Minnesota

[Gato78]

Why is Minnesota a Joe Lunardi lock with a losing record in conference? They should be a bubble team.

[kneelb4zerg]

Because of their RPI.

[Gato78]

So what? 8-10 in conference. They should not be a lock. They should be on the bubble.

[Nukem2]

So what? 8-10 in conference. They should not be a lock. They should be on the bubble.Yep, and also lost in B10/11/12/14 tourney. Go figure.

[kneelb4zerg]

So what? 8-10 in conference. They should not be a lock. They should be on the bubble.

What do you mean so what? That's how it works. Are you being rhetorical?

[MU_Iceman]

I agree Gato...I could never figure out the Minny love either. You know what's funny?? The NIT has a requirement that in order to get in you go at least .500 in conference, yet that doesn't matter in the NCAA tourney?? That should be the minimum requirement IMO. If you don't finish .500 in your own conference, the ONLY way you go is to win your conference tourney.

[MUMac]

What do you mean so what? That's how it works. Are you being rhetorical?

What's how it works, teams that finish under .500 in the B10 are locks? Really?

Since 1960, 34 teams with losing conference records receive at large bids. Certainly possible, but a lock?

[kneelb4zerg]

I'm not saying its right, but their RPI/SOS etc makes them comfortably in. That's 'why' they are a lock. Am I being too literal?

[MUMac]

I'm not saying its right, but their RPI/SOS etc makes them comfortably in. That's 'why' they are a lock. Am I being too literal?

A 30 RPI is good, but that can be offset by the losing record and early out in the tourney. 5-7 in last 12, lost to Purdue (100-150) and Northwestern (sub 150). SOS is 2.

They have a resume, to me, that is on the buble. Some good, some bad. Looking at RPI alone, likely in. That is not the only deciding factor, though.

[kneelb4zerg]

A 30 RPI is good, but that can be offset by the losing record and early out in the tourney. 5-7 in last 12, lost to Purdue (100-150) and Northwestern (sub 150). SOS is 2.

They have a resume, to me, that is on the buble. Some good, some bad. Looking at RPI alone, likely in. That is not the only deciding factor, though.

Well if the bracketology guys say they aren't on the bubble...then they aren't on the bubble. Lunardi isn't wrong about this stuff.

[MU_Iceman]

A 30 RPI is good, but that can be offset by the losing record and early out in the tourney. 5-7 in last 12, lost to Purdue (100-150) and Northwestern (sub 150). SOS is 2.

They have a resume, to me, that is on the buble. Some good, some bad. Looking at RPI alone, likely in. That is not the only deciding factor, though.

And I'd agree with Illinois as well. To be fair, I'm also not sold on Cincy being a tourney team either. They will likely get in, but should they?? 5-9 vs. the RPI top 50. RPI is 47, SOS 26, a non conference SOS of 313.

[MUMac]

Well if the bracketology guys say they aren't on the bubble...then they aren't on the bubble. Lunardi isn't wrong about this stuff.

They could ultimately make it in, making Lunardi correct. That does NOT meant they are not currently on the bubble.

I guess I just don't see 9 making the tournament. They lost twice to Illinois (2 of 3). Tied with Illinois for 8th place (along with Purdue). If the NCAA takes 9, they take two Big 10 teams with losing records.

Again, to me they are not a lock. Lunardi be damned.

[Markedman]

Conference record isn't part of the equation...overall body of work and computer numbers..2nd toughest SOS will also help them out if needed

Just look at the last 4 out and tell me any of them should make it over MN......my gosh Kentucky was last 4 in according to most experts before today's loss "probably" will make them miss.

This site doesn't have them as a "lock" but gives them over an 80% chance to make it.....

http://www.unf.edu/~jcoleman/dance.htm

It's not just Lunardi....87 of 87 guys who study this stuff have them in

http://www.bracketmatrix.com/

[IWB]

Actually kneel - Lunardi's never held accountable as it always changes and always in his favor. Espn always brags about his 98% accuracy - well, that is because he adjusts every day, and in the end, between the auto bids and the ranked teams.... 64 in all, 30 get auto bids. That leaves 34. The top 35 are a given, and there are 8 conferences in top 35, the rest bring the number down to 3. He gets 1.5 of those 3 and he is at 98%.

Really, is that so impressive when 61 of the teams are a given and all he needs to do is pick 1-2 of the remaing 3 and he's at 98%?

[Markedman]

I think the point is when all of these guys say a team is a lock they never miss...at least not as far as I can recall

They miss 1 - 3 of the 5 or 6 bubble teams most years but not the locks....All of the experts say Minnesota is a lock.....If they are wrong it will be big news

[warriorfan4life]

Minny will most likely be in the 8-9 game.

[kneelb4zerg]

Yeah my point is Lunardi isn't wrong about the teams that are comfortably in like Minnesota.

[MU/Panther]

Memphis, SD St, ND St., Stanford, FSU, Richmond, Duke are ALL non-league RPI Top 100 team. That's not even giving the list of B1G schools.

[MU/Panther]

Jerry Palm is great on CBS with his brackets.