MARCH ALREADY FULL OF MADNESS
When does March Madness officially begin? To each their own. It’s a subjective argument. Most, I’m sure believe it begins during the First Four, if not by Round of 64 of the NCAA Tournament. Others, like me, believe it begins when the Mid-Major and Mid-Minor conference tournaments begin. This year, that was late February.
Believe it or not, there already have been quite a few of hidden storylines to the casual viewer in what would be considered a “March Madness upset”.
Seeding vs. Ranking. Seeding is the slot determined by your conference winning percentage. It does not take in consideration any of your non-conference games, location of games, players available, style of play, efficiency ratings, etc. For conference tournaments, sometimes seedings can be viewed as misleading. Different teams play different non-conference opponents. Some, obviously, play much higher quality non-conference opponents.
And this year, teams are not playing the same number of games. Either because they or their opponents have been put on hiatus with COVID still lurking around.
Rankings, take in consideration of all of the above. This year, it’s a little more honest feel of how a team is really doing. NET Rankings (official name) is what the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee uses to help evaluate uncommon data. Its not the be-all, end-all, if you are ranked X, you are guaranteed an at-large bid. But, the NCAA Tournament Committee gets it right, way more years than not.
The Selection Committee will not be given a “free pass” for this year’s tournament nor should they. Instead, since everyone’s schedule has been mess up, they will only evaluate for what each and every team did while actively playing. Which is the way it should be.
Already in Conference Tournament play, we have seen quite a few number of upsets and I will explain.
HORIZON LEAGUE – In the Horizon League, Wright State was their #2 seed. BUT, their NET Rankings was 68 (at the time) while #1 seed Cleveland State remains in the 160’s. Wright State, on paper, would be the strongest team coming from the Horizon League. Well, that’s the beauty behind the system folk, sure enough, enters March Madness. The 7-seeded Milwaukee Panthers won on Wright State’s floor.
AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE – Both the #1 seed UMBC Terriers (the same team who as a 16-seed upset Virginia in 2018) and the 2-seed, Vermont Catamounts exited stage left of their conference tournament. Now, Hartford and U Mass Lowell will decide the representative for the America East Conference.
OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE – Belmont came in as not only the conference’s 1-seed, but if things broke correctly, could get a seeding above the 12-line. Instead, Morehead State’s high energy and efficient offense came in and shot the lights out against the Bruins. Morehead State will find themselves most likely on the 13-line and circle that name. The Eagles could easily defeat a 4-seed who gets caught looking ahead.
SUN BELT CONFERENCE – In the Sun Belt Conference, it is now Georgia State’s tournament to win. In a season full of “no, I don’t want to be ranked first, you win”, the Panthers are one win away from clinching a birth in the NCAA Tournament. They can thank Appalachian State, their opponents for that. The Mountaineers disposed of the 1-seed Texas State Bobcats and the 2-seed Coastal Carolina Chanticleers on consecutive nights.
Some will argue this lessens or weakens the field of 68. I on the other hand, tend to disagree. This is the beauty behind March Madness and why it has earned this perfect nickname. Not only do crazy upsets occur in the National Championship Tournament, but these conference tournaments, as well. Every team is given something called – HOPE. And that my friends, is a very dangerous weapon.
Next week when the championship tournament begins, the weapon of hope will be used throughout. Schools like Morehead State and Winthrop will use it effectively. As well as “lower seeded” schools such as Michigan State and possibly Ole Miss.
The beauty behind the entire craziness of March Madness is allowing these situations a chance to take place. Those that predict it, brag for hours that they got that game right on their 12th entry office pool sheet. The rest of us take our red markers and place the X accordingly. Then, from there on out, root for the lower seeds to continue to surprise.
This week the “Power 6” Conference tournaments begin. Don’t be the least bit surprised when schools not ranked number one in their conference pull off an upset or two, like Connecticut, Oregon or Oklahoma State.
