Conference Championship Game Test

[Mags]

OK. You need to pick one of the following teams and scenarios for a #1 seed in the NCAA tourney.

Which would you pick, and why? (All RPI figures were as of today, prior to games being played).

Team A is ranked #11 in RPI and playing a team ranked 24th in RPI and WINS

Team B is ranked #4 in RPI and playing a team ranked #1 in RPI and LOSES

Team C is ranked #7 in RPI and playing a team ranked #39 in RPI and WINS

Team D is ranked #3 in RPI and playing a team ranked #83 in RPI and WINS


While I realize that winning is most important, it is important to take into account WHO you are playing. These are the weakest conference championship games, in terms of top matchups, that I can ever remember.

How can the ACC and SEC not have 2 ranked teams in their championship game, as strong as these conferences are? It is very suprising.

I'd like to think it is better to lose to the #1 ranked team in terms of RPI than struggling to beat the #83 team, for example. But admittedly I'm biased, so I'm wondering what you all feel on this. But this is such a big dropoff in talent, once you drop below, say 10 in RPI. No comparison between a top 10 RPI team and one in the 30's for example.

For the record:

Team A - Kansas
Team B - Wisconsin
Team C - Florida
Team D - North Carolina

Have at it.

 

[TouchdownJesus]

I'll just speak for the ACC.

ACC has 9 out of 12 teams that are average or better. That makes for a tough conference. The thing is that only UNC is a great team this year.

Virginia has over-achieved big time with a great backcourt. MD, VaTech, and BC are all good teams but not great.

Also, as for rankings....a lot of parity in conference, so teams beating up on each other. Other than UNC, only 2 teams are ranked. And one of those is....HUGE LAUGH....DUKE! LOL.

BC, VATECH, and VA are all 2 GAMES ahead of Duke in conference and unranked. Go figure.

Anyway, a lot of parity and only one great team left the tourny wide open. State capitalized with great matchups and great play. Almost pulled it off.

So, again, to answer one of your questions...
Even if UNC plays against UVA, BC, or VATech (all 10-6 in acc), they would not have played a ranked team.

 

[Mags]

TD Jesus

TD Jesus

Interesting points...

I can't remember that last time that only 2 ACC teams were ranked in the polls.

NC has a strong enough RPI and has done enough in my mind to warrant a #1 seed, even though they didn't have a tough conference tournament opponent.

I guess it would be Kansas I'd really have a problem with getting a #1, even if they win. I would doubt that a team EVER has gotten a #1 seed with such a low RPI. I can't say that for sure (maybe someone knows how to look that up), but an #11 RPI team getting a #1 seed? Give me a break....

 

[TouchdownJesus]

Overall, I think there were 5 teams deserving of a #1 bid and UCLA was left out.
They put 4 conf. tourney winners in, so no complaints there, and if UCLA had gotten in over UNC, I wouldn't have complained either.

I just hate having G'town as the #2 in UNC's bracket, but oh well.