Equally I can say to you "Don't count them in." Even if they lose, you will still believe they deserved a spot over teams from other conferences, because the Big East is the monster conference.
If they win, I will still believe they didn;t deserve the spot.
I am extremely certain they will exit in the first round. Not worried about it all, and believe it is the best gamble on the board.
I think it is sad for Old Dominion. They are a great team. I think it is sad but typical that and Ohio State AD who is in charge of these pairings knew that BUTLER is playing their best basketball RIGHT NOW.
They hald Wisc Mil (a team that averages 70+ PG to less than 60 on the road. They have confidence and at least three veteran players.
Sad that the AD of Ohio State pairs them up to eliminate at least "One troublesome" mid-major by having them do battle with each other.
Butler could beat anyone right now.
ODU 27-6 9 Seed
RPI - 20 SOS - 64
Top 100: 14-5
Top 50: 6-4
Top 25: 2-2
Bad losses: 1 to Delaware (RPI 145)
Butler 23-9 8 Seed
RPI - 34 SOS - 75
Top 100: 7-6
Top 50: 4-3
Top 25: 0-3
Bad losses: 3 Evansville (RPI 136), Wright State (124), Youngstown St (295)
A common opponent was Xavier (RPI 22). ODU won, Butler lost.
ODU has the better percentage of wins over top 100,50,25 teams in the country. Also recall they return 4 starters from last years team that upset Notre Dame and played a great close game against Baylor.
If you can make a case for Butler that will counteract all of my points, I would love to hear them
ODU 27-6 9 Seed
RPI - 20 SOS - 64
Top 100: 14-5
Top 50: 6-4
Top 25: 2-2
Bad losses: 1 to Delaware (RPI 145)
Butler 23-9 8 Seed
RPI - 34 SOS - 75
Top 100: 7-6
Top 50: 4-3
Top 25: 0-3
Bad losses: 3 Evansville (RPI 136), Wright State (124), Youngstown St (295)
A common opponent was Xavier (RPI 22). ODU won, Butler lost.
ODU has the better percentage of wins over top 100,50,25 teams in the country. Also recall they return 4 starters from last years team that upset Notre Dame and played a great close game against Baylor.
If you can make a case for Butler that will counteract all of my points, I would love to hear them
Cannot even begin to counter all of your points. ODU is from an underrated conference, and are a tough out.
Butler buzzsawed through good teams from the ACC and PAC 10 (proving they could do weel in those leagues). Throw out the losses at DUKE and at Lousville as "good losses."
I think the ODU win over Xavier is impressive--while Butler loses by a deuce to them.
Again, very sad to have these two face each other in the 1st round--the fruits and benefits of power.
It would be better to see ODU face Mich State, and Butler face Penn State, or Villanova...or Clemson.
Right now in Pennsylvania, it's like this in the college bb world (leaving out several other good schools):
Temple > Villanova > Penn St
The only changes to this 'formula' in the last 10-20 years has been the positioning of Temple and Nova. Penn St has been tagging along in 3rd.
The slow down offense of Big Ten PSU will benefit Temple's designed tempo.
Established in 1995,
Seen Zags all yr luck runs out here
. kinda rooting for nova though as it seems all the talking heads are picking Mason.
Nice day dog wacha got for tmrw!!
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