Bracket Challenge

Peacone36

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Which system is flawed? I’d argue that we don’t really know how good St Mary’s is.

Do you think Nevada would’ve said no?
NMSU?
South Dakota St?
Maybe St Mary’s and Nebraska could’ve done each other a favor.

St Mary’s shouldn’t have trouble getting quality OOC games. This miss rests solely on Randy Bennett in my opinion.
 

Peacone36

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@Peacone36 you don't think the system is flawed when days ago a team was ranked 20th in the nation and now they're not in the field of 64? lol Don't overthink it, it doesn't make sense plain and simple.

I think you should question whether or not the people that are voting in the Poll are voting under the same circumstance or towards the same goal as the people who are setting the tournament field
 

CuseJacket

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I think you should question whether or not the people that are voting in the Poll are voting under the same circumstance or towards the same goal as the people who are setting the tournament field
Exactly. Few thoughts:

1) AP voters <> NCAA tournament selection committee. New Mexico St. is #31 and a 12 seed.

2) Poll inertia is a thing. St. Mary's started the year at #22. Happens in football and basketball.

3) Re: how wide the disparity is between the poll and tournament selection, I would bet my last dollar that every person on the committee unequivocally believes St. Mary's to be one of the top 68 teams. Unfortunately the tournament has never been about getting the best 68 teams in. There are 32 auto-bids. So, it's odd but not quite as crazy to think about St. Mary's not cracking the top 45 or so (assuming 9-10 of the auto-bids would get in on their own merit).
 

Peacone36

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Exactly. Few thoughts:

1) AP voters <> NCAA tournament selection committee. New Mexico St. is #31 and a 12 seed.

2) Poll inertia is a thing. St. Mary's started the year at #22. Happens in football and basketball.

3) Re: how wide the disparity is between the poll and tournament selection, I would bet my last dollar that every person on the committee unequivocally believes St. Mary's to be one of the top 68 teams. Unfortunately the tournament has never been about getting the best 68 teams in. There are 32 auto-bids. So, it's odd but not quite as crazy to think about St. Mary's not cracking the top 45 or so (assuming 9-10 of the auto-bids would get in on their own merit).

Agreed. I think the other issue and possibly the more important issue is, a situation such as the AE, Vermont DOMINATES, and is AWESOME but they had a bad day so they’re out. One bad day negates a season of excellence and robs us of quality basketball, because make no mistake Vermont is really ****ing good. I’m surprised there is not more uproar here. I also do not have an answer for this situation as I thoroughly enjoy championship weeek.
 

CuseJacket

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Agreed. I think the other issue and possibly the more important issue is, a situation such as the AE, Vermont DOMINATES, and is AWESOME but they had a bad day so they’re out. One bad day negates a season of excellence and robs us of quality basketball, because make no mistake Vermont is really ****ing good. I’m surprised there is not more uproar here. I also do not have an answer for this situation as I thoroughly enjoy championship weeek.
I believe it's still the conferences' decision on how their auto-bid is decided, correct?

Devil's advocate - the quality and significance of the conference tourneys would worsen without that auto-bid at stake. Love watching those conference tourney championship games. Those smaller championship games probably wouldn't get televised if the championship meant nothing, so probably there are $$$ at stake too.

Obviously Vermont still got a favorable conference tournament path for doing well in the regular season.
 

Peacone36

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I believe it's still the conferences' decision on how their auto-bid is decided, correct?

Devil's advocate - the quality and significance of the conference tourneys would worsen without that auto-bid at stake. Love watching those conference tourney championship games. Those smaller championship games probably wouldn't get televised if the championship meant nothing, so probably there are $$$ at stake too.

Obviously Vermont still got a favorable conference tournament path for doing well in the regular season.

Oh I agree 100% and I’m nit suggesting expansion but it’s terrible that 3 months of awesome is negated by a bad shooting night. Easiest solution is for Vermont to win the tournament but sometimes **** happens
 

smathis30

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Fwiw USC has one win over teams in the field total being Rhode Island and ASU has wins over 2 one seeds. ASU has a much higher ceiling IMo
 

ESPNjacket

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Fwiw USC has one win over teams in the field total being Rhode Island and ASU has wins over 2 one seeds. ASU has a much higher ceiling IMo

USC has one win over New Mexico State. They didn't play Rhode Island.

Since you brought them up, Rhode Island's best win is Seton Hall on a neutral court. URI's best road win (using kenpom) is #142 VCU. I think they are over-seeded.
 

smathis30

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USC has one win over New Mexico State. They didn't play Rhode Island.

Since you brought them up, Rhode Island's best win is Seton Hall on a neutral court. URI's best road win (using kenpom) is #142 VCU. I think they are over-seeded.

thats right. No wins over at-large teams and i forgot who their win over conf-champ was.

This years bracket was interesting based off how average the first four and last four were. All had comparably average resumes in one way or another
 

CuseJacket

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Another "bracket challenge" format I've done in the past...

Ground rules: Buy-in $20. You can only select each team in the tournament once, max.

Thursday, first round you select 2 teams to advance. If those teams win, you're still in.
Friday, first round you select 2 new teams to advance. If those teams win, you're still in.
Saturday, round of 32, you select 1 new team to advance. If that team wins, you're still in.
Sunday, round of 32, 1 new team.
And so on each day of the tournament.

If you get knocked out in any round, you can buy back in for $20. You must select 2x the number of teams in the next round to advance.

Strategy requires picking teams you think will advance but are teams you won't want to pick down the road e.g., do you waste picking a #1 seed in round 1 or 2 or save them? If you run out of teams to pick, you're out, if anyone else advances.

Also, re-buys are interesting. Takes some guts.

Winner take all. Big payout.
 

CuseJacket

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Anyone else waiting until after the First Four games to fill in their champion? :whistle:

But seriously, for anyone watching tonight, if you haven't seen Jaylen Adams (St. Bonaventure) play yet, you're in for a treat. If he gets going, he can Fill. It. Up. I expect he'll play like he has something to prove especially with Aaron Holiday on the other side.
 

jeffgt14

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Yea I'm stuck. St. Bonnie is damn good but I also like Florida. Teams that play like Florida usually can do pretty good in the tournament. Kind of hoping St. Bonaventure loses just so my decision is easier.
 
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