WSU vs. Northern Colorado (Game 2)

[shockfan89_]

I totally get what you're saying but we both know all too well that if we finish 34-22 (> .600), or anywhere near that, nothing will change.

[Cdizzle]

Possibly. Doesn't mean I have to pretend to be happy about it.

[Play Angry]

If we finish with a winning percentage over .600 with this schedule, we will likely have an RPI in the Top 50 and will be in contention for an at-large.

I don't give a **** who the coach is so long as we are getting an at-large bid. That's my minimum threshold for success with the program.

We have not been an at-large worthy team since 2008. Gene failed to get us there in each of his last 5 years. Butler has failed in each of his first 3 - in the unlikely event he gets us over the hump this season, then great, he certainly deserves more time. If we're still stuck counting on the MVC Tournament located everywhere-but-Eck each season, he needs to go and we have to try again to find someone who can return us to the level we enjoyed a decade ago.

[shockfan89_]

I don't think there is any way we get an at-large bid with 34 wins this year. My guess is 34 wins would put us much closer to a 75 RPI than a top 50. It would also require winning the MVC regular season or finishing a close 2nd and I think that will take more than 34 wins unless a large majority of those wins come during conference play. The MVC will probably be ranked between 9th and 12th which is likely a one-bid at-large conference.

[1972Shocker]

I don't think there is any way we get an at-large bid with 34 wins this year. My guess is 34 wins would put us much closer to a 75 RPI than a top 50. It would also require winning the MVC regular season or finishing a close 2nd and I think that will take more than 34 wins unless a large majority of those wins come during conference play. The MVC will probably be ranked between 9th and 12th which is likely a one-bid at-large conference.

I don't take exception to anything you say but 34-22 would be a big improvement from last year's 21-35 (regular season only). While that may not be good enough for an at-large it might buy HCTB an additional year. I suppose after this next 16 game stretch we will have a much better idea if a 0.600 winning percentage is a possibility.

[shockfan89_]

Oh I totally agree with you!!! That is a huge improvement. I think the valid point Cdizzle makes is doing that from year 1 to year 2 is showing progress but is 34-22 really good enough after year 4?

There will be plenty of time to talk about that in the off-season. Let's just see how we do over the next 16 games.

[1972Shocker]

Oh I totally agree with you!!! That is a huge improvement. I think the valid point Cdizzle makes is doing that from year 1 to year 2 is showing progress but is 34-22 really good enough after year 4?

Whether it is good enough or not may depend on if the Shocks make a regional appearance and perhaps be competitive in a regional appearance.

[Play Angry]

I don't think there is any way we get an at-large bid with 34 wins this year. My guess is 34 wins would put us much closer to a 75 RPI than a top 50. It would also require winning the MVC regular season or finishing a close 2nd and I think that will take more than 34 wins unless a large majority of those wins come during conference play. The MVC will probably be ranked between 9th and 12th which is likely a one-bid at-large conference.

Well it's a good thing I said "over .600" and not ".594 on the dot", right?

;)

[shockfan89_]

Well it's a good thing I said "over .600" and not ".594 on the dot", right?

;)

But isn't 34-22 a winning percentage of.607? Obviously we would still have the MVC Tournament...

[Play Angry]

But isn't 34-22 a winning percentage of.607? Obviously we would still have the MVC Tournament...

Gotcha, was counting the MVC Tournament but turns out my math was still wrong (.586), so I'll see myself out now.

It will definitely depend on where our SoS settles in and whether the MVC has a positive impact again (like last year, 52 OOC SoS and 50 overally SoS). If the SoS settles in closer to 50, I think my original statement stands. If it floats to ~100, then you're right.

Hopefully discussing what it takes for a top 50 RPI is something we can do with a straight face come April/May.

[shockfan89_]

This weekend was an RPI and SOS killer. Down 55 in RPI to 110 and SOS now at 174. It is still fairly early but that was an ugly weekend of baseball. Thankful we got 1.

[Cdizzle]

Burn. It. Down.