The Case for an At-Large

[jdubs30]

Bear with me -- i know we are 99% done and I know most of the board thinks we have even a less chance than that, but let's take a high level overview of this team.

We all know the numbers, very average: 19-13 overall, 9-10 in ACC play. SOS of 37 and RPI of 67 (yikes). But we all know how fluid those numbers are, our RPI could end up in the 70's, which would almost certainly put the nail in our coffin.

However, let's go beyond RPI and SOS for a minute.

The case for us getting an at-large:
- Will we be playing Pitt in the NCAA Tournament? No. Will JB be coaching in the NCAA tournament? Yes. OK, so we are 15-7 in games with JB on the sidelines when we are not playing Pitt; not too bad.
- Our worst 3 losses of the year are without JB on the bench. We have 1 loss outside the top 50 RPI with JB. That loss was @FSU.
- Our best 12 wins of the year were with JB on the bench. That includes 4 top 50 wins and 7 top 80 wins.
- Neutral court wins over SEC champ Texas A&M, bubble buddy UConn; as well as wins over St. Bonvaneture, ND, GaTech and FSU with a road win @Duke. Oh yeah -- all of those are with JB.
- As it stands now, 4-9 vs. the top 50. 9 losses of our 13 losses are vs. top 50 teams. That means we are 15-4 vs. 50 or worse RPIs. Anyone care to take a stab at how many top 50 losses Valpo, Monmouth and Wichita have? I'll wait.
- We have what every resume needs: a good home win, road win, and neutral court win.

The simple fact is, our losses with JB are UVA, UNC, Louisville, Wisconsin, Pitt and Florida State. Our wins are Duke, Texas A&M, the Bonnies, UConn and ND.

If the committee dives deep into the JB mess --- we will be in. If they choose to ignore it and use it only for seeding purposes (not inclusion purposes), then we wont be in and that's fine, because we should have controlled our own destiny.

 

[Marsh01]

You are missing key pieces. Come sunday afternoon more dominies will fall and we will continue to slide

We have no shot whatsoever

 

[TheCusian]

You are missing key pieces. Come sunday afternoon more dominies will fall and we will continue to slide We have no shot whatsoever

We'll see.

 

[heresjohnny88]

You are missing key pieces. Come sunday afternoon more dominies will fall and we will continue to slide

We have no shot whatsoever

I wouldn't say "no shot." Very unlikely, obviously. And as I've said on other threads, our BEST chance would be if a few committee members essentially decided we passed the eye test, moreso than the other teams on the bubble. We need someone in that room to say, "Look guys, I've watched Syracuse many times, and they are worthy. Ignore the numbers."

 

[Marsh01]

I wouldn't say "no shot." Very unlikely, obviously. And as I've said on other threads, our BEST chance would be if a few committee members essentially decided we passed the eye test, moreso than the other teams on the bubble. We need someone in that room to say, "Look guys, I've watched Syracuse many times, and they are worthy. Ignore the numbers."

I will go one step further.

When Sunday afternoon comes we will be not in the first four out, we will be in the next four out category and will be a 2 seed in the NIT. (not like it matters because the NIT blows).

Too many hurdles to jump over from now until Sunday to have any hope. Hell things 100% broke our way in 2008 when like 12 teams that we needed to lose all lost and we still didnt get in (thanks to Georgia).

Its not about whether we "deserve" to get in. Its about we have 4 days of having to dodge bullets and we cant dodge them and maintain the position we are in.

 

[sabach]

The only hope we have is if the committee determines that we would have one more win if JB was not suspended. That would give us 20 wins which puts us in. I'm not really sure the committee can do that so as it stands, we are out.

 

[heresjohnny88]

I will go one step further.

When Sunday afternoon comes we will be not in the first four out, we will be in the next four out category and will be a 2 seed in the NIT. (not like it matters because the NIT blows).

Too many hurdles to jump over from now until Sunday to have any hope. Hell things 100% broke our way in 2008 when like 12 teams that we needed to lose all lost and we still didnt get in (thanks to Georgia).

Its not about whether we "deserve" to get in. Its about we have 4 days of having to dodge bullets and we cant dodge them and maintain the position we are in.

I will say, 2008 was NUTS. Totally forgot that literally everything broke our way. That Cuse team was pretty terrible. Only 1 good win vs. Gtown.

 

[sugrad68]

The only hope SU has of avoiding the NIT is if the selection committee makes a special dispensation for Boeheim's absence. Anybody think that is really going to happen?