe Arkansas. Fortunately for St. Mary's, WCC's rigged conference tournament format gives them some hope if it comes down to it.
Those other teams have their conference play to help them out. WCC really doesn't.
I don't know that anyone beats Gonzaga in conference tourney, and don't know that anyone will be able to get enough of a resume good enough for an at large.
Maryland was picked 3rd in the B10 preseason, and has dug itself quite a hole to climb out of. Yeah, they have better chance to build a resume, but I'd think the disappointment is on par with St. Mary's so far. Arkansas (picked 3rd in SEC) is probably in a better shape, and Michigan State situation reminds me of Villanova 2021.
WCC tournament may not offer resume building opportunities, but IMO it's more realistic to win for St. Mary's than a B10 or SEC team having to make a run. Don't get me wrong, Gonzaga is probably several levels above St. Mary's, but it's just one game, and I would think the Gaels are capable of finishing second in the conference with BYU no longer there. It's very difficult for 3rd place or below teams to win in that format.
FWIW, teamrankings odds to make the tournament:
Arkansas 46%
St. Mary's 34%
Maryland 8%