Mini Bubble Watch
I know there is an MGoUser who has been handling most of this bubble stuff (someone remind me of his name), but like the previous board post, I am so pumped for basketball this weekend!
As far as the Tressel fiasco goes, I have loved every minute of it. But it seems nothing else will happen until the NCAA drops their final punishment. Could be next week. Could be two years from now.
Anyways, on to the results:
Nebraska lost to OK State >>> Neb. is out of the dance IMO
Colorado narrowly avoided a season ending loss to Iowa State >>> Lunardi had them as a Last Four In before this game, will probably stay there for now
Baylor got demolished by OK after their player was suspended by the NCAA >>> This probably ends their NCAA chances
So 2 of these 3 results went in Michigan's favor today. Colorado was down late, and it would have been nice to see the Buffs go down. I'm sure there were some other relevant bubble games today, but I'm no pro. Just wanted to talk some Bball.
We beat Illinois, we're in IMO. We may be in no matter what, but some key bubble team losses will definitely help our chances.
on the bubble?
Well, Lunardi has Villanova down to an 11-seed after their loss yesterday. So I guess they are near the bubble if not slightly on it.
I wonder if that loss actually hurt us since I doubt we could win a comparison with a 20+ win, 9-9 BE team?
how it can hurt. And it's not like there's lots of '76 Indiana records on the bubble.
Of course, after we BkFinest the B1GT, we'll be above them. And be a lock.
Good point.
I was overthinking that one.
is too strong for them to miss the tourney, even with the late season collapse.
Name the last time a team finished the year on a 5 game losing streak and made the tournament...
But there's a first time for everything.
March 10th, 2011 at 12:47 AM ^
You want an answer...
Wins over...
Bucknell (possibly)
UCLA (Neutral)
Cincy
Louisville
Syracuse (Away)
Marquette
West Virginia
That's 7 wins over tournament teams.
By comparison...
Harvard (possibly)
Oakland
Michigan State x2
Villanova has the same conf. record in a tougher conference, a better overall record, and more quality wins.
If Nova is out, we're out.
I think Nova is in, but how you finish does matter.
Villanova's seed gets hurt by their late season swoon, but no way they miss the tourney.
March 10th, 2011 at 10:57 AM ^
i disagree
WVU-Marquette is listed as a bubble game, but unless Marquette gets absolutely destroyed*, I don't see how we could lose to Illinois and come out above Marquette. And if we beat Illinois, we're in.
* ...by the meteor, and I don't wish that upon themI'm actually pulling for Marquette because I think we're in regardless of what happens against Illinois (barring a total thrashing, which I don't see happening because I'm a fan) and Marquette getting in is one less spot for MSU and VT.
.. and Bob Huggins combine! it's impossible to root for.
| Team | Record | RPI | SOS | vs. RPI top 50 | Best win |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marquette Golden Eagles | 18-13 | 66 | 31 | 4-11 | Notre Dame (9) |
| Richmond Spiders | 24-7 | 57 | 139 | 2-3 | Purdue (8) |
| Michigan Wolverines | 18-12 | 56 | 18 | 3-8 | Harvard (35) |
| Clemson Tigers | 20-10 | 59 | 75 | 2-5 | Boston College (44) |
| UAB Blazers | 22-7 | 28 | 70 | 3-4 | VCU (49) |
| Michigan State Spartans | 16-13 | 48 | 9 | 3-9 | Wisconsin (13) |
| Boston College Eagles | 19-11 | 44 | 28 | 1-6 | Texas A&M (30) |
| Virginia Tech Hokies | 19-10 | 64 | 88 | 2-6 | Duke (5) |
| Colorado Buffaloes | 18-12 | 76 | 73 | 5-6 | Texas (14) |
| Alabama Crimson Tide | 20-10 | 79 | 125 | 3-3 | Kentucky (12) |
| Georgia Bulldogs | 20-10 | 39 | 36 | 3-9 | Kentucky (12) |
| USC Trojans | 18-13 | 68 | 42 | 5-4 | Texas (14) |
| Baylor Bears | 17-12 | 84 | 39 | 2-6 | Texas A&M (30) |
| Washington State Cougars | 19-11 | 73 | 87 | 2-6 | Washington (46) |
| Nebraska Cornhuskers | 19-11 | 78 | 65 | 3-6 | Texas (14) |
| Memphis Tigers | 22-9 | 38 | 56 | 3-4 | UAB (28) |
| UTEP Miners | 22-8 | 60 | 117 | 2-2 | Memphis (38) |
| Penn State Nittany Lions | 16-13 | 55 | 7 | 3-7 | Wisconsin (13) |
In the Big Ten, Michigan has a first-round date with the tournament-bound Illinois Fighting Illini (RPI No. 40), but we think the Wolverines also need an upset of the top-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes (2) to convince the selection committee. (That's what happens when you play in the Big Ten but your best win is against Harvard.)
Once again Lunardi sounds like a douche in his analysis. Sure just saying Harvard is your best win sounds bad, but only 3 Big Ten teams have a better RPI than Harvard and so less than 1/3rd of UM's conference games were actually opportunities to get a better win than Harvard. Also UM is 5-1 against other teams on that bubble list including 3-0 on the road. That ought to count for something.
didn't write that.
Sorry assumed that since it was titled Lunardi at the top that he wrote it. My larger point to the writer still stands, however.
looks like its going to beat WVU. Mostly due to the fact that the Mountaineers tried to force way too many shots in the 2nd half. Sorry boys, you aren't Manny Harris.
With a win against Illinois, it would be hard to keep the team out of the Tourney both based on the strength of the resume (main weakness is lack of one marquee win) and the weakness of the Bubble. He has us third from the top of the list as Marquette seems like the strongest Bubble team. The Bracket Project is giving us a lot of support.