Bracket Busters

[Mitro]

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Uhh yeah....that's exactly what the RPI factors into its equation
# Division I winning percentage (25 percent),
# schedule strength (50 percent) and
# opponent's schedule strength (25 percent)

Doesn't it also factor in location somehow? Don't road wins get more weight, or am I just on something?

 

[evajaclynn]

Doesn't it also factor in location somehow? Don't road wins get more weight, or am I just on something?

You're exactly right....let me see if I can find the formula.....

 

[evajaclynn]

Okay, I just copied this off a random website:


RPI Formula Revision
The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee Has Just Announced an Update to Its RPI Formula. A Team That Wins on the Road Will Be Awarded 1.4 Wins. Home Wins Are Reduced to 0.6 Wins. Road Losses Will Count as 0.6 Losses and Home Losses Are More Severe at 1.4 Losses. There Is No Change for Neutral Wins and Losses.

 

[ornis4]

rpi means doo doo...
acc is by far the toughest conference to play in. many will argue that they are just top-heavy but the teams that aren't in the top 6 (by the way theres 3 acc teams up there) like maryland gtech and ncstate are always dangerous come tourney time. the problem is all the acc teams beat up on each other so they cant attain the high rankings as well. everytime i turn on espn i see another unc vs duke, duke vs wake, wake vs unc matchup. i can see unc going very far this year. they have the firepower to blow any one away. i just want to see unc illinois once and for all to see who takes it..

It may very well be the best this year, but it's certainly not "by far". The Big East has a very good record against the ACC this year, and I think the Big East's mid-level teams are better than the ACC's. Also, Virginia Tech and Miami, both perennial Big East losers, are finding quite a bit of success in their first ACC years. Lots of factors could play into that, but when you're talking about the Big East having the very real possibility of getting 7 or 8 teams in the tourney, you can't just disregard it. And that's not even taking into consideration the Big 12, which has some very good teams at the top. The Big Ten and SEC overall seem to be down this year, but their top teams are obviously among the nation's elite. The ACC is an incredible basketball conference, but I don't see it being head and shoulders above say, the Big East this year.

 

[ornis4]

Also, I have never believed in the RPI...certainly the top teams are going to be up there in any poll/calculation, etc. But a team like Vermont has an RPI in the twenties, while Pitt is currently at 64. That's Pitt, the team that smoked BC at BC last night, and has also won at UConn and at Syracuse. So, I think the RPI has to be taken with a grain of salt, and thus the reason why it's only factored into the equation to a certain degree.

 

[VPDcurt]

You think Ewing will be gone? I dont see him making the NBA.
If its possible, itd be nice to see a Nova vs G-town final.

I don't think Ewing will go to the NBA, but he is a senior. He's also used up 4 yrs of eligibility.

 

[evajaclynn]

Also, I have never believed in the RPI...certainly the top teams are going to be up there in any poll/calculation, etc. But a team like Vermont has an RPI in the twenties, while Pitt is currently at 64. That's Pitt, the team that smoked BC at BC last night, and has also won at UConn and at Syracuse. So, I think the RPI has to be taken with a grain of salt, and thus the reason why it's only factored into the equation to a certain degree.

That is true - good point.

 

[OSUdoc08]

Sure, we can talk about your Illini - they have a #2 RPI and #44 SOS (Strength of Schedule).

Now lets talk about those Jayhawks - #1 RPI and #1 SOS.

Anything else you'd like to talk about?

Those 3 losses in a row last month were impressive as well.

👎

 

[evajaclynn]

Those 3 losses in a row last month were impressive as well.

👎

Yeah, and your team lost to us. Go figure.



Really, I don't want to start some sort of war here. We all think our own teams are the best. KU and OSU truly are among the best and I actually cheer for other BIG 12 teams when they're not playing KU.

As some others have already mentioned, a UNC-KU showdown would be awesome. I can think of no other more exciting game for a Jayhawk right now.

