Bracketology - 1/16/24

[BRS24]

UConn up to a 2 seed. Welcome back FSU, Adieu Indiana.

Per CC - "Head-to-head isn't more or less important than any of the other 13 criteria the selection committee uses to evaluate teams. However, when other factors are equal or essentially equal, head-to-head must be applied. The committee has been consistent about this over the past few seasons. That's why NC State, not Colorado, is the final No. 1 seed. The resumes are virtually identical, and the Wolfpack blitzed the Buffaloes on a neutral court in late November. Yes, Colorado had a big weekend and NC State was idle, but it's an evaluation of the resume, not a three-day snapshot. It's the same reason Baylor remains seeded higher than Texas. The Bears have dropped after two losses, but because the Horns also lost this weekend and Baylor has a win in Austin, the Bears are a 3-seed and Texas is a 4, although they're separated by just two spots on the S-curve."

 

[EricSD]

UConn as a 2 seed is correct. But in Portland and not Albany? ROFL. Zero chance that happens.

 

[Huskee11]

When all is said and done we will be a 2 seed in Albany in the Iowa bracket.

Now that will be fun!

 

[Plebe]

Would folks rather be the 2 seed in SC's bracket in Albany or the 2 seed in a different team's bracket in Portland?

 

[Bone Dog]

From the point of view of the committee, Portland or Albany might come down to whether they prefer an Elite Eight or Final Four game between UConn and SC or UCLA. We'll have played each of them, so the idea of one or the other rematch may seem very attractive. But this would only matter if UConn has emerged as a top 4 team by then. That is, if the current NET ranking holds.

Also, the story of the wounded program recovering from staggering injuries to knock off one or both of the two giants could make for "must see television." Two seasons ago, when Paige re-emerged in the end -- held together practically by the proverbial duct tape and baling wire -- and led her Huskies against three giants one after another, NC St, Stanford, and SC, that was riveting television.

 

[Rowdy831]

Why would they send USC to the East Coast and UConn to the West Coast? Both programs bring in the fans but not at that distance so I would doubt as good as these two are that they would be sent off like that. With that said if every thing else was the same I think I would want to play South Carolina in the very last game so whatever bracket makes that happen would be a good bracket.

 

[Plebe]

From the point of view of the committee, Portland or Albany might come down to whether they prefer an Elite Eight or Final Four game between UConn and SC or UCLA. We'll have played each of them, so the idea of one or the other rematch may seem very attractive. But this would only matter if UConn has emerged as a top 4 team by then. That is, if the current NET ranking holds.

Also, the story of the wounded program recovering from staggering injuries to knock off one or both of the two giants could make for "must see television." Two seasons ago, when Paige re-emerged in the end -- held together practically by the proverbial duct tape and baling wire -- and led her Huskies against three giants one after another, NC St, Stanford, and SC, that was riveting television.

The committee doesn't base its bracketing decisions on the perceived “attractiveness” of potential matchups.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

The committee doesn't base its bracketing decisions on the perceived “attractiveness” of potential matchups.

They aren't supposed to but the definitely do, on both mens and women's side.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

From the point of view of the committee, Portland or Albany might come down to whether they prefer an Elite Eight or Final Four game between UConn and SC or UCLA. We'll have played each of them, so the idea of one or the other rematch may seem very attractive. But this would only matter if UConn has emerged as a top 4 team by then. That is, if the current NET ranking holds.

Also, the story of the wounded program recovering from staggering injuries to knock off one or both of the two giants could make for "must see television." Two seasons ago, when Paige re-emerged in the end -- held together practically by the proverbial duct tape and baling wire -- and led her Huskies against three giants one after another, NC St, Stanford, and SC, that was riveting television.

I think Paige vs Caitlin is the better narrative the committee will be using for seeding. I don't really think there'd be much national interest for UCLA vs UConn nor South Carolina vs UConn (its not a real rivalry like Tennessee or Notre Dame imo) for non women's basketball fans that it would impact seeding. So its whether they are our 1 seed or us theirs if fortunes drastically change in the next month and a half, imo. Match ups that I think the committee would be interested enough into consider seeding around all Iowa based imo since Caitlin is definitely going to be the story of the tournament. So: Iowa/South Carolina, Iowa/USC, Iowa/LSU, Iowa/UConn i think would be the most compelling TV opps.

