Bracketology

[hoops22]

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.

I also agree. In Nova's last five NCAA appearances, despite the favorable seedings ( one 1 seed, two 2 seeds, and 2 nine seeds) they have only managed 3 wins. Their two best wins during this period were against two 15 seeds, Wisconsin/Milwaukee and an OT nail biter against Robert Morris. Not to metion they're shooting the three far worse this season than they have the past two seasons. It's hard to be optimistic. Xavier on the other hand has consistantly shown the ability to rise to the occasion, even when the spotlight is brightest. I think they will definitely be playing the final day of the second weekend, with a trip to the final four a very realistic goal for them. In the brief history of this version of the BE, I think X is the strongest team we'll have had represent us in the tournamnet. I'll be surprised if they let us down.

[scoscox]

I'm holding out hope, but this is a completely different year and doesn't really have anything to do with past seasons. That said, I think Nova just benefited from being overrated to start the year. Last year's Nova team was pretty filthy though and X may be on that level, but we will see. Really hope they've got it going in March.

[BEX]

After watching Dunn and Bentil this season, I can see some classic dance games coming for them. Refuse to lose stuff.

[anXUfan]

Nova is #3 in KenPom and #2 in the RPI. It's not like there isn't statistical support for their ranking.

Maybe this will be their year.

[stever20]

Nova is #3 in KenPom and #2 in the RPI. It's not like there isn't statistical support for their ranking.

Maybe this will be their year.

Like I said, everything with Nova is mental. If they get past that first weekend, I'll go on record saying they will make the final 4. Seen it way too many times where something like that happens.....

[NovaBall]

Nova the past two years could have made a serious run if they just got over that one game. I know that is an "if my aunt had balls she would be my uncle" type comment, but how many times do you see a team take an early scare and then regroup and go on a run. The year nova went to the final four recently they were down double digits in the first round against American. Butler survived early scares in their final four trip. Uconn needed a miracle to get out of the first round in 2014 before running through the rest of the bracket.

The last two nova teams didn't survive the early scares. It happens to the best of them. Maybe they get it done this yr.

[Hall2012]

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.

I also agree. In Nova's last five NCAA appearances, despite the favorable seedings ( one 1 seed, two 2 seeds, and 2 nine seeds) they have only managed 3 wins. Their two best wins during this period were against two 15 seeds, Wisconsin/Milwaukee and an OT nail biter against Robert Morris. Not to metion they're shooting the three far worse this season than they have the past two seasons. It's hard to be optimistic. Xavier on the other hand has consistantly shown the ability to rise to the occasion, even when the spotlight is brightest. I think they will definitely be playing the final day of the second weekend, with a trip to the final four a very realistic goal for them. In the brief history of this version of the BE, I think X is the strongest team we'll have had represent us in the tournamnet. I'll be surprised if they let us down.

The three point shooting is exactly why I'm so much more confident in Nova come tourney time this year. Previous Nova teams were unreal shooters, but they were also live by the three, die by the three. Yeah they're usually on so it's fine for league play, but it doesn't translate well to tournament play because one rough night of shots not falling means you're going home. This year's Nova team is much better at getting to the rim and beating you via consistently reliable methods, so they'll be less prone to an upset. Not saying they can't go home early, but their opponent would have to play out of their minds and really earn it.

[scoscox]

Nova is #3 in KenPom and #2 in the RPI. It's not like there isn't statistical support for their ranking.

Maybe this will be their year.

I know, but whenever I'm watching I'm always thinking how beatable they look. Maybe they're lulling me to sleep.

[mpwalsh8]

Nova is #3 in KenPom and #2 in the RPI. It's not like there isn't statistical support for their ranking.

Maybe this will be their year.

As much as I'd like to see at least a second weekend appearance or better from Villanova, I think the BigEast's best bets for a deep tourney run are Xavier and Providence. I can see Dunn willing PC to winning a couple games and X's balance should allow them to match up well with just about any opponent.

[Westbrook#36]

Nova is #3 in KenPom and #2 in the RPI. It's not like there isn't statistical support for their ranking.

Maybe this will be their year.

I know, but whenever I'm watching I'm always thinking how beatable they look. Maybe they're lulling me to sleep.

There's not a team in the country that doesn't look beatable, including Xavier. There are no dominate teams this year.