Looking ahead to the Big East Tournament

[HowardsWorld]

With only 4 games remaining, I started looking toward the Big East Tournament and possible seeding. The Creighton game is the most important remaining on the schedule not only because it keeps Marquette 1 full game above everyone else but it also guarantees that even if Marquette slips up in one of the final 3 games they would still be the 1 seed due to tie breakers.

If the season were to end in a 3 or 4 way tie, the tiebreaker would go to mini conferences and Marquette would be the only one to be 2-0 against Creighton giving them the 1 seed.

Looking at a perfect situation Marquette would be the 1 seed, 4/5 game would be providence/Seton Hall and the 2,3 6 would be X, Creighton and Uconn.

[Jay Bee]

It's gonna be decided by a damn coin flip. Smh

[wisblue]

It's gonna be decided by a damn coin flip. Smh

I don't think that's how it works. It is my understanding that if a tie is not decided by the various things like head to head records and wins over the top teams in the standings, the next factor is NET rating published by the NCAA on the day after Big East play is completed.

This could happen if Creighton wins out, MU wins its three other games, and Providence and Xavier both lose at least one more game. PC and X play each other so at least one of them will have one more loss.

If that happens MU and Creighton will not only have identical 16-4 records, but will have split with each other and have road losses to UConn, PC, and X. Because Creighton is currently one spot ahead of MU in the NET, would have added a win over MU, and has a tougher schedule remaining, they would likely win that NET tiebreaker.

[Goose]

I'm looking ahead to the Final Four. Bigger fish to fry this season than getting worn out in NYC.

[Tyler COLEk]

I don't think that's how it works. It is my understanding that if a tie is not decided by the various things like head to head records and wins over the top teams in the standings, the next factor is NET rating published by the NCAA on the day after Big East play is completed.

This could happen if Creighton wins out, MU wins its three other games, and Providence and Xavier both lose at least one more game. PC and X play each other so at least one of them will have one more loss.

If that happens MU and Creighton will not only have identical 16-4 records, but will have split with each other and have road losses to UConn, PC, and X. Because Creighton is currently one spot ahead of MU in the NET, would have added a win over MU, and has a tougher schedule remaining, they would likely win that NET tiebreaker.

Publicly available information says the final tiebreaker would indeed be a coin flip, not NET rankings. http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/4086343/Big_East_tiebreaker-procedure.pdf

[The Sultan]

Hey, losing a coin flip gets an evening game on Thursday. I would be fine with that.

[oldwarrior81]

I'm pretty sure all four of the top teams are undefeated at home in conference play.
A lot of real tight games, but everyone has held serve.

So a MU win @ Creighton would be the tie-breaker, as they'd be the only team to go 4-2 in that 4-way tie scenario.

[Jay Bee]

When the NET was introduced, there was at least one year when it was a part of the tie breaking methodology (2019). I believe by the next one... 2021 it had been removed.

Can't say I've seen the 2023 methodology distinctly published, but I'm thinking it again will not include NET

[79Warrior]

I'm looking ahead to the Final Four. Bigger fish to fry this season than getting worn out in NYC.

Yep. A nice run in the NCAA is the main course.

[wisblue]

Publicly available information says the final tiebreaker would indeed be a coin flip, not NET rankings. http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/4086343/Big_East_tiebreaker-procedure.pdf

Considering that that item refers to seeding the teams 1-10, it is clearly outdated.

It is possible that they eliminated NET from the equation because it would require waiting until Sunday to set the pairings.

[MarquetteDano]

Seeds aside, really think UConn wins the BET. That team is built for tourney success.

[willie warrior]

I'm looking ahead to the Final Four. Bigger fish to fry this season than getting worn out in NYC.

I love the optimism Goose, but lets pump the brakes just a tad at this point.

[Jay Bee]

Considering that that item refers to seeding the teams 1-10, it is clearly outdated.

It is possible that they eliminated NET from the equation because it would require waiting until Sunday to set the pairings.

