Northwestern beat Maryland today; they are now in the Big 10 semis. I'm sure that I am not alone on this board with wishing them well and congratulations on finally making it to the dance! Hopefully, they will win the Big 10 tournament and truly earn their way in, in the same fashion that W&M, Army, Citadel, and St. Francis will have to do it (unlikely to be at-larges for this crowd). Short of a Big 10 tournament win, it is fine for NW to get an at-large but, of course, they really coulda shoulda done that years and years and years ago out of the Big 10.

I'm always torn on the at-large vs. automatic selection. Personally, I think an at-large is more desired because it doesn't rely on a magical run over 3 days, it recognizes a truly great season.

Obviously, beggars and choosers, etc., but an at large would mean more to me.

Generally, I agree with that (i.e. it would be really cool if W&M ever got an at-large) --- but I think your perception of at-larges was much more true in the distant past when only the automatic and 2-3 at-larges made it out of the big conferences. Now, with the ACC sending 10 teams and other P5 conferences sending anywhere from 6-9, I think it is really a joke. When some of those schools have 17-14 records and are going as the 8th or 9th representative then I don't think that there is an glory or acclaim in that.

I still think that the NCAA seedings/RPI are the most ridiculous thing around. I will never be convinced that the second best (or third best) school out of a conference like the CAA isn't just as deserving as the 7, 8, 9, 10th best school out of the ACC. Play the games on a neutral floor with neutral officials and the truth will come out.

(03-11-2017 09:01 PM)Zorch Wrote:  Generally, I agree with that (i.e. it would be really cool if W&M ever got an at-large) --- but I think your perception of at-larges was much more true in the distant past when only the automatic and 2-3 at-larges made it out of the big conferences. Now, with the ACC sending 10 teams and other P5 conferences sending anywhere from 6-9, I think it is really a joke. When some of those schools have 17-14 records and are going as the 8th or 9th representative then I don't think that there is an glory or acclaim in that.

I still think that the NCAA seedings/RPI are the most ridiculous thing around. I will never be convinced that the second best (or third best) school out of a conference like the CAA isn't just as deserving as the 7, 8, 9, 10th best school out of the ACC. Play the games on a neutral floor with neutral officials and the truth will come out.

I think generally you are right except that when our top team (UNCW) goes to the 12th ranked ACC team (Clemson) and Clemson was leading by 22 with 4:30 to go in the game (eventually UNCW lost by 14) and Charleston hosted Wake (ACC's 10th team) and lost by 17, it's tough to make that argument much and have it go anywhere.

(03-12-2017 12:56 AM)tribe_pride Wrote:  I think generally you are right except that when our top team (UNCW) goes to the 12th ranked ACC team (Clemson) and Clemson was leading by 22 with 4:30 to go in the game (eventually UNCW lost by 14) and Charleston hosted Wake (ACC's 10th team) and lost by 17, it's tough to make that argument much and have it go anywhere.

Charleston also beat LSU with Ben Simmons last year. And Northeastern, our 6th-placed team this year, beat Michigan State on the road (as well as tournament teams Vermont and Kent State).

The problem is that when we lose a bad one at Clemson in December, we suck. If a P5 loses some bad games in league play in January/February, those were "off games".

(03-13-2017 08:07 AM)Seahawk Nation 08 Wrote:  

(03-12-2017 12:56 AM)tribe_pride Wrote:  I think generally you are right except that when our top team (UNCW) goes to the 12th ranked ACC team (Clemson) and Clemson was leading by 22 with 4:30 to go in the game (eventually UNCW lost by 14) and Charleston hosted Wake (ACC's 10th team) and lost by 17, it's tough to make that argument much and have it go anywhere.

Charleston also beat LSU with Ben Simmons last year. And Northeastern, our 6th-placed team this year, beat Michigan State on the road (as well as tournament teams Vermont and Kent State).

The problem is that when we lose a bad one at Clemson in December, we suck. If a P5 loses some bad games in league play in January/February, those were "off games".

Wasn't using it as an insult to you guys and that Ben Simmons LSU team did not make the NCAA tournament (or any post season tournament) last year.

The fact of the matter is that a team has to have a number of quality wins over NCAA caliber teams to make the tourney as an at-large. If you are in a mid to low major and only schedule 1 good BCS+Big East team, you better win it or else you have no chance at an at-large bid and depending on how and who else you play, only 1 is likely not enough.

Like it or not the P6+Big East teams have a number of opportunities to play top teams. They can afford to lose some because they can prove later that they can beat some of the top teams. If you only play 1 or 2 NCAA caliber teams, then you don't have that chance. The CAA has a similar advantage in football.

(03-13-2017 08:07 PM)tribe_pride Wrote:  Wasn't using it as an insult to you guys and that Ben Simmons LSU team did not make the NCAA tournament (or any post season tournament) last year.

That wasn't due to performance. They self-penalized themselves for a violation that year. They would have at least been an NIT team.

(03-13-2017 09:43 PM)Seahawk Nation 08 Wrote:  

(03-13-2017 08:07 PM)tribe_pride Wrote:  Wasn't using it as an insult to you guys and that Ben Simmons LSU team did not make the NCAA tournament (or any post season tournament) last year.

That wasn't due to performance. They self-penalized themselves for a violation that year. They would have at least been an NIT team.

Somewhat true. They did not make the NCAA Tournament then decided against going to the NIT. They lost 71-38 in their first SEC semifinal game and then when they did not make the tourney, the team declined an NIT bid.