2013 Sears ESPN Bracketbuster Game

[Fargobison]

That is ESPN trying to play god with who is getting in the Dance. Nothing else.

If what Katz predicted happens it would be a royal screw job for SDSU and Belmont. The Jackrabbits might not lose another game, they beat New Mexico in The Pit and a good BB might do something for them I guess. But instead Katz thinks they should be sent to Niagara, so that would mean SDSU would play at Bakersfield(CA) on Wednesday and then fly all the way across the country to a play game that does nothing for them. When ESPN could pit Wolters vs Dellavadova against each other or send the Jacks to Wichita.

I have no idea why Belmont would play Denver, who won't even give them a chance at a top 100 win let alone the top 50 win they need.

As for my Bison I'm not exactly thrilled with the possibility of being sent to CA with so many options in the Midwest. That said I just want a great match up for next year at this point considering we return every player but a back up point guard that plays sparingly.

[isu87]

If what Katz predicted happens it would be a royal screw job for SDSU and Belmont. The Jackrabbits might not lose another game, they beat New Mexico in The Pit and a good BB might do something for them I guess. But instead Katz thinks they should be sent to Niagara, so that would mean SDSU would play at Bakersfield(CA) on Wednesday and then fly all the way across the country to a play game that does nothing for them. When ESPN could pit Wolters vs Dellavadova against each other or send the Jacks to Wichita.

I have no idea why Belmont would play Denver, who won't even give them a chance at a top 100 win let alone the top 50 win they need.

As for my Bison I'm not exactly thrilled with the possibility of being sent to CA with so many options in the Midwest. That said I just want a great match up for next year at this point considering we return every player but a back up point guard that plays sparingly.

teams have 2 years to return bracketbuster games, so whoever you all may play, more than likely you will not see them at your place until the 2014-2015 season.

[SubGod22]

teams have 2 years to return bracketbuster games, so whoever you all may play, more than likely you will not see them at your place until the 2014-2015 season.

I believe it was stated that return games would be completed the following year to be done with all of this.

[GoShockers89]

I believe it was stated that return games would be completed the following year to be done with all of this.

Yep, this is correct. We'll get Davidson at home next year AND return this year's game next year.

[isu87]

I believe it was stated that return games would be completed the following year to be done with all of this.

thanks for clarifying, that's even better, the sooner we can put this in the rearview mirror the better!

[WuShock Reaper]

Heard this on ESPN---The Akron Zips are willing to give up their home Bracketbuster game to get either the WSU Shockers or the Indiana State Sycamores. They won't require a return trip guarantee and are willing to pay money to another team to take their home game for their away game. They say they want one of the best home teams and they are not afraid of anyone or anywhere.


Question: Should the Shockers take that challenge?

[KC Shox]

Heard this on ESPN---The Akron Zips are willing to give up their home Bracketbuster game to get either the WSU Shockers or the Indiana State Sycamores. They won't require a return trip guarantee and are willing to pay money to another team to take their home game for their away game. They say they want one of the best home teams and they are not afraid of anyone or anywhere.


Question: Should the Shockers take that challenge?

Akron is on a 13 game winning streak so I understand their confidence. I also understand why they would want to make this offer as 6 of their last 8 games are against teams with losing records. This would further dampen their current 145 SOS.

Their RPI is currently at 53 which is about 12 points higher than current teams that we are projecting to come to the Koch in NDSU and SDSU who are in the mid 60's.

I'm all for it. Since our non-con is going to crap, we need as much help as we can get.

[GoShockers89]

We would be idiots if we don't jump all over that offer. No return game is what makes it irresistible.

For those who would suggest that a road game at this year's opponent is a good deal, you are mistaken. If we're craving a roadie next year against a team with a likely RPI in the 50-100 range (we're not), there are no shortage of them who would happily shove an $80,000 check in our face for the trip.

This would be a nice coup, I hope it works out.

[Ta Town Shocker]

Ballsy move by Akron to say they would like to trade a home game to make the trip to Wichita. Not sure they have done much research on where the Shockers play but if they don't know any better let them come. Akron has been a solid team for a few years now and I say we take them if they have the best RPI available.

