Concerns about Selection Sunday

[visitingcock]

If they are really smart, they would arrange it so Iowa and UCONN play in the Semis and potentially Stanford and SC in the other Semis. The TV audience would be record making.

Nope. You have two rematches in the Final Four. They would not want that.

SCar v Iowa and UConn v. Stanford would have huge viewership. As would a SCar or UConn elite 8 match against Indiana. Not so sure Stanford vs Indiana would draw as much interest.

 

[Hist-teacher]

I'm fine with being the top #2 seed in Iowa's bracket. Motivation and an opportunity to play a team we've already beaten. On top of that we wouldn't meet SC in the National Semi!

 

[HuskyNan]

For those who want a boiled down version of the of how the selection committee evaluates teams, this is from the NCAA's site:

Criteria used by the Division I Women’s Basketball Committee to evaluate a team includes (alphabetically):

• Availability of talent (injured or unavailable players)
• Bad losses
• Common opponents
• Competitive in losses
• Conference record
• Early competition versus late competition
• Head-to-head outcomes
• NET ranking
• Non-conference record
• Observable component
• Overall record
• Regional Advisory Committee region rankings
• Significant wins
• Strength of schedule

Throw it all into a blender, mix it up, then add personal bias... LOL (this last is my comment)
UConn is currently #2 in the NET. LSU is #3, which gives me some concern over the accuracy of the NET.

I guess “observable component“ is the formal name for eye test

 

[boontonbomber]

Forego, THIS is what the Boneyard likes to do. We like to piss, whine, moan, and complain about anything we think is not right, is unfair to us, or excludes or disrespects us. We're spoiled. That's who we are. Just as wealthy people are ok with living like they're rich, We're ok with complaining. Don't forget, this is our forum. We're complaining to each other, not to other fan bases' chatrooms/boards. We could win the national championship, and there would still be a few negative comments about how the team or various players played.

Wish I could give this 2 "likes"; oh, I can, "like","like" !!

 

[boontonbomber]

JellyBean- - -The Selection show is 8pm to 9pm on ESPN and the discussion of the brackets show is 9pm to 10pm on ESPN2!

Sounds like more than enough time, Coach.

 

[boontonbomber]

The best team in the Finals will but there are a lot of factors that affect that game that are the result of seedings. For example, the difficulty of games before the FF, the day you play the Elite 8 game( we had one day less rest than SC did going in), and travel vs. home games (like SC this year). It isn't exactly a perfectly balanced event.

Never is, never will be. The whole season is affected by these things. It's an imperfect sports world, which is why they play the games and see who wins.

 

[BBallF]

Never is, never will be. The whole season is affected by these things. It's an imperfect sports world, which is why they play the games and see who wins.

Which is why I don't think that "go out and play the game" is the only accurate reductive statement when you talk about the NCAA. Do we lose to Marquette this year if we didn't have SC on Feb 5 and Marquette away on Feb 8? Or to both ND and Md. away on Sundays early following home games Friday night? I thought the scheduling this year was actually adversarial in nature and while it is always a factor it was especially disadvantageous with a depleted lineup.

For the Big Dance, the point is that equity is the goal, a fair contest without advantages to one party or the other in the NCAA, since that is their motto. It's not about excuses, it's about understanding how factors that are outside of the control of the teams affect basketball. We have the first two games in Storrs but the Regionals are in Greenville, SC. Let's see how many complaints there are about Storrs and how few there are about Greenville.

 

[diggerfoot]

This is more a general comment on the flaw in many conspiracy theories. They are often based upon the improbability of something happening, but over a period of time the improbable becomes probable.

For example, I remember the time BYers suspected bias in the placing of the best teams with male coaches in the same regional. Let us say there is only a 10% chance of that happening randomly for a particular year, or a 90% chance that it should not happen. Over a period of 22 years that becomes flipped, according to probability there is only a 10% chance that the seemingly conspiratorial event would never happen within that time frame, a 90% chance that it will happen once.

But the realities of extended probabilities are not such to discourage a worked up grievance.

