ESPN - Xavier Not a Lock

[X-man]

Nice to see that they do not have Xavier as a "lock" in their first "Bubble Watch". To be fair, they do say that the Muskies are as close as they could be to a lock, but just want to see us hold serve this week in our two home games before anointing us with "lock" status. But it does seem a bit strange, given that we are a 1 or 2 seed in virtually bracket projection. But what do you expect from that awful network. Here is the link: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bubblewatch

[GoMuskies]

Eh, Kansas and Maryland aren't locks, either.

[GIMMFD]

I'm not terribly concerned, on a cooler note, we could be the first team to reach 20 wins tomorrow night!

[bleedXblue]

Just f'ing stupid. Really f'ing stupid. If Top 10 teams aren't a lock right now, then why even start this thing. Wait another week or two.

[scoscox]

Just f'ing stupid. Really f'ing stupid. If Top 10 teams aren't a lock right now, then why even start this thing. Wait another week or two.

Yea, listing 4 teams as locks is a little absurd. That's a lot of bubble. If Xavier's not a lock I don't see how Virginia, Carolina, or Nova are. That leaves Oklahoma. I think he's overreacting to the "parity" a little bit.

[XUFan09]

Xavier could lose out and still make the dance.

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[XUMIOH12]

the only way these teams aren't a lock is if they lose the rest of their games this season, which just wont happen. They even sort of mention that. Based on that, they should have zero teams as a lock.

[SemajParlor]

Eh, Kansas and Maryland aren't locks, either.

I usually don't care about this stuff but won't lie, was heated until I saw these other teams not being locks. What a pointless article.

[X-band '01]

There were 5 locks - Oklahoma, North Carolina, Virginia, Villanova and Iowa.

But the minute I roll my eyes was when their writer gives an "honorary" lock to SMU - the same SMU team that lost at Temple and just lost at Houston last night.

[XUGRAD80]

There were 5 locks - Oklahoma, North Carolina, Virginia, Villanova and Iowa.

But the minute I roll my eyes was when their writer gives an "honorary" lock to SMU - the same SMU team that lost at Temple and just lost at Houston last night.


And it has to be "honorary" because SMU is NOT ELIGIBLE to compete in any post season tourney this year....what a joke ESPN is becoming.

[XUMIOH12]

I usually don't care about this stuff but won't lie, was heated until I saw these other teams not being locks. What a pointless article.

yeah its completely pointless to write that if most every team is in the "still work to do" category.

[XUFan09]

If SMU were eligible, they still wouldn't be a lock. The media was so enamored with how long they were undefeated, when their schedule was pretty weak. If they are going to be ultra-selective for locks, there's no way SMU would be included.

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[xubrew]

I kind of look at it the other way. With more than a month to go in the season, you can't call anyone a lock. A lock means that you get in no matter what, even if you lose every single game between now and the end. I don't even think Oklahoma would get in if they lost all the rest of their games. No one is a lock.

[GoMuskies]

I kind of look at it the other way. With more than a month to go in the season, you can't call anyone a lock.


Yes, which is why this whole exercise is so insanely idiotic at this point.

[xubrew]

yeah its completely pointless to write that if most every team is in the "still work to do" category.

It is in one sense, but not in the other.

1. People are reading it

2. It outlines what teams need to do in order to become locks in his opinion.

I don't really follow this stuff, but I do think it's good for college basketball. It assesses what they feel teams need to do in order to get in, which makes it more enjoyable for the casual fans. I actually wish they'd post bracketology in November. I know it would be pointless, but it's still fun for the non-diehards to look at, and the more people that are interested in college basketball, the better.

[kyxu]

I kind of look at it the other way. With more than a month to go in the season, you can't call anyone a lock. A lock means that you get in no matter what, even if you lose every single game between now and the end. I don't even think Oklahoma would get in if they lost all the rest of their games. No one is a lock.

Right. There are roughly 11 games (including conf tournaments) left in the season prior to the NCAA Tournament. It's difficult to imagine the selection committee letting in a team on an 11-game losing streak.

[QueensbridgeMF]

Their reasoning is pretty dumb, if we fish 2-7 the rest of the way we are 7-9 (bad math there, it's 9-9) in conference but that if we win our 2 games this week they'll be ready to make us a lock. Uhh it's still possible to finish 2-7 if we win the next 2. in fact that would be 0-7 and less likely to make it.

[BMoreX]

okjenniferlawrence.gif

[Drew's Crew]

I don't really care that he doesn't have us as a lock because he could come up with some ridiculously hard criteria that he could manipulate in his mind....so whatever.

But to have SMU as a lock and NOT US??? WTF?!

[xubrew]

Right. There are roughly 11 games (including conf tournaments) left in the season prior to the NCAA Tournament. It's difficult to imagine the selection committee letting in a team on an 11-game losing streak.

Right, I think only one team has ever gotten in when they were more than two games below .500 in conference play. There are teams in power conference that are 500 or better that get left out all the time, and maybe only one or two each year (if that) that get in when they're below .500. Anyone who loses 11 conference games has a much bigger chance of being out than in. So, no one is a lock.

But, I don't really care if they want to start analyzing it this early. The whole season matters, and the sooner they want to start doing check points the better, IMHO.

[danaandvictory]

The entire article appears to be calculated - stylistically and substantively - to make me angry.

I am adding Eamonn Brennan to my list.

[xubrew]

With nine regular-season games left, a 2-7 finish would make them 7-9 in the league. That's roughly as likely as a sudden Villanova collapse, which is to say, not very.

I completely agree with this statement. A final conference record of 7-9 is not very likely to happen.

[bobbiemcgee]

Odd. We beat one of the "should be in's" by 29 that also lost to UMASS! and are now playing out their pansie-ass schedule in the A-10.

[paulxu]

odd. We beat one of the "should be in's" by 29 that also lost to la salle (and chatt. At home!) and are now playing out their pansie-ass schedule in the a-10.

ftfy!

[X-band '01]

Chattanooga is actually a decent team themselves - I don't punish Dayton too much for losing that game other than that it was a loss at home for them.

But by all means, fire away at them for losing to a La Salle team that had maybe 6 healthy players for that game in Philly.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Nice to see that they do not have Xavier as a "lock" in their first "Bubble Watch". To be fair, they do say that the Muskies are as close as they could be to a lock, but just want to see us hold serve this week in our two home games before anointing us with "lock" status. But it does seem a bit strange, given that we are a 1 or 2 seed in virtually bracket projection. But what do you expect from that awful network. Here is the link: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bubblewatch

I'm not too worried or shocked by it, the bubble watch doesn't usually hold out on locks until the last second, so it is par for the course for them.

That being said they really shouldnt have anyone as a lock. Probably should have waited another week for the article.

[SemajParlor]

As we begin to talk to about bracketology ( we can agree any real assessment is way too early), I was taking a glance at some potential teams on the 7 line. I really really hope Wichita wins out. I don't want any business with them in round 2.

