The "Wait, What?" Thread

[paulxu]

It's fascinating that the above is one scenario of a "bid thief" laid out in the smaller conferences.
When the flip side is, they would say, a good second team in their conference under the old RPI was often left out, and someone with a much higher RPI from a P5 conference was let in...after the famous "eye test."

I'm glad we're in the BE though, and not going through that angst. Even better, we are outshining the normal "big boys" like the ACC. Very nice.

[kayako]

I agree with herodotus. imo the most likely conferences to produce a bid thief atm:

1. MVC
2. AAC
3. MWC
4. Southern
5. A10

After that the list would be between highly unlikely scenario of a team like NC State winning the ACC vs. whether a team like Liberty can lose its conference tourney and still earn an at-large.

[Westbrook#36]

I'd argue that Providence is more than good enough to be a bid thief this year, in a good way. I think we're a lock to get 6(keep trending in the right direction X) as of now, don't think they'd steal one from the BE. Probably no way they get to the necessary 12 BE wins they need to get in, but they are sure as hell good enough to pull off 3 wins in BET.

[gtmoBlue]

Bid Thief - Wishful thinking on my part for success for an old enemy. Luv dem Salukidawgs.

Northern Iowa (UNI) should get ranked next week...the Lone Ranger of the MVC. However there are 2-3 below them who
could possibly steal the autobid at Arch Madness in St Louis. I'm pulling/rooting for my old favs, the Southern Illinois Saluki's (SIU),
to steal the Valley's autobid.

Their new coach in Bryan Mullins, was a Jay's nemesis back-in-the-day. Would be good for him to have NCAA success in his 1st year at the helm.
Would be good IMO to see the Salukidawgs back in the dance (13 year absence).

[kayako]

I'd argue that Providence is more than good enough to be a bid thief this year, in a good way. I think we're a lock to get 6(keep trending in the right direction X) as of now, don't think they'd steal one from the BE. Probably no way they get to the necessary 12 BE wins they need to get in, but they are sure as hell good enough to pull off 3 wins in BET.

If there was a season to get 8 bids, this was it with both DePaul + SJU having amazing OOC only to give away wins left and right within the conference. Providence@Georgetown next week may end up deciding which team is the more likely potential #7 team. Teamrankings gives Providence 4.5% chance of winning the BET.

[scoscox]

If there was a season to get 8 bids, this was it with both DePaul + SJU having amazing OOC only to give away wins left and right within the conference. Providence@Georgetown next week may end up deciding which team is the more likely potential #7 team. Teamrankings gives Providence 4.5% chance of winning the BET.

Providence laying an egg so terribly in the non-conference really hurt our chances of getting eight. Had they even been decent we would've had a great shot at it. Instead they played like a sub-150 team in ooc only to play like a top 40 team in conference and hurt everyone as much as possible, as is tradition.

[kayako]

Providence laying an egg so terribly in the non-conference really hurt our chances of getting eight. Had they even been decent we would've had a great shot at it. Instead they played like a sub-150 team in ooc only to play like a top 40 team in conference and hurt everyone as much as possible, as is tradition.

I'm kind of coming around the idea that Providence can inflict pain on other unsuspecting teams in the NCAAT.

[scoscox]

I'm kind of coming around the idea that Providence can inflict pain on other unsuspecting teams in the NCAAT.

Unfortunately, tournament games are non-conference games and we know how that turns out.
TBH, I'd be fine with them winning the BET and getting the auto and they probably could if they get hot.

[stever20]

If there was a season to get 8 bids, this was it with both DePaul + SJU having amazing OOC only to give away wins left and right within the conference. Providence@Georgetown next week may end up deciding which team is the more likely potential #7 team. Teamrankings gives Providence 4.5% chance of winning the BET.

Providence laying an egg so terribly in the non-conference really hurt our chances of getting eight. Had they even been decent we would've had a great shot at it. Instead they played like a sub-150 team in ooc only to play like a top 40 team in conference and hurt everyone as much as possible, as is tradition.

The problem with that is ok, assume Providence had gone 10-3 in OOC and they're fine....

8th team you have-
Georgetown 14-10
St John's 13-11
DePaul 12-11

All 3 of those with an extreme uphill battle to get enough wins to make the tourney. Georgetown needs bare minimum 4 wins(with only 3 easier games left), and St John's/DePaul need at least 5 wins(with only 2 and 3 respective easier games left).

Getting 8 was always a close to impossible situation. It would require 7 teams regularly and then a bid thief in the tourney.

[kayako]

Alabama attempted 59 3 pointers, made 22, and lost in OT to Auburn.