Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Looking at interesting non-conference profiles

I'm still about a month away from putting out my first bracket of the season, but I figured it'd be a good time to look at some intriguing non-conference profiles from the first half of the season. Most of college basketball is either finished with their non-conference slate or nearly finished.

TCU

The Frogs finished their OOC (out-of-conference, for those not familiar with the acronym) schedule unscathed after beating Tennessee Tech last night. Major props to Trent Johnson and his staff, as they've already come close to doubling their win total from 2013-2014. However, their schedule is incredibly weak. Ken Pomeroy's rating has them dead last in his SOS rating (link) and their RPI SOS is also very low at #321 (keep in mind there are 351 D1 teams). Their best win thus far is a road win against Ole Miss. Luckily for TCU, they play in the Big 12, which may be college basketball's top league this season. They will have many chances for quality wins and their SOS will certainly improve as they move through their conference schedule. That being said, if they are on the bubble come March, their very weak OOC schedule may come back to hurt them (similar to what happened last year to another DFW area private school, SMU).


Northern Iowa

Northern Iowa is nationally relevant again after a few down years. The Panthers finished their OOC schedule with a record of 11-1. Their schedule is pretty average, with only three games against KenPom top 100 teams (but only two games against KenPom sub 200 teams). UNI's best win to date is a neutral site game against in-state foe, Iowa. They had a golden opportunity to get a signature win at VCU but lost a great game in double overtime. The computers like this team (#11 in RPI, #26 in KenPom) but as of now, they lack quality wins. They'll get two shots at Wichita State during MVC play, which could be a great chance at getting another win for their tournament resume (assuming the Shockers continue their stellar play). But the MVC is pretty weak aside from UNI and WSU, so they'll have to avoid bad losses against sub 200 opponents. I could see this team finishing with 27-28 wins (this includes the conference tourney) but end up in the 8/9 game when March arrives due to a lack of "good wins". 

Old Dominion

Jeff Jones has quickly resurrected the Monarchs' program after a recent rough patch. ODU is 11-1 after finishing their non-conference slate with a blowout win over Mount St. Mary's. The RPI has this team at #13, while the KenPom rating isn't quite as impressed, ranking them at #53. Still, Old Dominion has put together a impressive resume through their first two months of play. It includes wins over VCU (home), LSU (neutral), and Georgia State (home). That's three wins over RPI top 50 teams (but only 1 KenPom top 50 win). Unfortunately, CUSA won't provide many more chances for quality wins as the Monarchs only play two games against KenPom top 100 teams in conference play (UTEP and LaTech). Like Northern Iowa, they'll have to avoid bad losses to sub 200 teams on a regular basis (bottom of CUSA is very weak). They are in good position right now but they may not be able to afford five or six losses in conference play. 

Green Bay

UW-Green Bay was an interesting case on Selection Sunday last year, and they could be again in 2015 if they don't win the Horizon League tournament.  Last year, their main case to be included in the tourney was a home win against Virginia. Ultimately, they were left out and played in the NIT. This year's team doesn't have that signature win, as they were blown out by Wisconsin in November (a win could have provided the equivalent to the win against UVA last year). They do have a road win at Miami and split a home/home with Georgia State, which isn't terrible. However, if they want to be considered for a possible at-large, they may have to go 15-1 or 16-0 in Horizon League play. Of course, if they win the conference tourney, this won't even be a conversation. 

Plenty of other teams I could have gotten to (Penn State, Georgia State, Alabama, Yale) in this post but I'll stop with these four. Again, my first bracket should be up in January (and how about my final bracket last year finishing top 3 in the Bracket Matrix!). I may do a post sometime in early to mid January recapping the first few weeks of conference play throughout the country. 

Sunday, March 16, 2014

3/16 Bracketology (Final)

Final bracket of 2014....

