Two MAC teams in the NCAA tournament

BGSU-Ph.D. · Post by **BGSU-Ph.D.** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 10:13 am

I know, the MAC always gets screwed. But, it seems to me that the best chance for the MAC to get two teams in the NCAA tournament is if Miami beats Buffalo in the finals (in a close game, of course). Buffalo has some solid OOC wins and, perhaps more importantly, zero losses against bad teams. If they beat Western, they will improve an already impressive record vs. the RPI top 100. Miami's overall body of work seems less impressive (despite the high RPI), so they may need to win the MAC tourney to get in. I don't think either Ohio or Western have strong enough resumes to get an at-large, since both have some terrible losses (despite the fact that OU beat Buffalo twice). If Ohio were to beat Miami in the semifinals, they would probably ruin Miami's at large hopes and, I think, make the MAC a one bid league for certain regardless of who wins the championship game.

Is it likely that the MAC gets two teams? Probably not, but I'm just considering what would give the MAC the best chance.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 10:19 am

I think if Buffalo and Miami make it to the finals I think they both will get in, unless you have another major upset from other conference tournaments

BGSU-Ph.D. · Post by **BGSU-Ph.D.** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 10:23 am

Well, Nevada lost in the WAC tourney and they are a lock. So, that is one less at large spot.

One would think (hope) that Maryland and possibly Notre Dame are out, but the committee does some strange things in favor of the "power" conferences.

I think ND still has a chance, but Maryland should be toast. MAC fans should root against N.C. St. and Virginia Tech.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 10:27 am

I think ND and Maryland should be out. Just like I dont think Indiana should be in either.

BGSU-Ph.D. · Post by **BGSU-Ph.D.** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 10:31 am

Another team that I think should be out is Depaul. The only thing they did all year was beat Cincy once. They beat us by 10, but it was at Depaul and we aren't a tourney team. Northern Ill. killed them. They lost to Bradley too. C-USA is terribly overrated, but the Andy Katz says that the committee is leaning toward letting DePaul in.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 10:39 am

Forgot about them, yes they should be out. I really dont think St Mary's should be in either. They beat Gonzaga yes, but look at their record, 14 of their wins are against teams with RPI higher than 270, combined record of 14 of those teams I think are 112 - 295

BGSU-Ph.D. · Post by **BGSU-Ph.D.** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 11:10 am

I'm in total agreement with you on St. Mary's. They are riding the Zags coattails for sure. They did absolutely nothing except beat Gonzaga once. They went 11-3 in the WCC. They look like a 9-9, 10-8 MAC team.

hammb · Post by **hammb** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 11:25 am

Maryland will be in the tourney, almost a lock, IMO. They beat Duke twice. The rest of their season is going to be almost meaningless in the eyes of the selectioin committee. Two wins over a team in the top 10 will sew it up for 'em. Who has UB beaten in the top 10?

I don't think the MAC will get a second team in. I don't think the MAC deserves a second team in. And I don't think it matters how many teams get in because I don't think there is a MAC team that can win a first round game.

After watching the entire show yesterday my suspicions were pretty much confirmed. The MAC has a whole lotta decent teams, but no good teams. Every team has major holes that can be exploited by a better team. I almost hope that we DON'T get a second team in because its just another chance for an embarrassing loss.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 11:30 am

hammb wrote:Maryland will be in the tourney, almost a lock, IMO. They beat Duke twice. The rest of their season is going to be almost meaningless in the eyes of the selectioin committee. Two wins over a team in the top 10 will sew it up for 'em. Who has UB beaten in the top 10?

I don't think the MAC will get a second team in. I don't think the MAC deserves a second team in. And I don't think it matters how many teams get in because I don't think there is a MAC team that can win a first round game.

After watching the entire show yesterday my suspicions were pretty much confirmed. The MAC has a whole lotta decent teams, but no good teams. Every team has major holes that can be exploited by a better team. I almost hope that we DON'T get a second team in because its just another chance for an embarrassing loss.

They also lost 3 times to a 16-14 Clemson team. Look what Clemson RPI is. Now look at Maryland. Look at the other loses by MD. Also lost to Virginia Tech and Miami (not that bad loses, but games they should have won).

But the real thing that is going to kill Maryland (2-9) on the road!!!! Ouch!

BGSU-Ph.D. · Post by **BGSU-Ph.D.** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 11:47 am

Hammb -

I agree that Maryland will get a long look since they beat Duke twice. But, Duke is only one team and two games don't make a season. Like 1972 said, they lost to Clemson 3 times and their RPI and overall record isn't great. The question is: do 2 wins against one good team outweigh a crappy overall record, a sub .500 league record, and some very bad losses. Hell, South Florida just beat Charlotte, Houston, and Cincinnati, but that doesn't mean squat. Now, I know that Maryland has a better record than USF, but the point is that a season can't be about only 2 wins, can it?

BGSU-Ph.D. · Post by **BGSU-Ph.D.** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 11:56 am

Maryland will be in the tourney, almost a lock, IMO. They beat Duke twice. The rest of their season is going to be almost meaningless in the eyes of the selectioin committee. Two wins over a team in the top 10 will sew it up for 'em. Who has UB beaten in the top 10?

I don't think the MAC will get a second team in. I don't think the MAC deserves a second team in. And I don't think it matters how many teams get in because I don't think there is a MAC team that can win a first round game.

After watching the entire show yesterday my suspicions were pretty much confirmed. The MAC has a whole lotta decent teams, but no good teams. Every team has major holes that can be exploited by a better team. I almost hope that we DON'T get a second team in because its just another chance for an embarrassing loss.

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hamm -

I just looked at Maryland's schedule once more. If they get in, it is a joke. They don't have any good wins OOC. They lost to the only two decent teams they played OOC: Wisconsin and G. W. They were swept by N.C. St. (another bubble team) and they split with Va. Tech.

Also, when we are talking about bubble teams, the last teams to get at-large bids, which team doesn't have major holes? I wasn't at the Gund, but I have seen both Miami and Buffalo play a few times. Their problems don't seem to be any more pronounced than Depaul's or Maryland's or St. Mary's or Wichita State's or any of the other bubble teams.

hammb · Post by **hammb** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 12:03 pm

BGSU-Ph.D. wrote: The question is: do 2 wins against one good team outweigh a crappy overall record, a sub .500 league record, and some very bad losses.

To that the answer is likely no.

However the real question is do 2 wins + having "Maryland" on your jerseys outweigh that crappy record, etc. My guess the answer to THAT question is, "YES"

If a 2nd MAC team got in over Maryland I would be absolutely SHOCKED.

kslates · Post by **kslates** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 12:53 pm

Joe Lunardi has Kent and Miami both getting into the Big Dance in his most recent "bracketology"

Actually he has Kent St playing in Cleveland against Michigan St.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology

orangeandbrown · Post by **orangeandbrown** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 1:18 pm

The MAC will not get an at-large bid to the tourney this season.

BGSU-Ph.D. · Post by **BGSU-Ph.D.** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 9:21 am

Orangeandbrown -

The way the tourney has played out, I think you are right. Buffalo has a good overall resume, but I think they have to beat Ohio to get in. If they don't win, they are 0 - 3 against Ohio this season and that can't look good to the committee. Unfortunately, Ohio had the worst overall resume of the teams with any chance at an at-large. They have no really good wins out of conference. And, since they beat Miami two out of three, one might expect OU to get the nod over Miami. Meija on sportsline.com still has Miami as an at large even after the loss to OU, but I don't see it. I hope he is right.