 

[iunci]

Can I ask where you are pulling that Kansas has the top RPI in the country? After 3 straight losses, I can't believe that. Must be since RPI weighs the whole season equally....when really if you look at the past month kansas isn't even a top 10 team. RPI is also a bunch of bull. Look at this stat: wake forest dropped 4 spots in the RPI after beating longwood by 40 points. In order to go up they would have had to beat them by like 85 points.

Frankly, UNC is going to take it this year. I find it funny how we are still called a volatile team when we are 24-3. Two of our losses were away games in two incredibly tough arenas. Try being a tar heel and walking into cameron indoor. It's hell. Literally. Everyone is out to get us, and playing in winston salem against wake was no easier.

We are undefeated at home...and undefeated on neutral court this season. We have the highest scoring offense in the nation, highest margin of victory, and are top 5 in numerous other stats. We have 5 starters all averaging double digit points. We are so deep our B team can beat most A teams. We can win any type of game...whether its a shootout where we score 115 points, or a game where we battle it out with maryland at the comcast center. We are going to be champions of BY FAR the toughest conference in the nation, and in addition have visited nonconference schools such as UCONN and still won. We've beaten teams like Kentucky as well. We've even beaten rivals on the road without our leading scorer, rashad mccants. What more do you want?

It's time for UNC to take it. What better story than going from 2 years of no NCAA births to a national championship 2 years later. It's storybook and it's meant to happen. I give props to the illini, but we beat them last year and I'm know we can do it again.

GO HEELS!

 

[evajaclynn]

What a crazy love triangle.

UNC has Roy, KU's old coach.
KU has Self, Illinois' old coach.

I am calling for a mandatory face off to settle this once and for all.

 

[evajaclynn]

Yeah but you lost to us earlier in the season.

Sorry charlie, you got the wrong team. We haven't lost to OSU this year.

 

[VPDcurt]

The University of Richmond Spiders beat Kansas at Allen Field House. Really, there is no reason to brag about Kansas basketball.

 

[newhavenjake]

Sure, we can talk about your Illini - they have a #2 RPI and #44 SOS (Strength of Schedule).

Now lets talk about those Jayhawks - #1 RPI and #1 SOS.

Anything else you'd like to talk about?

Thanks, I know what a strength of schedule is.

How about our number of losses, 0, versus your number of losses...is it up to four now? Yes, evajaclynn it is. My math isn't that great, but I think four is in fact infinitely more than zero.

 

[VPDcurt]

Thanks, I know what a strength of schedule is.

How about our number of losses, 0, versus your number of losses...is it up to four now? Yes, evajaclynn it is. My math isn't that great, but I think four is in fact infinitely more than zero.

Bottom Line: Illinois is essentially guaranteed a #1 Seed unless they screw up really badly (which they probably won't because they haven't screwed up in 28 games thus far). Kansas is likely to get a #2 seed at best. It would take a lot to happen for them to get a #1. RPI and SOS aren't always the only factors considered.

 

[ornis4]

Bottom Line: Illinois is essentially guaranteed a #1 Seed unless they screw up really badly (which they probably won't because they haven't screwed up in 28 games thus far). Kansas is likely to get a #2 seed at best. It would take a lot to happen for them to get a #1. RPI and SOS aren't always the only factors considered.

I would normally agree, but with BC being shaky of late and no one else jumping out for that last number 1 seed, I think Kansas is still right there. Big win yesterday, if they cap it off by running the table through their conference tourney, I think they'll get it.

 

[KitesurfDaEarth]

Bottom Line: Illinois is essentially guaranteed a #1 Seed unless they screw up really badly (which they probably won't because they haven't screwed up in 28 games thus far). Kansas is likely to get a #2 seed at best. It would take a lot to happen for them to get a #1. RPI and SOS aren't always the only factors considered.

#2 at best??? First of all Sagarin predicted both the Texas Tech and OU losses, so I would not call those upsets. Iowa State, of course is, though they are hugely underrated due to the 0-5 start but they have beaten some damn good top 25 teams. And I don't know anyone who isn't scared to have Villanova in their bracket. Illinois is a great team don't get me wrong, but their record and rank are deceptive. RPI and SOS aren't the only things, but you can't ignore a 44th SOS. They have a weak schedule and are in a weak conference. KU with 2 losses > an undefeated Illinois.

