2016 Bracketology

[XManCometh]

For fun: Jay Bilas has us ranked as the #17 team in the nation in his latest "Bilas Index". It's an Insider article so I don't want to steal it verbatim, but he basically says: WSU is a top team in the country when at full strength. They have one of the best defenses but struggle to score.

Nothing most of us don't already know, but it's nice to see us getting some national love from a guy like Bilas who knows basketball. I think he knows it anyway, some of you might hate him.


Here's the thing though: He has Louisville and SMU both ranked higher than WSU. So if we're seeding directly from the "Bilas Index", he has us as a 4 seed.

[molly jabali]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2016/02/24/ncaa-tournament-bracketology-march-madness-bubble-villanova-xavier-oklahoma-kansas/80846280/

An #11 in Des Moines....Who IS this guy?

[ShockdaWorld]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...nsas/80846280/

An #11 in Des Moines....Who IS this guy?

USA Today...probably writing from Grandma's basement.

[WSUwatcher]

And the rise in KenPom continues... Iowa's lapse helps the Shocks move up to #9 even though WSU's overall rating dropped a bit to .9119.

[shocker3]

USA Today...probably writing from Grandma's basement.

This same guy lists us as being "Bubble Out" in his Bubble Watch section..http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...aiso/80701366/Wichita State, Valparaiso and Stony Brook all won their regular season conference titles during the weekend. And yet, they'll likely be playing in the NIT unless they win their league tournament. Saint Mary's, a No. 12 seed in the latest bracketology projection, is well-positioned to win the West Coast Conference after sweeping Gonzaga for the first time since 1995. But if the Gaels don't win the WCC tournament, they likely won't go dancing thanks to a non-conference strength of schedule that ranked No. 222.

[ShockdaWorld]

This same guy lists us as being "Bubble Out" in his Bubble Watch section..http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...aiso/80701366/

Not surprised. He's a tool.

[Play Angry]

And the rise in KenPom continues... Iowa's lapse helps the Shocks move up to #9 even though WSU's overall rating dropped a bit to .9119.

Must not have updated yet at the time of post - our KenPom actually jumped to .9183 after tonight's W.

[WSUwatcher]

Thanks, PA. You're exactly right -- I typed too quickly and didn't notice that the full update hadn't occurred; the only change was in rank because of Iowa's poor game.

So, as this correction is typed, WSU's overall rating is indeed .9183, just a hair behind #8 Kentucky (.9189), with #10 Xavier well back at .9071. WSU also continues to rise in the offensive rankings, up to 59th and back over 110 AdjO (110.4 points per 100, to be exact). Louisville has squeezed back into the top spot on defense, with 89.2 AdjD vs. WSU's 89.4 for second -- apparently the Shocks needed to get out on a little quicker on Turk's threes. So the Shocks are still #1 among tournament eligible teams on defense.

[choida]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...nsas/80846280/

An #11 in Des Moines....Who IS this guy?

Sign us up please.. Like now

[Ixiah]

This same guy lists us as being "Bubble Out" in his Bubble Watch section..http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...aiso/80701366/Wichita State, Valparaiso and Stony Brook all won their regular season conference titles during the weekend. And yet, they'll likely be playing in the NIT unless they win their league tournament. Saint Mary's, a No. 12 seed in the latest bracketology projection, is well-positioned to win the West Coast Conference after sweeping Gonzaga for the first time since 1995. But if the Gaels don't win the WCC tournament, they likely won't go dancing thanks to a non-conference strength of schedule that ranked No. 222.

Did anyone notice the note at the bottom of the article?

"About our bracketologist: Shelby Mast has been projecting the field since 2005 and has finished as one of the top 5 national bracketologists for his website, Bracket W.A.G."

Seriously ... ??

[gdb620]

Just for fun I went to the archives and looked at the bracketology and Selection Sunday threads from 2013. Most "experts" had WSU as a 10 or 11 seed (even the esteemed JH4P had the Shox at #10). A few had them as a play-in. The #9 seed and the matchup with Pitt had everyone celebrating, and one participant posted a link suggesting that the committee took into consideration losses when the team was not at full strength. And back then WSU was just another mid-major.

I think we're looking at a 6 or 7 seed if WSU cuts down the nets in StL. --- 8 or 9 if not. Thinking positive!

[Heinro]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology

I want off the 8/9 line, but a chance to send the Chickenhawks home in the first weekend again wouldn't be terrible. Even though if we are on the 8/9 line, I would rather just be in OKC versus OU.

[ShockerFever]

Why did we drop from a 7 to an 8?

Too many quality losses piling up for teams in front of us?

[RussDaBus]

Why did we drop from a 7 to an 8?

Too many quality losses piling up for teams in front of us?

Simple, Wisconsin win moved them to the last 7 line and us to the first 8 line.

[ShockerFever]

Simple, Wisconsin win moved them to the last 7 line and us to the first 8 line.

Yippee!

Shouldn't Wisconisin be a bubble team considering their ugly home losses to teams like Northern Illinois?

Jerry, can I get a little help here?