Updated Bracket Matrix
Michigan is in as the last at-large. http://bracketproject.50webs.com/matrix.htm. This is the best projection of who gets in the field, IMO, and the fact that we're on the fence means that we could beat MSU, lose in the 4/5 game of the BTT, and still have a great shot of getting in. That being said, the MSU game is crucial.
February 28th, 2011 at 10:42 PM ^
It's kind of rough being in a conference where you have to play at a 12 seed level just to earn a bid.
Lets play it safe. Lets beat MSU and Illinois in the 4/5 game.
February 28th, 2011 at 10:44 PM ^
That's any conference where you're not the conference champion, FYI. 13-16 are always autobids from shitbag leagues.
True, but win Saturday and win the 1st round BTTourney and we can't be denied.
February 28th, 2011 at 10:44 PM ^
I definitely think that's more than possible. Beating OSU would be nice too...
February 28th, 2011 at 10:45 PM ^
Gotta love it. Two wins should get them in regardless--which might be a problem because then I have to pick them to go all the way in my bracket.
February 28th, 2011 at 10:53 PM ^
February 28th, 2011 at 11:05 PM ^
I'd love the opportunity to blow up my bracket like that.
February 28th, 2011 at 11:34 PM ^
I did the same thing. Love is just too powerful for a bracket.
February 28th, 2011 at 11:06 PM ^
Win one against a bubble team, lose one against a bubble team, remain a bubble team right?
The only problem is we are just barely in. And looking at the projections, I don't see any automatic spots taken by "lucky also-ran that wasn't getting an at-large". For every also-ran that shoots-the-three-or-four-game-moon you have to cross off one of the Last Four In. And in many of the mid-majors, The Field only has to shoot-the-two-game-moon.
You might be right, but we'd be leaving it up to chance.
February 28th, 2011 at 11:09 PM ^
If we were to beat MSU on Saturday and then have a strong run in the BTT, like make it to the finals, how much would that help our seeding?
For example, say a win against MSU and one BTT win would put us at an 11 seed (a complete guess), would a run to the finals give us a stronger seed?
February 28th, 2011 at 11:20 PM ^
BTT finals would probably get us to an 11 seed with a marquee win on our resume. BTT semifinals should be enough to guarantee being in the field. Beat Sparty and lose the BTT quarterfinals and proceed to sweat profusely until Selection Sunday.
February 28th, 2011 at 11:39 PM ^
Way I see it.
Beat MSU, Lose to Illinois in Big 10 Quarters - Last 4 In or Out.
Beat MSU, Beat Illinois, Lose to OSU - In as an 11/12 (non First Four) seed.
Beat MSU, Beat Illinois, Beat OSU, Lose to Purdue/Wisky in Big 10 Championship - In as a 10 seed (the committe does put stock in how you finish the year)
Win Out - In as a 8/9 seed (That would make us 22-12 with a sweep of MSU, 2 addt'l Top 25 RPI wins, a neutral site win against Illinois)
Lose to MSU, Win First Round BTT game, Lose in QF - Probably Out
Lose to MSU, Win First Round BTT game, Win in QF, Lose in Semis - Last 4 In
Lose to MSU, Win 3 BTT games - In as 11 seed.
Lose to MSU, Lose First Round BTT game - Definitely Out
There's a chance they'll be playing a a really desperate Minnesota who has the size to play with them or a Northwestern who almost beat them before.
February 28th, 2011 at 11:31 PM ^
I think two wins would get it done and get them in, but it's extremely crucial to get the MSU win and anymore we can snag. Each win not only increases our chances, but could increase our seeding as well.
I really think that MSU is a must win if we want at large consideration. Going .500 in your conference is huge and going sub .500 in conference is even larger in a negative sense. I think since 2000 two or three teams from Power Six conferences made it into the Tourney with sub .500 in conference records. Our resume does have the major weaknesses of 0-7 vs. top 25 RPI and adding a sub .500 record to that would not be good.
All this said, I think our chances to beat Sparty are good especially since I think Beilein will have the team solely focused on next Saturday's game. I know the transitive property does not work well in sports but Michigan is playing really good ball right now while MSU is not playing well. Again, no matter happens this team has been amazing to even be this far in the conversation considering preseason expectations.
Damnit!! Beat somebody Texas!!
As much as it pains me to do it, I'm going to have to hope Ohio State wins tonight. Penn State already has a win over Wisconsin, and a second win over a top-15 team might be enough to get them in assuming they don't blow it at Minnesota and in the BTT against Indiana/Iowa. Plus several of my friends are PSU fans, and them having bragging rights in football sucks enough that I'd prefer if they don't net a tourney appearance. Besides, with OSU basically having a #1 seed locked up (especially with Pitt and Texas losing a few recently), I'd prefer to see them not gift bubble teams high quality wins when we don't have anything better than the win at MSU to this point.
Also, just beat Sparty. Please.
would get some consideration if they won out, no doubt. I just don't think they can match up with OSU. They will have some fight no question, but expect OSU by <10.
OSU is the better team, no doubt. But PSU has played very well at home, beating Wisconsin, Illinois, and MSU there. In fact, only us and Purdue have beaten them on their court in Big 10 play (losses to a meh Maryland team and an awful Maine team in non-conference). They also lost to Purdue by 1 in West Lafayette and 3 to OSU in Columbus, so they have shown they can hang with good teams.
Anyway, perusing the schedule for tonight, looks like we want both OSUs (Okie vs. Baylor and Ohio at PSU) to win, as well as Missouri (at Nebraska), Virginia Tech (vs. Boston College), and Florida (vs. Alabama). It'd be nice if UIC could beat Cleveland State in the Horizon tourney tonight, but that's not going to happen because UIC is terrible.
lol Illinois
Looks like on the tail end of that there are still 15 brackets that haven't been updated so I'd guess it would solidify our position in the matrix and should drop 'Bama down to a 12 if not out because of the support of those that hadn't updated yet.
Minnesota is listed as a 9 seed in a couple of those brackets!?!?
I guess the guys who made those seedings must have stopped watching the basketball season about 2 weeks ago.