[THRILLHOUSE]

https://media.giphy.com/media/eB3PzKo0iqNEY/giphy.gif

[blobfan]

I'm sure it's an editorial decision to run these pieces too early. More controversy = more clicks. Wonder if some of these writers factor that in when making their decisions.

[smileyy]

As said by many others, nobody is a lock. If any team at this point lost 9 in a row, the selection committee would see that as a team that has nothing at this point in the season, and leave them out.

[XUFan09]

As we begin to talk to about bracketology ( we can agree any real assessment is way too early), I was taking a glance at some potential teams on the 7 line. I really really hope Wichita wins out. I don't want any business with them in round 2.
That's okay if they're a 7 seed, because Xavier is going to be a 1 seed.

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[bourbonman]

Xavier could lose out and still make the dance.

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To my understanding, in 1958 we were a lock for the NIT and received an invitation. Then we lost 7 of our last 8 games and they wanted to pull the offer. Of course the rest is history. I'm sure Q can add some color around my understanding of when we were offered. Yet, losing 7 of the last 8 is a fact. So not being a lock might make sense. (I'm thinking we're a lock though.)

[Masterofreality]

This is abjectly hilarious where Xavier is concerned. When was the last time that the Number 5 team in the Country, and higher than that in the RPI, not be a lock at this time of the year? This team has the most -7- wins over top 50 RPI teams in the US! And they are still not a lock.

[xu82]

Writers gonna write....

[nasdadjr]

Nice to see that they do not have Xavier as a "lock" in their first "Bubble Watch". To be fair, they do say that the Muskies are as close as they could be to a lock, but just want to see us hold serve this week in our two home games before anointing us with "lock" status. But it does seem a bit strange, given that we are a 1 or 2 seed in virtually bracket projection. But what do you expect from that awful network. Here is the link: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bubblewatch
No one is a lock. To me lick means lose out and your still in. If any team in America lost out they would be out.

[nasdadjr]

That's okay if they're a 7 seed, because Xavier is going to be a 1 seed.

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Give me a break I want WSU over almost any other 7 seed. They are getting fat off a weak schedule. I'd rather play them than notre dame, duke, Uk, Arizona or pitt

[GoMuskies]

Give me a break I want WSU over almost any other 7 seed. They are getting fat off a weak schedule. I'd rather play them than notre dame, duke, Uk, Arizona or pitt

WSU is a preseason top 10 team that hasn't lost a single game with their full roster and is absolutely trashing the Valley. They're pretty damn good. Wouldn't like to see them as a seven in the second round for sure. As a 4 in the Sweet Sixteen...that would probably be just fine.

[nasdadjr]

WSU is a preseason top 10 team that hasn't lost a single game with their full roster and is absolutely trashing the Valley. They're pretty damn good. Wouldn't like to see them as a seven in the second round for sure. As a 4 in the Sweet Sixteen...that would probably be just fine.

I watched them in November and compared them to the Evansville game the other night. The only real difference is the level of competition. They are a much much worse version of Villanova with no real inside game that could even come close to what we do inside. They are good for what they are but Arizona, notre dame and such are much better teams with much better talent

[GoMuskies]

Yeah, VanVleet had 35 against Evansville. You might be right...but you're not.

[xubrew]

I watched them in November and compared them to the Evansville game the other night. The only real difference is the level of competition. They are a much much worse version of Villanova with no real inside game that could even come close to what we do inside. They are good for what they are but Arizona, notre dame and such are much better teams with much better talent

When you watched them in November, you weren't watching their full team. I think Wichita would not just beat, but absolutely clobber Notre Dame and Arizona on a neutral floor if they were to play today, especially considering how beat up Arizona now is with injuries. Not having Van Vleet in November is a very "real difference."

Did you watch them against Utah?? They crushed them. Utah is better than Notre Dame and Arizona. Wichita would crush those teams as well.

[Xville]

Yeah I don't really want to face a senior backcourt with immense tournament experience in our second game. Like go said if its sweet sixteen game, sure because at that point pretty much everyone is damn good. It would be nice to have a slightly less formidable foe for our second round game, if we end up being a 1 or 2 seed. Another team in the second round I'd like to avoid would be uconn. They have a habit of riding their guards come tournament time...and they again have some good ones.

[nasdadjr]

I can't believe what I'm reading. They have NOONE over 6'8 and only 1 guy averages 5 rebounds a game and their other suck ass bigs average less than 4 a game. They are ZERO threat and will be bounced in the first week of tournament. Our perimeter guys are longer and more athletic and we dominate inside. If I'm wrong please quote this and I'll eat crow but mark my words Arizona and Notre Dame are much bigger threats and much better teams. Oh by the way Utah is no threat either. They are a good squad but nothing special.

[GoMuskies]

Basically the same team (no disrespect to Tekele Cotton) shredded Kansas in the Tournament last year. So...underrate them at your own risk I suppose.

[nasdadjr]

WSU is 2 guys and frankamp coming off the bench. They are basically a much worse providence with no bench except 1 guy.

[GoMuskies]

Those two guys were enough to smoke Kansas. And that was without Frankamp.

[nasdadjr]

Those two guys were enough to smoke Kansas. And that was without Frankamp.

You are seriously underestimating how important Cotton's defense was against Kansas as well. Him not being there completely changed that team and is why I don't believe in them this year. Without Cotton they just don't have "IT" this year. Also don't underestimate the little brother complex they had against Kansas as well

[GoMuskies]

Gimme a break. It was an NCAA Tournament game. They just kicked their asses. And it's one of 7 NCAA Tournament games they've won the last three years. And they're killing people now that they're healthy. They've got it this year, too.

[X-Fan]

I'm sure it's an editorial decision to run these pieces too early. More controversy = more clicks. Wonder if some of these writers factor that in when making their decisions.
Exactly this. Looks like it worked.

[scoscox]

I can't believe what I'm reading. They have NOONE over 6'8 and only 1 guy averages 5 rebounds a game and their other suck ass bigs average less than 4 a game. They are ZERO threat and will be bounced in the first week of tournament. Our perimeter guys are longer and more athletic and we dominate inside. If I'm wrong please quote this and I'll eat crow but mark my words Arizona and Notre Dame are much bigger threats and much better teams. Oh by the way Utah is no threat either. They are a good squad but nothing special.

Villanova only had one big guy and they slaughtered us. Good guards are a problem for us.

[xubrew]

I can't believe what I'm reading. They have NOONE over 6'8 and only 1 guy averages 5 rebounds a game and their other suck ass bigs average less than 4 a game. They are ZERO threat and will be bounced in the first week of tournament. Our perimeter guys are longer and more athletic and we dominate inside. If I'm wrong please quote this and I'll eat crow but mark my words Arizona and Notre Dame are much bigger threats and much better teams. Oh by the way Utah is no threat either. They are a good squad but nothing special.

