Bracketology Thread 2018-19

[rocky_warrior]

My fault, I didn't mean to turn this into a stadium thread, just clarify why Seattle wasn't on the NCAA list anymore!

[BM1090]

My fault, I didn't mean to turn this into a stadium thread, just clarify why Seattle wasn't on the NCAA list anymore!

Off all the topics that I thought could take this thread off the rails, stadium costs was not one that I had considered.

[Its DJOver]

I'll take my share of the blame as well.  Just to get us back, Bracket Matrix has us as the last 9, although 3 of the 4 that have us out haven't been updated since before UW, and the other one has us as the first team out (laughable).

http://www.bracketmatrix.com/

[BM1090]

I'll take my share of the blame as well.  Just to get us back, Bracket Matrix has us as the last 9, although 3 of the 4 that have us out haven't been updated since before UW, and the other one has us as the first team out (laughable).

http://www.bracketmatrix.com/

Yeah. Great website but none of those have been updated for UTEP/UW.

I'd expect to move onto the 7 line or so during the next update.

[HammerScreen]

I know nothing about Furman other than they're ranked 23 and not in Lunardi's bracketology. Can anyone shed light onto this?

[BM1090]

I know nothing about Furman other than they're ranked 23 and not in Lunardi's bracketology. Can anyone shed light onto this?

They are ranked because they are undefeated and beat Nova.

They are not in Lunardi's bracket because they have not racked up enough good wins to earn at at large bid, and for whatever reason Lunardi has the Southern Conference's auto qualifier as Wofford

[brewcity77]

I know nothing about Furman other than they're ranked 23 and not in Lunardi's bracketology. Can anyone shed light onto this?

Either UNC-Greensboro or Wofford are projected to win the Southern Conference and the SoCon is a 1-bid league. The Villanova upset is nice for Furman, but the Loyola-Chicago win doesn't look nearly as good as it did a month ago. If they beat LSU on the road, win their league, and lose in the final, they might be able to sneak an at-large, but right now they look like the third best team in a 1-bid league, and they likely won't have the resume to offset that reality if they don't get the autobid.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I know nothing about Furman other than they're ranked 23 and not in Lunardi's bracketology. Can anyone shed light onto this?

They are an undefeated low major. They have a very impressive win at Villanova and an impressive but overrated win at Loyola (IL). A lot of voters bought into the narrative of "Furman beat half of last year's Final Four" and put them in.

They may make an interesting case. They only play one more high major, a road game at LSU. If they lose that game but but rip through the rest of their non-conference and the Southern Conference, how do you treat them? If they finish with 3 or less losses I think you almost need to give them an at-large bid.

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

They are ranked because they are undefeated and beat Nova.

They are not in Lunardi's bracket because they have not racked up enough good wins to earn at at large bid, and for whatever reason Lunardi has the Southern Conference's auto qualifier as Wofford

Could be because Lunardi prolly receives a pretty decent salary from ESPN yet works approx. one month a year.  Kudos to him btw

[SaveOD238]

They are an undefeated low major. They have a very impressive win at Villanova and an impressive but overrated win at Loyola (IL). A lot of voters bought into the narrative of "Furman beat half of last year's Final Four" and put them in.

They may make an interesting case. They only play one more high major, a road game at LSU. If they lose that game but but rip through the rest of their non-conference and the Southern Conference, how do you treat them? If they finish with 3 or less losses I think you almost need to give them an at-large bid.

A three-loss Furman is not an NCAA tournament team, even with a win over Nova.  Two losses (LSU and conference tourney) maybe.  One loss (conference tourney) they're in.

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

A three-loss Furman is not an NCAA tournament team, even with a win over Nova.  Two losses (LSU and conference tourney) maybe.  One loss (conference tourney) they're in.

Prolly wrong on that.  There will be bubble teams with zero good wins.  See Mu last year

[BM1090]

https://bracketville.wordpress.com/s-curve/

This guy has been historically the most accurate predictor. Good spot for MU

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

A three-loss Furman is not an NCAA tournament team, even with a win over Nova.  Two losses (LSU and conference tourney) maybe.  One loss (conference tourney) they're in.