[rialaigh]

Ballsy move by Akron to say they would like to trade a home game to make the trip to Wichita. Not sure they have done much research on where the Shockers play but if they don't know any better let them come. Akron has been a solid team for a few years now and I say we take them if they have the best RPI available.

win win for akron, If they win out the rest of their season and lose to the shockers by 20 its still a "good" loss. If they happen to beat us then they solidify an already solid season. This is a great opportunity for them. Personally I would be all for playing a 200RPI team that we are 99.99% guarunteed to beat because our BB game is not going to do jackpoop for us this year.

[hoopsnut]

With all of the love the Zips have been getting from Jay Bilas on Twitter lately, that may actually get him to CKA.

[WuShock Reaper]

I think that would have been a great story had the Commissioner allowed it to happen.

"Dambrot (Akron Head Coach) was turned down Sunday by the MAC office and the Zips will be a home team when the BracketBusters pairings will be announced Monday at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU."

[WuShock Reaper]

Not what I think will happen, but what should happen for the top 5 ESPN/ESPN2 TV Games. Records include D1 wins/losses only, using Warren Nolan data as of 02/03/13:

Creighton at Belmont
CU is 20 and 3, 1^st in the MVC, RPI #28 (with expected RPI #30), SOS #111, Ranked in both polls.
BU is 17 and 4, 1^st in the Ohio Valley, RPI #18 (with expected RPI #16), SOS #63

Stephen F. Austin at Wichita State
SFA is 14 and 2, 1^st in the Southland Conference, RPI #82 (with expected RPI #79), SOS #327
WSU is 19 and 4, 2^nd in the MVC, RPI #26 (with expected RPI #26), SOS #88

Detroit at Indiana State
DU is 13 and 8, 2^nd in the Horizon, RPI#72 (with expected RPI #72), SOS #76
ISU is 13 and 8, 3^rd in the MVC, RPI#52 (with expected RPI #43), SOS #55

North Dakota State at Akron
NDSU is 16 and 5, 1^st (tied) in the Summit League, RPI #65 (with expected RPI #65) , SOS #196
UA is 16 and 4, 1^st in the Mid-American Conference, RPI #53 (with expected RPI #64), SOS #145

South Dakota State at Saint Mary's College
SDSU is 15 and 6, 1^st (tied) in the Summit League, RPI #66 (with expected RPI #69), SOS #154
SMC is 18 and 4, 2^nd in the West Coast Conference, RPI #58 (with expected RPI #57), SOS #162, Ranked in the AP Poll as #40 and Coaches Poll #36.

[ShockTalk]

Not what I think will happen, but what should happen for the top 5 ESPN/ESPN2 TV Games. Records include D1 wins/losses only, using Warren Nolan data as of 02/03/13:

Creighton at Belmont
CU is 20 and 3, 1^st in the MVC, RPI #28 (with expected RPI #30), SOS #111, Ranked in both polls.
BU is 17 and 4, 1^st in the Ohio Valley, RPI #18 (with expected RPI #16), SOS #63

Stephen F. Austin at Wichita State
SFA is 14 and 2, 1^st in the Southland Conference, RPI #82 (with expected RPI #79), SOS #327
WSU is 19 and 4, 2^nd in the MVC, RPI #26 (with expected RPI #26), SOS #88

Detroit at Indiana State
DU is 13 and 8, 2^nd in the Horizon, RPI#72 (with expected RPI #72), SOS #76
ISU is 13 and 8, 3^rd in the MVC, RPI#52 (with expected RPI #43), SOS #55

North Dakota State at Akron
NDSU is 16 and 5, 1^st (tied) in the Summit League, RPI #65 (with expected RPI #65) , SOS #196
UA is 16 and 4, 1^st in the Mid-American Conference, RPI #53 (with expected RPI #64), SOS #145

South Dakota State at Saint Mary's College
SDSU is 15 and 6, 1^st (tied) in the Summit League, RPI #66 (with expected RPI #69), SOS #154
SMC is 18 and 4, 2^nd in the West Coast Conference, RPI #58 (with expected RPI #57), SOS #162, Ranked in the AP Poll as #40 and Coaches Poll #36.

And why should we get the worst RPI and SOS of the group, in your opinion?

[shocks771]

No bueno