Butler vs. Drake is the headline, but doesn't matter. (Photo: ESPN, AP)This post is for the Maryland basketball fan (or a fan of any team on the bubble) and provides a game by game analysis of the effect on the #62 Terps' bubble status. ESPN has a full breakdown of the games, but no one knows who most of these teams are or why you should care, so here's the rundown with whom to root for in bold:
Davidson at Winthrop: Root for RPI #106 Winthrop so that #61 Davidson's chances at an at-large are eliminated.
UC Santa Barbara at Utah State: No impact, neither league has a shot at an at-large.
VCU at Akron: #60 VCU beat the Terps in College Park, so this win would enhance the Terps' RPI and make the loss look less bad. Akron is a non-factor, and VCU's SOS is sufficiently bad (165) that they won't be the reason the Terps miss the tournament.
George Mason at Ohio: Even though the Patriots are a local team, you have to root for #63 Ohio for the same reasons as VCU. Besides, #66 George Mason is essentially tied with Ohio in RPI and SOS, so there shouldn't be any hesitation on this one. Go Bobcats!
Creighton at Oral Roberts: #71 Creighton is not going to pass the Terps for an at-large, but #44 Oral Roberts is a threat, go with the Bluejays.
Nevada at Southern Illinois: Even though the Salukis are having a tough year, they are #56 in RPI. They're not making the tournament, but it looks bad for the Terps when you trail a 15-12 team from the MVC.
Drake at Butler: Both teams are already in, so choose whichever Bulldog you prefer.
Miami (OH) at Valpo: A marginal one, root for Miami (OH) because they're in the MAC, as is Ohio. Part of the RPI formula is opponents' opponents' record. The MAC is unlikely to be multi-bid even if the Redhawks win.
Marist at Cleveland State: No one cares.
Rider at CS Northridge: No one cares.
UW Milwaukee at Bradley: No one cares.
Siena at Boise State: No one cares.
Kent State at St. Mary's: This is a tough one, but I'm going to root for St. Mary's. I think the Gaels have already clinched an at-large, so knocking the #40 Golden Flashes down is the better choice. On the other hand, the Miami (OH) MAC argument applies. Kent St. is unlikely to get an at-large regardless, but Maryland could pass them in the RPI if things fall out right.
Wright State at Illinois State: #52 Illinois St. is ahead of Maryland, and a loss by them helps keep the MVC a one-bid league this year (unless Drake loses in the conference tourney.
Enjoy a bunch of games between teams you almost never see!
1 Responses:
Davidson is probably in anyway as the SoCon winner, they're the class of the league! I guess there is a slim chance they could be an at-large if they get upset in the conference final, but the NCAA hasn't shown the SoCon much at-large love the last few years...
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