 

[VPDcurt]

#1 Seeds:

UNC
Kentucky
Illinois
Wake Forest

 

[skiz knot]

Illinois is a great team don't get me wrong, but their record and rank are deceptive. RPI and SOS aren't the only things, but you can't ignore a 44th SOS. They have a weak schedule and are in a weak conference. KU with 2 losses > an undefeated Illinois.

Absolutely smoking Wake, Gonzaga, Michigan St., and Cincinnati, along with 2 > 10+ point wins v. Wisc was weak?

Fact is, Illinois has played their best ball againt its best opponents, and I don't expect that to change come tourney time.

 

[VPDcurt]

Absolutely smoking Wake, Gonzaga, Michigan St., and Cincinnati, along with 2 > 10+ point wins v. Wisc was weak?

Fact is, Illinois has played their best ball againt its best opponents, and I don't expect that to change come tourney time.

I will give Illinois credit in that they are the only team I have seen this year that is playing well every time they step on the court. They are a legit undefeated team, very much unlike Stanford and St. Joes last year.

 

[vhawk]

Thanks, I know what a strength of schedule is.

How about our number of losses, 0, versus your number of losses...is it up to four now? Yes, evajaclynn it is. My math isn't that great, but I think four is in fact infinitely more than zero.

Am I the only one who caught this? Four is....four...more than zero. I mean, you can MULTIPLY 0 by initifty and not get as high as four, but four aint infinitely more, its four more. Also, 0 is not infinitely less than four....its four less. 🙄

 

[ornis4]

#2 at best??? First of all Sagarin predicted both the Texas Tech and OU losses, so I would not call those upsets. Iowa State, of course is, though they are hugely underrated due to the 0-5 start but they have beaten some damn good top 25 teams. And I don't know anyone who isn't scared to have Villanova in their bracket. Illinois is a great team don't get me wrong, but their record and rank are deceptive. RPI and SOS aren't the only things, but you can't ignore a 44th SOS. They have a weak schedule and are in a weak conference. KU with 2 losses > an undefeated Illinois.

Look I know you're into KU basketball, and that's great, Kansas has amazing fans...but you're kinda wandering off the path on this one. Illinois has gone undefeated in convincing fashion, beating some very good teams. In fact, the only reason their SOS is 44th is due to their weak conference, which they can't control. Kansas is up there, but give credit where it's due...no one can legitimately be considered greater than Illinois right now. We can all prognosticate about the tournament(I don't belive Illinois will win it all myself), but for now all we have to go on is the season, and Illinois has been the best, bar none.

 

[evajaclynn]

Thanks, I know what a strength of schedule is.

How about our number of losses, 0, versus your number of losses...is it up to four now? Yes, evajaclynn it is. My math isn't that great, but I think four is in fact infinitely more than zero.

Okay newhavenjake, congrats on understanding the SOS terminology and thanks for the clarification on our losses. 🙄 Math skills aside, lets let our teams play out the rest of the season and enjoy the ride, alright?

Wow - we have gotten way off track with this thread, haven't we?

 

[vhawk]

Since I started the thread, I will respond and say we havent really gotten off track, since there was no track to begin with! 😀 Really, this was a joke thread to blow of a little steam and distract from the rigors of the process, and its worked out pretty well if you ask me. Also, it was yet another chance to bash all those ivy dorks (excluding Penn of course) which I know is practically its own sport here on SDN.

 

[VPDcurt]

Sure, we can talk about your Illini - they have a #2 RPI and #44 SOS (Strength of Schedule).

Now lets talk about those Jayhawks - #1 RPI and #1 SOS.

Anything else you'd like to talk about?

