Well, the rumors are out there so we might as well discuss, 96 teams, possibly as soon as next year. We all know it’s all about money and we all like 65 teams but I doubt we are going to be consulted on the matter. The real question is how do they schedule the games? I’ve heard Wednesday through Monday. If that’s the case Wednesday through Saturday are full 16 game days while Sunday and Monday are 8 a piece. I suppose Monday could be a night schedule with 4 at a time. Is it possible to get 3 days off next year? Is it possible to party 6 days in a row?
As for the logistics of adding 32 teams the only way I would be somewhat on board would be if they give auto-bids to both the conference champion and the conference tournament champion. I see enough of the 8th or 9th Big East team, no need to see the 11th and 12th.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Pitt & The Big 11
The rumors are out there but most reports indicate nothing is close to being decided. That doesn't stop us from speculating, though.
Academically, Pitt is one of the better public schools in the nation, but let's not kid ourselves, this is about a football playoff and straight cash, homey. Is Pitt a good fit? Do they improve the conference on the gridiron? To me, basketball is as irrelevant as academics in the discussion but they wouldn't hurt.
First, are they a good fit? They bring a natural rivalry with Penn State that was suspended on the field over squabbles between the athletic departments in 2000. They have a longstanding rivalry with Notre Dame which fits in well. They'd be dumping on-the field rivalries with Syracuse, West Virginia & Cincinnati though they'd certainly maintain their game with West Virginia. That would be an imposing non-conference schedule. But straight cash homey, would make it workable and at this point, beating Notre Dame is no better than beating a MAC school. So, bring on Temple, baby!
As for improving the conference, they don't bring much recent success. They haven't been a legitimate national title contender since 1983. Let's face it, a title in 1976 (Their only "modern" title) means little to nothing today. They have one Big East title on their resume and are coming off a season where they missed an XP that opened the door to a Cincinnati title. In the only season they won the Big East (2004), they were a pedestrian 8-4 and got hammered by Utah in the Fiesta Bowl. They do have very good facilities and play at Heinz Field - though I wonder if sharing a stadium isn't a drawback.
Adding Pitt to the Big 11 would be lauded as a move to add a school with solid academic credentials but would bring little to the conference on the field despite what their alumni might think except that magic playoff, er, conference title game.
Academically, Pitt is one of the better public schools in the nation, but let's not kid ourselves, this is about a football playoff and straight cash, homey. Is Pitt a good fit? Do they improve the conference on the gridiron? To me, basketball is as irrelevant as academics in the discussion but they wouldn't hurt.
First, are they a good fit? They bring a natural rivalry with Penn State that was suspended on the field over squabbles between the athletic departments in 2000. They have a longstanding rivalry with Notre Dame which fits in well. They'd be dumping on-the field rivalries with Syracuse, West Virginia & Cincinnati though they'd certainly maintain their game with West Virginia. That would be an imposing non-conference schedule. But straight cash homey, would make it workable and at this point, beating Notre Dame is no better than beating a MAC school. So, bring on Temple, baby!
As for improving the conference, they don't bring much recent success. They haven't been a legitimate national title contender since 1983. Let's face it, a title in 1976 (Their only "modern" title) means little to nothing today. They have one Big East title on their resume and are coming off a season where they missed an XP that opened the door to a Cincinnati title. In the only season they won the Big East (2004), they were a pedestrian 8-4 and got hammered by Utah in the Fiesta Bowl. They do have very good facilities and play at Heinz Field - though I wonder if sharing a stadium isn't a drawback.
Adding Pitt to the Big 11 would be lauded as a move to add a school with solid academic credentials but would bring little to the conference on the field despite what their alumni might think except that magic playoff, er, conference title game.
Tonight's Games
ESPN has itself a solid double header tonight. At 6pm Mississippi travels to Kentucky and at 8pm Michigan State visits Wisconsin
Mississippi @ Kentucky
Another tough game on tap for Kentucky. Mississippi brings in a solid offense that is efficient in getting their points. In fact the Rebels ranks 21st in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency which figures out how many points a team scores per 100 possessions. On the flip side Kentucky is ranked 25th on Adjusted Defensive Efficiency, which shows how many points a team give up per 100 possessions. I'll have more on Defensive Efficiency as we get closer to March but for now just remember that anything less than top 20 is bad. This game turns into a track meet at the end.