SOUTH

1. Florida
16. Cal Poly/Coastal Carolina

8. Colorado
9. Pittsburgh

4. San Diego State
13. Manhattan

5. Ohio State
12. North Dakota State

2. Villanova
15. UW-Milwaukee

7. Baylor
10. Iowa

3. Syracuse
14. Mercer

6. Texas
11. SMU

EAST

1. Michigan
16. Albany

8. Kansas State
9. Stanford

4. Cincy
13. Tulsa

5. North Carolina
12. BYU/Tennessee

2. Virginia
15. American

7. Virginia Commonwealth
10. Arizona State

3. Iowa State
14. New Mexico State

6. UMass
11. Providence 

WEST

1. Arizona
16. Mount St. Mary's/Texas Southern 

8. Memphis
9. George Washington

4. Michigan State
13. Delaware

5. UCLA
12. Harvard

2. Kansas
15. NC Central

7. New Mexico 
10. St. Joe's

3. Creighton
14. Eastern Kentucky

6. Kentucky
11. Xavier

MIDWEST

1. Wichita State
16. Weber State

8. Oregon
9. Oklahoma State

4. Louisville
13. Western Michigan

5. Oklahoma
12. Stephen F. Austin

2. Wisconsin
15. Wofford

7. Saint Louis
10. Gonzaga

3. Duke
14. UL-Lafayette

6. UConn
11. Dayton/Nebraska

Last 4 in: Nebraska, Dayton, Tennessee, BYU
First 4 out: California, Florida State, NC State, Southern Miss
Next 4 out: UW-Green Bay, Louisiana Tech, Arkansas, Minnesota

Teams in BOLDED BLACK have clinched an auto bid by winning their conference tourney (or in Harvard's case, their regular season title)

Saturday, March 15, 2014

3/15 Bracketology

2nd to last bracket of the year....

SOUTH

1. Florida
16. Cal Poly/Coastal Carolina

8. Colorado
9. Pittsburgh

4. San Diego State
13. Manhattan

5. Ohio State
12. North Dakota State

2. Villanova
15. UW-Milwaukee

7. Baylor
10. Iowa

3. Syracuse
14. Mercer

6. Texas
11. SMU

EAST

1. Michigan
16. Albany

8. Kansas State
9. Stanford

4. Cincy
13. Tulsa

5. North Carolina
12. BYU/Tennessee

2. Virginia
15. American

7. Virginia Commonwealth
10. Arizona State

3. Iowa State
14. New Mexico State

6. UMass
11. Providence 

WEST

1. Arizona
16. Mount St. Mary's/Texas Southern 

8. Memphis
9. George Washington

4. Michigan State
13. Delaware

5. UCLA
12. Harvard

2. Kansas
15. NC Central

7. New Mexico 
10. St. Joe's

3. Creighton
14. Eastern Kentucky

6. Kentucky
11. Xavier

MIDWEST

1. Wichita State
16. Weber State

8. Oregon
9. Oklahoma State

4. Louisville
13. Western Michigan

5. Oklahoma
12. Stephen F. Austin

2. Wisconsin
15. Wofford

7. Saint Louis
10. Gonzaga

3. Duke
14. Georgia State

6. UConn
11. Dayton/Nebraska

Last 4 in: Nebraska, Dayton, Tennessee, BYU
First 4 out: California, Florida State, NC State, Southern Miss
Next 4 out: UW-Green Bay, Louisiana Tech, Arkansas, Minnesota

Teams in BOLDED BLACK have already clinched an auto bid by winning their conference tourney (or in Harvard's case, their regular season title)

Teams in BOLDED BLUE are currently the top seed remaining in their conference tourney

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

3/12 Bracketology


EAST

1. Florida
16. Mount St. Mary's/Coastal Carolina

8. Baylor
9. Arizona State

4. Cincinnati
13. North Dakota State

5. North Carolina
12. Southern Miss

2. Duke
15. Milwaukee 

7. Kentucky
10. Gonzaga

3. Michigan
14. Delaware

6. Texas
11. Nebraska

EAST

1. Villanova
16. Robert Morris

8. George Washington
9. Colorado

4. Michigan State
13. Manhattan

5. Louisville
12. Harvard

2. Wisconsin
15. UC Irvine

7. Memphis
10. Stanford

3. Syracuse
14. Boston U

6. UMass
11. St. Joe's/Tennessee

WEST

1. Arizona
16. Alabama State/Weber State

8. Iowa
9. Kansas State

4. San Diego State
13. Stephen F. Austin

5. UConn
12. Toledo

2. Virginia
15. NC Central

7. Virginia Commonwealth
10. Oklahoma State

3. Iowa State
14. Eastern Kentucky

6. UCLA
11. Dayton

MIDWEST

1. Wichita State
16. Wofford

8. SMU
9. Oregon

4. Oklahoma
13. Mercer

5. Ohio State
12. BYU/Xavier

2. Kansas
15. Stony Brook

7. New Mexico
10. Pittsburgh

3. Creighton
14. Georgia State

6. Saint Louis
11. California

Last 4 in: BYU, Xavier, St. Joe's, Tennessee
First 4 out: Arkansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Providence, 
Next 4 out: Florida State, Georgetown, Green Bay, St. John's

Teams in BOLDED BLACK have already clinched an NCAA bid by winning their conference tourney (or their regular season title in Harvard's case)

