BigTurn wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 2:32 pmHow about cuse then? Duke just blew their doors off 2 nights ago. If dukes out, then cuse has to go tooFinster wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 2:11 pmHGK wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 1:05 pmSo eye test is now what % of the criteria?coda wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 12:57 pmThe issue with the ACC is ceiling and floors. Duke has been up and done all year, but when they play their best, there maybe only 1 team in the country that can match that. Virginia is similar. As much as I want to leave UVa out for losing 4 straight, I still know they are one of a few teams that can win it all. You can say that for all 4 of the ACC teams. I don’t think you say that for the Big 10 or any other conferenceFinster wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 12:44 pmcoda wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 9:31 amI am a Michigan fan..Finster wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 9:07 amcoda wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 8:50 amI agree 100%. There is something distasteful about UVa getting in losing 4 straight, but you can understand them getting in. Mostly because the individual talent is so good. They are a threat. Maryland is not a threatFinster wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 8:46 amLaxDownUnder wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 8:12 amI don't see the case for UVA either. If anything, they're one of the few teams I feel has shown that they can't beat the top teams in the country.Ozstriker wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 7:57 am Tell me again why UVA is such an automatic? Yea, I get the RPI, but don’t you at least have to win some of those games, and not just play them? Wins against umd (do we know what they are , btw, from a quality perspective?), Harvard (didn’t make the Ivy tourney) and Mich (who before the Big10 tourney, hadn’t beaten anyone). 1-4 in ACC and have lost 4 straight.
Imagine what their RPI would be if they actually beat someone in the Top 10, and not just played them….
Unfortunately for the bubble teams, they're also in a cushy position in the ACC where they can just lean on the RPI formula and fail upwards to a bid (and probably a seed).
Disregarding RPI and SOS, my eye test says Virginia belongs but Maryland doesn’t. Unless McNaney plays on his head, Maryland will just lose their first round game anyway; I’d give that slot to a team that plays to win.
Two other issues: ND has nothing to play for today while Duke might catapult to #2, amazingly. Yet ND plays with pride, so if you’re a Blue Devil, I wouldn’t count your chickens just yet.
Finally, how is Breschi on the committee? You think he’ll easily roll over for a deserving team over Tillman’s team, or Tiffany’s? These guys are friends. I’d rather nominate four Fanlax posters to be the committee. Not even kidding. JoeWillie, wgdsr, Wheels, Keno, and Blue Angel (and a few more in forgetting) seem to know strengths and weaknesses here better than Inside Lacrosse or any other pollster.
If ever there were a year to open up the tournament to others, this is that year. And if left to me, I’d be darn certain to throw a curveball at ND for their first game, giving them an unknown like St Joseph’s.
Also I would put you on the committee too, Coda; I have no idea who you root for.
Roger that.
Duke’s performance today makes me want to limit the ACC representation in the NCAA tournament. The same goes for Maryland and the B1G.
Reward hungry scrappy teams.
My eye test now says don’t invite Duke either.
Obviously I’m kidding (sort of), but underperformance drives me crazy in life. The teams which I feel are underperforming to the point I wish they’d be penalized for the tournament are Duke and Maryland. I see zero hunger.
I’m watching the Princeton Penn game. I’d give Penn credit for clawing their way back. That’s hunger. Duke is just lying down today. Embarrassing.
My issue with Duke has nothing to do with their wins or losses; it’s about their heart. Naso doesn’t start today, and it feels like the team today just laid down after seeing the first few ND goals.
Duke has arguably the best attack in the country, a great defender in Bower, talent all over the field. But when they go down a few, it’s like there is a collective resignation to losing. I can’t stand it. And I’m not a Duke supporter. I can only imagine how the coaches and fans feel.
Maybe they’re saving it up for the tournament? Either that or they have questionable team character.