Ding dong, Bracket Buster is dead

[TheAsianSensation]

Once you get beyond the TV games, RPIs don't matter nearly as much anymore. It's a lot more about reducing travel and looking to the future.

I gave Illinois St the worse opponent this year but the better return game. Also there's the Coach Mo factor with WIU/BU and I think they would rather play BU than ISU. That's all there really is to it.

For interest of full disclosure:

away teams, Illinois St is #17 in RPI and Bradley #22
home teams, WIU is #16, Oakland #24

So it's definitely reasonable. I guess we'll settle it this week on the court

I know you also put up Drake/Green Bay....Drake is #18 in home RPI and believe it or not, Green Bay at #21 in away RPI is the only midwest team from #8 to #22 not in the MVC. That's why I put a future WCC team with UNI.

[cpacmel]

Once you get beyond the TV games, RPIs don't matter nearly as much anymore. It's a lot more about reducing travel and looking to the future.

Yeah that extra 35 miles from Normal to Macomb is a killer.

I gave Illinois St the worse opponent this year but the better return game. Also there's the Coach Mo factor with WIU/BU and I think they would rather play BU than ISU. That's all there really is to it.

ISU played Oakland last season for the bracket buster. The return game is next year @ Oakland.

I am sure WIU would much rather play Bradley than ISU too. ISU and WIU are in the same conference for football. You might have heard of it, Missouri Valley Conference Football Conference? We have a fairly good history with the boys from Macomb too.

For interest of full disclosure:

away teams, Illinois St is #17 in RPI and Bradley #22
home teams, WIU is #16, Oakland #24

I think this has a lot of merit.

I know you also put up Drake/Green Bay....Drake is #18 in home RPI and believe it or not, Green Bay at #21 in away RPI is the only midwest team from #8 to #22 not in the MVC. That's why I put a future WCC team with UNI.

Whoops. I had it in my head Drake was at home this year.

TAS, like I said, I enjoy your work. I think you do a Great job on all your projections.

Just don't agree with this one!

[TheAsianSensation]

ISU played Oakland last season for the bracket buster. The return game is next year @ Oakland.

I am sure WIU would much rather play Bradley than ISU too. ISU and WIU are in the same conference for football. You might have heard of it, Missouri Valley Conference Football Conference? We have a fairly good history with the boys from Macomb too.

Whoopsie, that's relevant. Scratch Oakland for ISU then. Actually, given the lack of midwestern teams in the 150 range in the RPI, that itself could be enough to force WIU into ISU and BU into Oakland.

I wouldn't actually be surprised if they went to WIU and asked them their preference - they're in a slight position of power as contenders for a league crown. But WIU/ISU is reasonable. But on the other hand, screw ISU

Also warrants mentioning Wright St is an option for both that could squeeze in.

[isumvc1]

good work TAS, I would say the top 3 choices for Indiana State are Detroit, Ohio, and now Eastern Kentucky. All 3 are close to ISU and would be easy return games

[GoShockers89]

This thing is an absolute dumpster fire.

South Dakota State is the best non-MVC road team with an RPI of 61? Awesome, big help.

National television is the only plus at this point.

[cpacmel]

tas, the announcement of match-ups is scheduled for 2/4. do you know when their match-ups are finalized?

[BCPanther]

This thing is an absolute dumpster fire.

South Dakota State is the best non-MVC road team with an RPI of 61? Awesome, big help.

National television is the only plus at this point.

Why do you have to put down dumpster fires like that??

[cpacmel]

This thing is an absolute dumpster fire.

South Dakota State is the best non-MVC road team with an RPI of 61? Awesome, big help.

National television is the only plus at this point.

I hate to point out the obvious, but if Wichita State gets either North Dakota State (59) or South Dakota State (60) in the BB, it becomes the 3rd best non-conference game on their schedule.

It would trail only:

VCU (39)
Southern Miss (40)

It should also be noted that VCU is on the Shockers schedule as the return BB game from 2 years ago.

So in closing, the BB got Wichita State it's TOUGHEST NON-CONFERENCE TEAM and it's 3rd TOUGHEST NON-CONFERENCE TEAM on it's schedule.

[BCPanther]

This thing is an absolute dumpster fire.

South Dakota State is the best non-MVC road team with an RPI of 61? Awesome, big help.

National television is the only plus at this point.

I hate to point out the obvious, but if Wichita State gets either North Dakota State (59) or South Dakota State (60) in the BB, it becomes the 3rd best non-conference game on their schedule.

It would trail only:

VCU (39)
Southern Miss (40)

It should also be noted that VCU is on the Shockers schedule as the return BB game from 2 years ago.

So in closing, the BB got Wichita State it's TOUGHEST NON-CONFERENCE TEAM and it's 3rd TOUGHEST NON-CONFERENCE TEAM on it's schedule.

Its not fair to bring facts into this discussion. Especially to Shocker fans...

[Red]

This thing is an absolute dumpster fire.

South Dakota State is the best non-MVC road team with an RPI of 61? Awesome, big help.

National television is the only plus at this point.

I hate to point out the obvious, but if Wichita State gets either North Dakota State (59) or South Dakota State (60) in the BB, it becomes the 3rd best non-conference game on their schedule.

It would trail only:

VCU (39)
Southern Miss (40)

It should also be noted that VCU is on the Shockers schedule as the return BB game from 2 years ago.

So in closing, the BB got Wichita State it's TOUGHEST NON-CONFERENCE TEAM and it's 3rd TOUGHEST NON-CONFERENCE TEAM on it's schedule.

Its not fair to bring facts into this discussion. Especially to Shocker fans...

The fact that Bracket Buster sort of occasionally kind of works for the best teams is hardly reason to praise it.