 

[boontonbomber]

Which is why I don't think that "go out and play the game" is the only accurate reductive statement when you talk about the NCAA. Do we lose to Marquette this year if we didn't have SC on Feb 5 and Marquette away on Feb 8? Or to both ND and Md. away on Sundays early following home games Friday night? I thought the scheduling this year was actually adversarial in nature and while it is always a factor it was especially disadvantageous with a depleted lineup.

For the Big Dance, the point is that equity is the goal, a fair contest without advantages to one party or the other in the NCAA, since that is their motto. It's not about excuses, it's about understanding how factors that are outside of the control of the teams affect basketball. We have the first two games in Storrs but the Regionals are in Greenville, SC. Let's see how many complaints there are about Storrs and how few there are about Greenville.

The reality is that the goals of equity and fairness are a fool's folly, especially when an NCAA committee is involved. For me it does come down to playing the games, for just that reason. You have to be a rather biased fan if you think UConn is the only team that dealt with injuries, fatigue, and scheduling. Go ahead and attempt to consider all the factors, if that excites you. For me, strap on your sneakers, and play the games.

 

[hoopsfan22]

To save the best game of the year for the last!

Who says UConn-South Carolina is the best game of the year?

 

[Tonyc]

You know what? As good as I believe UConn is going into the NCAAs I dont think they can be beat. We have everything. As good as SC has been theyve also been healthy. We are getting back to healthy now. The key is staying healthy.

 

[Biff]

I have to say that the suggestions that the NCAA is somehow biased against UConn when it comes to seeding just doesn’t hold water. UConn has been a #1 or #2 seed for as long as I can remember. Covid canceled the tournament in 2020 and moved all the regionals to San Antonio in 2021.

Sorry. I can't read that phrase without this flashing through my head.

 

[CL82]

Boy, everyone out with their arguments against UConn not really being a #1, and once the tournament starts all the officials picking on UConn. Poor UConn! How do we possibly have any chance without a #1 seed and fair officiating? Geez, cut the drama, just go out and play the games already. The best team will probably win in the end.

Did anyone else picture Boonton like this?

 

[MSGRET]

What PO's me is that many of the Big 5 teams get in because they are part of one of those conferences. Any team that does not have a winning record in their respective conference should not get in, that includes going 9-9 in a conference, unless they win their conference tournament. I also believe that the regular season conference champions should get in if they lost in the conference tournament. There are some good teams that don't make it because too many teams from the Big 5 are included, maybe limit the conference to no more than 6 teams. There are some better teams in other non Big 5 conferences that don't get in, versus the 7th, 8th, or 9th team in a Big 5.

 

[CaliHuskyFan]

I have to say that the suggestions that the NCAA is somehow biased against UConn when it comes to seeding just doesn’t hold water. UConn has been a #1 or #2 seed for as long as I can remember. Covid canceled the tournament in 2020 and moved all the regionals to San Antonio in 2021.

Other than those two seasons, UConn has been able to play every regional from 2015 to 2022 at the friendly confines of either the Times-Union Center in Albany, NY or Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT, in front of large, loud, pro-UConn crowds. If anyone had reason to complain about seeding, it would have been NC State who battled the Huskies through 2 OT’s in the Elite 8 game last year in Bridgeport.

With the NCAA trying out a new “2 regional site” format this year and for the foreseeable future, assuming UConn takes care of business in the 1st two rounds, the Huskies will hit the road to either Greenville, or Seattle. The last time that happened during a normal tournament was 2014, when the Huskies ended up in Lincoln, NE. OH by the way, UConn won it all that year.

Next year the regionals will be back at the Times-Union Center in Albany, NY. I expect to be there along with approximately 17,500 enthusiastic, predominantly pro-UConn Husky fans.

NC State, yes. And how about Jose Fernandez? In Charlie's last prediction, he has South Florida in Storrs on the opening weekend - have we seen this before?!

 

[ctkaiser]

"Observable" component: the eye test.

Eye test I understand. Observable component sounds like somebody creating a harder SAT question.

