Comments on: Thermocaster’s Bracket - 2/10/08 http://www.thermocaster.com/2008/02/10/thermocasters-bracket-21008/ The part of the knee that, you know, means something. Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:50:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: HebrewHammer http://www.thermocaster.com/2008/02/10/thermocasters-bracket-21008/#comment-1391 HebrewHammer Tue, 12 Feb 2008 17:45:40 +0000 http://www.thermocaster.com/2008/02/10/thermocasters-bracket-21008/#comment-1391 I think that is a fair assesment of Butler. That bracket buster game against Drake will be huge because it will give the doubters (or supporters) all the fodder they need in regards to Butler's seed. I still think they are a 4 or 5 because they aren't a BCS school who will travel their fans. I can't see the committee giving them the nod over Notre Dame or Wiscy. Just ask Mark Few about seeding...actually don't. I am not disagreeing that past success is on the minds of the selection committee but it shouldn't be a factor in seeding or in an overall selection to the tournament. Do I think that ever actually happens? Unfortunately not... I think that is a fair assesment of Butler. That bracket buster game against Drake will be huge because it will give the doubters (or supporters) all the fodder they need in regards to Butler’s seed. I still think they are a 4 or 5 because they aren’t a BCS school who will travel their fans. I can’t see the committee giving them the nod over Notre Dame or Wiscy. Just ask Mark Few about seeding…actually don’t.

I am not disagreeing that past success is on the minds of the selection committee but it shouldn’t be a factor in seeding or in an overall selection to the tournament. Do I think that ever actually happens? Unfortunately not…

]]> By: Ink Jet http://www.thermocaster.com/2008/02/10/thermocasters-bracket-21008/#comment-1390 Ink Jet Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:55:03 +0000 http://www.thermocaster.com/2008/02/10/thermocasters-bracket-21008/#comment-1390 I love Syracuse. Just love them. I love Syracuse. Just love them.

]]> By: Thermocaster http://www.thermocaster.com/2008/02/10/thermocasters-bracket-21008/#comment-1389 Thermocaster Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:54:49 +0000 http://www.thermocaster.com/2008/02/10/thermocasters-bracket-21008/#comment-1389 Well, in my defense, the committee breaks lots of their own cardinal rules every year...like that whole "no collusion" thing (ahem...Virginia and Littlepage). In a roundabout way, the past success of a team always impacts their seeding --- because past success affects the polls, and there's a very close correlation between the final AP poll numbers and the seedings that each team gets. Perception does play an impact in this stuff. Regardless, I wasn't totally comfortable placing Butler as a 3 seed...but at this stage, it's hard to justify moving Notre Dame, UConn, Wisconsin, or Wazzu ahead of them. If Butler beats Drake, and doesn't lose more than one more game, that'll clinch at worst a 4 seed for them. If they don't beat Drake, I think both sets of Bulldogs probably end up in the 5-6 range. Well, in my defense, the committee breaks lots of their own cardinal rules every year…like that whole “no collusion” thing (ahem…Virginia and Littlepage).

In a roundabout way, the past success of a team always impacts their seeding — because past success affects the polls, and there’s a very close correlation between the final AP poll numbers and the seedings that each team gets. Perception does play an impact in this stuff.

Regardless, I wasn’t totally comfortable placing Butler as a 3 seed…but at this stage, it’s hard to justify moving Notre Dame, UConn, Wisconsin, or Wazzu ahead of them. If Butler beats Drake, and doesn’t lose more than one more game, that’ll clinch at worst a 4 seed for them. If they don’t beat Drake, I think both sets of Bulldogs probably end up in the 5-6 range.

]]> By: HebrewHammer http://www.thermocaster.com/2008/02/10/thermocasters-bracket-21008/#comment-1388 HebrewHammer Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:42:14 +0000 http://www.thermocaster.com/2008/02/10/thermocasters-bracket-21008/#comment-1388 Just wanted to point out that you have broken a cardinal rule of Bracketology: seeding based on past success. I certainly understand that a team with tradtion, a history of winning and large fan base has influence over the selection committee in regards to generating revenue. But to seed Butler as a #3 and use "...their success last year" as criteria goes against the entire selection process. Butler is a very good team THIS year and needs to earn that seed on their own. They are probably just a little to high for a #3 but look real solid to be in that 4-5 range. Just wanted to point out that you have broken a cardinal rule of Bracketology: seeding based on past success. I certainly understand that a team with tradtion, a history of winning and large fan base has influence over the selection committee in regards to generating revenue. But to seed Butler as a #3 and use “…their success last year” as criteria goes against the entire selection process. Butler is a very good team THIS year and needs to earn that seed on their own. They are probably just a little to high for a #3 but look real solid to be in that 4-5 range.

]]> By: Thermocaster http://www.thermocaster.com/2008/02/10/thermocasters-bracket-21008/#comment-1386 Thermocaster Tue, 12 Feb 2008 05:04:19 +0000 http://www.thermocaster.com/2008/02/10/thermocasters-bracket-21008/#comment-1386 I'm just not going to say anything here. It's safer that way. I’m just not going to say anything here. It’s safer that way.

]]> By: Kooder http://www.thermocaster.com/2008/02/10/thermocasters-bracket-21008/#comment-1385 Kooder Mon, 11 Feb 2008 23:03:41 +0000 http://www.thermocaster.com/2008/02/10/thermocasters-bracket-21008/#comment-1385 How dare you leave out Syracuse! Jim Boeheim has done wonders with this team... oh wait, I thought I was from Ithaca for a second. Never mind. Here's to The 'Cuse bowing out unceremoniously on Day One of the Big East Tournament... where's Gerry Mac to save you now!?! How dare you leave out Syracuse! Jim Boeheim has done wonders with this team… oh wait, I thought I was from Ithaca for a second. Never mind. Here’s to The ‘Cuse bowing out unceremoniously on Day One of the Big East Tournament… where’s Gerry Mac to save you now!?!

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