Yeah, as opposed to all that size that Notre Dame has, and all that depth that Arizona has since losing two starters. But, yeah, you're right. Wichita State doesn't even stack up.

[nasdadjr]

Gimme a break. It was an NCAA Tournament game. They just kicked their asses. And it's one of 7 NCAA Tournament games they've won the last three years. And they're killing people now that they're healthy. They've got it this year, too.

Yeah and if they played 10 times Kansas would win 8 just like when UC was number 1 and Xavier played them in 96 and 99 UC wins 8 or 9. The only one that matteres though is the one that counted and I'm not discrediting what they did but if you want me to believe WSU is better than Arizona or Notre Dame that just isn't gonna happen. If I'm wrong though and WSU proves me wrong I will gladly come on here and eat me some fried crow.

[nasdadjr]

Villanova only had one big guy and they slaughtered us. Good guards are a problem for us.

No one in the country or the 76ers were beating Villanova that day

[nasdadjr]

Yeah, as opposed to all that size that Notre Dame has, and all that depth that Arizona has since losing two starters. But, yeah, you're right. Wichita State doesn't even stack up.

Notre Dame has a much deeper and more offensively talented team than WSU hands down. Only bad offensive game in over a month came at Syracuse but besides that they are in the 70's and 80's every game against much better competition than Drake

[Xavier]

No one in the country or the 76ers were beating Villanova that day

Are you just saying this as a joke or you really think anyone in college could beat the 76ers?

[xumuskies08]

Yeah and if they played 10 times Kansas would win 8 just like when UC was number 1 and Xavier played them in 96 and 99 UC wins 8 or 9. The only one that matteres though is the one that counted and I'm not discrediting what they did but if you want me to believe WSU is better than Arizona or Notre Dame that just isn't gonna happen. If I'm wrong though and WSU proves me wrong I will gladly come on here and eat me some fried crow.

Reps. Agree with all of this. That game was the Super Bowl to end all Super Bowls for WSU.

[xubrew]

Notre Dame has a much deeper and more offensively talented team than WSU hands down. Only bad offensive game in over a month came at Syracuse but besides that they are in the 70's and 80's every game against much better competition than Drake

It's Notre Dame. They go eight deep. I think they will always go eight deep so long as Mike Brey is the coach.

Wichita actually goes deeper into their bench. Whether or not they should is I guess debatable, but they do.

Look, I really don't think you know what you're talking about. You say there is no real difference with Wichita. They have an All American NBA caliber player whereas didn't before, yet you don't consider that to be a real difference. Maybe you just weren't aware of it because you really haven't followed them, but believe me, they're much different now.

That's like me saying Arizona is no different now. They don't have Tarczewski and are also without another starter, and are 4-4 in their last eight games. It'd be crazy to say they're not a different team. It's equally absurd to claim that Wichita State isn't a different team now.

[GoMuskies]

Reps. Agree with all of this. That game was the Super Bowl to end all Super Bowls for WSU.

Ha, no. They just kicked KU's ass up one side and down the other.

[GoMuskies]

They have an All American NBA caliber player whereas didn't before, yet you don't consider that to be a real difference.

No, the only difference is competition. Nevermind that Evansville is better than Alabama, who beat Wichita in November. That 35 VanVleet scored at UE? That surely wouldn't have made a difference in November.

[XUFan09]

Reps. Agree with all of this. That game was the Super Bowl to end all Super Bowls for WSU.
How can a tournament game be a team's Super Bowl? It's a single-elimination tournament that marks the culmination of a team's season. The opponent is secondary, and there's no way that the motivations were lopsided.

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[GoMuskies]

Give me a break I want WSU over almost any other 7 seed. They are getting fat off a weak schedule. I'd rather play them than notre dame, duke, Uk, Arizona or pitt

Super dangerous Kentucky about to lose at Tennessee.

[GoMuskies]

How can a tournament game be a team's Super Bowl? It's a single-elimination tournament that marks the culmination of a team's season. The opponent is secondary, and there's no way that the motivations were lopsided.

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And Wichita State was in the Final Four two years earlier (more recently than Kansas even). But THAT game was WSU's Super Bowl. Uh huh.

[XUFan09]

Fun fact: Wichita State is exactly 1 spot behind Xavier in Kenpom, at #12. And that's when they had to make up for games where VanVleet was absent, as Kenpom doesn't weight games based on injuries.

[MuskiePimp23]

Fun fact: Wichita State is exactly 1 spot behind Xavier in Kenpom, at #12. And that's when they had to make up for games where VanVleet was absent, as Kenpom doesn't weight games based on injuries.

That's great, but games are also played on basketball courts and not Kenpom rankings. Also, Kenpom doesn't account for matchup problems or player injuries like you suggested (which has also hurt Xavier with Sumner out and London falling behind).

[xumuskies08]

How can a tournament game be a team's Super Bowl? It's a single-elimination tournament that marks the culmination of a team's season. The opponent is secondary, and there's no way that the motivations were lopsided.

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I'm trying to think of a decent analogy to the hype coming from the Wichita side leading up to that game, but I simply can't. Take XU vs UC in the late 90s and multiply that by about 10 and you might get close...except then imagine UC wouldn't schedule XU because the Muskies was beneath them.

There was an article in the local paper leading up to that game basically begging Indiana to roll over so as not to deprive WSU the chance to play KU. There was a bill introduced into the Kansas state senate whose goal was to force KU to put WSU on the schedule. Wichita had waited 20+ years for that game.

[GoMuskies]

Well, I don't think anyone is suggesting that WSU is as good as Xavier. Just that they'd be a pretty damned strong 7 seed.

[xumuskies08]

Ha, no. They just kicked KU's ass up one side and down the other.

I won't deny that one bit. WSU was the better team that day. I just think it was a more important game for them than KU. If a WSU board had a "Program Turning Points" thread, that game might be #1.

[GoMuskies]

I'm trying to think of a decent analogy to the hype coming from the Wichita side leading up to that game, but I simply can't. Take XU vs UC in the late 90s and multiply that by about 10 and you might get close...except then imagine UC wouldn't schedule XU because the Muskies was beneath them.

There was an article in the local paper leading up to that game basically begging Indiana to roll over so as not to deprive WSU the chance to play KU. There was a bill introduced into the Kansas state senate whose goal was to force KU to put WSU on the schedule. Wichita had waited 20+ years for that game.

So what? The 18-22 year old kids were the ones playing with their season on the line, not the fans. Wichita's players just played far better. But seriously, trying to pretend kids who played in the Final Four cared MORE about a second round game against Kansas is beyond silly.

[waggy]

SMU is a lock. A lock not to make it.

What a marooooon.

[GoMuskies]

I won't deny that one bit. WSU was the better team that day. I just think it was a more important game for them than KU. If a WSU board had a "Program Turning Points" thread, that game might be #1.

Would be well behind beating Ohio State two years earlier.

[xubrew]

That's great, but games are also played on basketball courts and not Kenpom rankings. Also, Kenpom doesn't account for matchup problems or player injuries like you suggested (which has also hurt Xavier with Sumner out and London falling behind).