 

[Plebe]

They aren't supposed to but the definitely do, on both mens and women's side.

Any evidence for this?

 

[visitingcock]

Dang. Albany 1 is the Region of the Giants:

Cordosa, Brink, Lee and Kitley on one region?

 

[visitingcock]

I think Paige vs Caitlin is the better narrative the committee will be using for seeding. I don't really think there'd be much national interest for UCLA vs UConn nor South Carolina vs UConn (its not a real rivalry like Tennessee or Notre Dame imo) for non women's basketball fans that it would impact seeding. So its whether they are our 1 seed or us theirs if fortunes drastically change in the next month and a half, imo. Match ups that I think the committee would be interested enough into consider seeding around all Iowa based imo since Caitlin is definitely going to be the story of the tournament. So: Iowa/South Carolina, Iowa/USC, Iowa/LSU, Iowa/UConn i think would be the most compelling TV opps.

So, that's what you really think of us.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

So, that's what you really think of us.

There just isn't really any bad blood between the two programs or schools where if you lose you want to die afterwards, even a regular season game. Nothing can really replace the Tennessee rivalry in the early aughts and the fire that went into it from both schools but Notre Dame comes very very very close to me. South Carolina is more like Stanford, only "rivals" because both schools are good and compete for championships and recruits. And i think the lack of passion between the two schools results in luke warm national interest. Though I do hope the match-up is a college game day feature this year since ESPN is covering it again.

 

[visitingcock]

There just isn't really any bad blood between the two programs or schools where if you lose you want to die afterwards, even a regular season game. Nothing can really replace the Tennessee rivalry in the early aughts and the fire that went into it from both schools but Notre Dame comes very very very close to me. South Carolina is more like Stanford, only "rivals" because both schools are good and compete for championships and recruits. And i think the lack of passion between the two schools results in luke warm national interest. Though I do hope the match-up is a college game day feature this year since ESPN is covering it again.

If it doesn't draw much, it will be because ESPN uses the worthless AP ranking in promoting upcoming games..

Assuming we both win out (pretty big assumption. Not sure we can beat LSU in Baton Rouge) it should be promoted as NET 1 vs 2 as the NET currently ranks them.

And I hope the annual match stays respectful and continuous for my lifetime.

 

[jpp13]

If it doesn't draw much, it will be because ESPN uses the worthless AP ranking in promoting upcoming games..

Assuming we both win out (pretty big assumption. Not sure we can beat LSU in Baton Rouge) it should be promoted as NET 1 vs 2 as the NET currently ranks them.

UConn’s only 4th in the NET though

 

[TN-Gamecock]

I think Paige vs Caitlin is the better narrative the committee will be using for seeding. I don't really think there'd be much national interest for UCLA vs UConn nor South Carolina vs UConn (its not a real rivalry like Tennessee or Notre Dame imo) for non women's basketball fans that it would impact seeding. So its whether they are our 1 seed or us theirs if fortunes drastically change in the next month and a half, imo. Match ups that I think the committee would be interested enough into consider seeding around all Iowa based imo since Caitlin is definitely going to be the story of the tournament. So: Iowa/South Carolina, Iowa/USC, Iowa/LSU, Iowa/UConn i think would be the most compelling TV opps.

Iowa/Carolina would be the biggest draw...they beat us last year and I think the players and Dawn want a rematch. Catlin is America's sweetheart. To see her tame the beast is what will draw viewers, imo...

I do like the idea of Paige/Catlin matchup as well!!! Catlin is the biggest star in women's college basketball!!

 

[TC22]

One thing to watch in the brackets is that the committee does try to keep the Top teams in a conference away from each other as long as they can in the post season. For instance they aren’t going to put SC and LSU in the same bracket. My bigger point is with the PAC having so many top teams, they will be flying all over the US to play in the Regionals which makes USC coming to the East coast make sense.