Selection Sunday is this weekend (actually on Sunday. Shocking, I know.) Its going to be an awesome ride to get us there and then the real Madness will ensue. Enjoy the ride!
Believe it or not, there already have been quite a few of hidden storylines to the casual viewer in what would be considered a “March Madness upset”.
Seeding vs. Ranking. Seeding is the slot determined by your conference winning percentage. It does not take in consideration any of your non-conference games, location of games, players available, style of play, efficiency ratings, etc. For conference tournaments, sometimes seedings can be viewed as misleading. Different teams play different non-conference opponents. Some, obviously, play much higher quality non-conference opponents.
And this year, teams are not playing the same number of games. Either because they or their opponents have been put on hiatus with COVID still lurking around.
Rankings, take in consideration of all of the above. This year, it’s a little more honest feel of how a team is really doing. NET Rankings (official name) is what the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee uses to help evaluate uncommon data. Its not the be-all, end-all, if you are ranked X, you are guaranteed an at-large bid. But, the NCAA Tournament Committee gets it right, way more years than not.
The Selection Committee will not be given a “free pass” for this year’s tournament nor should they. Instead, since everyone’s schedule has been mess up, they will only evaluate for what each and every team did while actively playing. Which is the way it should be.
Already in Conference Tournament play, we have seen quite a few number of upsets and I will explain.
HORIZON LEAGUE – In the Horizon League, Wright State was their #2 seed. BUT, their NET Rankings was 68 (at the time) while #1 seed Cleveland State remains in the 160’s. Wright State, on paper, would be the strongest team coming from the Horizon League. Well, that’s the beauty behind the system folk, sure enough, enters March Madness. The 7-seeded Milwaukee Panthers won on Wright State’s floor.
AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE – Both the #1 seed UMBC Terriers (the same team who as a 16-seed upset Virginia in 2018) and the 2-seed, Vermont Catamounts exited stage left of their conference tournament. Now, Hartford and U Mass Lowell will decide the representative for the America East Conference.
OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE – Belmont came in as not only the conference’s 1-seed, but if things broke correctly, could get a seeding above the 12-line. Instead, Morehead State’s high energy and efficient offense came in and shot the lights out against the Bruins. Morehead State will find themselves most likely on the 13-line and circle that name. The Eagles could easily defeat a 4-seed who gets caught looking ahead.
SUN BELT CONFERENCE – In the Sun Belt Conference, it is now Georgia State’s tournament to win. In a season full of “no, I don’t want to be ranked first, you win”, the Panthers are one win away from clinching a birth in the NCAA Tournament. They can thank Appalachian State, their opponents for that. The Mountaineers disposed of the 1-seed Texas State Bobcats and the 2-seed Coastal Carolina Chanticleers on consecutive nights.
Some will argue this lessens or weakens the field of 68. I on the other hand, tend to disagree. This is the beauty behind March Madness and why it has earned this perfect nickname. Not only do crazy upsets occur in the National Championship Tournament, but these conference tournaments, as well. Every team is given something called – HOPE. And that my friends, is a very dangerous weapon.
Next week when the championship tournament begins, the weapon of hope will be used throughout. Schools like Morehead State and Winthrop will use it effectively. As well as “lower seeded” schools such as Michigan State and possibly Ole Miss.
The beauty behind the entire craziness of March Madness is allowing these situations a chance to take place. Those that predict it, brag for hours that they got that game right on their 12th entry office pool sheet. The rest of us take our red markers and place the X accordingly. Then, from there on out, root for the lower seeds to continue to surprise.
This week the “Power 6” Conference tournaments begin. Don’t be the least bit surprised when schools not ranked number one in their conference pull off an upset or two, like Connecticut, Oregon or Oklahoma State.
Selection Sunday is this weekend (actually on Sunday. Shocking, I know.) Its going to be an awesome ride to get us there and then the real Madness will ensue. Enjoy the ride!