Conference Tournament Performance Translates to NCAA Success

[Cuseball]

Despite my disgust with how the season played out, I couldn't help thinking about the makup of this year's Sweet Sixteen. Many on the board say conference tournmaents are meaningless. Here's a pretty strong counter to that assumption.

There are 16 teams remaining in the hunt for the championship:

• 12 of these teams played in their conference championship game (Florida, Kentucky, MSU, Michigan, UCLA, Zona, Ville, Uconn, Iowa State, Baylor, Virginia, SD State)
• 3 of the other teams lost to the eventual conference tournament champion in their tournament (Tennessee lost to Florida, Wisconsin lost to Michigan State and Stanford lost to UCLA)
• only Dayton did neither of the above as they lost to St. Joes by 3

I'm too lazy to look at previous years but for this season it is quite obvious that doing well in the conference tournaments translated into a good run in the NCAA's.

Cuse!

 

[MartyMcFly]

I think this year more than most teams needed to get into a rhythm and the conference tourney's provided that. (aside from 'zona and florida). Most teams this year were very flawed, so I think winning a few, helps struggling teams with some talent get into the proper mindset for the stretch run.

 

[joct]

I think this year more than most teams needed to get into a rhythm and the conference tourney's provided that. (aside from 'zona and florida). Most teams this year were very flawed, so I think winning a few, helps struggling teams with some talent get into the proper mindset for the stretch run.

I agree. Last year we were the perfect example of that. Since we lost in the final to Louisville, it kind of got forgotten about a bit with the huge Final Four run, but I thought the 3 wins and good half were vital in giving them the rhythm and confidence for the NCAA run. If I remember they were even in worse shape at the end of the regular season than this year.