How does MU avoid the 8/9 seed?

[gumbyandpokey]

I'm afraid if MU beats ND (which I think they will) and wins one BE tourney game (which they might), then they will end up with the dreaded 8/9 seed.  

Would it be better for MU to lose their next two games?  I know nobody wants to lose to ND, but for their NCAA chances, it might be best in the long run.  A 12 seed is a pretty good spot for them, imo.

Would beating ND and losing the first BE game still put MU in that 8/9 spot?

[jaygall31]

It's nothing to worry about. Its an honor to have our name called, But i know what you mean.

Let's win saturday, and win twice in new york, and sneak up to 7.

[TallTitan34]

I was thinking about this too.  I came to the conclusion with all of the procedural moves the committee makes (especially if the BE gets 8 teams) it will be tough to determine what seed we will get.  Therefore lets win out!

If we do get an 8/9 maybe we will be the strongest 8/9 and be placed against the weakest #1, Duke.  I think we can hold our own with Duke.

[TJ]

You're seriously afraid of MU beating ND?  That might be the strangest thing I've ever read on this board.

Just win and let the rest sort itself out.

[Jacks DC]

I'm afraid if MU beats ND (which I think they will) and win one BE tourney game (which they might), then they will end up with the dreaded 8/9 seed. 

Would it be better for MU to lose their next two games?  I know nobody wants to lose to ND, but for their NCAA chances, it might be best in the long run.  A 12 seed is a pretty good spot for them, imo.

Would beating ND and losing the first BE game still put MU in that 8/9 spot?

Try to lose games to get a lower seed?  Please tell me you forgot to put that in teal.

[Ari Gold]

Lunardi had us as a 9 seed BEFORE beating UL. I think with a win against ND and success in the BET, we can get up to a 7.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology

[dwaderoy2004]

I think we were in the 9-10 range coming in to louisville.  We should be around 8/9 now.  I think beating ND, and at least one in the BE tourney would bump us up into the 6/7 range.  I think we will be very pleasantly surprised with our seed this year.  I bet we end up as a 6.

[NavinRJohnson]

We beat ND, there is no way we aren't safely into the upper half. Procedural issues would be the danger (could also work in our favor).

[esotericmindguy]

If MU beats ND and wins 2 games in the tourney they'll be. 6 seed IMO. lunardi always gets the teams right but he's off on seeds.

Think about it, if MU beats ND that's 9 of 10 in the big east! 2 wins in the tourney would mean 11 or 13 in the best conference in america.

[gumbyandpokey]

Try to lose games to get a lower seed?  Please tell me you forgot to put that in teal.

Not try to lose games, no.

But it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if they did, either.

I just want MU out of that 8/9 bracket.

[YoungMUFan4]

If MU beats ND and wins 2 games in the tourney they'll be. 6 seed IMO. lunardi always gets the teams right but he's off on seeds.

Think about it, if MU beats ND that's 9 of 10 in the big east! 2 wins in the tourney would mean 11 or 13 in the best conference in america.

actually we have won 9 of our last 10 through Louisville so it would be 10 of 11 and 12 of 14 if we win two in the BET

[TheButlerDidIt]

I bet if we beat ND and get one in the Beast tourney, we'll be a seven. Win two, we'll be a six IMHO.

[Pakuni]

What's amazing/awesome is that a little over a month ago anybody here would have been laughed off the site had they suggested MU needed to fear a second-round matchup with a #1 seed.
Unless, I guess, they were talking about a seocnd-round NIT matchup.

Short of the Final Four season, this has got to be one of the most enjoyable runs of MU basketball in 20+ years.

[TJ]

I bet if we beat ND and get one in the Beast tourney, we'll be a seven. Win two, we'll be a six IMHO.

Each win in the BET doesn't translate directly into a jump in seed.

I've seen that assumption made around here in past years and it never quite works out that well.

[Mu2323]

He has us as a 7 right now with a matchup vs old dominion and second round vs kansas state. Would love this bracket

[damuts222]

 Lets not start chearing like fantasy football fans, I want the Bears to win but I want Aaron Rodger to throw 5 TD's.

 I'm happy were most likely a lock for the tourney but no matter who we play right now after seeing the team effort last night I think this team is coming on strong at the right time. Bring on whomever, I think it would be great even if MU scared a #1 seed.

