What's up with New Mexico?

[pizza delivery]

I keep my bearings with kenpom. New Mexico is 41st according to kenpom. That's not what many think they are.

They are a 3 seed.

RPI 6th.

8th in AP and ESPN polls.

28-3 is a dandy record. I would be inclined to put them a 2 seed, personally, if it weren't for that dang 41st in kenpom's rankings.

Has anybody seen them play? Final four potential?

[chico]

I saw them play Dayton. Didn't really impress me too much. UD has the game but pissed it away, per usual for UD this year. My guess is they will be the popular upset pick. Don't forget, their coach is Steve Alford who would annually get upset when at Iowa.

However, now that I've said that watch them make the Final 4.

[GoMuskies]

The MWC is pretty damned good. Tough to go 14-2 in that league.

[smileyy]

They've squeaked out some close games against really bad teams. They've also beaten a very very good BYU team twice.

[SixFig]

Never-the-less I would like to see them in a 6-3 matchup.

[theprofessor]

Ken Pom's system is based on how teams do on each offensive/defensive possession, ignoring the outcome of the game. This system can be a better predictor than rpi and other rating systems but doesnt always fit the ncaa bracketology criteria. I do think it serves as a better alternative than the "eye test" for teams that have had some hard luck relative to other teams.

[pizza delivery]

Ken Pom's system is based on how teams do on each offensive/defensive possession, ignoring the outcome of the game. This system can be a better predictor than rpi and other rating systems but doesnt always fit the ncaa bracketology criteria. I do think it serves as a better alternative than the "eye test" for teams that have had some hard luck relative to other teams.

I thought their adjusted O (24) and adjusted D (72) were respectable, though. Their opponents weren't that bad (SOS 94). At 28-3 they seem like an anomaly for kenpom.

[smileyy]

The knock against a few highly-regarded teams (Adam Morrison's Zags, this year's Kentucky team) is that they don't deliver the knockout punch to put a team away, but still manage to win. Do that enough times, and one day you don't make the comeback, and your season is over.

[DoubleD86]

Personally, I have seen New Mexico play a couple times on TV and I am impressed. They have a go-to star in Hobson. The MWC is legit and they were 14-2. While I do think they benefit from one of the most difficult places to play in America, I still think they will be successful in the neutral arena. I hope they become the popular upset pick, then when I pick them to win a couple I can pick up some points!

[MADXSTER]

There were a couple of teams they played when the other teams were at full strength. Those teams each lost a major player. The losses they incurred afterwards has scewed some of the numbers. They are a very good team.

[bobbiemcgee]

I get all their games out here in the West. They are VERY good, very well coached and will make some noise in the Dance.