I guess you don't realize how flawed the new RPI system is when compared to last year. I will give an example to illustrate this. If a team like Missouri plays a team like Savannah State (0-28 this year) on the road and wins, their RPI will increase as if they won 1.4 games. However, if Missouri beats North Carolina at home (which is obviously a big accomplishment), their RPI will only reflect that as if they won 0.6 games. That's how stupid the fractional component of road/home games has become. It is crazy. As bad as some people thought the RPI was last year, it is an essentially useless tool this year. It has been found that, on average, RPI values (when compared to last years values) vary by +/- 30, which is absolutely crazy.

 

[evajaclynn]

I guess you don't realize how flawed the new RPI system is when compared to last year. I will give an example to illustrate this. If a team like Missouri plays a team like Savannah State (0-28 this year) on the road and wins, their RPI will increase as if they won 1.4 games. However, if Missouri beats North Carolina at home (which is obviously a big accomplishment), their RPI will only reflect that as if they won 0.6 games. That's how stupid the fractional component of road/home games has become. It is crazy. As bad as some people thought the RPI was last year, it is an essentially useless tool this year. It has been found that, on average, RPI values (when compared to last years values) vary by +/- 30, which is absolutely crazy.

I agree and already conceded as much yesterday. The point you made was brought to my attention several times already. The RPI certainly is not flawless. KU is still #1 with both the old and new RPI, but at the same time, I agree that this tool is not incredibly useful.

 

[phleebie]

Unfortunately for you, when we face you, it won't be in Lawrence. Big 12 championship rings mean nothing during tourney time.

conference rings may not mean a lot to you during tourney time, but they mean a whole lot to the ncaa tournament committee. bottom line is, osu has pretty much played itself out of a #1 seed. now i know that a #1 seed doesn't guarantee an ncaa crown, but it does guarantee a close, regional setting for all tournament games, except for the final four (which by the way is in st. louis this year). so it looks like jayhawk nation won't have to travel too far from home the entire rest of the season, including the ncaa championship game.

you are right about one thing though: if ku plays osu again, it won't be in historic allen fieldhouse. and you guys do still have a slim chance for a number #1 seed if you happen to win the big 12 tournament.

but it aint gonna happen brother! cause the tournament is in kemper arena, downtown KCMO this year, a return to the glory days where we would dominate this tourney every season (i mean, that's why we switch hosts every few years now, because non-jayhawk fans complained about the un-fair advantage). those are home games for us, man. besides, osu played the best game they could possibly put together and it still wasn't enough. i'm not worried about.

 

[phleebie]

Those 3 losses in a row last month were impressive as well.

👎

those are called character builders, and ku learned a lot about itself during that drought. we've acknowledged our flaws and now we can focus on correcting them and playing better basketball. trust me, this will come in handy during genuinely important games yet to be played.

 

[ornis4]

conference rings may not mean a lot to you during tourney time, but they mean a whole lot to the ncaa tournament committee. bottom line is, osu has pretty much played itself out of a #1 seed. now i know that a #1 seed doesn't guarantee an ncaa crown, but it does guarantee a close, regional setting for all tournament games, except for the final four (which by the way is in st. louis this year). so it looks like jayhawk nation won't have to travel too far from home the entire rest of the season, including the ncaa championship game.

you are right about one thing though: if ku plays osu again, it won't be in historic allen fieldhouse. and you guys do still have a slim chance for a number #1 seed if you happen to win the big 12 tournament.

but it aint gonna happen brother! cause the tournament is in kemper arena, downtown KCMO this year, a return to the glory days where we would dominate this tourney every season (i mean, that's why we switch hosts every few years now, because non-jayhawk fans complained about the un-fair advantage). those are home games for us, man. besides, osu played the best game they could possibly put together and it still wasn't enough. i'm not worried about.

Well, since Illinois has the midwest region locked up, and since there doesn't appear to be a #1 seed from out west, one or two of the #1 seeds are going to have to travel at least a bit. The best Kansas could do for a regional site would be Texas or New Mexico. However, if they are indeed the fourth of the #1 seeds(since they rank them now), then they could very well get sent out west, meaning first two rounds in either Idaho or Arizona, then the regional in New Mexico. Who knows how it'll turn out...but if things hold as they stand now, I would think Kansas will be the fourth #1 seed and possibly be headed out west, which would probably take some of the fan support away. Still, they're in good shape and it looks like the OSU game knocked some sense back into them.