...or because it's stupid and some other big conferences never used it.

I can't find 2022's, but 2021's definitely has done away w the NET nonsense:
https://www.bigeast.com/sports/2021/2/26/MBB_0226212241.aspx

[The Lens]

I love the optimism Goose, but lets pump the brakes just a tad at this point.

We're 11th in the country, we may be 9th on Monday.  If you're not thinking about Houston, you're not living. 

[The Sultan]

We're 11th in the country, we may be 9th on Monday.  If you're not thinking about Houston, you're not living. 

Yep. In 2003, we were ranked 11th this exact same week. And in 2013, the last time in the Elite 8, we never were this highly ranked.  I get that it's not LIKELY. But it certainly more likely now than it has been in awhile.

But willie's gonna willie.

[Goose]

I'm not bumping any brakes until the season comes to an end. If you cannot dream about the FF this year, when the hell can you?

[lawdog77]

I'm not bumping any brakes until the season comes to an end. If you cannot dream about the FF this year, when the hell can you?

Agreed. This team may have some flaws, but they seem to be able.to overcome those every game.

Nice pub in the ESPN article.today about the bracket.

[wisblue]

...or because it's stupid and some other big conferences never used it.

I can't find 2022's, but 2021's definitely has done away w the NET nonsense:
https://www.bigeast.com/sports/2021/2/26/MBB_0226212241.aspx

So, apparently nobody really knows what the current rules are. It's odd that they aren't published on the Big East website.

The 2021 procedures aren't a good indicator because that season was messed up by cancellations and not all teams playing the same number of games.

For what it's worth, the website that does the seed calculations refers to the NET in the case of a tie at 16-4 between MU and Creighton.

Out of curiosity, if you're shaking your head about a seed being decided by a damn coin flip, what would you recommend?

[wisblue]

I'm looking ahead to the Final Four. Bigger fish to fry this season than getting worn out in NYC.

I don't see that being interested in the conference tournament precludes also looking ahead to the NCAA tournament.

I am not in the camp that thinks that losing early in the conference tournament helps a team in the NCAA. So, why not win them both?

[We R Final Four]

Agreed. This team may have some flaws, but they seem to be able.to overcome those every game.

.....against Big East opponents.
I hope we can continue to do anything needed to win in the ncaas.

[ATL MU Warrior]

.....against Big East opponents.
I hope we can continue to do anything needed to win in the ncaas.

Flip side is that these opponents know us the best. Anybody we play in NCAA will be less familiar.

[JakeBarnes]

So, apparently nobody really knows what the current rules are. It's odd that they aren't published on the Big East website.

The 2021 procedures aren't a good indicator because that season was messed up by cancellations and not all teams playing the same number of games.

For what it's worth, the website that does the seed calculations refers to the NET in the case of a tie at 16-4 between MU and Creighton.

Out of curiosity, if you're shaking your head about a seed being decided by a damn coin flip, what would you recommend?

Heard it was determined by back alley knife fight

[Uncle Rico]

Heard it was determined by back alley knife fight

That's good.  Marquette has plenty of experience

[Jay Bee]

So, apparently nobody really knows what the current rules are. It's odd that they aren't published on the Big East website.

The 2021 procedures aren't a good indicator because that season was messed up by cancellations and not all teams playing the same number of games.

For what it's worth, the website that does the seed calculations refers to the NET in the case of a tie at 16-4 between MU and Creighton.

Out of curiosity, if you're shaking your head about a seed being decided by a damn coin flip, what would you recommend?

I know what the rules are

I'd recommend fans have a beer drinking competition for the tiebreaker

[MU82]

I'm not bumping any brakes until the season comes to an end. If you cannot dream about the FF this year, when the hell can you?

Yessir.

I'm not saying I'd hate a BET title. But I won't be even a little disappointed if we lose Friday and our guys are healthy, rested and ready for the NCAA tournament.

I'm planning my entire March around the madness!