Kentucky 84, Mississippi 82
Michigan State @ Wisconsin
From the Hare to the Turtle the pace slows WAY down for the 8pm game. Michigan State is looking to remain undefeated in Big Ten play and this should be their toughest conference game to date. Wisconsin is without Leuer but Bo Knows Homecourt. An ugly, ugly game from start to finish but after being down 7 at half Wisconsin storms back in the final 5 minutes, mostly because Bo doesn't lose at home.
Wisconsin 61, Michigan State 57
Mississippi @ Kentucky
Another tough game on tap for Kentucky. Mississippi brings in a solid offense that is efficient in getting their points. In fact the Rebels ranks 21st in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency which figures out how many points a team scores per 100 possessions. On the flip side Kentucky is ranked 25th on Adjusted Defensive Efficiency, which shows how many points a team give up per 100 possessions. I'll have more on Defensive Efficiency as we get closer to March but for now just remember that anything less than top 20 is bad. This game turns into a track meet at the end.
Kentucky 84, Mississippi 82
Michigan State @ Wisconsin
From the Hare to the Turtle the pace slows WAY down for the 8pm game. Michigan State is looking to remain undefeated in Big Ten play and this should be their toughest conference game to date. Wisconsin is without Leuer but Bo Knows Homecourt. An ugly, ugly game from start to finish but after being down 7 at half Wisconsin storms back in the final 5 minutes, mostly because Bo doesn't lose at home.
Wisconsin 61, Michigan State 57
Big 10, No Wait, Big 11, or Big 12? Another Big 12?
The rumor out there is that Pittsburgh is ready to be the Big 10's 12th team. Does that make any sense? Should they remain the conference to the Big 12 v.2?
Monday, February 1, 2010
Monday Night Bracketology
1 seed vs 16 seed
Kansas - B12 vs Jackson St - SWAC/Lafayette - Patriot
Villanova - BigEast vs Stony Brook - AEast
Syracuse vs Coastal Carolina - BigSouth
Kentucky - SEC vs Robert Morris - NEC
2 seed vs 15 seed
Michigan State - B10 vs Morgan State - MEAC
West Virginia vs Arkansas State - Sbelt
Georgetown vs Jacksonville - Asun
Duke - ACC vs Akron - MAC
3 seed vs 14 seed
Texas vs George Mason - CAA
Purdue vs Pacific - Big West
Kansas State vs College of Charleston - SoCon
New Mexico vs Weber State - Big Sky
4 seed vs 13 seed
Wisconsin vs Sam Houston St - Southland
BYU - Mwest vs Murray State - OVC
Butler - Horizon vs Utah State - WAC
Pittsburgh vs Oakland - Summit
5 seed vs 12 seed
Vanderbilt vs Virginia
Tennessee vs South Carolina
Temple vs Mississippi State
Ohio State vs Maryland
6 seed vs 11 seed
Georgia Tech vs Cornell - Ivy
Xavier - A10 vs Cincinnati
Rhode Island vs Texas A&M
Gonzaga - WCC vs Louisville
7 seed vs 10 seed
Northern Iowa - MVC vs UNLV
California - Pac10 vs Richmond
Wake Forest vs Siena - MAAC
Baylor vs Old Dominion
8 seed vs 9 seed
Clemson vs Florida State
St. Mary's vs Mississippi
Missouri vs Oklahoma State
UAB - CUSA vs Charlotte
Last Four Out
Connecticut
Virginia Tech
Northwestern
North Carolina
Next Four Out
San Diego State
VCU
Dayton
Illinois
Also Considered
Texas Tech
Witchita State
William & Mary
Arizona
South Florida
Lousiana Tech
Northeastern
Minnesota
Marquette
Seton Hall
Tulsa
Washington
Nevada
Harvard
UTEP
St. John's
Notre Dame
Oklahoma
Memphis
Marshall
Georgia
Arizona State
Miami
Virginia
Boston College
Alabama
Washington State
Providence
Florida
Kansas - B12 vs Jackson St - SWAC/Lafayette - Patriot
Villanova - BigEast vs Stony Brook - AEast
Syracuse vs Coastal Carolina - BigSouth
Kentucky - SEC vs Robert Morris - NEC
2 seed vs 15 seed
Michigan State - B10 vs Morgan State - MEAC
West Virginia vs Arkansas State - Sbelt
