It is interesting how important the actual number of games played are, when it comes to RPI.

Memphis
14-4
35 RPI
35 SOS

Iowa
15-4
21 RPI
45 SOS

Ohio State
16-4
18 RPI
27 SOS

We are basically 1/2 games played behind everyone. If we had 1 more win against a team in the top 150, our RPI would be in the low teens or high 20's.

I never have understood where the rpi starts. Is Duke automatically made number 1 before anyone plays a game?

(01-28-2014 09:02 AM)Stammers Wrote:  It is interesting how important the actual number of games played are, when it comes to RPI.

Memphis
14-4
35 RPI
35 SOS

Iowa
15-4
21 RPI
45 SOS

Ohio State
16-4
18 RPI
27 SOS

We are basically 1/2 games played behind everyone. If we had 1 more win against a team in the top 150, our RPI would be in the low teens or high 20's.

Will we catch up or will the LO game haunt us?

(01-28-2014 09:08 AM)Brother Bluto Wrote:  I never have understood where the rpi starts. Is Duke automatically made number 1 before anyone plays a game?

I feel the same. Everyone should start at the same ranking. Pro teams decide playoffs by records not who gets the most votes.

(01-28-2014 09:08 AM)Brother Bluto Wrote:  I never have understood where the rpi starts. Is Duke automatically made number 1 before anyone plays a game?

Winning percentage is an important component so even 1 win combined with opponents wins make a difference. It flattens out by the end of the season, but I think it's interesting that it makes such a huge difference halfway through the conference schedule.

The UConn game had a full 17 spot effect on our RPI. Creighton has a record of 17-3 with an RPI of 11 and an SOS of 29; which is a 23 point difference in the ranking.

The ACC has 7 teams in the top 60 and only 3 teams below 150. The AAC has 5 teams in the top 42 and 5 teams below 150. As mentioned; winning percentage is a huge part of RPI. The ACC's is 81.4%; the AAC's is 71.9%.

On a side note, we are slowly catching the $EC. If we beat #26 Gonzaga and Temple beats #4 Villanova at home (obviously not likely); I am pretty sure that we will pass them. If the games are split, it will be very tight, but I think we will pass them.

(01-28-2014 09:19 AM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  

(01-28-2014 09:02 AM)Stammers Wrote:  It is interesting how important the actual number of games played are, when it comes to RPI.

Memphis
14-4
35 RPI
35 SOS

Iowa
15-4
21 RPI
45 SOS

Ohio State
16-4
18 RPI
27 SOS

We are basically 1/2 games played behind everyone. If we had 1 more win against a team in the top 150, our RPI would be in the low teens or high 20's.

Will we catch up or will the LO game haunt us?

It counts for our record, but doesn't count toward the RPI at all. The major difference between this year and last year, is that last year we played quite a few really good buy games (76 Ohio, 84 Harvard, 98 Loyola) compared to this year. It makes quite a difference.

I'm surprised our SOS isn't higher. I thought we'd played a pretty tough schedule so far, certainly tougher than 35. It will all even out as conference play continues I suppose.

Our RPI is also a little low because we lost 2 home games. Those two home losses didn't offset the really good road win we had at Louisville. Home losses are bad for the RPI.

(01-28-2014 09:55 AM)QDoodle Wrote:  I'm surprised our SOS isn't higher. I thought we'd played a pretty tough schedule so far, certainly tougher than 35. It will all even out as conference play continues I suppose.

Pastner and Bowen royally screwed up by not being more careful. They didn't schedule any buy games against teams in the top 100 of the RPI. In addition to the teams I listed (Loyola, Harvard, Ohio) above; Oral Roberts at 132 wasn't a bad opponent.

(01-28-2014 09:58 AM)Stammers Wrote:  

(01-28-2014 09:55 AM)QDoodle Wrote:  I'm surprised our SOS isn't higher. I thought we'd played a pretty tough schedule so far, certainly tougher than 35. It will all even out as conference play continues I suppose.

Pastner and Bowen royally screwed up by not being more careful. They didn't schedule any buy games against teams in the top 100 of the RPI. In addition to the teams I listed (Loyola, Harvard, Ohio) above; Oral Roberts at 132 wasn't a bad opponent.

Likely true.
Austin Peay - 315
Nicholls State - 240
Northwestern State - 231
UALR - 171
SEMO - 255
Jackson State - 233

A good example would be Kentucky. Robic was always good at getting those sub-100 beatable RPI teams.
Home games:
UNC Asheville - 205
Northern Kentucky - 272
Boise State - 56
Belmont - 61
Louisville - 29

Austin Peay at 315. Ouch. Gotta have those Belmont/Ohio/Harvard type games if you want to play and win at the RPI game. It has been an odd schedule this year. I wonder if the LO game, while not counting against the RPI, somehow has had an unexpected negative effect anyway since that is 1 less game counting towards the RPI at all. Is it better to beat a team that has a 315 RPI or beat a team that doesn't even count on the RPI?

