Didn't see a thread for this week so here is one for the next few.

With Gonzaga's loss to Santa Clara, I think Gonzaga's at-large chances are almost gone. San Francisco and Saint Mary's aren't much for crutches, and even that assumes those two basically don't take any tumbles.

(01-13-2024 08:34 AM)The Cutter of Bish Wrote:  With Gonzaga's loss to Santa Clara, I think Gonzaga's at-large chances are almost gone. San Francisco and Saint Mary's aren't much for crutches, and even that assumes those two basically don't take any tumbles.

They still have a game at Kentucky. Win that and only have one or two more losses and they’ll be close.

But they’re at large chances certainly don’t look great. Saw Self, Few, Izzo, and Cronin are the only 4 coaches to make the last 12 tournaments. Cronin won’t be there barring a miraculous run and Izzo and Few have work to do.

The first 3 have been to the last 24 at least, not including 2020 when all were lead-pipe cinches to make it should there have been a Tournament.

(01-13-2024 08:34 AM)The Cutter of Bish Wrote:  With Gonzaga's loss to Santa Clara, I think Gonzaga's at-large chances are almost gone. San Francisco and Saint Mary's aren't much for crutches, and even that assumes those two basically don't take any tumbles.

If nothing else it should drop them out of the top 25, giving UH the longest active streak of consecutive weeks ranked in the top 25.

(01-13-2024 10:00 AM)BcatMatt13 Wrote:  

(01-13-2024 08:34 AM)The Cutter of Bish Wrote:  With Gonzaga's loss to Santa Clara, I think Gonzaga's at-large chances are almost gone. San Francisco and Saint Mary's aren't much for crutches, and even that assumes those two basically don't take any tumbles.

They still have a game at Kentucky. Win that and only have one or two more losses and they’ll be close.

But they’re at large chances certainly don’t look great. Saw Self, Few, Izzo, and Cronin are the only 4 coaches to make the last 12 tournaments. Cronin won’t be there barring a miraculous run and Izzo and Few have work to do.

Yeah, I think the NC-SOS helps both Gonzaga and St. Mary's out. SMC's non-conference slate is standing up some, especially the win against Colorado State. Gonzaga, I suspect, would love to have one of those, and Kentucky can help out a lot.

Still, that "work," I would think it has to be sweeping SMC, San Francisco, and then getting to the final of the WCC CCG. I think even splitting any of those, and it's AQ or bust.

FWIW, I do think they'll get the AQ when it comes down to it. Similar to 2015-16. San Francisco might be the next best team in the conference, and I think that's a healthy gap. SMC is a mess.

WhoseHouse? Wrote:If nothing else it should drop them out of the top 25, giving UH the longest active streak of consecutive weeks ranked in the top 25.

It's amazing Gonzaga didn't get pushed out earlier this season, honestly. Houston could be enjoying the distinction by now.

Hubert Davis has a really good team this year. Safe to say Carolina looks like the best team in the ACC this year.

(01-13-2024 12:41 PM)BcatMatt13 Wrote:  Hubert Davis has a really good team this year. Safe to say Carolina looks like the best team in the ACC this year.

Yah he’s had an interesting start to his career. Majorly overachieved in year 1. Complete reversal in year 2. But back to form in year 3. Not a team I want to see come March. They look really good.

Creighton survives St John's thanks to officials in not wanting to deciding the game totally decides the game. Was totally a foul at the end.

Terrible officiating at end of the A&M vs Kentucky game, zebras tried 3 separate times to gift it to Kentucky.

So much for James Madison. lost to App St. Were already on the wrong side of the bubble...

In women's basketball, UConn defeated St. John's 92-49 as my beloved Paige Bueckers led with 22 points. Why am I talking about it? I was in the building!

You would think it would be easier for me to see UConn when they play Villanova but to buy a ticket to see UConn you have to buy a 6 game package so I decided to go up to New York to see her and UConn play:)

(01-13-2024 08:34 AM)The Cutter of Bish Wrote:  With Gonzaga's loss to Santa Clara, I think Gonzaga's at-large chances are almost gone. San Francisco and Saint Mary's aren't much for crutches, and even that assumes those two basically don't take any tumbles.

Mid-January seems awfully early to be talking about who's on the NCAAT bubble. It's not out of the question that the WCC could put as many as four teams in the tournament. There's a lot of basketball yet to be played.

(01-14-2024 08:28 AM)ken d Wrote:  

(01-13-2024 08:34 AM)The Cutter of Bish Wrote:  With Gonzaga's loss to Santa Clara, I think Gonzaga's at-large chances are almost gone. San Francisco and Saint Mary's aren't much for crutches, and even that assumes those two basically don't take any tumbles.

Mid-January seems awfully early to be talking about who's on the NCAAT bubble. It's not out of the question that the WCC could put as many as four teams in the tournament. There's a lot of basketball yet to be played.

When's the last time the WCC put four teams in the NCAA men's tournament? And this is without BYU. I don't think I can name four WCC teams now.

(01-13-2024 04:53 PM)bryanw1995 Wrote:  Terrible officiating at end of the A&M vs Kentucky game, zebras tried 3 separate times to gift it to Kentucky.

They absolutely did. You're a homer for this one, but I'm not. I rarely complain about the refs even for my own games. This one was obvious.

Plus, Pat Adams and his crew always try to make the game about them.

(01-14-2024 08:28 AM)ken d Wrote:  

(01-13-2024 08:34 AM)The Cutter of Bish Wrote:  With Gonzaga's loss to Santa Clara, I think Gonzaga's at-large chances are almost gone. San Francisco and Saint Mary's aren't much for crutches, and even that assumes those two basically don't take any tumbles.

Mid-January seems awfully early to be talking about who's on the NCAAT bubble. It's not out of the question that the WCC could put as many as four teams in the tournament. There's a lot of basketball yet to be played.

I can't imagine a path for the WCC to get 4 teams - there just aren't enough quality non-conference wins. I could see 2 if Gonzaga doesn't win the conference tourney. 4 bids would mean the Big 10 or Big 12 is getting fewer bids - that would be a tough sell in the selection room

(01-14-2024 08:28 AM)ken d Wrote:  

(01-13-2024 08:34 AM)The Cutter of Bish Wrote:  With Gonzaga's loss to Santa Clara, I think Gonzaga's at-large chances are almost gone. San Francisco and Saint Mary's aren't much for crutches, and even that assumes those two basically don't take any tumbles.

Mid-January seems awfully early to be talking about who's on the NCAAT bubble. It's not out of the question that the WCC could put as many as four teams in the tournament. There's a lot of basketball yet to be played.

With the junk OOC season that WCC had, no chance in hell they put 4 in. 2 may very well be the upper limit.

Leonard Hamilton’s crew is starting to revert back to their old form. Saw a team with depth and defense in FSU’s win over ND. Now on a 4 game win streak.

Memphis posted a 112-spot at Wichita St in regulation.

...I'll add this one for posterity, and for my third favorite team in the state (behind UAB and Aubie)...

Samford 134
VMI 96

...not often do you score purt near 100 points and LOSE by 30+ points...

...defense optional, indeed...

Samford is now 15-2 and 4-0 in Southern - only losses were first two games of the season, at Purdue (currently #1 in nation at least perhaps until tomorrow) and at VCU (fair-to-middlin')... so the Dawgs might well end up being the SoCon rep for the Dance... ...this is the fourth 100+burger they've had, as well as having two 99-point wins...