Games of Interest 3/1

[hoya9797]

UNC vs GT - Carolina down 14 with 8 minutes to play

Memphis vs UTEP - Memphis up 1 with 10 minutes to play

Nevada vs Utah St - game tied with 5 minutes to play

All these possible upsets could have huge implications on the Hoyas' NCAA seed.

[miamihoya]

UCLA up early versus Wazzu also could impact our seeding

[vcjack]

I believe that it is safe to say that both Florida and UNC are slumming, they just want to get rid of those 1 seeds.

[bubbrubbhoya]

Bilas is calling out the GT fans for the overrated chant. I knew I liked that guy. Now let's wait to see if he calls them out for storming the court in 9.7 seconds.

[ilovescruggs]

Man, UNC is playing sad right now. Nevada slipping up would ice a 3 seed for us at worst. I thought memphis was in trouble tonight, but then I remembered they play in Conference USA. I hope the selection committee puts them opposite a team that plays stronger than their seeding like ODU or a Winthrop.

[hoya9797]

Carolina and Nevada both lost.

[HoyaSinceBirth]

Great day of college basketball

[RockawayHoya]

I'm not a big what-if guy, but had we won on Monday, tomorrow's game likely would have been for a #6 national ranking at the minimum. Yes, I know it means nothing in terms of NCAA seeding, but after starting the year 4-3, or after the Pitt loss, did anyone think that would have been even a remote possibility?

Also goes to show how no top team is immune to losses. So stop beating yourself up about Monday if you haven't already. The show's just getting started.

[ilovescruggs]

Here, here, Rock. I despaired with the best of them at the start of the season. I just didn't think our team was that good. I have certainly been proven wrong. This tourney is wide open and we play our best ball late in the season with JTIII. I actually can say that I like our chances.

[lichoya68]

agree everybodys beating every body wide open folks wide open lets start the next streak by beating uconn for the first time in ten freaking years and then win them one by one till who knows.. go hoyas

[OldHoyafan]

I think the Hoya loss to Cuse, Fla loss to Tenn., and UNC loss to Geotgia Tech shows that the good teams that are locks for the NCAA's are not going to empty the physical and emotional tank trying to win a road game against a team that desperately needs the win. This is not saying they tanked the game, but these are 18-20 year old student/athletes who have played nearly 30 games already. I believe that if the Hoyas, Fla, or UNC play those same teams in their conference tournament they will expend the physical and emotional capital to win, no matter where the game is played. I would bet neither of these teams have loss more than 1 conference games at home all year. The Hoyas have only loss one conference game and avenged that loss at Nova. A win against UConn Saturday would give them there best conference record since the 90's. Teams have got to pace themselves. Maybe Pitt's early exits from the NCAA's in the last few years is due to their relentless effort to win the BE regular season title and then win the conference title. By the second round of the NCAA they may have just hit the brick wall. OK, Hoyas lets start another 10 game winning streak.

[RDF]

Seeding is the most overrated thing I've seen talked about in the current tournament. It meant far more in the old days--but in the current era--it's the matchups that are more important then seeding. I'd rather be a 5 seed and have matchups that favor GU then a 1/2 and be set up against teams that match up with Hoyas better. I don't care where the games are played--to win a Championship you have to win in hostile environments and higher seed you are-the more the crowds in NCAA pull against you in early round games--unless you can play in your backyard like Nova did last year at Wachovia.

Personally, I'd like to see GU get a good matchup in 1st and 2nd Round and end up in Regionals at East Rutherford--we'd have a big presence there and are familiar with the court/shooting environment--but that's a LONG ways from happening--plenty of business to take care of on the court and that starts with UConn.

[RusskyHoya]

rdf said:

I don't care where the games are played--to win a Championship you have to win in hostile environments and higher seed you are-the more the crowds in NCAA pull against you in early round games--unless you can play in your backyard like Nova did last year at Wachovia.

This would be true, except that the "protect the high seeds" rule tends to put the higher seeds closer to home, within driving distance of their "big spender" base. These guys barely cheer for anyone (see UNC's lametastic fans in Dayton last year).

I do agree that matchups are the key, though. I really don't want to see Nova again - I'd rather take Louisville or 'Cuse ahead of them, dispite the disparity in their seedings in the BEast.

[Madgesdiq]

rdf said:

Seeding is the most overrated thing I've seen talked about in the current tournament. It meant far more in the old days--but in the current era--it's the matchups that are more important then seeding. I'd rather be a 5 seed and have matchups that favor GU then a 1/2 and be set up against teams that match up with Hoyas better. I don't care where the games are played--to win a Championship you have to win in hostile environments and higher seed you are-the more the crowds in NCAA pull against you in early round games--unless you can play in your backyard like Nova did last year at Wachovia.

Personally, I'd like to see GU get a good matchup in 1st and 2nd Round and end up in Regionals at East Rutherford--we'd have a big presence there and are familiar with the court/shooting environment--but that's a LONG ways from happening--plenty of business to take care of on the court and that starts with UConn.

I generally agree with this post. The only exception is now with the protected seeds, you can wind up being sent to a hostile environment as a #3 though #6 seed despite having a seed advantage (e.g. a #4 that plays Bradley in Chicago) where if you are a #2 that won't happen.

[Locker]

Agree with RDF. Ohio State worked all last year to earn a 2 seed, only to be stuck with a ridiculously strong 7 seed in the same bracket.

Georgia Tech will be one scary 8 - 10 seed. I hope we avoid them the opening weekend.

[GUJook97]

Agreed. If you look up and down Lunardi's bracket (which, I readily admit is not the end-all, be-all), the seeding is all over the place compared to rankings and more importantly, the RPI. At this point, we may be looking at Virginia as a #3 ! I really dont think it matters except for Madgesdiq's point about being a protected #2. (Travel is not that much of an issue, especially considering the sites. As a #2, we are probably in Buffalo or NC, as #3 or 4, we are probably in Columbus, Lexington, or NO.)

[Filo]

locker said:

Agree with RDF. Ohio State worked all last year to earn a 2 seed, only to be stuck with a ridiculously strong 7 seed in the same bracket.

Georgia Tech will be one scary 8 - 10 seed. I hope we avoid them the opening weekend.

Is GT going to make the tourney? They're 7-8 in the ACC with BC left. I guess if they win that one, they have a shot. If they lose to BC, no chance of getting in.

[GUMBA]

Not sure Georgia Tech is in yet. They still have a losing record in the ACC and need to win a couple more to make the tournament. Despite what Coach K says, the ACC does not deserve to have eight teams in the show. Six for sure, seven if GT wins a couple more.

[Locker]

A win against BC in Atlanta, and Tech is definitely in. Their RPI would be projected to rise to #38 (compared, for example, to Syracuse's current RPI of 49) prior to the ACC tournament, and they'd be 8-8 in what honestly is a very deep and tough league this year. I think they would play Carolina in the quarterfinals of the ACC tournament, and a loss there will not hurt (and will probably help) their RPI.

Pomeroy has them at #14 in the nation in his ratings. They look the part, too. I would much rather the Hoyas play an overrated RPI darling like Nevada in the second game of the Big Dance.