 

[VPDcurt]

now i know that a #1 seed doesn't guarantee an ncaa crown, but it does guarantee a close, regional setting for all tournament games, except for the final four (which by the way is in st. louis this year).

This statement is totally incorrect. There are four regions for the NCAA tournament. This year, they are the following: Syracuse, Chicago, Albuquerque, and Austin. Suppose that UNC, Illinois, Kentucky, and Wake get the #1 seeds. That would put Illinois in Chicago (yes that is regional), and the other three teams wouldn't be regional at all.

 

[OSUdoc08]

conference rings may not mean a lot to you during tourney time, but they mean a whole lot to the ncaa tournament committee. bottom line is, osu has pretty much played itself out of a #1 seed. now i know that a #1 seed doesn't guarantee an ncaa crown, but it does guarantee a close, regional setting for all tournament games, except for the final four (which by the way is in st. louis this year). so it looks like jayhawk nation won't have to travel too far from home the entire rest of the season, including the ncaa championship game.

you are right about one thing though: if ku plays osu again, it won't be in historic allen fieldhouse. and you guys do still have a slim chance for a number #1 seed if you happen to win the big 12 tournament.

but it aint gonna happen brother! cause the tournament is in kemper arena, downtown KCMO this year, a return to the glory days where we would dominate this tourney every season (i mean, that's why we switch hosts every few years now, because non-jayhawk fans complained about the un-fair advantage). those are home games for us, man. besides, osu played the best game they could possibly put together and it still wasn't enough. i'm not worried about.

Austin is closer to OSU; not to mention many of our players & fans are from Texas. Not many Texans like Kansas.

1st seed or not, you will have to pass through Oklahoma to get to the game.

 

[phleebie]

Can I ask where you are pulling that Kansas has the top RPI in the country?

http://www.warrennolan.com/basketball/2005/rpi

and you can forget about your dreams of a unc title this year. all these things you're getting excited about (i.e. undefeated at home, highest scoring offense, highest margin of victory, "story book endings meant to happen") thats what you get with roy as your coach. along with plenty of crying after big losses. but you see, thats all just a big hunk of fool's gold, because what you fail to realize (and what every ku fan knows) is that roy can't coach in the tournament.

the ncaa tournament isn't about who is the best team overall, it's about who's the best team at a particular time and place. roy is too stubborn--he refuses to alter his game plan and adjust to his opponent. he believes that his strategy is the best, and "garsh darnit" if he's not going to execute it the same time every day in practice and in every game, regardless. even jj redick said that he stopped unc from winning the game because he knew the exactly play roy was going to call.

oh sure, he'll relent and start changing things up, but only when it's too late. you'll see what i'm talking about in a few weeks here.

 

[phleebie]

Austin is closer to OSU; not to mention many of our players & fans are from Texas. Not many Texans like Kansas.

1st seed or not, you will have to pass through Oklahoma to get to the game.

none of that matters. jayhawk fans will travel to the depths of the Earth to watch ku play. a couple road trips to OK and TX is like a walk down the street.

 

[phleebie]

The University of Richmond Spiders beat Kansas at Allen Field House. Really, there is no reason to brag about Kansas basketball.

please--mention a meaningful game and maybe i'll listen.

there's no reason to brag about kansas basketball, huh? i sense a bit of jealousy. i guess i wont take too much stock in this comment because any true fan knows that kansas is the jewel of college basketball.

 

[phleebie]

How about our number of losses, 0, versus your number of losses...is it up to four now? Yes, evajaclynn it is. My math isn't that great, but I think four is in fact infinitely more than zero.

well, shoot, we dont even need to have a tournament this year. we can just hand the title to illinois because they have no losses. lets end the season right now and have a makeshift ceremony, right?

i hate to be the bearer of bad news, but being undefeated is not necessarily the ideal situation heading into march madness. everybody is gunning for you, looking to be the cinderella team that hands you your first and only loss. that big "L" is looming out there, just waiting to strike. its a shame that illinois' only loss this year will result in an early exit out of the tournament, because they've had a truly remarkable regular season.

