Tournament Resume (as of 2/20/17)

[ColumbusCatFan1]

W/L: 20-7 (9-5)
RPI: 37 (Non Con: 45)
SOS: 65 (Non Con: 180)
Vs Top 25: 1-5
Vs Top 50: 3-6
Vs Top 100: 8-7
Last 10: 7-3

Best Win: @Wisconsin* (#24)
Bad Losses (100+): None

*Won without Scottie Lindsey

CHANGES SINCE 2/17:

Wisconsin's triumph over Maryland restores the Badger win to marquee win status. Dayton (#27) is close to jumping into marquee victory territory as well (c'mon Flyers!). Nebraska's victory over Ohio State stabilizes the Huskers' standing in the top 100, while Indiana is teetering on the edge.

With only three weeks to go, the resume is looking mighty good.

 

[NU Houston]

Dayton has a huge game next week against VCU that should decide the winner of the A10 regular season. If Dayton wins its last four games, including that one, it would be a big benefit for NU.

 

[ColumbusCatFan1]

Side note:

Post Wisconsin, I felt 11-7 would be a lock. After looking through the resume, I still believe that.

Say NU beats Illinois and Michigan to finish out conference play at 2-2. That would give the 'Cats double digit victories over RPI top 100 opponents as well as a potential extra top 50 win (depending on how the Wolverines finish). Losing to the Hoosiers wouldn't be a disaster because it would stabilize their top 100 standing and the loss would occur on the road. Falling to the Boilermakers would not be a punishable offense either.

There would still be at least one more game in DC to account for, but god forbid Collins and Co. drop a Thursday match up with a conference bottom feeder, it's still hard to imagine 10+ bubble teams catching the 'Cats...even if the IU and Michigan results were switched.

 

[JournCat]

We have a great opportunity not just to make the tournament, but set up a 6- or 7-seed. All four remaining games are winnable.

 

[Styre]

Side note:

Post Wisconsin, I felt 11-7 would be a lock. After looking through the resume, I still believe that.

Agreed. I look at it like this, with wins including BTT games:
2+ wins: in
1 win, if it's Purdue: bubble/in
1 win, if it's not: bubble/out
0 wins: out

 

[GABoilermakers]

We have a great opportunity not just to make the tournament, but set up a 6- or 7-seed. All four remaining games are winnable.

Getting on the 6 or 7 seed line would be huge as it brings Indianapolis into play for first and second round games (err, second and third round). You can assume Greenville, Salt Lake City, Buffalo, or Tulsa if we end up on 8/9 line.

 

[Alaskawildkat]

As between the 6 and 7 seed what are the advantages/disadvantages?

 

[Fitz51]

As between the 6 and 7 seed what are the advantages/disadvantages?

Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

 

[JournCat]

As between the 6 and 7 seed what are the advantages/disadvantages?

Just the perceived quality of the opponent and a marginally better shot to win a game or two. The main thing besides the obvious main thing would be to avoid the First Four given our depth and stamina right now.

 

[SmellyCat]

Just the perceived quality of the opponent and a marginally better shot to win a game or two. The main thing besides the obvious main thing would be to avoid the First Four given our depth and stamina right now.

Though a sixth seed could potentially play against a team that just won in the First Four a couple of days earlier, so there's that.

 

[NURoseBowl]

Though a sixth seed could potentially play against a team that just won in the First Four a couple of days earlier, so there's that.

. . . and unwisely ignoring Fitz51's advice, I will get ahead of myself on this -- the most important thing a #6 seed brings, for me, is a second-round matchup with a tough, but realistically beatable, team for a berth in the Sweet Sixteen. A 6 over 3 upset in Round 2 (or Round 3, if you insist on calling it that, which I don't) is, to me, more realistic than knocking off a #1 or #2 seed on our maiden voyage in the Tournament. Have to admit, though, that squaring off against a top seed would be a delicious matchup . . . and the whole damn country would be pulling for us.

 

[NU Houston]

. . . and unwisely ignoring Fitz51's advice, I will get ahead of myself on this -- the most important thing a #6 seed brings, for me, is a second-round matchup with a tough, but realistically beatable, team for a berth in the Sweet Sixteen. A 6 over 3 upset in Round 2 (or Round 3, if you insist on calling it that, which I don't) is, to me, more realistic than knocking off a #1 or #2 seed on our maiden voyage in the Tournament. Have to admit, though, that squaring off against a top seed would be a delicious matchup . . . and the whole damn country would be pulling for us.

I agree. I know we'd all just be ecstatic to be in the Big Dance, but this team, if healthy, is darned good and has a chance to advance. That said, I would be nervous about a second round match up against the likes of Kansas or UNC. I'd rather play a team like Florida State, Florida or West Virginia.