I'm not claiming that Wichita is better than Xavier. I'm claiming they're better than anyone else that's being projected on the #7 and #8 line.

[XUFan09]

That's great, but games are also played on basketball courts and not Kenpom rankings. Also, Kenpom doesn't account for matchup problems or player injuries like you suggested (which has also hurt Xavier with Sumner out and London falling behind).
Astute analysis that games are played on basketball courts. Kenpom is a strong measure of how teams have performed on the season as a whole. The fact that WSU is just one spot behind Xavier despite having an awful exempt tournament is indicative of how strong they have been since VanVleet returned. They would be a really tough 7 seed for anyone.

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[xumuskies08]

So what? The 18-22 year old kids were the ones playing with their season on the line, not the fans. Wichita's players just played far better. But seriously, trying to pretend kids who played in the Final Four cared MORE about a second round game against Kansas is beyond silly.

And KU has a guy who won the 1988 title...:shocked2:
http://i.imgur.com/nAjCt5b.png

Might just have to agree to disagree. I've derailed this thread too much already. Sorry guys. Enjoy that Perry Ellis photoshop.

[GoMuskies]

Ellis should have stayed home. He'd have played in a Final Four.

AND the much more important Super Bowl.

[XUFan09]

I'm trying to think of a decent analogy to the hype coming from the Wichita side leading up to that game, but I simply can't. Take XU vs UC in the late 90s and multiply that by about 10 and you might get close...except then imagine UC wouldn't schedule XU because the Muskies was beneath them.

There was an article in the local paper leading up to that game basically begging Indiana to roll over so as not to deprive WSU the chance to play KU. There was a bill introduced into the Kansas state senate whose goal was to force KU to put WSU on the schedule. Wichita had waited 20+ years for that game.
You're confusing the attitude of the media and the fans with the players. The stakes were high for both teams because it was the Tournament. Calling it WSU's Super Bowl is basically saying that because they were playing KU, WSU cared more about whether their season continued than KU did.

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[nasdadjr]

It's Notre Dame. They go eight deep. I think they will always go eight deep so long as Mike Brey is the coach.

Wichita actually goes deeper into their bench. Whether or not they should is I guess debatable, but they do.

Look, I really don't think you know what you're talking about. You say there is no real difference with Wichita. They have an All American NBA caliber player whereas didn't before, yet you don't consider that to be a real difference. Maybe you just weren't aware of it because you really haven't followed them, but believe me, they're much different now.

That's like me saying Arizona is no different now. They don't have Tarczewski and are also without another starter, and are 4-4 in their last eight games. It'd be crazy to say they're not a different team. It's equally absurd to claim that Wichita State isn't a different team now.

I'm fully aware of who they lost and who they have back but I've watched a couple of their games and have come away horribly unimpressed. If the outside jumper isn't falling they have no answers and their D is nowhere near as good with Cotton gone

[nasdadjr]

No one in the country or the 76ers were beating Villanova that day

Yes please read my tone lol. The 76ers were only added for dramatic effect on how ungodly they played that game

[GoMuskies]

I think KenPom has them with the #10 adjD. Not sure what it was last year.

[scoscox]

Looks like we bullied Eamonn into lock status. Good work Muskie faithful.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bubblewatch

[GoMuskies]

Are they seriously going to update this every day or two from now until Selection Sunday?!? Seems a bit of overkill.

[paulxu]

Brew must have stormed the ramparts:


That sound you hear is a thousand Xavier fans hitting the big red "launch abort" button on the verbal ICBMs they had preemptively pointed at Bubble Watch headquarters

[markchal]

Is it possible the BE is only a 3-bid league? i gotta assume we will end up with four, right?

[GoMuskies]

I think it's definitely possible. It's a good thing Seton Hall came back to beat Wichita State, or three bids would be looking very possible.

[XMuskieFTW]

I cannot see both Butler and Seton Hall not making it. I think we get 4, maybe a 5th.

[GoMuskies]

I sure hope we don't help either Butler or Seton Hall along in their quest for a bid.

[Xville]

looking at their remaining schedules, I think Seton Hall ends up with probably 21 wins barring getting upset along the way. I would think that safely gets them in. However, Butler may be lucky to get to 19 wins...that means having to win some games in the tournament.

I think the Big East ends up with 4 and that's fine by me as long as they all win a game or two at least. Can't have another showing like the conference did last year, that was embarrassing.

[xavierj]

looking at their remaining schedules, I think Seton Hall ends up with probably 21 wins barring getting upset along the way. I would think that safely gets them in. However, Butler may be lucky to get to 19 wins...that means having to win some games in the tournament.

I think the Big East ends up with 4 and that's fine by me as long as they all win a game or two at least. Can't have another showing like the conference did last year, that was embarrassing.

I think Butler will be fine at the of the day. They have a better current resume than UC, and people think UC will have no problem getting in. Butler also beat UC at UC. You can't penalize Butler because they play in a better conference. I think Butler gets in with 19 wins and the Big East gets 5 teams.

[xavierj]

I think it's definitely possible. It's a good thing Seton Hall came back to beat Wichita State, or three bids would be looking very possible.

Seton Hall also won at Providence, has zero bad losses and will probably win 11 or 12 league games. They will have no problem getting in.

[GIMMFD]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bubblewatch

For everybody that complained, we moved to lock status.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Looks like we bullied Eamonn into lock status. Good work Muskie faithful.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bubblewatch



http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bubblewatch

For everybody that complained, we moved to lock status.


Welcome to 2 hours ago.

Sorry couldnt resist.

On a side note, this has to be the earliest we have been lock status right?

[xufan2434]

As long as other bubble teams continue to beat each other up like normal then I think Seton Hall and Butler get in. Seton Hall plays Gtown twice and Butler in the next 3 games. 2-1 and they're in imo. If Butler can't beat either us or Nova, then they need to take care of business against Gtown and Marquette along with the rest of the bottom teams to finish out.

Just get in the dance and let's make some noise. I would say Georgetown is infuriating because this conference could really use them becoming a marquee program again, but I'd rather not get the bad pub from them blowing it in the tournament again

[Xville]

I think Butler will be fine at the of the day. They have a better current resume than UC, and people think UC will have no problem getting in. Butler also beat UC at UC. You can't penalize Butler because they play in a better conference. I think Butler gets in with 19 wins and the Big East gets 5 teams.


I find it hard to believe they would let Butler in when they would have an 8-10 record in conference. I think they would have to win at the very least a game or two in the tourney. However, we shall see...I have been wrong before.

[GIMMFD]

Welcome to 2 hours ago.

Sorry couldnt resist.

On a side note, this has to be the earliest we have been lock status right?

Haha I can't read 6 or more pages, you people complain too much damnit. But I would have to assume so, I don't think we've been ranked this high in February, any old timers can confirm?

