The Blazers look like they will be in the NCAA at-large discussion -- and rightly so -- but Andy Kennedy's team must play better away from Birmingham. Recent losses at Marshall and Old Dominion are not helping the case. What is helping the case is the play of Jordan Walker, the former Seton Hall and Tulane guard who erupted for 42 points against Middle Tennessee on Feb. 5. Walker would be fun to watch in the NCAA tournament, but UAB needs to get there first.
The Blazers look like they will be in the NCAA at-large discussion -- and rightly so -- but Andy Kennedy's team must play better away from Birmingham. Recent losses at Marshall and Old Dominion are not helping the case. What is helping the case is the play of Jordan Walker, the former Seton Hall and Tulane guard who erupted for 42 points against Middle Tennessee on Feb. 5. Walker would be fun to watch in the NCAA tournament, but UAB needs to get there first.
For whatever reason, people love us at ESPN even after the ODU loss (I’m sure AK has something to do with that). They still have us in the Bubble Watch, Mid Major Top 10, and Bilas has us as a top 40 team.
(This post was last modified: 02-17-2022 11:06 AM by Blazer4Life14.)
It must be the Andy Kennedy and Jordan Walker effect. By any real objective measure, our at large chances should be dead and buried. But March Madness does love star players and Cinderella teams, and everybody at ESPN seems to love Kennedy.
(02-17-2022 10:23 AM)Blazer4Life14 Wrote: For whatever, people love us at ESPN even after the ODU loss (I’m sure AK has something to do with that). They still have us in the Bubble Watch, Mid Major Top 10, and Bilas has us as a top 40 team.
This is purely speculation, but ESPN loves the AAC. Pretty well known fact. It is in their best interest for two incoming American teams to make the tournament, generate some excitement, and prepare the American to continue being a top 7 league with multiple bids. Would look very nice for 4 teams in the new look AAC to be in the dance (UAB, UNT, SMU, Memphis).
MWC, A10, CUSA, WCC, MVC, Big East, B1G, and Pac 12 are all not *really* their product like the AAC is. They’re the exclusive holder of American product. They’ll be pushing hard to keep AAC in with the high majors and distanced from the mid-majors. Of course this is my opinion and you can all feel free to disagree with it
(02-17-2022 10:49 AM)The Answer UAB Wrote: It must be the Andy Kennedy and Jordan Walker effect. By any real objective measure, our at large chances should be dead and buried. But March Madness does love star players and Cinderella teams, and everybody at ESPN seems to love Kennedy.
I guess since there is a human factor to the selection, we COULD get in. I think the way that we do play UP to our competition could be as much of a factor as playing down to it. If we play a 4 seed or a 14 seed, it’ll be a good game. And UAB could be a fun bracket buster with Kennedy coaching and Walker and Quan Jackson playing. Not holding my breath at ALL at this point but crazier things have happened. Just along for the ride. Still think we have the potential to win in Frisco if we get that double bye and only play the good teams, lol
(02-17-2022 10:49 AM)The Answer UAB Wrote: It must be the Andy Kennedy and Jordan Walker effect. By any real objective measure, our at large chances should be dead and buried.
They are dead and buried. Bilas, ESPN, and these other sites saying good things about UAB will not sway the selection committee one way or the other.
(02-22-2022 12:36 AM)KevMo4UAB Wrote: Middle Tennessee beat UTEP tonight, 77-59. MTSU is now 11-3 in C-USA.
North Texas 13-1
MTSU 11-3
UAB 10-4
LA Tech 10-4
WKU 9-6
UTEP 9-6
FAU 8-6
MTSU’s KenPom ranking is now 97.
We now have 4 teams in the 100 KenPom and 3 teams on NET (La Tech is 105).
And 2 in top 50 in both.
When was the last time CUSA has had that many top 100 teams?
(This post was last modified: 02-22-2022 12:01 PM by blazerblazer.)
(02-22-2022 12:36 AM)KevMo4UAB Wrote: Middle Tennessee beat UTEP tonight, 77-59. MTSU is now 11-3 in C-USA.
North Texas 13-1
MTSU 11-3
UAB 10-4
LA Tech 10-4
WKU 9-6
UTEP 9-6
FAU 8-6
MTSU’s KenPom ranking is now 97.
We now have 4 teams in the 100 KenPom and 3 teams on NET (La Tech is 105).
And 2 in top 50 in both.
When was the last time CUSA has had that many top 100 teams?
Last season we had 4 in KenPom:
WKU at #99
Marshall at #92
LA Tech at #82
and North Texas at #72
UAB was just outside at #102. It was the first time we'd had 4 since Tulsa was in the conference. Damn shame we dropped the pod system last season, we're finally at a point as a conference that it would be useful. Instead we get to keep our fingers crossed that we don't go on the road and drop a game against the #320, #176, and #345 teams.
MTSU convincingly took care of WKU today, 69-52, to improve their conference record to 13-3. They have won 8 in a row. Their last two games are in the road - Charlotte and ODU.
(03-08-2022 07:14 PM)UABrandon Wrote: Luis Hurtado is currently on ESPN2. He's a starting guard for Bryant now and theyre playing in the NEC Champ game against Wagner
They got there by beating Mt. Saint Mary's and Jalen Benjamin, who scored 16 points. No word if he made any taint attacks.
(03-08-2022 07:14 PM)UABrandon Wrote: Luis Hurtado is currently on ESPN2. He's a starting guard for Bryant now and theyre playing in the NEC Champ game against Wagner
He’s going to the big dance. Bryant up 42-14 in the 2nd half.
(03-08-2022 07:14 PM)UABrandon Wrote: Luis Hurtado is currently on ESPN2. He's a starting guard for Bryant now and theyre playing in the NEC Champ game against Wagner
He’s going to the big dance. Bryant up 42-14 in the 2nd half.
Well that was the craziest 27 pt win i've ever seen. There was a big brawl with Wagner fans and Bryant students
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