 

[BRS24]

What PO's me is that many of the Big 5 teams get in because they are part of one of those conferences. Any team that does not have a winning record in their respective conference should not get in, that includes going 9-9 in a conference, unless they win their conference tournament. I also believe that the regular season conference champions should get in if they lost in the conference tournament. There are some good teams that don't make it because too many teams from the Big 5 are included, maybe limit the conference to no more than 6 teams. There are some better teams in other non Big 5 conferences that don't get in, versus the 7th, 8th, or 9th team in a Big 5.

Exactly this. What is being rewarded - working hard to win the conference, or getting hot during the conf tourney? A team could have a great overall record, go undefeated in conference, and then one of the lower seeded teams with a mediocre record gets hot/lucky, and wins the conf tourney. Now what? Depending on how the "experts" rank the conference and all the other stats used, that top team might not get a bid. The conf tourneys are partly there for income, and for some, to give >1 team a chance at the big dance. It would be fascinating to see a bracket with regular season champs as AQs, then what fills in afterwards.

 

[MSGRET]

So far today all of the lower seeded teams have won their conference championship against their conference regular season champion.

 

[oldude]

NC State, yes. And how about Jose Fernandez? In Charlie's last prediction, he has South Florida in Storrs on the opening weekend - have we seen this before?!

Well, if the weather is good, Jose can bring his clubs and get 9 holes in with Geno at his course….

 

[Zarathustra]

Funny how we look at seeding & brackets from an”elite” perspective.
There are so many teams who are first timers or otherwise not considered to have a legitimate chance of advancing too far.
But they jump at the chance to maybe fly across country to play a first round game against a heavily favored team on their home court.
Perhaps fly in and home the same day.
Whatever the ACTUAL brackets and pairing turn out to be, let’s have a little respect for whatever “cupcake” we draw first.
Chances are they will come to Storrs knowing they will be heavily outgunned in front of a hostile crowd.
But they will probably give it all they have even if it’s not enough at the final buzzer.
Whether the brackets are sensible or absurd, we have the talent & heart to be the last women standing.
If we can get & stay healthy, we can score & defend with anyone as long as we don’t succumb to the irrelevant noise & beat ourselves.
Geno has it exactly right.
Whoever UCONN draws and in whatever round, they have to win 6 games.
And they can’t win all 6 at one time.
Take care of business in game 1.
Then we can talk again.
Somebody, somewhere is going to be looking ahead or taking something for granted.
Then we’ll all be saying “WOW, can believe
(Fill in the blank) beat (fill in the blank)!?”
Best way to avoid that happening to the Huskies is to play EVERYONE like they are South Carolina.
IMHO

and.... if you look too far ahead you may find a UCF in the second round! Remember that 52 - 47 win??
NICE OVERVIEW by Inthepaint, thanks Z

 

[Zarathustra]

I guess “observable component“ is the formal name for eye test

Is the "eye test" the same as attempting the "greatest TV audience "??

 

[Rowdy831]

We all know the top 10 teams so really it comes down to who plays who before the Final Four. Tonight is really about listening to the "experts" explain why an Iowa team that got beat by 30 the last week of the season should jump 7 spots and be a 1 seed because they beat Ohio State. Why UCONN didn't get the same bump for thumping every team in the BET when they are obviously a different team with Azzi.

I think this will come down to SC and UCONN for the marbles. I also think either Stanford or VaTech will lose before the final weekend, heck maybe both of them.

 

[boontonbomber]

Did anyone else picture Boonton like this?

Probably! Except for the 20 likes .

 

[MSGRET]

Well today all of the lower seeded teams took their conference championships. So will the committee reward some of the regular season conference winners or are they going to insist on putting 7 or 8 teams from the Big 5 in the tournament. If they go with the Big 5, I might just watch the NIT for some great basketball play in lieu of some team that went 10-8 or 9-9 in their respective conference.