[THRILLHOUSE]

Haha I can't read 6 or more pages

Pro tip: go to settings and change the number of posts you can see per page.

http://i.imgur.com/fL1CWD4.jpg

[nasdadjr]

Notre Dame has a much deeper and more offensively talented team than WSU hands down. Only bad offensive game in over a month came at Syracuse but besides that they are in the 70's and 80's every game against much better competition than Drake

I think in the last 2 weeks I can rest my case on WSU

[XUFan09]

I think in the last 2 weeks I can rest my case on WSU

Because they incurred a couple borderline bad losses in the recent stretch? Heck, if that's your standard, you probably don't think too highly of the 6 seed that Xavier received for their efforts last season. In addition to 4 sub-100 losses total (to WSU's 1), Xavier also had a bad sequence of games, losing to Kenpom #107 Seton Hall on the road and then losing to #85 Creighton at home. That's not really much different from losing to #125 Illinois State on the road and losing to #90 Northern Iowa at home in a three-game sequence.

[GoMuskies]

WSU has definitely sucked the last two weeks. They'll be a killer 12 seed, though.

[XUFan09]

WSU has definitely sucked the last two weeks. They'll be a killer 12 seed, though.

Yeah, they will drop for it. It's bad luck of conference affiliation, as the Committee can't really rank them higher when they don't often play any team worth mentioning. If FVV's injury happened during the conference schedule instead, they could have picked up some nice wins. They could still end up as a 10-seed, though, setting up for a potential second-round matchup with Xavier. Ugh.

[nasdadjr]

Because they incurred a couple borderline bad losses in the recent stretch? Heck, if that's your standard, you probably don't think too highly of the 6 seed that Xavier received for their efforts last season. In addition to 4 sub-100 losses total (to WSU's 1), Xavier also had a bad sequence of games, losing to Kenpom #107 Seton Hall on the road and then losing to #85 Creighton at home. That's not really much different from losing to #125 Illinois State on the road and losing to #90 Northern Iowa at home in a three-game sequence.

Your damn right i don't. And guess what if you think Xavier was one of the top 16 teams last season your sadly mistaken. I can be honest I hope you can. Last year we got real lucky... Baylor played a bad game giving us a cake walk 2nd round game and in first round we got a shitty sec team which is a conference we have dominated for the better part of a decade now.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Yeah, they will drop for it. It's bad luck of conference affiliation, as the Committee can't really rank them higher when they don't often play any team worth mentioning. If FVV's injury happened during the conference schedule instead, they could have picked up some nice wins. They could still end up as a 10-seed, though, setting up for a potential second-round matchup with Xavier. Ugh.

If the sentiment is they need to win their conference tourney to get in, could they really get a 10 seed? Maybe that line of thought is off base though, maybe they dont need to win to get in. I'm not sure.

I do know I would not want to see them in the tourney though. Great PG and a team with a lot of tourney experience with a really good head coach. No thanks.

[XU 87]

Your damn right i don't. And guess what if you think Xavier was one of the top 16 teams last season your sadly mistaken. I can be honest I hope you can. Last year we got real lucky... Baylor played a bad game giving us a cake walk 2nd round game and in first round we got a shitty sec team which is a conference we have dominated for the better part of a decade now.

All luck. It had nothing to do with x playing really well at the end. You forgot to add how tired Mississippi was when they played, and got dominated, by X.

[nasdadjr]

And one more thing Xavier's losses last year were much different than WSU now. I am sorry but if your going to try and convince me that Illinois State and Northen Iowa currently has the same caliber player that seton hall and creighton have then your wasting your breath. I used to not understand why big 5 conference schools didn't respect our resume every year but I get it now.

Like I said before the team we play who has 0 conference wins has the best shot blocker in America. Marquette with like 3 wins has probably the best freshman in the country. Butler with Dunham and Jones, Georgetown with DSR, nova with ochefu and arch the list goes on and on. I get it now because it has become our reality. I don't respect what WSU is doing cause of who they are playing and how they are playing against significantly weaker competition

[nasdadjr]

All luck. It had nothing to do with x playing really well at the end. You forgot to add how tired Mississippi was when they played, and got dominated, by X.

Yes they played well toward the end of the year but we got 2 great match ups. Same reason why suck ass UCLA got to the 2nd weekend when they shouldn't have even made it in

[GoMuskies]

I love Xavier fans who've "found religion" now that we're in the Big East. As if St. John's and Depaul are suddenly less shitty now that they're in our league. That best shot blocker in America really should have swatted away a dozen more shots against each of NJIT, Immaculate Word and St. Thomas Aquinas.

[Xavier]

Yeah, anyone saying St. Johns is half way decent is crazy. They stink, they would stink in the A-10, too. Really lose credibility when you try to show how BE bad teams are still good by bringing St. Johns up.

[XUFan09]

Your damn right i don't. And guess what if you think Xavier was one of the top 16 teams last season your sadly mistaken. I can be honest I hope you can. Last year we got real lucky... Baylor played a bad game giving us a cake walk 2nd round game and in first round we got a shitty sec team which is a conference we have dominated for the better part of a decade now.

I was talking about their efforts to earn a 6 seed, and you start talking about the top 16 teams. Since I was talking about the regular season, how is the subsequent postseason relevant?

By the way, I love the implication every time someone brings up our second round matchup. Yeah, we got lucky, but the implication is always that we would have lost to Baylor. Would Baylor have been favored in the matchup? Sure, but the spread would have been a lot closer than their spread against Georgia State and that game didn't work out too well for them. 3 seeds lose to 6 seeds all the time.

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[nasdadjr]

I love Xavier fans who've "found religion" now that we're in the Big East. As if St. John's and Depaul are suddenly less shitty now that they're in our league. That best shot blocker in America really should have swatted away a dozen more shots against each of NJIT, Immaculate Word and St. Thomas Aquinas.

Here goes gomuskie again quoting unsaid things. Good job buddy. Show me anywhere I said St. John's was good. All I said is that our conferences shitty teams still have individuals that are capable of being best in America at important stats such as blocked shots. Can't say the same for Illinois state

[Section 200]

Here goes gomuskie again quoting unsaid things. Good job buddy. Show me anywhere I said St. John's was good. All I said is that our conferences shitty teams still have individuals that are capable of being best in America at important stats such as blocked shots. Can't say the same for Illinois state

St. John's would be 16-0 in the A-10. Mick Cronin agrees.

[nasdadjr]

Yeah, anyone saying St. Johns is half way decent is crazy. They stink, they would stink in the A-10, too. Really lose credibility when you try to show how BE bad teams are still good by bringing St. Johns up.

Once again highlight anywhere I said St. John's was good. Man if this is the reading comprehension you get when you spend 10k a year at private school I'll stick with the public sector.

[XUFan09]

And one more thing Xavier's losses last year were much different than WSU now. I am sorry but if your going to try and convince me that Illinois State and Northen Iowa currently has the same caliber player that seton hall and creighton have then your wasting your breath. I used to not understand why big 5 conference schools didn't respect our resume every year but I get it now.

