My name is Seedy K, and I am most assuredly a hoopaholic.
I realized how my addiction had taken hold this Monday morning, when I was on the SoCon Network, watching a video interview with Samford AD Martin Newton, who is vice chair of the tournament selection committee.
After reviewing a run down of all the weekend’s games at Field of 68. Checking out the NCAA NET Rankings, Bart Torvik (whose rankings are now part of the selection data considered), Evan Miya and Ken Pomeroy, whose metrics are also officially
considered.
Also I tripped to Bracket Matrix, which is a compilation of projected fields by the so-called bracketologists.
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Here’s where the Louisville Cardinals currently stand analytically. Alongside Virginia, Tuesday night’s foe, because of Rule #1: You Only Play Whom You Play.
NET: Louisville 18, UVa 16.
Torvik: Louisville 17, UVa 12.
Miya: Louisville 18, UVa 14.
Pomeroy: Louisville 16, UVa 15.
So, for all of you Cardinal diehards with an opinion who have a life outside of this, and don’t pay as much attention, the Cavaliers have better metrics, and beating them is far from an “oughta be.”
Tis a telling and important tilt, I’d opine.
No update yet on Ryan Conwell’s situation. Monday morning, Pat Kelsey’s prevarication would seem to indicate that Mikel Brown’s return is not imminent. London Johnson’s participation Tuesday?
Louisville’s four that follow Virgainia. At Pitt. Virginia Tech. At Duke. Southern Methodist.
Winning four of the next five would be heartening, calming. Nice.
Also hard to fathom without Conwell and Brown.
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One takeaway from that Newton interview is that the committee does factor injuries when assessing schools.
As well as roster make up. So, if Johnson plays and is a plus factor, that would also bode well.
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Newton also mentioned that “Wins Above Bubble” is a new metric that shall be considered.
Not sure I really understand it other than, something like how much better is a team’s record than one on the bubble’s would be with same schedule?
Something like that.
There are 37 at large bids in field of 68.
U of L is currently #18, IU and UK are a double bubble, at 34 and 35. Cards beat them both.
What does it mean, Mr. Science?
Here’s what I know, the best metric. WINS!!!!!!!!!!
And hoping for success of all the teams you’ve played. Yes, even the Wildcats.
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Newton also talked about balancing the eye test with metrics, and how both factor in for the 12 committee members.
And that the league tourney results are not as big a factor as is generally believed.
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One of the recurring topics of my relentless ongoing conversations with fellow Cardinal fans is our universal hope that PK will institute more post ups. Not only with Fru, but also Rooths, Hadley and on occasion even Khalifa, who could reverse the ball to open guys on the perimeter.
To that end, I present the team in the land with the highest post up scoring is Arizona at 10.3 ppg.
They rank either #1 or #2 in every ranking worthwhile.
Just sayin’
— c d kaplan