 

[phleebie]

#1 Seeds:

UNC
Kentucky
Illinois
Wake Forest

further proof that you really dont have a pulse on college basketball. a little refresher for you: earlier this season, KU beat Kentucky without our best player, Wayne Simien, IN LEXINGTON. when the ncaa tournament committee gets together for the selection process, they dont gloss over things like this.

what a novel idea--when determining the better of two teams, look to see who won their head-to-head matchup. brilliant.

 

[phleebie]

Who knows how it'll turn out...but if things hold as they stand now, I would think Kansas will be the fourth #1 seed and possibly be headed out west, which would probably take some of the fan support away.

valid point, ku could definitely be shipped elsewhere. but like I posted earlier, ku fans are loyal travelers and will go anywhere to support their team, which is all that really matters.

 

[phleebie]

This statement is totally incorrect. There are four regions for the NCAA tournament. This year, they are the following: Syracuse, Chicago, Albuquerque, and Austin. Suppose that UNC, Illinois, Kentucky, and Wake get the #1 seeds. That would put Illinois in Chicago (yes that is regional), and the other three teams wouldn't be regional at all.

i think you're misinterpreting the term "regional". it is a well known fact that the ncaa tournament committee will see to it that all four #1 seeds remain somewhat close to home for their regional games (and not clear across the country). this is a very significant part of the selection process and is widely discussed on selection sunday. of course, there's no way that every #1 seed will be completely satisfied, but they basically make sure that none of them will have to make trans-national flights.

 

[phleebie]

my #1 seeds:

-illinois: ultimately, their lack of legitimate competition from conference foes will be their downfall. they've been tested a couple times and had a few scares (a near loss to missouri is the first that comes to mind), but they don't get tested against top-ranked opponents every night, like in the ACC. in the end, the "undefeated" moniker will prove to be too large of a burden.

-north carolina: a team full of egos and no heart, led by a great coach who can't win the big game. i can't wait to see roy cry.

-wake forest: a gutsy squad led by a great floor leader and best point guard in the nation. their big question mark is their supporting cast: can players like justin gray and eric williams be enough help for chris paul? a legitimate national title contender.

-kansas: a senior laden, battle tested squad that has seen their share of ups and downs this season. at times, the hawks look as though they haven't quite found their identity yet, which is a serious issue considering the regular season is about to draw to a close. ultimately, the fate of this team lies in the hands of wayne simien.

 

[OSUdoc08]

my #1 seeds:

-illinois: ultimately, their lack of legitimate competition from conference foes will be their downfall. they've been tested a couple times and had a few scares (a near loss to missouri is the first that comes to mind), but they don't get tested against top-ranked opponents every night, like in the ACC. in the end, the "undefeated" moniker will prove to be too large of a burden.

-north carolina: a team full of egos and no heart, led by a great coach who can't win the big game. i can't wait to see roy cry.

-wake forest: a gutsy squad led by a great floor leader and best point guard in the nation. their big question mark is their supporting cast: can players like justin gray and eric williams be enough help for chris paul? a legitimate national title contender.

-kansas: a senior laden, battle tested squad that has seen their share of ups and downs this season. at times, the hawks look as though they haven't quite found their identity yet, which is a serious issue considering the regular season is about to draw to a close. ultimately, the fate of this team lies in the hands of wayne simien.

You do realize that Kansas is number 7, right?

1. Illinois
2. North Carolina
3. Kentucky
4. Wake Forest
5. Boston Coll.
6. Duke
7. Kansas

At least 4 of those teams above them have a better record. Sorry---no number 1 sead for Kansas. Their strength of schedule really doesn't interest me, by the way. This isn't the BCS.

