2/15 Today
2/25 End of Atlantic Sun, B1G, Big South, Horizon, MAAC, Missouri Valley, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot League, Southern, Summit League, WCC regular season schedules.
3/4 12 Automatic bids decided, all other conferences regular season schedules end.
3/8 Quarterfinals of ACC, Pac-12, preliminary rounds of other major tournaments
3/10 12 more automatic bids decided, remaining 6 conferences in semi-finals
3/11 Selection Sunday (morning of)
First, a few thoughts and stories for you...
Big Ten Lunacy
B1G, what are you doing? The Big Ten is in the midst of one of the worst years the conference has ever seen. It is the worst conference in terms of tournament worthy RPI (6 teams in top 68), of any power 5 league (and tied with the American). The saving grace for the conference, is the fact that they have 3 squads in the top 16, all of which will likely be 3-seeds or better. So even in a really down year, they've given themselves 3 real shots at the Final Four, right? Hard to say, considering the scheduling process for their conference tournament. They've cut themselves off at the knees with the hopes of, what exactly I'm not sure. They've scheduled their conference tournament a week earlier than usual, in order to have access to Madison Square Garden, which hosts the Big East tournament annually the weekend of Selection Sunday. The Big East wasn't ever going to move, so if the B1G wanted the Garden, they had to. But why? Why force your way into MSG, inconvenience every school in your conference by jamming 18 games into a window that is now a week shorter, only to have the teams worthy of the NCAA Tournament have to wait no less than 10 days to begin the round of 64. There hasn't ever been a power conference to schedule their tournament a week early, I don't think ever. I couldn't find one at least. So there's no data to show how this affects power conference teams at all. Just know, teams that typically face a 10-day layoff rarely find success in the postseason. There's plenty of data from smaller mid-major conferences who typically hold their tournaments a week early, and they always seem to struggle to win even a round. But those conferences struggle anyway. It just seems that the Big Ten, in an attempt to steal some of the NY spotlight from the Big East, is in danger of harming the conference's post season chances as a whole.
Doug Gottlieb
I knew the story as it had been told about Doug Gottlieb's dismissal from Notre Dame many years ago, but only from an outsider's perspective. Through the eyes of other journalists and reporters, and often not in a mainstream media format, as the whole situation had been cast into the shadows for many reasons, current relevance among them. I have long respected Gottlieb's opinions on the sport, while being able to separate my thoughts on his character. So getting to read his point of view on his situation, hearing his side of the story, was refreshing. I applaud Doug for his ability to put into words what was going through his head. It's something that, as he says in his article, has completely altered the course of his life. He understands he will forever hear about it from fans and trolls alike; maybe it's just, maybe it's not, but it is reality. I've never agreed with all of his opinions or takes on college basketball, and I likely never will. But he is someone with tremendous insight into the game, and for what it is worth, I have gained a new level of respect for him because of his openness about a dark, very public time of his past. Kudos to you Doug.
https://www.theathletic.com/236536/2018/02/12/gottlieb-the-mistakes-i-made-and-the-price-i-paid/
https://www.theathletic.com/236536/2018/02/12/gottlieb-the-mistakes-i-made-and-the-price-i-paid/
We're aboard the Xavier train
Ok X, you've sold me. In past years I've dismissed Xavier, as just another team with a lot of heart and less talent, that could surprise some teams in the tournament but were never good enough to reach the first weekend in April. Not this year. I'm sorry to the Musketeers in advance, as I am often a gigantic mush when it comes to bold statements like this, but this Xavier team appears to be for real. There are a number of signs that point to Xavier being a team poised for a serious run into March/April. I'm going to give you five. First,... Trevon Bluiett (and their other seniors)
Bluiett has emerged as one of the best players in the country this season. He's been one of the best in the Big East for a couple of years now, but this kid can do it all. He's averaging 19.6 points, 5.7 boards and just short of 3 assists per game. But his big improvement this season has come from the 3-point line. He's up to almost 45% from 3 this season, and he's even up from 75% to 83% behind the line. While Bluiett is the biggest difference maker, their roster is loaded with other seniors who are playing huge roles. J.P Macura is one of the best all around players in the league, especially on the defensive end. Kerem Kanter and Sean O'Mara are probably the best front-court duo in the league when healthy. Their starting lineup has just two of these guys, giving their bench an immense amount of experience.
