(03-04-2018 02:43 AM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  If Saint Mary’s hadn’t survived, their RPI would’ve plummeted to 52.

Yeah...this is the reality with the good WCC schools. You pretty much HAVE to win good non-conference games and basically go un- or nearly unblemished in the conference...the alternative is unimpressive.

SMC, even before these games, was a lock for the tournament, but a lock at, what...the 10-line? That's bubble. Heck, that's close to last-in. Z-E-R-O doubt in my mind a loss would have put them on the line against the last-in's, if not worse.

Felt the same way about Ziggy-Zaggy...if SMC beat them both times this season heading into this, Gonzaga's on the bubble.

Heck, MTSU lost over the weekend...that probably dropped them a line or two.

Something just doesn't seem right in the non-major realm. There's just no room for error. And parity in mediocre and bad conferences can make matters worse. It's no wonder Gonzaga's begging to bolt...they don't need this stuff every year. I mean, heck, imagine the runner-up to the title, bringing back some of the same guys...they do well, but don't win the big games, but do win the others, and your numbers stink. That's tough on the kids...that's tough for the coach to bring kids to the program. No thanks.