 

[Jonathan13180]

Absolutely smoking Wake, Gonzaga, Michigan St., and Cincinnati, along with 2 > 10+ point wins v. Wisc was weak?

Fact is, Illinois has played their best ball againt its best opponents, and I don't expect that to change come tourney time.

I have to agree. I dont see the Stylin Illini too much (im in philly), but Dee Brown is nasty-as is head and williams. I dont beleive that crap about having to lose one before the tourney starts. Theyll have problems with UNC though-sean may is a beast and if Mccants takes his meds and comes to play, itll be tough whoever guards him.
I dont know the projected brackets-illini should face one close challenge and then cruise to the final four.
Kansas is a good team but im tired of putting my hopes into them and then having them lose. Also, Nova will do some things as will pacific. However, at heart im a Dukie, and although this wont be our year, itll be interesting to see how far they make it.

 

[VPDcurt]

i think you're misinterpreting the term "regional". it is a well known fact that the ncaa tournament committee will see to it that all four #1 seeds remain somewhat close to home for their regional games (and not clear across the country). this is a very significant part of the selection process and is widely discussed on selection sunday. of course, there's no way that every #1 seed will be completely satisfied, but they basically make sure that none of them will have to make trans-national flights.

I guess a flight from North Carolina to Albuquerque isn't considered "trans-national" then? They do the best they can come selection sunday, but this is meaningless because regions are predetermined. There is no telling who gets a #1 seed prior to that. If all teams were East Coast teams that get #1s, someone is going out west. It is common sense.

 

[VPDcurt]

Bottom line: Kansas couldn't win it all with Collison and Hinrich, so there is no way they are going to pull it off this year. Sorry guys. Oh, by the way, I think Kansas also has the ugliest court in all of college basketball.

 

[VPDcurt]

please--mention a meaningful game and maybe i'll listen.

there's no reason to brag about kansas basketball, huh? i sense a bit of jealousy. i guess i wont take too much stock in this comment because any true fan knows that kansas is the jewel of college basketball.

No jealousy here. I am a UConn fan - born and raised in CT. Two championships in the past 6 years. I am a fan of college basketball in general, and so I am willing to be realistic. Kansas is not the jewel of college basketball. A simple analysis of their "initials" will reveal that they are not the "jewel." There is the University of Kentucky and the University of Kansas. Both should be considered UK. However, Kentucky gets the nod. Why? Because they have a much more storied and successful program, lasting longer than almost any other school in the nation. The University of Kansas has to settle for KU, which doesn't even accurately represent the name of the school.

Now I know that Allen fieldhouse is a nice place and all with a lot of history, but that doesn't make a program successful. Look at the Palestra in Philly. As much as I dislike Duke, they have the best arena in all of basketball. It is definitely the toughest place to play. Think of how annoying it is to even watch a game there on TV because the crowd is so loud the whole time.

 

[Bigsheed920]

I want to see a UNC vs. Illinois Championship game.......duke kansas and all the other chumps this year need to wait for another year.

 

[ornis4]

i think you're misinterpreting the term "regional". it is a well known fact that the ncaa tournament committee will see to it that all four #1 seeds remain somewhat close to home for their regional games (and not clear across the country). this is a very significant part of the selection process and is widely discussed on selection sunday. of course, there's no way that every #1 seed will be completely satisfied, but they basically make sure that none of them will have to make trans-national flights.

That's just not true...in theory or reality. Think about it, you never know in a given year where the four top seeds are going to come from, yet the sites are spread out across the country and pre-determined. Teams are going to have to travel, it's inevitable...at least now they rank the number 1's and that at least gives the top one or two regional preference. But just look at UCONN's 1999 championship...they were the #1 seed out west with a record of 28-2! They had to play in Denver and then Phoenix to get to the Final Four...that's about as cross-country as you can get.

I know you love Kansas, as several others on SDN seem to, but you seem to be very consumed by your team in two ways....I think you're grossly underestimating other teams, especially Illinois in the sense that they have an amazing backcourt, and that is what wins in college basketball. I really don't think they're going to get upset by a cinderella team in a very early round, they're too good for that. Yes their conference is weak but they absolutely destroyed the non-conference opponents they faced, with some very good teams among them.

