Bubble Watch: VCU - ODU CAA Championship open thread

[mugrad2006]

This game has really been exciting, and has some decent implications for MU's tourney hopes.  ODU has gone on a couple runs, but VCU jacks up threes at a ridiculous pace (announcer said they average shooting 22 a game).

[chrisvondra]

Who should we be cheering for?

[nyg]

ODU is dangerous.  Their frontline is massive, athletic and just destroying VCU on the boards. 

[PGsHeroes32]

ODU would be a real pain in the ass to play

[mugrad2006]

Cheer for ODU in this game.  They might steal an at-large if they don't win the CAA.  VCU has pretty much no chance of making the tourney unless they win this game.

[PaintTouches]

Cheer for ODU in this game.  They might steal an at-large if they don't win the CAA.  VCU has pretty much no chance of making the tourney unless they win this game.

Yup, beat me to it. ODU all the way.

[brewcity77]

Glad to see ODU up 13 headed toward the half, this bodes well as VCU is a pretty weak bubble team.

As far as a potential opponent (and ODU is in that 6-8 range that could match us with them) the main thing that worries me is their tempo. According to Pomeroy, they are ranked 333 in tempo, which would be a nightmare in terms of disrupting what we want to do. They aren't particularly good on defense, only slightly better than we were before the SHU breakdown. I have a feeling it would come down to the final few possessions, but if it's March basketball for Marquette, isn't that almost always the case?

[mugrad2006]

If you want to know who to root for, the guys over at CS put together a fantastic post

http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2011/03/mus-final-rpi-and-who-to-root-for-in.html

[DCWarriors04]

GO ODU!

[avid1010]

If you want to know who to root for, the guys over at CS put together a fantastic post

http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2011/03/mus-final-rpi-and-who-to-root-for-in.html

It's a nice idea, but how do they figure Florida State is a spoiler, while we should be rooting for Clemson and Virginia Tech.  I don't follow it too closely, but close enough to know that's not right, right?

[mugrad2006]

It's a nice idea, but how do they figure Florida State is a spoiler, while we should be rooting for Clemson and Virginia Tech.  I don't follow it too closely, but close enough to know that's not right, right?

Not sure on that one, you could comment on the article and see if bama shares his methodology.  Based on what I've seen BC and Va Tech are the least likely to get an at large of the group. 

Really, we should just root for UNC or Duke and not have to worry about it.

[mugrad2006]

Don't look now but this is a game!  VCU came back from almost 20 down to pull within 3 with 6 to go. 

[mugrad2006]

One less spoiler to worry about.  ODU finishes strong to keep VCU out of the tourney in a game that was great to watch.

CAA will only get two bids now (George Mason and ODU)

[Skatastrophy]

Old Dominion practices their free throws.  Good game, better outcome

[avid1010]

Not sure on that one, you could comment on the article and see if bama shares his methodology.  Based on what I've seen BC and Va Tech are the least likely to get an at large of the group. 

Really, we should just root for UNC or Duke and not have to worry about it.

Lunardi has Fl. St. as a 9 seed, and they are third in the ACC.  That said, I'd be shocked if Duke or NC didn't take it...they both are playing for seeding this year I believe.

[marquette99]

On the cs post, the dance card-rpiforecast was the guide, so if lunardi was used you could flip flo state with va tech - but really always root for the teams before the "or at least.". Those are the teams pretty sure to finish above marquette as an at large - so we want unc or duke and to not take any chances.

But tonight - yes odu was the team we needed to win.  They were definitely in regardless and vcu was definitely out.