http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/6559264
I concur, the entire Big East was given the raw deal... is the RPI Conference Ranking really important?
I think it was the injury personally... I agree that MU did the right thing by trying to conceal McNeal was out, but the selection committee was smart enough to realize what was going on, that MU will be without its arguably second best player. There is no other way to explain the seeding.
I'll argue the second best player part. I think McNeal's the best player on the team. Still, have we had any confirmation that he will be out? I guess missing practice this long would really hinder his effectiveness anyway. Still, I wouldn't think it would be impossible for him to be running around and I don't think a 13-day old sprained thumb would stop him from being a defensive presence against Neitzel.
First, I think we got royally screwed. With McNeal out, we should at least be a 7. But with regard to McNeal, I think the onus was on Marquette to give the committee something more concrete regarding his playing status. Saying that he might play in BE tournament or that he's day to day while he has a soft cast on and not suiting up certainly made it seem as though they were avoiding the issue. I can't blame the committee for giving us a higher seed based on his injury, no way it should be an 9, particularly when Vandy, Virginia, Duke etc got better seeds.