16
Mar
2008
Mar
2008
Don’t play for the #1 RPI or the #1 SOS because if you do, you’ll be screwed if you lose the last game in the semi-finals.
Instead, play a safe schedule, and be sure to gear up for and win the conference tournament in a city that doesn’t have tornadoes. (Kansas#7 RPI)
Also, be sure to lose the biggest game of your season (Memphis), and play in a shittacular conference.
It would also help to have a history that’ll hold you up.
Just sayin’.
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Wow, just….wow.
I get that the Vols should have beaten Arkansas. I get that. I also get that Kansas had the 63rd toughest schedule, but they won their conference tournament. I wouldn’t say there’s a lot of debate as to resume if you look at wins vs. good teams, but maybe there’s a little. UT stumbled this weekend, and Kansas shined. OK.
But, UNC is the #1 overall seed, and UT is in their region….which means UT is the FOURTH #2 SEED????? Apparently The Committee didn’t think there was any debate at all!
Like you said a few days ago, jon, it’s great we’re in a position to actually complain about a 2 seed, but if there’s any of that “disrespect” motivation to be had, it’s in this. I noticed the live shot of the Vols when the saw their seed, and it was basically polite clapping. I hope Bruce gets them fired up.
[...] of Schedule Rating, the BasketVols were not awarded a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. As Fulmer’s Belly, the Bruce Ball Blog, and 3rd Saturday in Blogtober all pointed out, that sucks. There really [...]
OK – I’ve been saying this at every UT-oriented blog. A 2 seed in the East region is the best possible bracket for the Vols. Look at the geography. First round games in Birmingham. Regional games in Charlotte. Short drives from Knoxville.
Being a 2 seed in ANY region would mean a tough road to the Final Four. The RPI clearly didn’t mean anything this year. Look at some of the teams that got in with higher RPI’s than teams like Ole Miss, UMass and Dayton to name a few.
Look at it this way – Vol fans are upset at a 2 seed. Who among the other 57 teams would love to be a 2 seed?
Does everyone feel better now?
That’s true… to a point I think. A #2 seed is good, but when a team’s been ranked in the top 4 for the majority of the season along with a top ranking it what is supposedly important (RPI, SOS), it’s just puzzling that it doesn’t seem to make that big of a difference…
Also, the committee was supposed to take the whole season into consideration and not just the end, but that’s not the case either (see: Kentucky).
Also, the RPI is apparently only a tool to keep teams OUT of the tournament (Arizona State) but simultaneously NOT be counted towards any kind of benefit to the teams. There needs to be a bit more accountability as well as transparency in the process me thinks.
But as far as geographically, yes, I do believe the Vols have a good road ahead, and who knows? If they can get past a couple of sleeper teams (which I think Butler def. is, and a couple other teams could be), UNC could conceivably be knocked out en route, giving the BasketVols a regional finals match that might not even include the “greatest team in the universe” a.k.a. UNC.
We’re not in a completely geographically advantageous position. Let’s assume us and UNC make it to the Elite 8. Do you really want to play UNC at Charlotte? I’d take a rematch with Memphis or even a shot at Kansas.
Nevermind that now, though. Let’s just get there first.
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