Bubble-ology - Friday morning

by GopherNation on Mar 13, 2009 9:00 AM CDT in Gopher Basketball

Things are looking much better for the Gophers after their NU, but nothing is secure yet so let's keep going with Bubble-oloy

What helped on Thursday

The Gophers - TCOB, should be in expecially considering other bubble teams lost on Thursday. To fall out now some bigger upsets would have to happen around the country.
Louisville over Providence
Virginia Tech over Miami
Xavier over St. Louis
Arizona State over Arizona. Arizona looks to be NIT bound at this point, they are still holding on but this loss does not help.
Wyoming over New Mexico - Poor Steve Alford's run at an NCAA bid appear to be over.

What hurt on Thursday

Michigan and Penn State dominating - we won, but so did they and their games were dominating. At least Northwestern is considered a better win than beating Iowa or Indiana.
San Diego State won another game, they need to lose before they win their conference tourney.
Baylor over Kansas - this isn't bad (yet), just alarming. Baylor is talented, they just haven't played very well this year. It is teams like this that we cannot have making a run and winning their conference automatic bid. Nice win, but go ahead and lose now.
Kentucky big over Ole Miss - again, not bad (yet). Kentucky cannot make a big run through the SEC. They'll get in with worse a resume (like a hot chick gettinng hired with less qualifications than the old fat guy, it just is what it is).

Who are we cheering for on Friday?

Gophers in a major upset! This would guarantee a bid and likely make us a higher seed for our first round game.
North Carolina over Virginia Tech - Hokies are close and we want all bubble-icious teams to lose.
LSU over Kentucky - I'm telling you I greatly fear Kentucky winning the SEC tourney. Go Tigers.
Miss St over S Carolina
Illinois BIG over Michigan
Wake Forest over Maryland
BYU over San Diego State

Have fun today!

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I would think that we should also be rooting for Purdue BIG over Penn State. I don’t think PSU is really a lock yet and if the Committee only takes 7 Big Ten teams it might come down to us vs. PSU.

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by FishingMN on Mar 13, 2009 9:15 AM CDT reply actions

Because I’m worried about this whole 8 B10 bid situation, I think we also would like wisco to lose. At a minimum it would put us equal with them and I really don’t want to be the 8th b10 team, whatever the resume says. So I’m cheering for PSU and wisky to fall.

Also keep on chugging Bowling Green!

by InflectionPoint on Mar 13, 2009 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions

I really don't think

it matters how many other B10 teams make it. The committee doesn’t judge based on number of bids from one conference. If our resume is good enough to get in, we’ll be in. And I think our resume is good enough to get in.

Our RPI is 35 and Michigan’s is 43. Michigan’s win over Indiana did nothing for them. It was all risk, no reward. Our win over NW did help us. Also, Ohio State and Wisconsin play each other, so we’ll end up ahead of one of them either way since our loss to MSU would be a better loss—especially if MSU goes on to win the tournament. If there are eight Big 10 teams that make it, we won’t be the last one in.

Assuming seeds hold to form and Michigan and Penn State lose, we would be in ahead of both of them. It doesn’t matter that Michigan swept us, they look at the whole body of work and not head to head tie breakers.

by rencito on Mar 13, 2009 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions

somewhat agree

i agree that our resume holds up and they pick teams not conferences, I just really don’t want to be that “8th” Big Ten teaming hanging out there if PSU were to win today. I believe Michigan’s body of work is better, so they are above us, but if wisky and PSU were to lose I’d feel very good because we’d be free of any outlier status. Safety in numbers and wanting to have a stress free weekend.

Va Tech helps.

by InflectionPoint on Mar 13, 2009 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Curious

Who do you think did a better job of running the offense yesterday?? Unfortunately, I have caught few games this year (no BTN). I am just not sold on the Westbrook/Nolan backcourt.

by Texas Gopher on Mar 13, 2009 9:24 AM CDT reply actions

In the first half, the Devoe/Blake/Bostick line was better.

Come crunch time, Devoe ran the offense tentatively. Nolen and Westbrook were better against the 1-3-1 late in the game.

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by PJS on Mar 13, 2009 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions

Go Gophers...

…….after yesterday, Michigan and Minnesota are both in. We’d all be better served by the Gophers losing, getting 6 days’ rest and preparing for the NCAA tourney. I’d rather they win 2 games at the tournament than win today, though I’m sure I’ve got dissenters on that.

Hey – how about that 6 OT game last night? That was amazing.

These tournaments are “breaking” in the big schools’ favor. What I mean is that with Kansas, Oklahoma, UConn and Pittsburgh losing yesterday, they all will get a full 7 days to recover (and UConn will need it), meaning that they won’t have to play three more games this weekend and can recover in anticipation of the tournament that means something next week. Teams like Pittsburgh play such a physical game that not playing those three games, when their NCAA tournament status is set, probably is more advantageous than winning their conference tourney.

The team to watch this weekend is North Carolina. Lawson has a bum toe and is questionable. Their team goes 6 or 7 deep at best. 3 games in three days isn’t the best thing for them right now.

Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the mid-majors are progressively doing better in the NCAA tournament? Most mids get their conference tourneys done early (for example, Gonzaga was done by Tuesday, I believe) and get a week of rest. Teams from the “BCS” play until Sunday, then have to start again on Thursday. These big conferences are putting themselves at a comparative disadvantage physically. Maybe it’s something to look out for.

by JG2112 on Mar 13, 2009 9:28 AM CDT reply actions

Are we really a lock?

I would love to agree with you on this, but I am still worried that a couple of teams may pull upsets and steal some bids. We have to at least have a decent showing in this game.

by GreasyLlama on Mar 13, 2009 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions

I believe they're in...

…before yesterday, Lunardi didn’t have Michigan OR Minnesota as one of the last four teams in. That group, before yesterday’s games, included New Mexico and Arizona. They’re probably outside now with Florida jumping in along with ?.

by JG2112 on Mar 13, 2009 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions

Problem

with your statement is that we don’t know if there will be upsets in the conference tourney’s. I’d rather win and build both confidence and a better seed.

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by FishingMN on Mar 13, 2009 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions

You're right.....

……but there won’t be a shock bid coming out of the ACC or Big East, or Big Ten. So only the Pac 10 and Big Twelve and SEC are potential bummers. That’s 3. We’re at least 4 from safety.

So, we’re safe.

by JG2112 on Mar 13, 2009 7:28 PM CDT up reply actions

What do you think??

Again, I haven’t seen a lot of games this year, but has anyone ever thought of the similarity between Westbrook and Vinnie “the microwave” Johnson. To me they play the same game and I would utilize them the same way. I am sort of dating myself here but he played in the 80’s.

by Texas Gopher on Mar 13, 2009 9:36 AM CDT reply actions