 

[Bigboote]

In Creme's scenario, the problem with placing UConn in Albany is that there are four PAC teams as one or two seeds. I very much doubt this will happen in March, and I'd be surprised if UConn wasn't in Albany.

EYA: cross-posted with TC22.

 

[oldhusky]

Dang. Albany 1 is the Region of the Giants:

Cordosa, Brink, Lee and Kitley on one region?

So maybe Portand wouldn't be so bad for a 4 guard lineup! Ha!

 

[darrell]

Put us in Iowa’s region in Albany.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Iowa/Carolina would be the biggest draw...they beat us last year and I think the players and Dawn want a rematch. Catlin is America's sweetheart. To see her tame the beast is what will draw viewers, imo...

I do like the idea of Paige/Catlin matchup as well!!! Catlin is the biggest star in women's college basketball!!

I think Iowa/LSU would still be the biggest match up imo. LSU, Caitlin, and Juju are the biggest stories in WBB right now. Any combination of those three would be big draws right now imo.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

If it doesn't draw much, it will be because ESPN uses the worthless AP ranking in promoting upcoming games..

Assuming we both win out (pretty big assumption. Not sure we can beat LSU in Baton Rouge) it should be promoted as NET 1 vs 2 as the NET currently ranks them.

And I hope the annual match stays respectful and continuous for my lifetime.

Agreed. I don't think my heart could take another rivalry like Tennessee and Notre Dame. True hatred flowed through my veins for those games.

 

[Plebe]

They aren't supposed to but the definitely do, on both mens and women's side.

Any evidence for this?

Still waiting on the evidence to back this assertion.

 

[DefenseBB]

UConn as a 2 seed is correct. But in Portland and not Albany? ROFL. Zero chance that happens.

I mean the only reason Albany sold out is all of us UConn fans have bought those tickets. Be ready for an all out revolt if they put UConn in Portland when they could easily put them in one of the 2 regions assigned to Albany. I guess if the committee does give us the short end of the stick, I could resell them for a profit to the SC fans…
photo after the bracket release with UConn in Portland….

 

[DefenseBB]

The committee is to seed on an “S” curve with the allowance to move a team up or down 1 or 2 spots to avoid conference opponents until the Elite 8 round, if possible. They have quietly tweaked region assignments to ensure a local team is at that venue to sell more tickets but they have not specifically “planned” games. With the depth of teams finally emerging in WCBB, it certainly can give the appearance of chosen matchups but, don’t give the committee too much credit, they simply are not that strategic. Most of the battles and efforts come in ensuring P5 schools are getting in.

 

[TheFarmFan]

So, that's what you really think of us.

I mean, they have a point: is it a real rivalry if one team has beaten the other 4 out of the last 5 times, with the one win a squeaker in overtime?

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

The NCAA seeding committee for WCBB is all about the profit margin and big money says keeping the best teams close to home draws the BIG BUCKS!
USC in Albany and UCONN in Portland will not draw the same as the other way around!
Bet the ranch!

 

[UConnCat]

I mean, they have a point: is it a real rivalry if one team has beaten the other 4 out of the last 5 times, with the one win a squeaker in overtime?

And if the other beat that one team 8 straight before the other team finally won a game? I say no.

 

[TheFarmFan]

There just isn't really any bad blood between the two programs or schools where if you lose you want to die afterwards, even a regular season game. Nothing can really replace the Tennessee rivalry in the early aughts and the fire that went into it from both schools but Notre Dame comes very very very close to me. South Carolina is more like Stanford, only "rivals" because both schools are good and compete for championships and recruits. And i think the lack of passion between the two schools results in luke warm national interest. Though I do hope the match-up is a college game day feature this year since ESPN is covering it again.

Part of the challenge is that the UConn, SCAR, and Stanford teams/coaches/players are quite likable, so it's hard to get too fired up. Whereas Tennessee and Notre Dame... (less so Notre Dame these days, but back in the MM/Arike era)

 

[Brewski]

I want to be wherever Iowa is seeded. Our "little team that could" matches up best with them. Paige beats Clark, and the rest of our team beats the rest of their team. Simple.