2016-17 Bracketology

[CBB_Fan]

I will note that Gonzaga has as many top 25 wins as UNC, KU, and Baylor and more than Arizona, Oregon, and UCLA. And that they have won a higher percentage of Top-100 games. And that they are #1 statistically, and not just in KenPom. In 34 of the 60 rankings they are ranked #1 overall, a feat not achieved by either the undefeated Wichita State team or the Gonzaga team that preceded it.

I don't think they'll get the number 1 overall seed, as their RPI and SOS is going to be lower than the other contenders. But that isn't really all that important, as the overall number 1 doesn't necessarily get the easiest bracket. The real question is whether they get the West's number 1 seed over Arizona and UCLA, as the other regions are all but locked up (East - Villanova, MidWest - KU, South - UNC).

There is no case for Arizona to jump Gonzaga, even if they win the Pac-12 tournament. They are 1-5 versus top 25 currently, and Arizona has the already lost a head-to-head. UCLA is a harder pick, but I still would say Gonzaga should be ahead. Gonzaga has the higher RPI, higher OOC SOS, higher SOS (though RPI and SOS will go to UCLA after the Pac12 tournament). UCLA has no bad losses, but they would still tie in Top 25 and Top 100 wins.

If UCLA wins the Pac-12, the power conference bias almost assures a #1 seed in the West. But otherwise Gonzaga should get it.

[Cdizzle]

Gonzaga might benefit from getting a 2 seed. I think the committee would spend less time setting them up with murderers row (including WSU) if they are not the 1.

[ShockerFever]

I like Gonzaga's chances against KU. Period.

[Cdizzle]

There is some really good reading on the internet right now if one ever has a mind to venture over to the phog.

[pogo]

Everytime I do that I just get mad and more dumb. It just sucks all reason out of me as well as a couple dozen IQ points.

[AndShock]

There is some really good reading on the internet right now if one ever has a mind to venture over to the phog.

Lot of mental gymnastics being performed.

WSU didn't play anyone it's a joke if they get in.
WSU will be underseeded if they get in. It's a total screwjob for KU if they have to play WSU in the second round.

[Stickboy46]

Lot of mental gymnastics being performed.

WSU didn't play anyone it's a joke if they get in.
WSU will be underseeded if they get in. It's a total screwjob for KU if they have to play WSU in the second round.

"Gregggggg needs to grow a pair and play some real teams" .. Umm give coach Self a call and tell him that ...

[The 'hut]

I approached my wife's uncle on Sunday as he was wearing his KU tee from Walmart, and asked him what he thought of their fine team this year. He gushed about how they would go far in the tourney with veteran guard leadership. I said, I will bet you straight up $20 (remember, he bought his shirt at Walmart)if they draw WSU, the Shockers will win. Big back track, wanting odds, points etc. I said you can't have it both ways. After more stammering I told him he better go pull out one of his K-State football T-Shirts.

[wichshock65]

From ESPN:

Wichita State [27-4 (17-1), RPI: 41, SOS: 190] Wichita State's regular season is over. The final tally: a 27-4 record, a 17-1 mark in the Missouri Valley Conference, a top-10 spot in KenPom.com's adjusted efficiency rankings, a top-20 spot in BPI, a top-25 spot in the Associated Press poll and a reprise of last season's questions about whether or not the Shockers deserve to get into the NCAA tournament if they don't win three games in three days at Arch Madness. These questions feel pretty silly, given the preponderance of evidence that Wichita State is a really good basketball team. But if the committee is inclined to ignore that evidence -- and last season, it seemed to suggest that the only reason the Shockers were in the First Four (!) is because of just this type of information -- Selection Sunday might get weird. For now, though, Wichita State should be in.

[Shocktoberfest]

I approached my wife's uncle on Sunday as he was wearing his KU tee from Walmart, and asked him what he thought of their fine team this year. He gushed about how they would go far in the tourney with veteran guard leadership. I said, I will bet you straight up $20 (remember, he bought his shirt at Walmart)if they draw WSU, the Shockers will win. Big back track, wanting odds, points etc. I said you can't have it both ways. After more stammering I told him he better go pull out one of his K-State football T-Shirts.

Just described half the people I know. It's impressive.

[Play Angry]

From ESPN:

Wichita State [27-4 (17-1), RPI: 41, SOS: 190] Wichita State's regular season is over. The final tally: a 27-4 record, a 17-1 mark in the Missouri Valley Conference, a top-10 spot in KenPom.com's adjusted efficiency rankings, a top-20 spot in BPI, a top-25 spot in the Associated Press poll and a reprise of last season's questions about whether or not the Shockers deserve to get into the NCAA tournament if they don't win three games in three days at Arch Madness. These questions feel pretty silly, given the preponderance of evidence that Wichita State is a really good basketball team. But if the committee is inclined to ignore that evidence -- and last season, it seemed to suggest that the only reason the Shockers were in the First Four (!) is because of just this type of information -- Selection Sunday might get weird. For now, though, Wichita State should be in.

Pretty big swing in their position in the Bubble Watch column over the last 7 days. Seems like consensus is building with one feeble holdout.

[RoyalShock]

Lot of mental gymnastics being performed.

WSU didn't play anyone it's a joke if they get in.
WSU will be underseeded if they get in. It's a total screwjob for KU if they have to play WSU in the second round.

Bingo!

There is so much cognitive dissonance over there it's difficult to keep reading. You simply cannot rationalize saying a team doesn't deserve to get in and say if you have to play them you got screwed. Wouldn't you want to play a team that you think isn't good enough to be in the tournament?

[Dave Stalwart]

I've gotten some enjoyment out of telling my KU friends that Shamet is a better PG than Mason. :) Just one of those easy bombs to drop on somebody.

[pie n eye]

I've gotten some enjoyment out of telling my KU friends that Shamet is a better PG than Mason. :) Just one of those easy bombs to drop on somebody.

I've been thinking about this lately. That is a matchup I would love to see although I'm not sure they would guard each other.

Mason - Brown or McDuffie
Graham - Shamet
Jackson - McDuffie or Brown
5 Steps - Frankamp
Lucas - Shaq

At least to start the game that makes sense to me. I really like the matchups for us. I wish I knew the other one seeds well enough to make the same comparison.

[ShockingButTrue]

Everytime I do that I just get mad and more dumb. It just sucks all reason out of me as well as a couple dozen IQ points.

That sounds like a b. lootz drive-by.