Georgetown vs Jacksonville - Asun
Duke - ACC vs Akron - MAC
3 seed vs 14 seed
Texas vs George Mason - CAA
Purdue vs Pacific - Big West
Kansas State vs College of Charleston - SoCon
New Mexico vs Weber State - Big Sky
4 seed vs 13 seed
Wisconsin vs Sam Houston St - Southland
BYU - Mwest vs Murray State - OVC
Butler - Horizon vs Utah State - WAC
Pittsburgh vs Oakland - Summit
5 seed vs 12 seed
Vanderbilt vs Virginia
Tennessee vs South Carolina
Temple vs Mississippi State
Ohio State vs Maryland
6 seed vs 11 seed
Georgia Tech vs Cornell - Ivy
Xavier - A10 vs Cincinnati
Rhode Island vs Texas A&M
Gonzaga - WCC vs Louisville
7 seed vs 10 seed
Northern Iowa - MVC vs UNLV
California - Pac10 vs Richmond
Wake Forest vs Siena - MAAC
Baylor vs Old Dominion
8 seed vs 9 seed
Clemson vs Florida State
St. Mary's vs Mississippi
Missouri vs Oklahoma State
UAB - CUSA vs Charlotte
Last Four Out
Connecticut
Virginia Tech
Northwestern
North Carolina
Next Four Out
San Diego State
VCU
Dayton
Illinois
Also Considered
Texas Tech
Witchita State
William & Mary
Arizona
South Florida
Lousiana Tech
Northeastern
Minnesota
Marquette
Seton Hall
Tulsa
Washington
Nevada
Harvard
UTEP
St. John's
Notre Dame
Oklahoma
Memphis
Marshall
Georgia
Arizona State
Miami
Virginia
Boston College
Alabama
Washington State
Providence
Florida
Carolina Struggles
Though Brian revels in the struggles of Caroilna, their down year probably doesn't help the ACC as a whole. As of today, the conference still has the 3rd best overall RPI behind the Big East and Big 12 but who in the conference scares you in March?
Brian made the case for Georgia Tech and they might be the best ACC team come March based on their depth but they have some question marks, too. Can Derrick Favors dominate like a surefire lottery pick? He'll be a player I'm watching as we move towards March.
Virginia will be interesting, too. Is a Sweet 16 spot possible? I wouldn't bet against them. In typical Tony Bennett style, the team is playing good defense, shooting well from beyond the arc, protecting the ball and not scoring a lot. If they shoot well enough, they'll give some teams fits, i.e., turnover prone freshmen laden squads such as North Carolina!
In the end, this doesn't look like a year the ACC will represent well in March.
Brian made the case for Georgia Tech and they might be the best ACC team come March based on their depth but they have some question marks, too. Can Derrick Favors dominate like a surefire lottery pick? He'll be a player I'm watching as we move towards March.
Virginia will be interesting, too. Is a Sweet 16 spot possible? I wouldn't bet against them. In typical Tony Bennett style, the team is playing good defense, shooting well from beyond the arc, protecting the ball and not scoring a lot. If they shoot well enough, they'll give some teams fits, i.e., turnover prone freshmen laden squads such as North Carolina!
In the end, this doesn't look like a year the ACC will represent well in March.
Stretch Run
Well, it's now February, which is monumental in that there are only 5 weeks of regular season play left. The significance is that most teams will have 8-9 games left plus a conference tournament game which gives us their last 10 games leading up to Selection Sunday. The last 10 games is a factor that the selection committee uses when selecting all of the at large bids so it's important to close the season strong. Speaking of which, lets look at Marquette, who has 9 games left and then the Big East tournament. Of the 9 games, only 1 is against a ranked opponent, Pittsburgh, so 6-3 is possible. Even 5-4 and one tournament win should be enough to get in.
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