Like I said before the team we play who has 0 conference wins has the best shot blocker in America. Marquette with like 3 wins has probably the best freshman in the country. Butler with Dunham and Jones, Georgetown with DSR, nova with ochefu and arch the list goes on and on. I get it now because it has become our reality. I don't respect what WSU is doing cause of who they are playing and how they are playing against significantly weaker competition
Creighton had a huge deficit of talent last year. That was basically a mid-major squad in a major conference, and a weak mid-major at that, having just lost all its good players to graduation. Meanwhile, Northern Iowa is a team that beat North Carolina and Iowa State earlier this season. They may have dropped off in conference, but it's still the same roster that did that.

Now, Seton Hall had talent and certainly more than Illinois State, but they had serious chemistry issues that screwed up their potential. Meanwhile, Illinois State is a rising mid-major that can give a good game.

And if you're too close-minded to consider those examples, how about back-to-back losses to #99 UTEP and #147 Long Beach State?

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[GoMuskies]

Here goes gomuskie again quoting unsaid things. Good job buddy. Show me anywhere I said St. John's was good. All I said is that our conferences shitty teams still have individuals that are capable of being best in America at important stats such as blocked shots. Can't say the same for Illinois state
Who cares? Great, they have a good shot blocker. They're still 10 points worse than Illinois State on average. What's the point?

[nasdadjr]

St. John's would be 16-0 in the A-10. Mick Cronin agrees.

I think you guys might be the same ones who called me crazy for saying Trevon looked fat last year. Guess I was wrong then as well. 16-0 hell no but right now they would be where GW is now.

[nasdadjr]

Who cares? Great, they have a good shot blocker. They're still 10 points worse than Illinois State on average. What's the point?

Here goes that great reading comprehension again. Point for the tenth time. Big East bottom feeder teams have better talent than teams WSU is losing to right now. Cause Illinois state, NIU, Evansville and so on can't put anything close to the best shot blocker or best freshman on the court. Hence my original point of why I feel WSU is not scary and is not a real threat in the tournament compared to a team like Notre Dame

[XUFan09]

The teams surrounding St. John's in the Kenpom rankings are Jackson State, Boston College, Appalachian State, and Texas State. Boston College might seem like the odd team out there, but their program has been notoriously sucky among major conference programs since Reggie Jackson left for the NBA. The only advantage St. John's has over these teams in a matchup versus Xavier is greater familiarity with Xavier. That's all shitty conference opponents ever have over shitty non-conference opponents.

[GoMuskies]

But Illinois State is a far superior team to St. John's by every objective measure . That's why I'm struggling with what your point is.

[XUFan09]

Who cares if St. John's has a great shot blocker (a couple, actually), if they suck in every other single category? I'm sorry, they're 64th in turning over opponents. So they're decent in one other category. Everything else? Ranked well outside the top 100.

Opponents' two-point FG percentage: #144, despite shot blocking
Three-point FG percentage: #275
Offensive turnover rate: #315
Defense FTA/FGA: #274

The one great defensive category ranking and the other decent one save them from being absolutely miserable on the defensive end. Instead, they're just bad, coming in at #113. And nothing saves them from being absolutely miserable on the offensive end, where they come in at #318. There are only 33 worst statistical efficiencies in all of Division 1.

[Xville]

I think you guys might be the same ones who called me crazy for saying Trevon looked fat last year. Guess I was wrong then as well. 16-0 hell no but right now they would be where GW is now.

You are freaking insane for believing that. Either that or you are just lying your ass off to fit whatever agenda you are trying to acheive.

[MADXSTER]

Nasdadjr isn't either a UC or Dayton troll or possibly Sweet 16. Or an idiot. Not because he doesn't fall in line with the majority of X fans views but because his views are whack.

[xubrew]

I watched them in November and compared them to the Evansville game the other night. The only real difference is the level of competition. They are a much much worse version of Villanova with no real inside game that could even come close to what we do inside. They are good for what they are but Arizona, notre dame and such are much better teams with much better talent


Notre Dame has a much deeper and more offensively talented team than WSU hands down. Only bad offensive game in over a month came at Syracuse but besides that they are in the 70's and 80's every game against much better competition than Drake


I think in the last 2 weeks I can rest my case on WSU

Your "CASE" is what was really particularly ridiculous. It wasn't so much that you thought Wichita wasn't as good. It was your reasoning behind it. Gaining an NBA player makes no difference for Wichita, and Notre Dame is a deeper team than Wichita.

Notre Dame?? A deeper team?? Notre Dame isn't deep. They never really have been, and probably won't be any time soon. Saying Notre Dame is dangerous because of their depth is like me saying that the thing that makes a team like Texas or VCU so dangerous is how they like to slow it down, or that the reason Wisconsin has been playing so much better is because of their quickness and that their strength is that they run people off the court in their transition game.

When you make comments like that, people stop taking you seriously. Had I said something like that about Wisconsin, and then came back after they beat Maryland to beat my chest and "rest my case" about how I was right, then I'd still look really ignorant even though they had just beaten Maryland.

But, yeah, Wichita did really suck it up this week. But, that doesn't make Notre Dame any deeper or bigger.

[XUFan09]

I feel like he uses generally sound principles but then takes them too far. For example, shitty teams in power conferences are generally better than shitty teams in mid-major conferences. Okay, that's reasonable. However, that doesn't mean the power conference teams have some magical powers that make them better than their rankings. With the examples of St. John's and Boston College, they're not somehow better than their efficiency rankings because of which conference they reside in. They are on a similar level to Jackson State, et. al., and they fell to that level despite the conference from which they recruit. They're just better than, say, #296 LaSalle. On the same note, a team like #47 Butler is on a similar level to #44 Arkansas-Little Rock and #45 Stony Brook but on a different level from #70 San Diego State.

Efficiency rankings, wins, losses, etc., already take into account the talent or lack thereof on a team. Giving a team a bump after the fact is simply a case of double-counting.

Edit: All these rankings have margins of errors, but to automatically assume those margins of error fall in the favor of the power conference team is foolish. For example, I treat Marquette as better than their #107 ranking, because the key to that squad is a super freshman who has improved significantly over the course of the season. Kenpom does weight recent games, but the weight doesn't seem to be enough.

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[Xavier]

Once again highlight anywhere I said St. John's was good. Man if this is the reading comprehension you get when you spend 10k a year at private school I'll stick with the public sector.

Huh? Will you show me where I said you said St. Johns was good. LOL is this what you get from the public sector?! Yikes..

[X-band '01]

I love Xavier fans who've "found religion" now that we're in the Big East. As if St. John's and Depaul are suddenly less shitty now that they're in our league. That best shot blocker in America really should have swatted away a dozen more shots against each of NJIT, Immaculate Word and St. Thomas Aquinas.