 

[jcoton56]

Gotta wonder whats goin on. I read Charlies remarks and I have to wonder because for me its very confusing. How can teams struggle in the second half of the season and lose to unranked teams and be thought to be a 1 seed. Why are some teams considered a 1 seed because they won their conference tournament and not UConn? If injuries and returning players play a part in deciding rankings how much better does it get having Azzi and Caroline back? The teams that struggled down the stretch pretty much had their starters on the floor. UConn didnt until the BET and in the BET UConn showed us a different much improved team. The team that dominated the BET is similar to the team that started the season.

Im not sure if its me but I have to wonder if there are anti UConn people trying to sway the rankings and the NCAA pairings? I mention that because of the pairings UConn faced last season. UConn had the tuffest road to the FF and made the Final game. Another concern is how the games will be called. That one you can think about. For me its a concern.

I look at this UConn team now and with Azzi and Caroline back and hopefully Griff we are balanced on both sides of the ball with great outside shooters, with bigs underneath and altogether they can all create their own shot and shoot at a very high percentage from the floor and at the line. Will opponents be good enough to guard and stop UConn? Will defenses play physical and that physicality not be called fouls? If we need to make foul shots who is better then Azzi and Lou and UConn as a team.

For these reasons I cant see UConn losing unless they have injuries or in big time foul trouble.

If UConn faces SC I believe our outside shooting could make the difference. I say that thinking of LVille beating a very good Griner/Baylor team with their outside shooting. I believe UConn can put up alot more points then most teams they will face and because of that trying to defend UConn 5 on 5 would be very difficult. I am really looking forward to tomorrow nite. FWIW my 1 seeds are

SC
UConn
Indiana
Iowa

Well Tony with 4 hours to go I think there are 67 teams worried that they will be in line to play the UConn Huskies!

 

[Littlemin]

You know what? As good as I believe UConn is going into the NCAAs I dont think they can be beat.

With all due respect, Uconn can certainly be beat and can just as certainly beat anyone.

 

[socal613ws]

What PO's me is that many of the Big 5 teams get in because they are part of one of those conferences. Any team that does not have a winning record in their respective conference should not get in, that includes going 9-9 in a conference, unless they win their conference tournament. I also believe that the regular season conference champions should get in if they lost in the conference tournament. There are some good teams that don't make it because too many teams from the Big 5 are included, maybe limit the conference to no more than 6 teams. There are some better teams in other non Big 5 conferences that don't get in, versus the 7th, 8th, or 9th team in a Big 5.

it has always been like that, it's worse in the men's. A 30-4 team from the CUSA could lose their final and they would be in the NIT. Power 5's will always get the benefit of the doubt because it is harder to win vs those teams than a mid major. I don't consider the big east a mid major, but they get treated as one. If they didn't then a St John's team with the wins they have would be comfortably in instead of sweating out tonight the selection show.

 

[MSGRET]

it has always been like that, it's worse in the men's. A 30-4 team from the CUSA could lose their final and they would be in the NIT. Power 5's will always get the benefit of the doubt because it is harder to win vs those teams than a mid major. I don't consider the big east a mid major, but they get treated as one. If they didn't then a St John's team with the wins they have would be comfortably in instead of sweating out tonight the selection show.

So you get a team that plays a better out of conference schedule than a Big 5 team but is overlooked because they didn't win their tournament. At one time LSU had a SOS of over 300 and was in the mid 200's before conference play, yet they get rewarded with being a team hosting the first week of the tournament. Many of the middle of the road Big 5's won't play top mid majors because they don't want a loss that's not in conference.

 

[Centerstream]

Did anyone else picture Boonton like this?

I pictured this: (100% sarcasm and an attempt at humor)

 

[uconnfan68]

What PO's me is that many of the Big 5 teams get in because they are part of one of those conferences. Any team that does not have a winning record in their respective conference should not get in, that includes going 9-9 in a conference, unless they win their conference tournament. I also believe that the regular season conference champions should get in if they lost in the conference tournament. There are some good teams that don't make it because too many teams from the Big 5 are included, maybe limit the conference to no more than 6 teams. There are some better teams in other non Big 5 conferences that don't get in, versus the 7th, 8th, or 9th team in a Big 5.

UConn men won NC as 9-9 team.