Assuming the predictions are accurate: NINE(?!?!) from the Big 12 make the tourney? Add 7 from the SEC and that's nearly a quarter of the whole field. Why does the NCAA insist on rewarding some teams with 13-14 losses at the expense of others with much, much better records--and who also have an impressive OOC win or two to their credit.
The Sun Belt is a particularly good example this year. Not once was James Madison even on the chart, even the bubble, once App State rose to the top of the standings and held down the "AQ" spot for the Sun Belt. They'd been ranked--rightly--for some time as they reeled off a long winning streak to start the season, including their season-opener at Michigan State. Now, App State, having not won the SB tourney, has vanished from Bracketology. Despite 27 wins. Including Auburn.
So, either a JMU team with only 3 losses, or an App State with only 5--or both--can just be assumed to get no at-large consideration for a 68-team field. Because Sun Belt. Meanwhile, middling teams from power conferences can pile up the losses, even late in the season, go 8-10 in-conference, and still squeak in.
IMO, the portal is making the pooling of talent way more fluid from one year to the next, and the presumption that teams from certain conferences shall not earn an at-large pick just doesn't hold up anymore.
Anyway, preaching to the choir I suppose. Just something to talk about while waiting for the fun to happen.
The Sun Belt is a particularly good example this year. Not once was James Madison even on the chart, even the bubble, once App State rose to the top of the standings and held down the "AQ" spot for the Sun Belt. They'd been ranked--rightly--for some time as they reeled off a long winning streak to start the season, including their season-opener at Michigan State. Now, App State, having not won the SB tourney, has vanished from Bracketology. Despite 27 wins. Including Auburn.
So, either a JMU team with only 3 losses, or an App State with only 5--or both--can just be assumed to get no at-large consideration for a 68-team field. Because Sun Belt. Meanwhile, middling teams from power conferences can pile up the losses, even late in the season, go 8-10 in-conference, and still squeak in.
IMO, the portal is making the pooling of talent way more fluid from one year to the next, and the presumption that teams from certain conferences shall not earn an at-large pick just doesn't hold up anymore.
Anyway, preaching to the choir I suppose. Just something to talk about while waiting for the fun to happen.