Ok X, you've sold me. In past years I've dismissed Xavier, as just another team with a lot of heart and less talent, that could surprise some teams in the tournament but were never good enough to reach the first weekend in April. Not this year. I'm sorry to the Musketeers in advance, as I am often a gigantic mush when it comes to bold statements like this, but this Xavier team appears to be for real. There are a number of signs that point to Xavier being a team poised for a serious run into March/April. I'm going to give you five. First,... Trevon Bluiett (and their other seniors)
Bluiett has emerged as one of the best players in the country this season. He's been one of the best in the Big East for a couple of years now, but this kid can do it all. He's averaging 19.6 points, 5.7 boards and just short of 3 assists per game. But his big improvement this season has come from the 3-point line. He's up to almost 45% from 3 this season, and he's even up from 75% to 83% behind the line. While Bluiett is the biggest difference maker, their roster is loaded with other seniors who are playing huge roles. J.P Macura is one of the best all around players in the league, especially on the defensive end. Kerem Kanter and Sean O'Mara are probably the best front-court duo in the league when healthy. Their starting lineup has just two of these guys, giving their bench an immense amount of experience.
Second, their benefiting from the rigor of a long conference schedule full of real competition.
Xavier joined the Big East after the great schism in 2013. Prior to that, they'd spent most of their time in the past quarter century in the Atlantic 10. The A-10 is a good conference, but rarely can you say it prepares teams for a long, Championship level run. The Big East does, and this is the first class with serious talent that can say they've played four years in one of the best conferences in the country.
Third, they have ability to adapt.
Unlike past Xavier teams, this one is diverse with their athleticism. They have the ability to run smaller lineups to compete with Nova, Cincinnati, & Virginia, but also can run lineups with legitimate size, and scoring size, to compete with bigger teams like Purdue, Texas Tech, & Duke. Whatever they need to do to compete, this team has the ability to do it.
Xavier joined the Big East after the great schism in 2013. Prior to that, they'd spent most of their time in the past quarter century in the Atlantic 10. The A-10 is a good conference, but rarely can you say it prepares teams for a long, Championship level run. The Big East does, and this is the first class with serious talent that can say they've played four years in one of the best conferences in the country.
Third, they have ability to adapt.
Unlike past Xavier teams, this one is diverse with their athleticism. They have the ability to run smaller lineups to compete with Nova, Cincinnati, & Virginia, but also can run lineups with legitimate size, and scoring size, to compete with bigger teams like Purdue, Texas Tech, & Duke. Whatever they need to do to compete, this team has the ability to do it.
Fourth, they've got real NCAA Tournament experience.
This senior class is 6-3 in the last three NCAA Tournaments, including two Sweet 16 trips, and a loss in the Elite 8 last year to eventual National runner-ups, Gonzaga. Also last year, they were able to upset a 6-seed, a 3-seed and the 2-seed Arizona, coached by former head coach Sean Miler (heavy favorite) en route to reaching Gonzaga. There isn't going to be an opponent, or a stage that intimidates them.
This senior class is 6-3 in the last three NCAA Tournaments, including two Sweet 16 trips, and a loss in the Elite 8 last year to eventual National runner-ups, Gonzaga. Also last year, they were able to upset a 6-seed, a 3-seed and the 2-seed Arizona, coached by former head coach Sean Miler (heavy favorite) en route to reaching Gonzaga. There isn't going to be an opponent, or a stage that intimidates them.
Fifth, and finally, Chris Mack has quietly been building up to this.
When Chris Mack took over in 2009, he began the transformation of this program that you are currently seeing. Joining the Big East helped, but Xavier under Mack, has taken the shape of a real program. A possible destination for top tier talent, showing they can compete consistently in the Big East and nationally. They had opportunities under Miller, and Thad Matta, but none where they were as prepared as they are now. All of the ingredients are there for the Musketeers to make their first Final Four ever. They have the most NCAA Tournament wins (27) of any school that has never made a Final Four. Chris Mack's direction has lead them to this. This is the team he was waiting for. It's time to follow through.