Eh, only 3 losses and a road win over Nova? Throw in a top 100 road win against Loyola (IL) and at least 4 games against top 100 UNC Greensboro and Wofford. Plus at least 2 games from top 130 ETSU? I think that's a pretty solid resume. Now I agree that they aren't actually worth of an at large bid but I think they would have put together a resume that could get them there.

Probably all academic anyway. I don't see them finishing the regular season 18-2.

[tower912]

https://bracketville.wordpress.com/s-curve/

This guy has been historically the most accurate predictor. Good spot for MU

A 5 seed.   I like this guy. 

[HammerScreen]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the insights on Furman

[brewcity77]

Eh, only 3 losses and a road win over Nova? Throw in a top 100 road win against Loyola (IL) and at least 4 games against top 100 UNC Greensboro and Wofford. Plus at least 2 games from top 130 ETSU? I think that's a pretty solid resume. Now I agree that they aren't actually worth of an at large bid but I think they would have put together a resume that could get them there.

Probably all academic anyway. I don't see them finishing the regular season 18-2.

The killer will be opportunity. Nova will be a Q1 win. Wofford is currently 71 & Greensboro 84 in NET. Furman plays them back to back in January. If the Paladins get to Jan 20 with 2 losses, they would potentially be looking at 2-2 in Q1 games, and probably a neutral site Q2 loss, but 7-1 in Q2 games. Though if Furman wins all those games, it seems likely they'll push Wofford & UNCG out of Q1, and possibly home games against ETSU & The Citadel out of Q2.

I agree it will likely be all academic. The SoCon is really strong this year for a low-major. Half the league is in that 70-150 range where they're tough outs but won't be resume makers. Hard to see any team getting 17-18 wins in that league.

[MUBigDance]

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

Lunardi's update for today. Won't post where we are because that would ruin the fun!

That's an Elite-8 draw for MU.

[wadesworld]

That's an Elite-8 draw for MU.

Nevada is very, very good.

Otherwise yes.

[brewcity77]

Nevada is very, very good.

Otherwise yes.

I think they are, but I also think we would be 10-0 playing their schedule so far. Unfortunately, with their schedule, we won't really have much of an idea of how good they are until the second weekend in March. Unless they aren't very good. They certainly have the roster to be very good, but that roster shouldn't really be tested until the Sweet 16.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I think they are, but I also think we would be 10-0 playing their schedule so far. Unfortunately, with their schedule, we won't really have much of an idea of how good they are until the second weekend in March. Unless they aren't very good. They certainly have the roster to be very good, but that roster shouldn't really be tested until the Sweet 16.

Geez, the Mountain West has fallen. I didn't believe this post when I first read it, but they have probably played three of the five most difficult games on their schedule already: #43 (per KenPom) Arizona State on a neutral court, at #88 USC, and at #93 Loyola (IL). They have 0 current top 50 games left on the schedule and only 6 against current top 100 opponents: H/A vs #57 Utah State, H/A vs #66 Fresno State, and H/A vs #97 San Diego State.

If we were to see them in the Round of 32, we legitimately may be the best team they have seen all season.

[Mr. Nielsen]

That is a tough one to answer. Nevada has played some solid teams so far this year, as this board would praise if MU went and won them all.

[wadesworld]

That is a tough one to answer. Nevada has played some solid teams so far this year, as this board would praise if MU went and won them all.

Not the MUScoop I know.

[MU82]

Not the MUScoop I know.

"I can't believe Wojo didn't go 12-0 during the first 10 games of that schedule!"

[PGsHeroes32]

Nevada is very, very good.

Otherwise yes.

Where you seeing Nevada against us??

His bracket I'm seeing is MU a 5 seed and Nevada a 2.

Nvm it was lunardis bracket on that one that was quoted

My bad

[Lennys Tap]

That's an Elite-8 draw for MU.

We would be big long shots to beat Arizona, Nevada and Auburn back to back to back.