How dare you impugn the hallowed New Jersey Institute of Technology, 2015 CIT Semifinalist? At least that team finally has a shot at getting into the NCAA Tournament this season.

[MauriceX]

Just so we are on the same page here... SJU has the 12th best shot blocker (going by blocks per game) in the NCAA. Some of the schools with shot-blockers ahead of this are the powerhouses of Florida International, Bethune-Cookman, Stony Brook, Illinois-Chicago, and Brown.

Obviously, having someone who can alter shots does not automatically mean they are somehow a good team. A crappy team from the A-10 could easily have someone on this list. So we shouldn't overvalue the fact that a crappy team from the BE has someone on this list.

[X-band '01]

Stony Brook is one of three schools in the NCAA still undefeated in their conference (America East) - the Seawolves aren't exactly chopped liver like the other 3 schools that you mentioned.

[LadyMuskie]

Here goes that great reading comprehension again. Point for the tenth time. Big East bottom feeder teams have better talent than teams WSU is losing to right now. Cause Illinois state, NIU, Evansville and so on can't put anything close to the best shot blocker or best freshman on the court. Hence my original point of why I feel WSU is not scary and is not a real threat in the tournament compared to a team like Notre Dame

But, what you're failing to comprehend is that having the best whatever doesn't matter if you can't make it count in wins and tournament play. If you're 7-18, but you have one player who can block shots, what difference does it make? You're still not winning your conference. You're not going to the big dance unless you win your conference tournament, which is extremely unlikely. So, who cares that a guy can block shots outside of maybe his mother. Basketball is a team sport, so having one player who's good at one particular skill, while the team as a whole flounders into obscurity is about as useful as saying "Yeah, the Titanic sunk, but that band that played as the ship went down was top notch so that makes the Titanic a safer ship than those ships that didn't sink."

[XUFan09]

Stony Brook is one of three schools in the NCAA still undefeated in their conference (America East) - the Seawolves aren't exactly chopped liver like the other 3 schools that you mentioned.
True, but the America East sucks. They're doing really well on their level, but not well at all on the D1-wide level.

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[xubrew]

True, but the America East sucks. They're doing really well on their level, but not well at all on the D1-wide level.

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They would destroy Saint John's. Although that's not saying much. Fordham managed to do that.

[XUFan09]

They would destroy Saint John's. Although that's not saying much. Fordham managed to do that.

Hey, Fordham is inside the top 200 for the first time since 2008!

[xukeith]

Ram's coach might get a raise

[nasdadjr]

But, what you're failing to comprehend is that having the best whatever doesn't matter if you can't make it count in wins and tournament play. If you're 7-18, but you have one player who can block shots, what difference does it make? You're still not winning your conference. You're not going to the big dance unless you win your conference tournament, which is extremely unlikely. So, who cares that a guy can block shots outside of maybe his mother. Basketball is a team sport, so having one player who's good at one particular skill, while the team as a whole flounders into obscurity is about as useful as saying "Yeah, the Titanic sunk, but that band that played as the ship went down was top notch so that makes the Titanic a safer ship than those ships that didn't sink."

The difference for me is the talent is there to win the players have the legitimate ability to put it together for a game and beat a good team where as Illinois state does not. In all honesty I think Oakland, stony brook and Chattanooga are bigger tournament threats than WSU this year

[GoMuskies]

And Northern Iowa?

[nasdadjr]

But, what you're failing to comprehend is that having the best whatever doesn't matter if you can't make it count in wins and tournament play. If you're 7-18, but you have one player who can block shots, what difference does it make? You're still not winning your conference. You're not going to the big dance unless you win your conference tournament, which is extremely unlikely. So, who cares that a guy can block shots outside of maybe his mother. Basketball is a team sport, so having one player who's good at one particular skill, while the team as a whole flounders into obscurity is about as useful as saying "Yeah, the Titanic sunk, but that band that played as the ship went down was top notch so that makes the Titanic a safer ship than those ships that didn't sink."

I think you would agree St. John's players have way more physical tools than Evansville. Of course I know more goes into the game than physical tools but they do significantly help. That's why St. John's have both Xavier and Villanova a legitimate scare

[nasdadjr]

And Northern Iowa?

Yes NIU in years past had those players and they will again but this year I think Bohannon is their best player and he is good but I don't think anyone would say he is anywhere near the best at anything

[GoMuskies]

But Northern Iowa beat both North Carolina and Iowa State. So I'm very confused.

That being said, Northern Iowa was a horrible, smoldering poop bag of a loss for Wichita State.

[Xville]

I think you would agree St. John's players have way more physical tools than Evansville. Of course I know more goes into the game than physical tools but they do significantly help. That's why St. John's have both Xavier and Villanova a legitimate scare

No...its because both Nova and Xavier took their opponent lightly. It is something that 18-22 year olds tend to do...its human nature. St. Johns is freaking horrible.....moving on!

[Masterofreality]

No...its because both Nova and Xavier took their opponent lightly. It is something that 18-22 year olds tend to do...its human nature. St. Johns is freaking horrible....moving on!

So what does that say about Syracuse?

[GoMuskies]

So what does that say about Syracuse?

It says their top assistant coach is never going to be a head coach.

[nasdadjr]

No...its because both Nova and Xavier took their opponent lightly. It is something that 18-22 year olds tend to do...its human nature. St. Johns is freaking horrible.....moving on!

I watched the game like you and saw no lack of effort St. John's just played a good game and hustled as well. I'll never get why people say guys took someone lightly or showed no effort when the other team plays well. Effort gets beat sometimes

[nasdadjr]

But Northern Iowa beat both North Carolina and Iowa State. So I'm very confused.

That being said, Northern Iowa was a horrible, smoldering poop bag of a loss for Wichita State.

Your no dummy you know UNC was missing a key player back then and UNI Iowa state is a rivalry game on one side at least.

[GoMuskies]

I hear that missing a key player in November makes no difference...

And by the way, don't you think Wichita State is a one-sided rival for everyone in the MVC these days? I mean, if it excuses Iowa State losses...

[Xville]

So what does that say about Syracuse?

It means they lost to a terrible team...do you think 7 win St. johns isn't terrible?

[X-band '01]

It says their top assistant coach is never going to be a head coach.

He's going to be their next head coach whether Syracuse fans want him or not. He's already been named coach-in-waiting. Contrast that to Greg Gard who has completely turned Wisconsin around and has yet to receive the full-time gig in Madison.

[GoMuskies]

Back to actual Bubble Watch on ESPN...I thought it was odd that they last time they updated the Bubble Watch, they included the following blurb:

"Eh? Ehhh? Come on. Did we call it or what? The Watch has been saying for weeks that Creighton is a genuine contender for a Big East bubble spot, and the Bluejays took the ol' Bubble Watch bump and ran with it by handling No. 5 Xavier thoroughly on Tuesday in Omaha. They need more, but seriously: This team is way better than its resume gets across."

Then did not include Creighton as a bubble team. Odd.