(01-28-2014 10:26 AM)QDoodle Wrote:  Austin Peay at 315. Ouch. Gotta have those Belmont/Ohio/Harvard type games if you want to play and win at the RPI game. It has been an odd schedule this year. I wonder if the LO game, while not counting against the RPI, somehow has had an unexpected negative effect anyway since that is 1 less game counting towards the RPI at all. Is it better to beat a team that has a 315 RPI or beat a team that doesn't even count on the RPI?

The Selection committee will give you a pass on one non-D1 game.

AAC has 5 schools in the top 50 ... and 5 below 150. Any loss against a bottom 5 will kill our RPI. Good luck in Disney World ...

(01-28-2014 10:31 AM)mairving Wrote:  

(01-28-2014 10:26 AM)QDoodle Wrote:  Austin Peay at 315. Ouch. Gotta have those Belmont/Ohio/Harvard type games if you want to play and win at the RPI game. It has been an odd schedule this year. I wonder if the LO game, while not counting against the RPI, somehow has had an unexpected negative effect anyway since that is 1 less game counting towards the RPI at all. Is it better to beat a team that has a 315 RPI or beat a team that doesn't even count on the RPI?

The Selection committee will give you a pass on one non-D1 game.

That's good to know, and ultimately all that really matters.

(01-28-2014 09:55 AM)QDoodle Wrote:  I'm surprised our SOS isn't higher. I thought we'd played a pretty tough schedule so far, certainly tougher than 35. It will all even out as conference play continues I suppose.

We have played a great schedule. The LO and 1 other game knock the SOS down. Just look at UMASS's schedule and their SOS. They have played 1 ranked team, New mexico #19 at home. Yet they have all these games against the 100-150 teams which props them up. They are smart in manipulating the system.

(01-28-2014 09:08 AM)Brother Bluto Wrote:  I never have understood where the rpi starts. Is Duke automatically made number 1 before anyone plays a game?

You're probably snickering, but for the sake of anyone who doesnt know, everyone starts at zero. It's calculated as 25% your winning percentage (weighted for home and away), 50% opponents wp, and 25% opponents' opponents wp. (Neither owp nor oowp weighted). The latter two parts comprise strength of schedule.

So it is volatile and useless early on, and settles in as more data enters the equation.

I'm not big on it, as it is of limited usefulness and can be manipulated to an extent, but if you understand how it works you can use it for what it's worth.

Wow, that national schedule we've replaced UT with is amazing...wait, we didnt replace them at all. Just didnt play that game at all. Makes us look like pansies for dropping UT. Calipari & Pastner are both wrong for dropping regional rivalries. (Burning bridges)

(01-28-2014 11:02 AM)BIGDTiger Wrote:  Wow, that national schedule we've replaced UT with is amazing...wait, we didnt replace them at all. Just didnt play that game at all. Makes us look like pansies for dropping UT. Calipari & Pastner are both wrong for dropping regional rivalries. (Burning bridges)

Wears a pearl necklace.

(01-28-2014 09:19 AM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  

(01-28-2014 09:02 AM)Stammers Wrote:  It is interesting how important the actual number of games played are, when it comes to RPI.

Memphis
14-4
35 RPI
35 SOS

Iowa
15-4
21 RPI
45 SOS

Ohio State
16-4
18 RPI
27 SOS

We are basically 1/2 games played behind everyone. If we had 1 more win against a team in the top 150, our RPI would be in the low teens or high 20's.

Will we catch up or will the LO game haunt us?

I'm not sure a 150 game would lower our RPI. The LO game helps us because it doesn't count as a RPI 150+ game (it doesn't count as anything). So our average isn't bloated by including a bad RPI game.

(01-28-2014 10:44 AM)midtowncowboy Wrote:  

(01-28-2014 09:55 AM)QDoodle Wrote:  I'm surprised our SOS isn't higher. I thought we'd played a pretty tough schedule so far, certainly tougher than 35. It will all even out as conference play continues I suppose.

We have played a great schedule. The LO and 1 other game knock the SOS down. Just look at UMASS's schedule and their SOS. They have played 1 ranked team, New mexico #19 at home. Yet they have all these games against the 100-150 teams which props them up. They are smart in manipulating the system.

LO doesn't count towards our SOS.