Teams in BOLDED BLUE are conference leaders who haven't yet clinched an NCAA bid

3/11 Bracketology


Hopefully, I didn't forget anyone this time (Sorry, BYU fans)

EAST

1. Florida
16. Utah Valley/Coastal Carolina

8. Baylor
9. Arizona State

4. Cincinnati
13. North Dakota State

5. North Carolina
12. Southern Miss

2. Duke
15. Wright State

7. Kentucky
10. Gonzaga

3. Michigan
14. Delaware

6. Texas
11. Nebraska

EAST

1. Villanova
16. Robert Morris

8. George Washington
9. Colorado

4. Michigan State
13. Manhattan

5. Louisville
12. Harvard

2. Wisconsin
15. UC Irvine

7. Memphis
10. Stanford

3. Syracuse
14. Boston U

6. UMass
11. St. Joe's/Tennessee

WEST

1. Arizona
16. Alabama State/Weber State

8. Iowa
9. Kansas State

4. San Diego State
13. Stephen F. Austin

5. UConn
12. Toledo

2. Virginia
15. NC Central

7. Virginia Commonwealth
10. Oklahoma State

3. Iowa State
14. Eastern Kentucky

6. UCLA
11. Dayton

MIDWEST

1. Wichita State
16. Wofford

8. SMU
9. Oregon

4. Oklahoma
13. Mercer

5. Ohio State
12. BYU/Xavier

2. Kansas
15. Stony Brook

7. New Mexico
10. Pittsburgh

3. Creighton
14. Georgia State

6. Saint Louis
11. California

Last 4 in: BYU, Xavier, St. Joe's, Tennessee
First 4 out: Arkansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Providence, 
Next 4 out: Florida State, Georgetown, Green Bay, St. John's

Teams in BOLDED BLACK have already clinched an NCAA bid by winning their conference tourney (or their regular season title in Harvard's case)

Teams in BOLDED BLUE are conference leaders who haven't yet clinched an NCAA bid

Sunday, March 9, 2014

3/10 Bracketology

SOUTH

1. Florida
16. Utah Valley/Coastal Carolina

8. Baylor
9. Arizona State

4. Cincinnati
13. North Dakota State

5. North Carolina
12. Southern Miss

2. Duke
15. Wright State

7. Kentucky
10. Gonzaga

3. Michigan
14. Delaware

6. Texas
11. Nebraska

EAST

1. Villanova
16. Robert Morris

8. George Washington
9. Colorado

4. Michigan State
13. Iona

5. Louisville
12. Harvard

2. Wisconsin
15. UC Irvine

7. Memphis
10. Stanford

3. Syracuse
14. Boston U

6. UMass
11. St. Joe's/Tennessee

WEST

1. Arizona
16. Alabama State/Weber State

8. Iowa
9. Kansas State

4. San Diego State
13. Stephen F. Austin

5. UConn
12. Toledo

2. Virginia
15. NC Central

7. Virginia Commonwealth
10. Oklahoma State

3. Iowa State
14. Eastern Kentucky

6. UCLA
11. Dayton

MIDWEST

1. Wichita State
16. Western Carolina

8. SMU
9. Oregon

4. Oklahoma
13. Mercer

5. Ohio State
12. Arkansas/Xavier

2. Kansas
15. Stony Brook

7. New Mexico
10. Pittsburgh

3. Creighton
14. Georgia State

6. Saint Louis
11. California

Last 4 in: Arkansas, Xavier, St. Joe's, Tennessee
First 4 out: Missouri, Minnesota, Providence, Green Bay
Next 4 out: Florida State, Georgetown, NC State, St. John's

Teams in BOLDED BLACK have already clinched an NCAA bid by winning their conference tourney (or their regular season title in Harvard's case)

