Important games today (Saturday 5/29/10)

There is a lot more winding down to do and I will not begin evaluating the field for slots into the tournament until tomorrow. But nothing has changed regarding my opinion that the Cajuns are not even one of the last 5 teams in. The same can be said for Mark in his latest projections, and these projections now include a couple of projected stolen bids (not actually stolen yet). We will see what happens today.

BTW, the Sun Belt has now moved back in front of the Big East and is now the #6 RPI conference. This may change again before Sunday's results are in, but the gap is a bit wider than it has been ... so it may hold. CUSA should secure the #5 spot.

Regarding games affecting us, the below post is still a good overall guide ...
https://forumeus.com/sh...6&postcount=23

Some specific games to monitor. The bolded team below is the one that you want to win. I have emphasized (*) the more important games.

NC State vs. Georgia Tech *
NC State vs. Virginia Tech *
Missouri vs. Texas Tech (Big XII tournament championship game already set ... Baylor vs. Texas A&M. The purpose of wanting Tech to lose here is simply to knock their RPI down).
Kansas State vs. Oklahoma (see above)
Kansas vs. Baylor (see above)
Rutgers vs. Connecticut (2 games if UConn wins first) *
St. John's vs. Louisville (2 games if Louisville wins first) *
High Point/Liberty vs. Coastal Carolina (CC must win 1/2)
Southern Mississippi vs. Rice *
Illinois State vs. Wichita State *
UT-Arlington vs. Texas State *
Lamar vs. UT-Arlington/Texas State (If UTA beats TSU, this game does not matter) *
Florida International vs. Florida Atlantic *
Arkansas State vs. Troy (If Troy wins, they play again) *
Arkansas State/Troy vs. Florida International/Florida Atlantic (Pull for FAU first, then Troy, then FIU) *
San Jose State vs. Fresno State
Hawaii vs. San Jose State/Fresno State (If Fresno State knocks off San Jose State, they must beat Hawaii twice).
Elon vs. The Citadel (Elon must beat The Citadel twice)

Note that in the Southland Conference Tournament, if Texas State wins the two games it needs to win the auto bid, this might push them past the Cajuns in RPI. This matters from a style and psychological point of view. You want the Cajun RPI to be as high as it can be, regardless of the teams immediately ahead or behind them. Thus, you can make a case that a Texas State loss in the first game today is not bad. A bid may not be stolen if the selection committee were going to grant the SLC 2 bids anyway. And in this case, UL would be in before Texas State anyway. You can make the same argument with Texas State in the title game, but their RPI may be a little higher.

Brian

Troy wins game 1 12-5. Will play ASU again today. Winner advances to tournament championship.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GoneGolfin

Illinois State vs. Wichita State *

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Illinois State may steal a bid ... they lead WSU 12-6 T4th.

Now FIU is up on FAU 11-9 B8th.

Brian

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GoneGolfin

_ Illinois State may steal a bid ... they lead WSU 12-6 T4th.

Now FIU is up on FAU 11-9 B8th.

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... and now FAU has been eliminated. Thus, we want FIU to win the auto.

Brian

So we a 3 bid league now right Brian!?!?!?

igeaux.mobi

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lifetimecajun

_ So we a 3 bid league now right Brian!?!?!?

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2 or 3.

Brian

I didn't like that answer. Lol

igeaux.mobi

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lifetimecajun

_ I didn't like that answer. Lol

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Well, the question was a poorly shrouded way of asking if the Cajuns are in. Hence my answer. :D

Brian

Illinois State wins the MVC auto bid by demolishing Wichita State in the finals. If Wichita State (conference champion) earns an at-large bid (on the bubble ... may have an RPI below 55), that will be a stolen bid.

Brian