(03-25-2018 02:30 AM)Stugray2 Wrote: There is an RPI boost both ways. It was mentioned in the article by Dodd. Also mentioned, the money involved is not decisive (either way) for Gonzaga. Dodd also notes that GU will most likely do whatever Mark Few thinks is best.
This whole thing seems to center around Roth and GU's desire to keep Mark Few. They know if he leaves, those sell outs will quickly be a thing of the past, and also the tourney runs, especially if they stay in the WCC. Ultimately that will be the deciding factor.
Stu, the RPI difference between the two conferences is minimal:
Conference RPI 2014-2018
2018 - MWC #9, WCC #12 (Dodd incorrectly had the WCC at 14)
2017 - WCC #9, MWC #10
2016 - MWC#11,WCC#14
2015- WCC #11, MWC #13
2014 - WCC #9, MWC # 10
In three of the last five years, the WCC had the better RPI. But there is very little difference. The difference happens if you take Gonzaga out of the WCC and put them into the MWC. Helps the MWC significantly, hurts the WCC significantly.
The MWC has been in existence since 1999. They have never had a school get past the sweet sixteen in that time. Which is why they need Gonzaga to get to the next level. They are at the same level with the WCC without Gonzaga.
In 2017, the WCC had two players drafted (both from Gonzaga) in the NBA Draft and the MWC had zero players drafted. As a comparison, the PAC-12 had 14 players drafted. The talent has slipped and the performances have slipped in the MWC. The MWC is not much better than the WAC these days.
As I said in a previous post, Mark Few is not leaving Gonzaga. He said in an interview in 2016 that “I mean, Gonzaga is who I am.” There is zero evidence that Few would leave Gonzaga. You are making that up. This has always been about what is best for Gonzaga.
If Few was really going to leave Gonzaga, what would the MWC do for him? The PAC-12 would be the logical destination for a real challenge. He was offered the Oregon job in 2009 and turned it down. The Oregon campus is 11 miles from his hometown where his parents still live. He is not leaving.