 

[NURoseBowl]

I agree. I know we'd all just be ecstatic to be in the Big Dance, but this team, if healthy, is darned good and has a chance to advance. That said, I would be nervous about a second round match up against the likes of Kansas or UNC. I'd rather play a team like Florida State, Florida or West Virginia.

Exactly.

 

[Fitz51]

As between the 6 and 7 seed what are the advantages/disadvantages?

Like I said.

 

[ColumbusCatFan1]

W/L: 20-8 (9-6)
RPI: 44 (Non Con: 39)
SOS: 66 (Non Con: 167)
Vs Top 25: 1-5
Vs Top 50: 3-6
Vs Top 100: 7-8
Last 10: 6-4

Best Win: Dayton (#24)
Bad Losses (100+): None

CHANGES SINCE 2/20:

A decline in RPI was expected due to Tuesday's defeat, however, the drop wasn't terribly steep with the Illini now checking in at #57. Wisconsin's loss last night to Ohio State stings more. Had the Badgers won, NU would have boasted two top 25 victories, as Dayton has climbed into the RPI top 25. It should be noted that the UW could easily climb back into the top 25 with a decent finish to the season.

Certainly more anxious feelings today than on Monday, but the resume is still solid, especially when compared to the rest of the at large field.

 

[TC4THREE]

Purdue fan here. Was looking at how the rest of the season shapes up for us after the Wisconsin loss last night and there's a reasonable chance that our last game with you could be meaningless to the Big Ten title picture if the following 3 things happen.

1. Purdue wins at Michigan tomorrow. (Purdue slight favorite)
2. Wisconsin loses at MSU on Sunday. (MSU figures to be favorite)
3. Purdue beats IU in West Lafayette on Tuesday. (Purdue should be a substantial favorite)

If that happens Purdue will have a 2+ game lead on everyone with only the game at Northwestern remaining. Not sure what it would mean for our rotations or how the committee would judge such a win for you if Purdue were to decide to sit/rest some key players but it's worth paying attention to if Purdue can win at Michigan tomorrow.

 

[Fitz51]

Purdue fan here. Was looking at how the rest of the season shapes up for us after the Wisconsin loss last night and there's a reasonable chance that our last game with you could be meaningless to the Big Ten title picture if the following 3 things happen.

1. Purdue wins at Michigan tomorrow. (Purdue slight favorite)
2. Wisconsin loses at MSU on Sunday. (MSU figures to be favorite)
3. Purdue beats IU in West Lafayette on Tuesday. (Purdue should be a substantial favorite)

If that happens Purdue will have a 2+ game lead on everyone with only the game at Northwestern remaining. Not sure what it would mean for our rotations or how the committee would judge such a win for you if Purdue were to decide to sit/rest some key players but it's worth paying attention to if Purdue can win at Michigan tomorrow.

Train. Drum. Astronaut.

 

[stpaulcat]

. . . and unwisely ignoring Fitz51's advice, I will get ahead of myself on this -- the most important thing a #6 seed brings, for me, is a second-round matchup with a tough, but realistically beatable, team for a berth in the Sweet Sixteen. A 6 over 3 upset in Round 2 (or Round 3, if you insist on calling it that, which I don't) is, to me, more realistic than knocking off a #1 or #2 seed on our maiden voyage in the Tournament. Have to admit, though, that squaring off against a top seed would be a delicious matchup . . . and the whole damn country would be pulling for us.

Yup, you're getting way ahead of yourself. I have no doubt someone using some kind of logic has us winning the whole thing. Keep in perspective, NU has never been in the NCAA tournament, so we really only need to make it in to accomplish something big. Would be nice to win a game or two, though.

 

[mikewebb68]

Purdue fan here. Was looking at how the rest of the season shapes up for us after the Wisconsin loss last night and there's a reasonable chance that our last game with you could be meaningless to the Big Ten title picture if the following 3 things happen.

1. Purdue wins at Michigan tomorrow. (Purdue slight favorite)
2. Wisconsin loses at MSU on Sunday. (MSU figures to be favorite)
3. Purdue beats IU in West Lafayette on Tuesday. (Purdue should be a substantial favorite)

If that happens Purdue will have a 2+ game lead on everyone with only the game at Northwestern remaining. Not sure what it would mean for our rotations or how the committee would judge such a win for you if Purdue were to decide to sit/rest some key players but it's worth paying attention to if Purdue can win at Michigan tomorrow.

Funny you should post this, I was thinking the exact thing after Maryland and Wisky lost. Thing is, I am not so certain that Painter would rest the starters much, since a loss in the game could affect NCAA seeding even if Purdue has clinched the BIG regular season championship.