Teams in BOLDED BLUE are conference leaders who haven't yet clinched an NCAA bid

Sunday, February 23, 2014

2/24 Bracketology

SOUTH

1. Florida
16. Davidson/Virginia Military

8. Virginia Commonwealth
9. Colorado

4. Virginia 
13. North Dakota State

5. Ohio State
12. Harvard

2. Duke
15. Vermont

7. UConn
10. Baylor

3. Iowa State
14. Iona

6. Saint Louis
11. Xavier

MIDWEST

1. Wichita State
16. Robert Morris

8. Arizona State
9. Pittsburgh

4. Cincy
13. Middle Tennessee

5. Texas
12. Toledo

2. Kansas
15. Boston U

7. Memphis
10. California

3. Michigan State
14. Stephen F. Austin

6. North Carolina
11. Missouri/Richmond

EAST

1. Syracuse
16. Weber State/Southern U

8. Kansas State
9. Stanford

4. San Diego State
13. Belmont

5. Louisville
12. Green Bay

2. Villanova
15. Georgia State

7. Oklahoma
10. Gonzaga

3. Wisconsin
14. Mercer

6. UMass
11. Oregon

WEST

1. Arizona
16. NC Central

8. SMU
9. George Washington

4. Kentucky
13. Delaware

5. UCLA
12. BYU/Minnesota

2. Creighton
15. UC Irvine

7. New Mexico
10. Oklahoma State

3. Michigan
14. New Mexico State

6. Iowa
11. St. Joseph's

Last 4 in: BYU, Missouri, Minnesota, Richmond
First 4 out: Dayton, St. John's, Florida State, Georgetown
Next 4 out: Nebraska, Southern Miss, Providence, Tennessee

Teams in BOLD are auto bids

Sunday, February 16, 2014

2/17 Bracketology

EAST

1. Syracuse
16. Utah Valley/Coastal Carolina

8. Colorado
9. George Washington

4. San Diego State
13. Harvard

5. Ohio State
12. Toledo

2. Villanova
15. Georgia State

7. UConn
10. Oklahoma State

3. Michigan State
14. Mercer

6. Louisville
11. Xavier

MIDWEST

1. Wichita State
16. Robert Morris

8. North Carolina
9. Gonzaga

4. Kentucky
13. Belmont

5. Virginia
12. St. Joseph's/Providence

2. Creighton
15. Davidson

7. Memphis
10. Minnesota

3. Iowa State
14. Stephen F. Austin

6. UMass
11. Oregon

SOUTH

1. Florida
16. Weber State/Southern U

8. Kansas State
9. Stanford

4. UCLA
13. Green Bay

5. Saint Louis
12. Louisiana Tech

2. Duke
15. UC Irvine

7. Virginia Commonwealth
10. California

3. Cincinnati
14. Iona

6. Iowa
11. Baylor

WEST

1. Arizona
16. Vermont

8. Pittsburgh
9. New Mexico

4. Michigan
13. Delaware

5. Texas
12. North Dakota State

2. Kansas
15. NC Central

7. Arizona State
10. SMU

3. Wisconsin
14. Boston U

6. Oklahoma
11. Florida State/Richmond

Last 4 in: Florida State, Providence, St. Joseph's, Richmond
First 4 out: Missouri, Tennessee, BYU, Georgetown
Next 4 out: Dayton, Nebraska, Southern Miss, St. John's

Teams in BOLD are auto bids

Sunday, February 9, 2014

2/10 Bracketology

EAST

1. Syracuse
16. Davidson/Virginia Military

8. Virginia Commonwealth
9. Gonzaga

4. Kentucky
13. North Dakota State

5. Ohio State
12. Toledo

2. Villanova
15. Boston U

7. Memphis
10. Minnesota

3. Creighton
14. Delaware

6. Texas
11. Florida State

MIDWEST

1. Wichita State
16. NC Central

8. Kansas State
9. SMU

4. Wisconsin
13. Belmont

5. Louisville
12. St. Joseph's/Baylor

2. Duke
15. Vermont

7. Oklahoma
10. Xavier

3. San Diego State
14. Georgia State

6. Saint Louis
11. Southern Miss

WEST

1. Arizona
16. Weber State/Southern U

8. New Mexico
9. George Washington

4. Virginia
13. Mercer

5. Iowa
12. Harvard

2. Kansas
15. UC Irvine

7. UConn
10. California

3. Cincinnati
14. Stephen F. Austin

6. UMass
11. Stanford

SOUTH

1. Florida
16. Robert Morris

8. Colorado
9. North Carolina

4. Michigan
13. Green Bay

5. Virginia
12. Tennessee/Providence

2. Michigan State
15. Utah Valley

7. Oklahoma State
10. Arizona State

3. Iowa State
14. Iona

6. Pittsburgh
11. Oregon

Last 4 IN: Tennessee, St. Joseph's, Providence, Baylor
First 4 OUT: Richmond, LSU, Missouri, BYU
Next 4 OUT: St. Mary's, Ole Miss, Clemson, Georgetown