[GoMuskies]

He's going to be their next head coach whether Syracuse fans want him or not. He's already been named coach-in-waiting. Contrast that to Greg Gard who has completely turned Wisconsin around and has yet to receive the full-time gig in Madison.

They're going to find a way to make sure that never happens. His nine game stint was a complete debacle.

[nasdadjr]

I hear that missing a key player in November makes no difference...

And by the way, don't you think Wichita State is a one-sided rival for everyone in the MVC these days? I mean, if it excuses Iowa State losses...

Absolutely they are but its not the same because they get play every year. I'm not 100% but I don't think Iowa state and UNI play every year. The best comparison I can make is if Xavier played Ohio state. I think that's a pretty fair comparison

[nasdadjr]

Back to actual Bubble Watch on ESPN...I thought it was odd that they last time they updated the Bubble Watch, they included the following blurb:

"Eh? Ehhh? Come on. Did we call it or what? The Watch has been saying for weeks that Creighton is a genuine contender for a Big East bubble spot, and the Bluejays took the ol' Bubble Watch bump and ran with it by handling No. 5 Xavier thoroughly on Tuesday in Omaha. They need more, but seriously: This team is way better than its resume gets across."

Then did not include Creighton as a bubble team. Odd.

I thought this as well

[XU 87]

I think you would agree St. John's players have way more physical tools than Evansville. Of course I know more goes into the game than physical tools but they do significantly help. That's why St. John's have both Xavier and Villanova a legitimate scare

I personally don't care about St. John's physical tools. The team itself is horrible. They lost, at home, to NJIT and another team called Incarnate Word. They lost their exhibition game by 22 points to St. Thomas (D3 I think). They haven't won a league game yet, and usually lose by double digits.

Chris Mullin is a very strange coach to watch during a game. So far, he hasn't shown that he is capable of coaching at this level.

[X-band '01]

Absolutely they are but its not the same because they get play every year. I'm not 100% but I don't think Iowa state and UNI play every year. The best comparison I can make is if Xavier played Ohio state. I think that's a pretty fair comparison

My understanding is that they have a similar setup to the Crossroads Classic in Indianapolis; Iowa and Iowa State take turns playing Northern Iowa and Drake on a neutral floor in Des Moines.

[LA Muskie]

They're going to find a way to make sure that never happens. His nine game stint was a complete debacle.

No. They won't. Hopkins will be the next HC.


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[GoMuskies]

No. They won't. Hopkins will be the next HC.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If I were Hopkins, I'd employ a food taster.

[zanesxu]

I personally don't care about St. John's physical tools. The team itself is horrible. They lost, at home, to NJIT and another team called Incarnate Word. They lost their exhibition game by 22 points to St. Thomas (D3 I think). They haven't won a league game yet, and usually lose by double digits.

Chris Mullin is a very strange coach to watch during a game. So far, he hasn't shown that he is capable of coaching at this level.

Agreed on Mullin... Knowing the game and knowing how to coach aren't always the same... Will be interesting to see how much stomach the fan base has for him and his rebuilding project...

[GoMuskies]

He reminds me a bit of Clyde Drexler at Houston. He used to sit on the press table and watch somewhat indifferently. And gave up after two years.

[RealDeal]

He reminds me a bit of Clyde Drexler at Houston. He used to sit on the press table and watch somewhat indifferently. And gave up after two years.

I remember hearing that Clyde didn't like all the recruiting work. I mean after being an NBA all star who wants a job anyway?

[D-West & PO-Z]

Back to actual Bubble Watch on ESPN...I thought it was odd that they last time they updated the Bubble Watch, they included the following blurb:

"Eh? Ehhh? Come on. Did we call it or what? The Watch has been saying for weeks that Creighton is a genuine contender for a Big East bubble spot, and the Bluejays took the ol' Bubble Watch bump and ran with it by handling No. 5 Xavier thoroughly on Tuesday in Omaha. They need more, but seriously: This team is way better than its resume gets across."

Then did not include Creighton as a bubble team. Odd.

I think their point was they look like a better team than their resume reflects. Resume doesnt have enough to be included (maybe questionable) but eye test does. I think the previous one before that they mentioned Creighton needing to pick up some good wins, starting at Xavier to be included. They have since won @MArquette so I would bet they are on the next update.

[xubrew]

I think Creighton just needs to win three more games to get in. Now, those three wins will all have to come in the Big East Tournament, but still!!

[D-West & PO-Z]

I think their point was they look like a better team than their resume reflects. Resume doesnt have enough to be included (maybe questionable) but eye test does. I think the previous one before that they mentioned Creighton needing to pick up some good wins, starting at Xavier to be included. They have since won @MArquette so I would bet they are on the next update.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bubblewatch

Creighton makes the list.

Georgetown falls off.

[brucelee54]

We haven't even been in a final four let alone win on. I realize humility is hard to have being grade school dropouts for some of you.

[GoMuskies]

We haven't even been in a final four let alone win on. I realize humility is hard to have being grade school dropouts for some of you.

Hope the time you took setting up the account to make these awesome posts was worth it.

[94GRAD]

We haven't even been in a final four let alone win on. I realize humility is hard to have being grade school dropouts for some of you.

Please don't say we, You did not go to X

[GoMuskies]

their D is nowhere near as good with Cotton gone


I don't really intend to re-start this argument, and you may well be right about their defense...but I noticed this morning that Wichita State has the #1 defense in the country this year according to KenPom. I'm not sure how much I believe in KenPom, but that is certainly an eye-opener.

[nasdadjr]

I don't really intend to re-start this argument, and you may well be right about their defense...but I noticed this morning that Wichita State has the #1 defense in the country this year according to KenPom. I'm not sure how much I believe in KenPom, but that is certainly an eye-opener.

Yeah we kinda beat that dead horse. That same D gave up 80 vs seton hall but blew Utah out. In the tournament though against better competition I don't see them being anywhere near as defensively efficient without cotton as they are now against drake and Evansville. Of course that is all relative but just my obvervation after watching them play

[D-West & PO-Z]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bubblewatch

Whole beginning pat about Butler. Also some really complimentary things about X in there.

[Masterofreality]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bubblewatch

Whole beginning pat about Butler. Also some really complimentary things about X in there.

Funny that ESPN picks a Big East team to highlight. How about UCon or Syracuse for example?

[D-West & PO-Z]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bubblewatch

Only conference without any locks (besides the terrible MWC) on the bubble watch page is the AAAAAAAAAAACK conference!

[nasdadjr]

Well I think I can officially rest my case on the WSU argument since they will be NIT bound

[muskiefan82]

Well I think I can officially rest my case on the WSU argument since they will be NIT bound

They have more wins than Duke! In the MVC! How could they not be in? They have more wins than UC too! That is enough to get them in! YTG said so!!

[GoMuskies]

Well I think I can officially rest my case on the WSU argument since they will be NIT bound

Are they in the Preseason NIT next year or something? That's cool.