(02-04-2009 07:30 PM)CardinalJim Wrote:  I would scratch UK off the list as a certain NCAA participant. They have lost three straight now with Florida up next. Their RPI has fallen to #75 with a 16-7 record. They don't play any non-conference games that will raise their RPI significantly before Selection Sunday. Name only got the Cats in last season and they flamed out in the first round. This year it will take more than that.
CJ

Agreed. It's looking more and more like the SEC is a 4-bid league - with Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, and LSU the likely 4.

I loved how during the Florida-South Carolina game on Tuesday the SEC homer announcer kept saying, "Every one is saying the SEC is down" and "how most of the SEC teams played poor OOC schedules"; "But that was by design because they have such young teams - but they will get still get at least 5 bids because they play in the SEC!"

Ummm...yeah, and the SEC this year which has a lot of young talent, also played crappy OOC schedules and can't seem to have any team get ranked now since the Vols went into a slight tailspin.

The committee always rewards conferences where ten of the 12 teams have SOS like 81, 90, 91, 92, 93, 99, 101, 104, 106, and 129 but with each of them also having at least 4 losses as well.

It's a shame if the Vols don't get in, since they have played a great schedule, even with 7 losses. If any of the others had played that schedule, they would be lucky to be .500 now.

Cheers,
Neil

You guys have a short memory on UK. I didn't think they deserve to get in last year but they did. Their name alone carry enough weight to get them in if they have a decent record. And Miss St. is definitely a bubble team so it wouldn't surprise me to see the SEC get 5 or 6 in even in a down year.

Something else to ponder, RPI isn't going to carry a lot of weight in regards to bids. There will be teams with very good RPI's that will be left out and teams with so-so RPI getting bids. Hell just look at Lunardi's bracket and you'll see for yourself.

(02-04-2009 11:14 PM)BlazerRod Wrote:  You guys have a short memory on UK. I didn't think they deserve to get in last year but they did. Their name alone carry enough weight to get them in if they have a decent record. And Miss St. is definitely a bubble team so it wouldn't surprise me to see the SEC get 5 or 6 in even in a down year.

Something else to ponder, RPI isn't going to carry a lot of weight in regards to bids. There will be teams with very good RPI's that will be left out and teams with so-so RPI getting bids. Hell just look at Lunardi's bracket and you'll see for yourself.

At this point in time last year, Kentucky was playing in the 4th best RPI conference, they were 3 consecutive wins into a 14-3 finish and also had two Top 25 quality wins over Vandy and Tennessee. Their SOS was 31 at this point in time and because the SEC was stronger last year, they actually finished with an SOS of 19.

About the only comparison that is valid at the moment is that they have two quality wins at this same point in time, one over WVU and the other over Tennessee. However, they are currently in the midst of a 3-game losing streak and their SOS is currently 92.

Now could they still turn things around? Sure, but it doesn't look good considering they still have two to play against the Gators, they play @South Carolina, and they still have to play at home against Tennessee and LSU.

Cheers,
Neil

Another comparison would be is that they also had some bad losses at home earlier this season as well as last season. I would bet you a drink of your choice that UK will make the Dance and even if UK don't make it MSU will. The SEC will have 5 teams or more in the Dance.

(02-05-2009 09:33 AM)BlazerRod Wrote:  Another comparison would be is that they also had some bad losses at home earlier this season as well as last season. I would bet you a drink of your choice that UK will make the Dance and even if UK don't make it MSU will. The SEC will have 5 teams or more in the Dance.

As I said above, anything can still happen. ND could even still make it from the Big East. But if you think Kentucky will make it with 12 losses like they had last year (without winning the SEC tournament), you are on for that drink.

Cheers,
Neil