BRACKETOLOGY
2/15
#1 seeds
Virginia
Xavier
Auburn
Cincinnati
Last Four In
Washington
Texas
USC
Baylor
First Four Out
Temple
Virginia Tech
NC State
UCF
Next Four Out
Kansas State
Western Kentucky
Nebraska
UCLA
EAST REGION (Boston, MA)
1. Virginia
2. Texas Tech
3. Michigan State
4. Tennessee
5. Wichita State
6. Creighton
7. Seton Hall
8. Alabama
9. Arizona State
10. Texas / Washington (play-in)
11. Boise State
12. New Mexico State
13. Loyola (IL)
14. Bucknell
15. UNC-Asheville
16. Nicholls State / Grambling State (play-in)
MID-WEST REGION (Omaha, NE)
1. Xavier
2. Duke
3. Kansas
4. Ohio State
5. Missouri
6. Gonzaga
7. Nevada
8. Miami (FL)
9. Providence
10. Arkansas
11. Butler
12. Vermont
13. Charleston
14. East Tennessee State
15. Montana
16. Wagner / Savannah State
SOUTH REGION (Atlanta, GA)
1. Auburn
2. Clemson
3. Rhode Island
4. Saint Mary's (CA)
5. Arizona
6. West Virginia
7. TCU
8. Louisville
9. Houston
10. Buffalo
11. Florida
12. Florida State
13. Louisiana-Lafayette
14. South Dakota State
15. UC- Santa Barbara
16. Florida Gulf Coast
WEST REGION (Los Angeles, CA)
1. Cincinnati
2. Villanova
3. Purdue
4. North Carolina
5. Texas A&M
6. Kentucky
7. Oklahoma
8. Middle Tennessee
9. Michigan
10. Syracuse
11. USC / Baylor (play-in)
12. St.Bonaventure
13. Rider
14. Murray State
15. Northern Kentucky
16. Pennsylvania
When Chris Mack took over in 2009, he began the transformation of this program that you are currently seeing. Joining the Big East helped, but Xavier under Mack, has taken the shape of a real program. A possible destination for top tier talent, showing they can compete consistently in the Big East and nationally. They had opportunities under Miller, and Thad Matta, but none where they were as prepared as they are now. All of the ingredients are there for the Musketeers to make their first Final Four ever. They have the most NCAA Tournament wins (27) of any school that has never made a Final Four. Chris Mack's direction has lead them to this. This is the team he was waiting for. It's time to follow through.
BRACKETOLOGY
2/15
#1 seeds
Virginia
Xavier
Auburn
Cincinnati
Last Four In
Washington
Texas
USC
Baylor
First Four Out
Temple
Virginia Tech
NC State
UCF
Next Four Out
Kansas State
Western Kentucky
Nebraska
UCLA
EAST REGION (Boston, MA)
1. Virginia
2. Texas Tech
3. Michigan State
4. Tennessee
5. Wichita State
6. Creighton
7. Seton Hall
8. Alabama
9. Arizona State
10. Texas / Washington (play-in)
11. Boise State
12. New Mexico State
13. Loyola (IL)
14. Bucknell
15. UNC-Asheville
16. Nicholls State / Grambling State (play-in)
MID-WEST REGION (Omaha, NE)
1. Xavier
2. Duke
3. Kansas
4. Ohio State
5. Missouri
6. Gonzaga
7. Nevada
8. Miami (FL)
9. Providence
10. Arkansas
11. Butler
12. Vermont
13. Charleston
14. East Tennessee State
15. Montana
16. Wagner / Savannah State
SOUTH REGION (Atlanta, GA)
1. Auburn
2. Clemson
3. Rhode Island
4. Saint Mary's (CA)
5. Arizona
6. West Virginia
7. TCU
8. Louisville
9. Houston
10. Buffalo
11. Florida
12. Florida State
13. Louisiana-Lafayette
14. South Dakota State
15. UC- Santa Barbara
16. Florida Gulf Coast
WEST REGION (Los Angeles, CA)
1. Cincinnati
2. Villanova
3. Purdue
4. North Carolina
5. Texas A&M
6. Kentucky
7. Oklahoma
8. Middle Tennessee
9. Michigan
10. Syracuse
11. USC / Baylor (play-in)
12. St.Bonaventure
13. Rider
14. Murray State
15. Northern Kentucky
16. Pennsylvania
No comments:
Post a Comment