Bracketology

[ChelseaFriar]

What does PIG mean?

Play in Game.

No kidding! So, it should say Opening Round. In a field of 68 can't be a play-in, if they are already in.

Thankfully, this year they will call it "First Four" instead of "First Round". Drove me nuts when the referred to the Thursday/Friday games as Second Round.

[xavierfano8]

Lunardi said: "I'd exclude X, whom I greatly admire but view as too much of an overachiever to win six games in the tournament."

Huh?

Is that an actual quote? That may be the dumbest thing I have ever heard.

I'm trying to see through my blue glasses, but to me Xavier is one of the very few complete teams. Size, shooters, depth, etc. The only thing that would worry me is running into a team that can really shoot it (ex. Nova). X can certainly beat anyone on any given night.

[stever20]

ChelseaFriar- I agree with you 10000000000% re the 1st/2nd round stuff....

With the Lunardi quote/thought- I think X has a real good shot. Don't think they could win 6 in a normal year(by that I don't think they could beat a team like a Kentucky last year). But this isn't a normal year.... There are no dominant teams(with the possible exception of Oklahoma I think).

As far as Nova- I think if they can get past the first weekend, a billion ton gorilla comes off their shoulders. I think they then become a MAJOR threat to win it all as they would start playing loose and relaxed...

If I was betting, I think I'd bet for Nova before Xavier. How is X going to handle being the hunted for the first time rather than the huntee?

[scoscox]

I really don't think Nova is that good, so I'd still take Xavier. Nova struggles to score and don't have anyone particularly dynamic that can get you a bucket at any point and I think it'll hurt them in the tournament unless Arcidiacano decides to show up this year and Brunson really improves towards the end of the season. Agreed about the first round/second round thing that was dumb. Also, X has shown a pretty good ability to win games in a tournament format this year and just pour it on teams. It will be interesting, hopefully they play that way in the tourney.

[Jet915]

I really don't think Nova is that good, so I'd still take Xavier. Nova struggles to score and don't have anyone particularly dynamic that can get you a bucket at any point and I think it'll hurt them in the tournament unless Arcidiacano decides to show up this year and Brunson really improves towards the end of the season. Agreed about the first round/second round thing that was dumb. Also, X has shown a pretty good ability to win games in a tournament format this year and just pour it on teams. It will be interesting, hopefully they play that way in the tourney.

I agree, I would pick X to go farther than Nova at this point. Nova still seems like a team that can lose to an 8/9 seed.

[stever20]

thing is, I feel like Nova has changed how they play after the Oklahoma game and it's made a HUGE impact.... really interested to see them with Temple in a few weeks and see how they do against a decent team OOC(who would be super desperate quite frankly).

look at the stats... in BE play....
Offense efficiency
Nova 108.2 X 109.4
Defense efficiency
Nova 93.7 X 101.8
SOS so far
Nova # 4 in conference so far
Xavier #8 in conference so far

so Nova has done close to the same as X offensively with a much tougher schedule. But the defensive piece is concerning.

[NovaBall]

Silly to really compare Nova v. Xavier or even Providence in terms of who will go further in the tourney. Just put the three names in a hat and pick one and you have as good a shot of getting it correct.

Any of the three, with the right match ups, could make the Final 4. Any of the three, with the wrong second round match up, could fall short of the second weekend.

I actually like the idea of the higher end players carrying their teams in the earlier rounds, so I love PC's outlook. But all you need are two quick touch fouls on Dunn at the 8 minute mark, and they could be going home in the second round.

Xavier is the most complete team, in my opinion. If I had to pick one of the three to go the furthest it would probable be X because of their consistency.

Nova has the most explosive team, and they do have a coach who has been deep in the dance before. But say they get a Michigan or Pitt team against Dixon or Beilein, coaches who have styles that have not always matched up well for Nova, in the 2nd round? Then all of a sudden there are some nervous fans on the main line around st. Patrick's day.

[BEX]

How is X going to handle being the hunted for the first time rather than the huntee?

#3 in 08 (Elite Eight) #4 in 09 - 5 Sweet 16's in 8 yrs. - Just Play 'em one at a time. lunardi thinks there are 12 teams better than us. We'll see.

[BEX]

btw, neither X or 'Nova was on his list as "contenders". he should probably just stick to brackets.

[UD Flyer Fanatic]

Take it from someone who loves to hate X, this team is special. I agree they have the ability to make a long run in the tournament. I hope they do. I also see many bracketologists have my boys running into a BE team in the tourney. Looking forward to a fun March!