WCC Making Scheduling Changes To Increase At-Large Chances

by **uniguy** » March 27th, 2018, 9:57 am

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basket ... -ncaa-bids

Interesting thing to put in place, with Gonzaga leaving it may be even more crucial.

**Sponsor**

by **Drakey** » March 27th, 2018, 10:33 am

I don't understand why the top mid major conferences don't just make deals with each other to fill out the non-conference schedules. We could eliminate games against SWAC opponents and help everybody's RPI. I don't see how the WCC eliminating two conference games is going to help. Do they think they are going to replace those games with games form the PAC 12?

by **BCPanther** » March 27th, 2018, 11:57 am

Drakey wrote:I don't understand why the top mid major conferences don't just make deals with each other to fill out the non-conference schedules. We could eliminate games against SWAC opponents and help everybody's RPI. I don't see how the WCC eliminating two conference games is going to help. Do they think they are going to replace those games with games form the PAC 12?

I totally agree with this. The Valley, Mountain West, WCC and A10 could really game the system by playing a bunch of games against each other and at the same time drive up the cost of SWAC and MEAC teams for p5 teams by not paying them ourselves.

by **sivert** » March 27th, 2018, 12:10 pm

It depends on how bad the bottom of your conference is.

WCC 2017-18:
21.0 . Gonzaga
40.0 . Saint Mary's
67.0 . BYU
139.0 San Francisco
143.0 San Diego
190.0 Pacific
258.0 Loyola Marymount
264.0 Santa Clara
285.0 Portland
317.0 Pepperdine

I assume they will allow the top teams to drop a game with the bottom teams. If those same teams are always down there, then you could replace them with a decent MidMajor and do better in terms of resume.

Not sure that will work for the Valley at this point.
MVC 2017-18:
22.0 . . Loyola Chicago
85.0 . Illinois St
100.0 Southern Illinois
105.0 Bradley
136.0 Missouri St
138.0 Northern Iowa
151.0 Evansville
166.0 Drake
184.0 Indiana St.
188.0 Valparaiso

Drake and ISUb might have rough years, but otherwise it's hard to predict anyone will be sub 180 in RPI next year. That makes it tough to know who to drop and replace with another 50-150 RPI team.

by **LanceShock** » March 27th, 2018, 12:24 pm

sivert wrote:It depends on how bad the bottom of your conference is.

WCC 2017-18:
21.0 . Gonzaga
40.0 . Saint Mary's
67.0 . BYU
139.0 San Francisco
143.0 San Diego
190.0 Pacific
258.0 Loyola Marymount
264.0 Santa Clara
285.0 Portland
317.0 Pepperdine

I assume they will allow the top teams to drop a game with the bottom teams. If those same teams are always down there, then you could replace them with a decent MidMajor and do better in terms of resume.

Not sure that will work for the Valley at this point.
MVC 2017-18:
22.0 . . Loyola Chicago
85.0 . Illinois St
100.0 Southern Illinois
105.0 Bradley
136.0 Missouri St
138.0 Northern Iowa
151.0 Evansville
166.0 Drake
184.0 Indiana St.
188.0 Valparaiso

Drake and ISUb might have rough years, but otherwise it's hard to predict anyone will be sub 180 in RPI next year. That makes it tough to know who to drop and replace with another 50-150 RPI team.

Even with three new coaches in the Valley next year? At least one of those will probably be sub 200 if not more than one.

You do have a valid point about going to this scheduling scheme will allow the upper teams to minimize playing the rpi killers at the bottom of the conference.

by **Jsnhbe1Birds** » March 27th, 2018, 1:17 pm

The Valley might only have 4 teams 150 and above next season

by **goramblers2011** » March 27th, 2018, 1:33 pm

Jsnhbe1Birds wrote:The Valley might only have 4 teams 150 and above next season

And it might be the four Illinois schools.

by **Jsnhbe1Birds** » March 27th, 2018, 1:39 pm

goramblers2011 wrote:
Jsnhbe1Birds wrote:The Valley might only have 4 teams 150 and above next season

And it might be the four Illinois schools.

Those were the 4 I was thinking of, as well.

by **bonez** » March 27th, 2018, 1:45 pm

Jsnhbe1Birds wrote:
goramblers2011 wrote:
Jsnhbe1Birds wrote:The Valley might only have 4 teams 150 and above next season

And it might be the four Illinois schools.

Those were the 4 I was thinking of, as well.

I'd bet on Northern Iowa and Valpo at least knocking on the 150 door if not barging through.

by **BCPanther** » March 27th, 2018, 1:47 pm

Jsnhbe1Birds wrote:The Valley might only have 4 teams 150 and above next season

It'll be at least 5 and likely 8.

Loyola, Illnois State, SIU, Bradley and UNI are locks (all in the top 150 this year and should be better next year except Loyola, obviously). Valpo gets there just by improving schedule a little bit and winning two more games than they did this year. Indiana State was just outside last year and should be a bit better with Barnes being older and more consistent. Missouri State seems to be holding on to its core and should have a ton of energy, it'll depend on Ford being ready to go on the bench at this level.

Evansville is just decimated with losing its entire roster and Drake, well, Drake is Drake is Drake is Drake is Drake.