MUScoop

I may have missed some earlier explanation but I looked at the brackets and do not understand the significance of the Norfolk State vs Marquette tonight and Winthrop vs Virginia tomorrow. 

Stolen from here:  http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news?slug=ycn-10417451

QuoteTwo games not part of the tournament bracket will take place prior to the start of the tournament. On Monday, Nov. 14 at a TBD time, Norfolk St. will face Marquette at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, WI. On Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 7:00 p.m. ET, Winthrop will face Virginia at the John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, VA.

So, while the games are part of the "Paradise Jam" they aren't part of the tourney.  The rest of the tournament is as follows:

First round games: Friday, Nov. 18

Game 1: Norfolk St. vs. Drexel, 1:00 p.m. ET
Game 2: Drake vs. Mississippi, 3:30 p.m. ET
Game 3: Texas Christian vs. Virginia, 6:00 p.m. ET
Game 4: Winthrop vs. Marquette, 8:30 p.m. ET

Second round games (Losers Bracket): Saturday, Nov. 19

Game 5: Loser of Game 1 vs. loser of Game 3, 3:30 p.m. ET
Game 6: Loser of Game 2 vs. loser of Game 4, 6:00 p.m. ET

Second round games (Winners Bracket): Sunday, Nov. 20

Game 7: Winner of Game 1 vs. winner of Game 3, 6:00 p.m. ET
Game 8: Winner of Game 2 vs. winner of Game 4, 8:30 p.m. ET

Consolation 7th/8th place game: Monday, Nov. 21

Game 9: Loser of Game 5 vs. loser of Game 6, 1:00 p.m. ET

Consolation 4th/6th place game: Monday, Nov. 21

Game 10: Winner of Game 5 vs. winner of Game 6, 3:30 p.m. ET

Consolation 3rd/5th place game: Monday, Nov. 21

Game 11: Loser of Game 7 vs. loser of Game 8, 6:00 p.m. ET

Championship Game: Monday, Nov. 21

Game 12: Winner of Game 7 vs. winner of Game 8, 8:30 p.m. ET

I think similar to the games against Bucknell and UW-GB last year (technically part of the CBE) it is designed to give an extra win to the top teams in the tourney. Personally, I'd rather a better opponent than Norfolk, but it should get us one step closer to the magic 20-win plateau.

Totally unrelated to the topic, but I didn't want to start a new thread just for it this question. Does ESPN/USA Today/Coach's Poll issue week 1 rankings today or a week from today? In other words..are updated rankings issued today?

Quote from: JamilJaeJamailJrJuan on November 14, 2011, 12:36:40 PM
Totally unrelated to the topic, but I didn't want to start a new thread just for it this question. Does ESPN/USA Today/Coach's Poll issue week 1 rankings today or a week from today? In other words..are updated rankings issued today?

Here is the answer to my question: http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/7234097/vanderbilt-commodores-plunge-13-spots-espn-usa-today-coaches-poll (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/7234097/vanderbilt-commodores-plunge-13-spots-espn-usa-today-coaches-poll)