Second, you have got to get over the Roy Williams thing. I know he never won you the big game...but don't you think it's a disturbing fact that most of you KU folks are harping on NOT having Roy now as opposed to touting Bill Self? Last time I checked, Bill Self is not Adolf Rupp either...I never saw Illinois have a season like this when he was there, did you? I don't mean that to sound harsh, but I just think you guys are obsessed with Roy. He's got a great team this year, and if he blows it, well that will further call in to question his coaching skills in a big spot. But by the same token, if Kansas, with all the talent and depth and experience they have this year, blows the tournament anywhere before the Elite 8, well I don't want to hear about Roy anymore, you know? As I mentioned earlier, it would make a pretty good storyline to see UNC-Kansas in the final, though I don't see it happening.

 

[evajaclynn]

Bottom line: Kansas couldn't win it all with Collison and Hinrich, so there is no way they are going to pull it off this year. Sorry guys. Oh, by the way, I think Kansas also has the ugliest court in all of college basketball.

Phleebie - its good to have you back! I was wondering where you were to help me support our Jayhawks! 🙂

Perhaps opponents think our court is ugly because they hardly ever win at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas has an all time record of 564-102 at Allen Fieldhouse and since the 1984 season, Kansas' record at home is an amazing 282-22 (93%).

Since the start of the Big 12, Kansas has lost just five conference games at home and never more than one in a season.

Bottom line: We don't give a damn if you think our court is ugly. More than likely you will lose whenever you enter the Allen Fieldhouse doors.

 

[evajaclynn]

Second, you have got to get over the Roy Williams thing. I know he never won you the big game...but don't you think it's a disturbing fact that most of you KU folks are harping on NOT having Roy now as opposed to touting Bill Self? Last time I checked, Bill Self is not Adolf Rupp either...I never saw Illinois have a season like this when he was there, did you? I don't mean that to sound harsh, but I just think you guys are obsessed with Roy. He's got a great team this year, and if he blows it, well that will further call in to question his coaching skills in a big spot. But by the same token, if Kansas, with all the talent and depth and experience they have this year, blows the tournament anywhere before the Elite 8, well I don't want to hear about Roy anymore, you know? As I mentioned earlier, it would make a pretty good storyline to see UNC-Kansas in the final, though I don't see it happening.

Actually, a lot of us in Kansas are still fans of Roy. Sure, he left to go to UNC, but he's got a lot of history with the UNC program. So be it. And he's doing great things there. We have a great new coach now in Self, and we're loving what he's doing with our program. Roy Williams and Bill Self are two great coaches and we're hoping that Bill Self can bring to the program what Williams did. From the looks of his first few seasons, looks like he will probably live up to expectations. 👍

 

[fightingsaint]

further proof that you really dont have a pulse on college basketball. a little refresher for you: earlier this season, KU beat Kentucky without our best player, Wayne Simien, IN LEXINGTON. when the ncaa tournament committee gets together for the selection process, they dont gloss over things like this.

They don't gloss over losses to Villanova and Iowa State either. Kansas will get a 2 seed, but not a 1. Watch out for Gonzaga this year...they're alot better than people realize. They should get a three or four seed and make a strong run. Oh, and VPDcurt, UW is really good this year...how can you guarantee that the #10 team in the country couldn't possibly make the elite eight? I actually wouldn't be too surprised if that happened. There will also not be an early exit for the Illini. Have you watched these guys play? They're unbelievable...and they've gotten better as the season progressed. To go undefeated and play in the Big Ten is pretty incredible. Final Four at least.

 

[Stank811]

Alright ladies and gents...let me fill you in on who is going to be the cinderella story of the year. The team is UWM...the "M" stands for milwaukee not madison...by the way madison blows 😀 . So if there is any other school that has their dancing shoes all nice and polished and is ready to dance we are ready...GO PANTHERS!!