Teams in BOLD are auto bids

Sunday, February 2, 2014

2/3 Bracketology

EAST

1. Syracuse
16. Weber State/Coastal Carolina

8. Virginia Commonwealth
9. Xavier

4. Iowa State
13. Mercer

5. UMass
12. Toledo

2. Villanova
15. IPFW

7. Memphis
10. New Mexico

3. Duke
14. Georgia State

6. Oklahoma
11. Providence

SOUTH

1. Florida
16. Robert Morris

8. Colorado
9. Kansas State

4. Wisconsin
13. Delaware

5. Virginia
12. Stanford/Tennessee

2. Kansas
15. Utah Valley

7. UCLA
10. North Carolina

3. Cincinnati
14. UC Santa Barbara

6. Pittsburgh
11. SMU

WEST

1. Arizona
16. Southern/Chattanooga

8. Gonzaga
9. George Washington

4. Kentucky
13. Green Bay

5. Ohio State
12. Harvard

2. Creighton
15. Stony Brook

7. St. Louis
10. Baylor

3. San Diego State
14. American

6. Texas
11. Southern Miss

MIDWEST

1. Wichita State
16. NC Central

8. Minnesota
9. California

4. Oklahoma State
13. Stephen F. Austin

5. Iowa
12. Oregon

2. Michigan State
15. Murray State

7. UConn
10. Florida State

3. Michigan
14. Canisius

6. Louisville
11. Arizona State/BYU

Last 4 in: Arizona State, BYU, Tennessee, Stanford
First 4 out: Richmond, Mizzou, St. Joe's, LSU
Next 4 out: Ole Miss, St. Mary's, Indiana, NC State

Teams in BOLD are auto bids

Sunday, January 26, 2014

1/27 Bracketology

West

1. Arizona
16. Southern/Winthrop

8. Gonzaga
9. Kansas State

4. Iowa State
13. Toledo

5. Louisville
12. Green Bay

2. Wisconsin
15. American

7. UCLA
10. Virginia Commonwealth

3. Kentucky
14. Georgia State

6. Virginia
11. Harvard

South

1. Kansas 
16. NC Central

8. George Washington
9. Florida State

4. UMass
13. Mercer

5. Iowa
12. Arizona State/Richmond

2. Michigan State
15. Northern Colorado

7. Colorado 
10. New Mexico

3. San Diego State
14. Stephen F. Austin

6. UConn
11. Southern Miss

East

1. Syracuse
16. Chattanooga/Winthrop

8. Xavier
9. Texas

4. Michigan
13. Belmont

5. Cincinnati
12. Missouri

2. Villanova
15. UC Irvine

7. Oklahoma
10. California

3. Duke
14. Delaware

6. Pittsburgh
11. SMU

Midwest

1. Wichita State
16. Utah Valley

8. Minnesota
9. Oregon

4. Creighton
13. North Dakota State

5. Ohio State
12. Providence/Dayton

2. Florida 
15. Stony Brook

7. St. Louis
10. Baylor

3. Oklahoma State
14. Manhattan

6. Memphis
11. North Carolina

Last 4 in: Providence, Dayton, Richmond, Arizona State
First 4 out: Tennessee, BYU, Stanford, Wake Forest
Next 4 out: Indiana, Ole Miss, Indiana State, St. Mary's 

Teams in BOLD are auto-bids 

Monday, January 20, 2014

1/21 Bracketology (1st bracket of 2014)

Forgot Baylor. Sorry. Would have been a 6 seed.

West

1. Arizona
16. South Dakota/Savannah State

8. Virginia
9. Harvard

4. Iowa
13. Mercer

5. Louisville
12. Green Bay

2. Kansas
15. Utah Valley

7. Connecticut
10. Virginia Commonwealth

3. UMass
14. Georgia State

6. Pittsburgh
11. New Mexico

South 

1. Wichita State
16. Southern 

8. UCLA
9. Minnesota

4. Creighton
13. Manhattan

5. Ohio State
12. Stanford/SMU

2. Wiscosnin
15. Stony Brook

7. Kansas State
10. Dayton

3. Kentucky
14. Stephen F. Austin

6. Oklahoma
11. Georgetown

East

1. Syracuse
16. Radford/Chattanooga

8. Gonzaga
9. Oregon

4. San Diego State
13. Delaware

5. Colorado
12. Toledo

2. Villanova
15. Robert Morris

7. St. Louis
10. Texas

3. Iowa State
14. UC Irvine

6. Memphis
11. Missouri

Midwest

1. Michigan State
16. American

8. George Washington
9. Florida State

4. Duke
13. Belmont

5. Cincinnati
12. Providence/Arkansas

2. Florida
15. Old Dominion

7. Xavier
10. California

3. Oklahoma State
14. Northern Colorado

6. Michigan
11. North Carolina

Last 4 in: SMU, Providence, Arkansas, Stanford
First 4 out: Southern Miss, BYU, Tennessee, Illinois
Next 4 out: St. Mary's, Indiana State, La Salle, Boise State

Teams in BOLD are auto-bids