Why Did Xavier Make The NCAA?

[brandx]

Brew, I wasn't questioning that they should be in the Dance - just sayin' they are nothing special.

[brewcity77]

Brew, I wasn't questioning that they should be in the Dance - just sayin' they are nothing special.

LOL

I started that response hours before you posted and got busy at work. Not in response to you

More just pointing out how Xavier put together a schedule that made them a NCAA lock despite that schedule really not being all that impressive. I agree that they aren't anything special. I haven't really been impressed by them all season. But their non-con schedule shows how you can build a locked in tourney schedule with an average conference record without playing juggernaut opposition.

[brandx]

LOL

I started that response hours before you posted and got busy at work. Not in response to you

More just pointing out how Xavier put together a schedule that made them a NCAA lock despite that schedule really not being all that impressive. I agree that they aren't anything special. I haven't really been impressed by them all season. But their non-con schedule shows how you can build a locked in tourney schedule with an average conference record without playing juggernaut opposition.

No prob.

But don't you think a lot of that is just luck? You can guess on these things, but an injury happens  and one of the cupcakes is suddenly in the 300s.

[dgies9156]

Better question is why is Dayton allowed to play on their home court for the playin game, ai na?

Because they are Dayton and they would not go if at least one game wasn't played at the UD Arena.

I can hardly wait until Dayton successfully moves the NCAA tournament from Indianapolis to the UD Arena, where it belongs LOL.

[brewcity77]

No prob.

But don't you think a lot of that is just luck? You can guess on these things, but an injury happens  and one of the cupcakes is suddenly in the 300s.

It can be, but I do believe there is a science to it. Focus on teams that usually finish high in their league. Even if they bust they should be close to .500, which is decent for a buy game. I also like the idea of scheduling the stronger mid majors. Even weaker teams from the Horizon, MVC, or WCC play against a lot of teams with good records in conference, which is better than playing a team like Grambling that usually has a weak record and plays weak teams.

Then you have high majors. Xavier played Alabama, Auburn, and Missouri. None are great, but generally a high major will finish close to .500 or better and play against teams that are over .500. (Mizzou was an exception this year). An Ohio State may make for better television, but beating an Alabama is better for your RPI.

[statnik]

Agreed - X (Xavier, not BrandX) is the definition of mediocrity. But I don't think it is any worse than Georgetown being a 4 seed. Just shows the mediocrity that is college basketball.

I've been watching for well over 40 years and have never seen such bad basketball played on such a consistent basis.

Honestly, the Big East, just like the Big 12, was overseeded.  I don't see how anyone can justify this mediocre 13 loss team as a 6th seed just because they won a couple key games at the right time.  I thought putting 18 win, 13 loss OK State as a 9 seed was bad, and Xavier being a 6 is just as bad if not worse.

[brewcity77]

Honestly, the Big East, just like the Big 12, was overseeded.  I don't see how anyone can justify this mediocre 13 loss team as a 6th seed just because they won a couple key games at the right time.  I thought putting 18 win, 13 loss OK State as a 9 seed was bad, and Xavier being a 6 is just as bad if not worse.

Xavier was overseeded, but the league was not. On comparative resumes I'd say Butler and Providence were underseeded. Louisville (without Jones), Northern Iowa, & Arkansas could all stand to drop a seed line or two at the Big East's expense.

[statnik]

Xavier was overseeded, but the league was not. On comparative resumes I'd say Butler and Providence were underseeded. Louisville (without Jones), Northern Iowa, & Arkansas could all stand to drop a seed line or two at the Big East's expense.

Villanova was seeded where they should be, Butler was slightly underseeded (could be a 5 seed, but it's probably better for matchups they are a 6 anyway), Providence was also seeded where they should be.  GTown was overseeded imo, should be about a 6 seed.