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Topic: Time to strengthen NCAA tournament.

Topic: Time to strengthen NCAA tournament.

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CLBIGDOG
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Member Since: 8/3/2012
Post Count: 13

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Time to strengthen NCAA tournament.

Posted: 11/26/2012 10:45:14 AM

After analyzing the recipients of this year's NCAA D1 volleyball bids, I think it's safe to say that some of those teams really don't deserve to be in the tournament according to their RPI's. I think I have an idea that will strengthen the tournament. If they win their conference tournament, still give them a shot at the big dance, but I think that they should have to "play in" to get into the final 64. If conference tournament champions don't have an RPI of 64 or better, they should have to play teams that do, but who weren't automatic qualifiers. Then if they win their "play in' game, then I think they would certainly have an argument for inclusion. I'm certain the powers-that-be can figure out a way to make this a viable option. Let's face it folks, where's the drama in matching a #1 seed against a team with a 252 RPI? Time to create some more competitive first round games even if those games are play-in games. Nothing against Jackson State, but the highest RPI in their conference is 252. If anyone reading this has any ties with the NCAA volleyball committee, I'd appreciate it if you would forward this idea. Thanks.

JSF
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Member Since: 1/29/2005
Location: Houston, TX
Post Count: 6,418

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RE: Time to strengthen NCAA tournament.

Posted: 11/26/2012 11:39:19 AM

The biggest problem is the RPI. It's not a good metric for determining how good teams are. The tournament itself is fine. All conferences should be represented.

"Loyalty to a hometown or city is fleeting and interchangeable, but college is a stamp of identity."- Kyle Whelliston, One Beautiful Season.

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Bobcat Booster
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Member Since: 11/26/2011
Post Count: 76

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RE: Time to strengthen NCAA tournament.

Posted: 11/26/2012 12:35:54 PM

I agree completely with your comments re: the tournament and the RPI foundation. The Cats finished both '11 and '12 with a no. 52 RPI, but no at-large bid. The math does not add up. Last year OU was 10-1 down the stretch with a road win over Cincy (they had won the Big East tourney and were enjoying a 48 match home win streak) and this year the Cats record over the final 18 matches was 16-2 ... with a final win over an at-large Notre Dame team. Surely seems like the resume of an NCAA tournament team -- with a Sweet 16 trip in '05 and 1st round tournament wins in '09 and '10. Assumedly, OU was one of the last teams out in '11 and again this year. Seems unjust. Surely, a true committee would work through some of those issues, vs. relying solely on the RPI. Good luck to the Cats in '13 and beyond.

SpikeTown
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Member Since: 8/12/2010
Post Count: 81

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RE: Time to strengthen NCAA tournament.

Posted: 11/26/2012 1:35:39 PM

Its sad but this reality should inspire the team to improve. We did not win any ranked teams during the pre-season at all. I believe the committee was too busy to go over long history of 200 schools with ranking below 40, perhaps.

Radar
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Portsmouth, OH
Post Count: 142

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RE: Time to strengthen NCAA tournament.

Posted: 11/26/2012 2:23:03 PM

As imperfect as the RPI is/may be, it's not going anywhere soon (unless/until someone comes up with a better metric).

Bottom line: we need to keep playing (and winning a few against) ranked teams.

We had a pretty young team this year (as far as everyday contributors go), and they were thrown to the wolves right out of the gate. I would expect better results next year, with this year's experience now under their belt.

Bobcat Booster
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Member Since: 11/26/2011
Post Count: 76

Status: Offline

RE: Time to strengthen NCAA tournament.

Posted: 11/27/2012 2:53:22 PM

I agree re: tough scheduling ... next year should be a different story re: wins/losses early. Pepperdine, Illinois, Dayton, Kentucky and Oregon (4 nationally ranked teams + Illinois -- defending national runner-up) out of the box in 2012 -- not going to win many of those match-ups ... in most cases. Freshman setter and libero from the onset ... Followed by NC and NC St (both in the NCAA tourney) on the road -- you can do the math. Bobcats will be a handful next year!

Re: RPI, still would love to know the point-spread from one ranking position to another. For example, how many points (formula) does the no. 38 team have vs the no. 52 team? I am guessing not much of a spread -- and all the more reason for a "real" committee to look through the schedules, etc., vs relying solely on the RPI ... which appears to be the case over the past two seasons.

The NCAA is awash in cash $$$ .... surely they have the time and resources to evaluate the at-large teams vs using only a computer -- it means too much to the universities, the athletes and coaches. And I don't care what is said publicly, you can check the at-large entries for yourself and see where they come from ... RPI, RPI and more RPI rankings. Period. There is NO way a Notre Dame team on a 3 match losing streak should be selected over an up-and-coming Ohio team -- after losing to Ohio in a must-win match (just one example). 3 Missouri Valley Teams in? Why? Higher RPI's ... regardless of when the quality wins occurred (typically early in the season).

Done.

CLBIGDOG
General User

Member Since: 8/3/2012
Post Count: 13

Status: Offline

RE: Time to strengthen NCAA tournament.

Posted: 11/28/2012 10:45:27 AM

I have a few more thoughts to go with my initial submission. If the NCAA doesn't want to pay for the non qualifiers travel expenses, leave that expense up to the sub 64 RPI non qualifiers for the play-in games because I think they should have to travel to the qualifiers home courts at the very least. If they don't want to participate, they could still opt out giving a bye to whomever their opponent would be. As for how to pick who plays who, I think they should pair them up purely on geographical terms and make the non qualifiers travel to the closest venued school of the teams that did qualify but that don't have that 64 RPI or better. That would at least allow them to keep a reasonable lid on expenses. Make the non qualifiers earn that chance at the dance. Just food for thought. A guy can dream, can't he?

CLBIGDOG
General User

Member Since: 8/3/2012
Post Count: 13

Status: Offline

RE: Time to strengthen NCAA tournament.

Posted: 1/15/2013 1:32:09 PM

All conference tournament winners that qualified for the NCAA tourney with an RPI worse than 64 lost their first round games. Final set tally 39-4. I still say that those folks should have to play one more "play-in" game to earn their chance at the big dance.

catfan28
General User

Member Since: 6/11/2011
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 1,503

Status: Offline

RE: Time to strengthen NCAA tournament.

Posted: 1/15/2013 11:57:46 PM

You say this now, of course. But when WE'RE that team...it's not so attractive. Tournament is fine as is. We needed more wins for an at-large, plain and simple.

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