Post by Badger Alum on Nov 26, 2006 17:36:51 GMT -5
I looked over the selection committee’s work this year. In the past, I’ve been highly critical of them as their decisions have been generally lousy. However, they did better this year than in the past several. However, teams did get unwarranted benefits (determinants) that I am obligated to point out:
Teams that got better than they deserved (in order):
• Purdue
o They didn’t deserve to get ranked. Heading into this weekend, they were #21 in both computer pools (Pablo and RKI) and they were #22 in the coaches pool. Then, this weekend, at home, they got swept in 3 games each by Wisconsin and Minnesota. Any yet they got a #14 rank and get to host the first round. They need to send Christmas cards to the selection committee. This is easily the most puzzling decision they made.
• Ohio State
o They were right on the bubble for getting ranked. Going into the weekend, they were #19 in the coaches pool and #18 in RKI. And yet, they got ranked with a #11 seed. The committee was obviously impressed with the Big 10 this year, but this was a surprise.
• Texas & Florida
o In both cases, these are the only 2 teams that have home court advantage all the way to the final four. Neither team was a Top 5 team and yet they are both given very sweet deals.
• Nebraska
o They get the easiest path to the final and then they have home court advantage in the Final Four. With so many teams capable of winning a national championship this year, that home court advantage might be the deciding factor in crowning a national champion. They have no excuses this year if they don’t win it all.
Teams that got worst than they deserved (in order):
• California
o In all three pools (Pablo, RKI, Coaches) California should have been ranked. They were #12, #14 and #13 respectively. Instead, they are unranked and have to play on the road against a good Cal Poly team. In addition, they have to play a strong LSU team in the first round. That should be the most competitive first round match up. They have a lot to complain about – the NCAA selection committee really screwed them. There is no good explanation as to why California is unranked and Purdue was ranked. Shame on you NCAA.
• Minnesota
o They are the second ranked team in the Big 10 and where ranked #7, #9 and #10 in all three pools. The reward the NCAA gave them – NO home matches. They don’t host anything. In addition, assuming the make it through the first weekend, they go on the road to Florida to play #9 Florida. If they pull off that upset against a home team, they get #1 Nebraska. The selection committee should have shown them more respect.
• Utah
o Going into the weekend they looked like a team that should be ranked (but Pablo only had them at #18). They were ranked as high as #9. They lost this weekend and that cost them a lot. They went unranked and now they are on the road at UCLA for a second round matchup. Ouch.
• Oklahoma
o Despite being a pretty solid lock for a ranking (ranked #10, #14, #13), the selection committee decided not to rank them. They are on the road for the entire tournament.
Teams that got better than they deserved (in order):
• Purdue
o They didn’t deserve to get ranked. Heading into this weekend, they were #21 in both computer pools (Pablo and RKI) and they were #22 in the coaches pool. Then, this weekend, at home, they got swept in 3 games each by Wisconsin and Minnesota. Any yet they got a #14 rank and get to host the first round. They need to send Christmas cards to the selection committee. This is easily the most puzzling decision they made.
• Ohio State
o They were right on the bubble for getting ranked. Going into the weekend, they were #19 in the coaches pool and #18 in RKI. And yet, they got ranked with a #11 seed. The committee was obviously impressed with the Big 10 this year, but this was a surprise.
• Texas & Florida
o In both cases, these are the only 2 teams that have home court advantage all the way to the final four. Neither team was a Top 5 team and yet they are both given very sweet deals.
• Nebraska
o They get the easiest path to the final and then they have home court advantage in the Final Four. With so many teams capable of winning a national championship this year, that home court advantage might be the deciding factor in crowning a national champion. They have no excuses this year if they don’t win it all.
Teams that got worst than they deserved (in order):
• California
o In all three pools (Pablo, RKI, Coaches) California should have been ranked. They were #12, #14 and #13 respectively. Instead, they are unranked and have to play on the road against a good Cal Poly team. In addition, they have to play a strong LSU team in the first round. That should be the most competitive first round match up. They have a lot to complain about – the NCAA selection committee really screwed them. There is no good explanation as to why California is unranked and Purdue was ranked. Shame on you NCAA.
• Minnesota
o They are the second ranked team in the Big 10 and where ranked #7, #9 and #10 in all three pools. The reward the NCAA gave them – NO home matches. They don’t host anything. In addition, assuming the make it through the first weekend, they go on the road to Florida to play #9 Florida. If they pull off that upset against a home team, they get #1 Nebraska. The selection committee should have shown them more respect.
• Utah
o Going into the weekend they looked like a team that should be ranked (but Pablo only had them at #18). They were ranked as high as #9. They lost this weekend and that cost them a lot. They went unranked and now they are on the road at UCLA for a second round matchup. Ouch.
• Oklahoma
o Despite being a pretty solid lock for a ranking (ranked #10, #14, #13), the selection committee decided not to rank them. They are on the road for the entire tournament.