Conference RPI - MVC at #9, Barely Behind SEC

by **Aargh** » December 23rd, 2012, 10:31 pm

This was brought up on ShockerNet and I explained something there that might aid fans of other schools in understanding why Conference RPI doesn't mean anything for NCAA invites, and why the SEC will likely pull well ahead of the MVC once league play begins

One total fallacy in placing any legitimacy on Conference RPI is that it is merely the average rpi of all the schools in that conference. Right now the MVC has 3 out of 10 teams in the top 50. The SEC has 2 out of 14. The MVC has 5 out of 10 at 150+, while the SEC has 5 of 14 at 150+. That leaves the MVC with 2/10 in the 51 - 149 range and the SEC with 7/14.

The MVC is skewed toward the top and the bottom. The SEC is skewed toward the upper mid-range. "Quality wins" are generally considered wins against top-100 teams. The SEC has 8/14 teams in that category. The MVC has 4/10 teams in that category. For teams with NCAA possibilities, 57% of the teams in the SEC are either "not bad" losses or "good" wins. In the MVC, 60% of the teams are either "doesn't count" wins or "bad" losses.

As conference play progresses, you will see Conference RPI begin to reflect that, as the top end of the MVC is pulled down by the bottom end and the entire SEC is pulled up by having over half of the league with RPI's of less than 100. There aren't enough opportunities for the bottom end of the MVC to pull their RPI up by losing to good teams as there are in the SEC, so the average RPI of the schools in the MVC will drop like a rock compared to the SEC.

**Sponsor**

by **Jet915** » December 24th, 2012, 7:25 am

Hey! There's still bracket buster! :dance:

by **DoubleJayAlum** » December 24th, 2012, 9:07 am

Missouri State's final RPI before entering conference play is a stunningly awful 327 (out of 345). :Bam:

by **TheAsianSensation** » December 24th, 2012, 2:43 pm

To me the big battle was going to be MVC v. WCC for the 9 spot. I think we've done enough to win that one. And I don't think beating out any of the Big 8 conferences was realistic.

Conference realignment has created distinct tiers. Those in the Top 8, then the MVC and WCC, then everyone else.