Seeding doesn't mean jack squat once the ball is tossed in the air.

[swimmer]

I know everyone hates the 8/9 seed because the prize for a first round win is a beat down by a 1 seed.  I don't see it that way.  Everyone talks about the 12 seed upsets, but fact is you still have better odds of winning in round 1 as an 8 or 9 than you do as 12.  I'll take one win in the tourney over zero.  Then, if you win in round 2, you effectively inherit the number 1 seed and easiest path from there on out.  The way this MU team can shoot it, I'll take that chance.  

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I want an 8/9 game. If we win, it makes our 2nd round game a marquee matchup and gives us a chance to make some very loud noise early!

[Ari Gold]

I know everyone hates the 8/9 seed because the prize for a first round win is a beat down by a 1 seed.  I don't see it that way.  Everyone talks about the 12 seed upsets, but fact is you still have better odds of winning in round 1 as an 8 or 9 than you do as 12.  I'll take one win in the tourney over zero.  Then, if you win in round 2, you effectively inherit the number 1 seed and easiest path from there on out.  The way this MU team can shoot it, I'll take that chance.  

the response to your comment is a "Yes" with a "but"
Even though winning a first round game as an 8/9 is close to a 50/50, odds of winning a 2nd round game as a 10-12 seed are much better. AZwarrior posted the win loss record by seed a few days/pages ago and since I keep losing it, I am going to re-post, for the argument that a 7, 10-12 would be better than the 8/9.

seed             1st rnd           2nd rnd
#7...............60-36.............18-42
#8...............44-52...............9-35
#9...............52-44...............3-49
#10.............36-60.............18-18
#11.............30-66.............11-19
#12.............31-65.............16-15

[T-Bone]

Regardless of who we get, I don't think anyone wants to face us in the tournament.  We are ridiculously dangerous to other teams and, at times, ourselves.

[swimmer]

the response to your comment is a "Yes" with a "but"
Even though winning a first round game as an 8/9 is close to a 50/50, odds of winning a 2nd round game as a 10-12 seed are much better. AZwarrior posted the win loss record by seed a few days/pages ago and since I keep losing it, I am going to re-post, for the argument that a 7, 10-12 would be better than the 8/9.

seed             1st rnd           2nd rnd
#7...............60-36.............18-42
#8...............44-52...............9-35
#9...............52-44...............3-49
#10.............36-60.............18-18
#11.............30-66.............11-19
#12.............31-65.............16-15

Yes, but if I recall correctly from AZwarrior's post, that win percentage reverts back in favor of the 8/9 in round 3, which is a result of "taking over" the 1 seed's easy path.  Give me the best seed possible. They are given out in the order they are for a reason, to reward the better teams with an easier path to the championship.  Maybe not an easier path to the sweet 16, but an easier path to the championship.  Now a championship is unlikely, but I'll still go with the best chance for a first round win.

[GoldenWarrior]

He has us as a 7 right now with a matchup vs old dominion and second round vs kansas state. Would love this bracket

Kansas State is a good team for sure and would be a tough 2nd round matchup for us, but I'll definitely take it over a Kansas or Kentucky.

I am thinking that we could make a run here though regardless of who we play... we are not affraid of anyone and shouldn't be!

[damuts222]

seed             1st rnd           2nd rnd
#7...............60-36.............18-42
#8...............44-52...............9-35
#9...............52-44...............3-49
#10.............36-60.............18-18
#11.............30-66.............11-19
#12.............31-65.............16-15

  These percentages dont mean anything, too many statistics. Lets see how it plays out, but I think we will be a tough matchup against whomever. Once again I think its fun to prognosticate who we might play and whatnot but lets just enjoy the season as is and we can look ahead when the brackets come out.

[robmufan]

I had zero expectations of this team having a chance to make the NCAA tournament.  I could care less what seed they are!  Bob Knight this morning said that he didn't matter what seeds his teams were, if they were good they were going to win!  Hard to argue with that!

[MHMUFAN]

This team and coach does not have the mindset to "tank" games,,,,,nor should they. Best way to avoid the #8/#9 slot is continue winning. I'm sure they would rather go in as a hot #6/#7 seed than a #10/#11 seed that took the foot off the gas at the end of the season.