Bracket Busters

[ShockerFever]

Shox1989 - I think the valley's talent started to fall when the 5 & 8 rule went away. For all the things Mark Turgeon whined about, I think this one actually did have a huge impact. For those that do not recall, the rule basically prevented schools from signing more than 5 players in one year or 8 in two years(I could be off on the numbers). Without this rule more BCS schools have more scholarships to provide to transfers and freshman - it basically made it harder for MVC schools to get in the door for the top 150ish type guys.

My point is our rpi hasn't really fallen (until this year). We were the #7 rpi conference last year. That is about as good (except for 2006) as it has ever been (since the early 80s anyway).

We are being preceived nationally, in my opinion, as a one bid league, but we really should not be. We should be perceived in the same category as the MWC, the A-10 and C-USA.

Over the last 5 years we have really done better (rpi wise) than those conferences, but that doesn't seem to be the perception.

And even though we have only received one bid each of the last 3 years, we have had 4 sweet sixteen teams in the last 5 years (WSU, BU-2006, SIU-2007, UNI-2010).

One bid conferences don't do that.

So what does this have to do with not wanting bracketbuster again?

The league is down because MVC teams aren't scheduling anybody and they aren't beating anybody.

Butler and Gonzaga don't compete because they simply dont need to. We don't have that luxury. It has nothing to do with national perception. We had no problems with it in the mid 2000's. It didn't seem to hurt Butler or St Mary's or Utah State.

Again how does helping our schedule and a chance of quality wins not stroke you the right way?

[AndShock]

Selection Show is starting in a minute or two, ESPNU.

[GoShockers89]

VCU on friday at 6 PM.

http://espnbracketbusters.com/schedule.html

[AndShock]

VCU on friday at 6 PM.

http://espnbracketbusters.com/schedule.html

But UNI gets George Mason. Bleh.

[Ixiah]

VCU - official now.

[GoShockers89]

I wouldn't hate on the Rams too much.

Their schedule stacks up similarly to ours down the stretch- if they take care of business over the next 3 games, their last 5 provide a big opportunity to make a serious move up in the RPI. If they beat Mason at home, it's pretty likely they'll end up conference champs and with a higher RPI than GM.

This is a game to be excited about, both for this year and next.

Plus, we get them coming off a Wednesday night road game at Northeastern in Boston. That's a pretty nasty 48 hour turnaround that works in our favor. We play a Tuesday night game that week.

[Ixiah]

Butler and Gonzaga don't compete because they simply dont need to.

Its interesting that you mention those two teams. The ESPNU announcers brought up both and mentioned them "outgrowing" bracketbusters and now both are in need of a quality win the bracketbuster would provide.

[WstateU]

I sure can't ***** about this... another national TV game on the deuce... and the first BB televised game. Hopefully in HD. ;-)

:good: :good:

[SHOXAAC]

As many have said on multiple threads, the Shox control their own destiny. Win and nothing else matters. The VCU matchup could potentially give us a huge boost if the Rams do their job. Three of their five games before BB Friday pits them against ODU (31 rpi), GMU (33) & James Madison (67). If the chips fall, BB will be a great asset if we need it on March 6.

[SHOXAAC]

Fun watch the "tension" between Katz & Lunardi.

[wusphlash]

You can compare the two RPIs, GM versus VCU, if you want but I'd rather beat the Colonial champion. Right now that's VCU. That will carry more weight come March than a few RPI positions.

[AndShock]

You can compare the two RPIs, GM versus VCU, if you want but I'd rather beat the Colonial champion. Right now that's VCU. That will carry more weight come March than a few RPI positions.

If VCU can finish with a top 50 RPI, then you're probably right. If they don't, then I'd much rather be playing GMU. It really depends on how the rest of the season ends up.

[Ta town]

I would argue if they win the caa they will be a top 50 rpi via the victories needed to do so. It sort of goes hand in hand.

[SHOXAAC]

You can compare the two RPIs, GM versus VCU, if you want but I'd rather beat the Colonial champion. Right now that's VCU. That will carry more weight come March than a few RPI positions.

The hope is that at the time we play VCU their RPI will be better than GM. Not sure if beating the Colonial champion is more important at the end of the year than quality RPI according to the 10 people that make the ultimate decision.

[GoShockers89]

You can compare the two RPIs, GM versus VCU, if you want but I'd rather beat the Colonial champion. Right now that's VCU. That will carry more weight come March than a few RPI positions.

The hope is that at the time we play VCU their RPI will be better than GM. Not sure if beating the Colonial champion is more important at the end of the year than quality RPI according to the 10 people that make the ultimate decision.

I'm guessing the difference between beating the 2nd place team in the CAA with an RPI of 35 vs. beating the 1st place team that ends up with an RPI of 42 is pretty negligible. Point is, we gotta win.

First things first, let's make sure we're still relevant for at-large discussion by taking care of biz before VCU comes to town.