Tues 12/17 BE Game Thread (4 Games).

[stever20]

I think the thing folks forget is where the BE was this time last year even...
Lou 12-1
Pit 12-1
Syr 12-1
ND 12-1
Cin 12-1
Geo 10-1
SH 11-2
Con 10-2
Rut 9-2
Mar 9-3
USF 9-3
Vil 9-4
Dep 9-4
Pro 8-4
SJ 8-4
152-34

6 1 loss teams and 3 2 loss teams. This year with several difficult games left(what did we figure about 10 competitive games), we are 76-26 and have 1 undefeated team, 0 1 loss teams, and 4 2 loss teams. What that means is the bubble talk is going to be a lot more prevelant this year than we have had in a long time.

[GumbyDamnit!]

I don't agree Stever. You are assuming that Cincy will be a bubble team. What if they end up top 3 in the AAC? What if Pitt is the bubble team come March and they are battling for a spot with XU? I think in the simplest terms of the RPI system a team is rewarded when they beat a team that beats other teams. So cheering for a team to be successful after one of our teams dismantled them is expected behavior. I want Iowa to win the B1G and KU to win the B12 to boost Novas RPI. I would think XU wants the same of everyone they played. I think you are over thinking this.

[GumbyDamnit!]

I think the thing folks forget is where the BE was this time last year even...
Lou 12-1
Pit 12-1
Syr 12-1
ND 12-1
Cin 12-1
Geo 10-1
SH 11-2
Con 10-2
Rut 9-2
Mar 9-3
USF 9-3
Vil 9-4
Dep 9-4
Pro 8-4
SJ 8-4
152-34

6 1 loss teams and 3 2 loss teams. This year with several difficult games left(what did we figure about 10 competitive games), we are 76-26 and have 1 undefeated team, 0 1 loss teams, and 4 2 loss teams. What that means is the bubble talk is going to be a lot more prevelant this year than we have had in a long time.

Nova with 4 losses makes the tourney. SJU with Harrison last year prob makes the tourney. SH and Rutgers with 2 losses does not. Missing your point I guess.

[stever20]

I don't agree Stever. You are assuming that Cincy will be a bubble team. What if they end up top 3 in the AAC? What if Pitt is the bubble team come March and they are battling for a spot with XU? I think in the simplest terms of the RPI system a team is rewarded when they beat a team that beats other teams. So cheering for a team to be successful after one of our teams dismantled them is expected behavior. I want Iowa to win the B1G and KU to win the B12 to boost Novas RPI. I would think XU wants the same of everyone they played. I think you are over thinking this.

I don't think we've seen anything that would indicate Cincy will be top 3 in the AAC.

My point is simple- odds are pretty good that Cincy will be a bubble team. Them getting a big win is huge for them...

I've not said for a second the win doesn't help Xavier. It's huge for them. But the blanket statement that it helps the Big East- just don't think you can say that.

[stever20]

I think the thing folks forget is where the BE was this time last year even...
Lou 12-1
Pit 12-1
Syr 12-1
ND 12-1
Cin 12-1
Geo 10-1
SH 11-2
Con 10-2
Rut 9-2
Mar 9-3
USF 9-3
Vil 9-4
Dep 9-4
Pro 8-4
SJ 8-4
152-34

6 1 loss teams and 3 2 loss teams. This year with several difficult games left(what did we figure about 10 competitive games), we are 76-26 and have 1 undefeated team, 0 1 loss teams, and 4 2 loss teams. What that means is the bubble talk is going to be a lot more prevelant this year than we have had in a long time.

Nova with 4 losses makes the tourney. SJU with Harrison last year prob makes the tourney. SH and Rutgers with 2 losses does not. Missing your point I guess.

If Nova was in this years BE- they don't make the tourney- not enough big wins(problem Marquette will face). SJU would have needed to win at least 3 if not 4 more games to make the tourney(Rutgers, Providence, then 1 of their other losses at least to get to 19-12 square on the bubble).

The raw winning pct matters a lot- last year 152-34 .817 this year 76-26 .745. That .072 difference is huge. That would be 7 more wins. Like someone said last night, imagine the difference in outlook if we had finished against top 5 teams. I'd say imagine if we had those 7 more wins. The whole outlook is so much different- and the talk of 5-6 bids is a lot more realistic. Or last year- would have been 14 fewer wins if had this years winning pct. Nova and Cincy don't make it for sure just about(or if they do, they're in the PIG), and ND and Pitt are a lot lower down.

[GumbyDamnit!]

See, now this is where I am confused. Sure there were more opportunities for good wins last year but also more opportunities for L's. So what is more important? Getting those 20 wins (would seem there is a better chance for that this year for Marq since there are no Syr, L'villes, Pitts, ND'a and UConn on their schedule), or just winning games against good quality opponents and seeing where you are at the end of the year. You seem to be arguing both sides. My contention is that if the BE continues to be a top 3 RPI league, then we are in good position to get 4 bids. Finish in the top 3 and your chances of getting a bid will be very good. 4-6 and you hold your breath a little). If Marq finishes 2nd, which is absolutely possible, they are getting in. Period. Same for all the rest not named SHU or DePaul. It will have proven that they are one of the top teams in this league where the schedule is balanced. So no need for much debate at that point. They proved their worth over an 18 game schedule. Now I will agree that if Nova finishes 5th we still have a good shot at an at large bid because of our OOC. But there are 8 teams with a great chance to make the tourney still. "Finish top 3 and punch your ticket," should be the mantra of every team.

[stever20]

See, now this is where I am confused. Sure there were more opportunities for good wins last year but also more opportunities for L's. So what is more important? Getting those 20 wins (would seem there is a better chance for that this year for Marq since there are no Syr, L'villes, Pitts, ND'a and UConn on their schedule), or just winning games against good quality opponents and seeing where you are at the end of the year. You seem to be arguing both sides. My contention is that if the BE continues to be a top 3 RPI league, then we are in good position to get 4 bids. Finish in the top 3 and your chances of getting a bid will be very good. 4-6 and you hold your breath a little). If Marq finishes 2nd, which is absolutely possible, they are getting in. Period. Same for all the rest not named SHU or DePaul. It will have proven that they are one of the top teams in this league where the schedule is balanced. So no need for much debate at that point. They proved their worth over an 18 game schedule. Now I will agree that if Nova finishes 5th we still have a good shot at an at large bid because of our OOC. But there are 8 teams with a great chance to make the tourney still. "Finish top 3 and punch your ticket," should be the mantra of every team.

My point for Marquette for instance- especially if they lose to New Mexico- just getting to 20 wins may not be enough. I mean, I could see a scenario where Marquette loses to NM, going 8-5 OOC. They go 11-7 in conference play and finish 2nd. Spilt in the BET(losing in the SF). They are 20-13. I just don't know how much of a lock they would be with that resume. As far as last year- you say had more chances for good wins but more chances for L's. True/not true. You didn't play all the teams 2x, so you got to play some of the teams that didn't make the tourney 2x. My point is BOTH are important.

Also, we have now slipped to 4th in the RPI(behind B12, B10, P12). ACC is getting closer. That's another factor.