RPI Musings

[lcitsh]

The men will not get in the NIT, no matter what they do from here on out. UTA is the only team guaranteed an NIT slot, and no mid major is going to get an at large to the NIT. The women are pretty much eliminated from both as well, as their chances of winning the conference tournament are almost nil, and their RPI won't get them in either tournament.

I'm not going to completely eliminate either team from NIT consideration, even though it will take some amazing occurrences to get them into position to be considered. I think both of them need to jump 30-35 spots, minimum, in the rpi rankings to get considered. For that to happen, both would have to win both of their games this week, which will not only give them an rpi boost, it will move them up in the conference standings, which is critical. They will need to make, at least, the tournament semifinals to cement an legitimacy of getting into the NIT.

I do not actually believe either of them have a very good chance of making the NIT, but, like I said, I'm not ready to eliminate them from the discussion yet.

[lcitsh]

Men: http://web1.ncaa.org/app_data/weekly...17MBBrpi3.html

37 34 UT Arlington Sun Belt 24-6 11-6 0-0 11-0 2-0
92 85 Arkansas St. Sun Belt 20-10 7-8 1-1 11-1 1-0
114 116 Ga. Southern Sun Belt 18-12 6-10 2-0 8-2 2-0
122 121 Georgia St. Sun Belt 18-11 6-8 2-0 8-3 2-0
126 133 Louisiana Sun Belt 19-11 8-7 0-0 9-4 2-0
169 164 Coastal Caro. Sun Belt 15-15 3-9 1-0 9-6 2-0
189 200 Troy Sun Belt 17-14 5-10 2-0 8-4 2-0
199 196 Texas St. Sun Belt 17-12 4-9 2-0 9-3 2-0
238 222 South Ala. Sun Belt 13-17 4-10 0-0 7-7 2-0
240 245 Little Rock Sun Belt 15-15 4-8 2-1 7-6 2-0
301 300 Appalachian St. Sun Belt 8-20 1-14 0-0 5-6 2-0
309 311 La.-Monroe Sun Belt 8-22 2-12 0-3 4-7 2-0

Women: http://web1.ncaa.org/app_data/weekly...17WBBrpi3.html

50 49 Little Rock Sun Belt 22-7 10-5 0-0 12-2 0-0
99 94 UT Arlington Sun Belt 20-7 8-4 1-0 9-3 2-0
121 114 Troy Sun Belt 19-9 6-7 2-0 9-2 2-0
146 157 Louisiana Sun Belt 17-9 5-6 1-1 9-2 2-0
148 147 Texas St. Sun Belt 16-12 6-8 0-0 10-3 0-1
214 214 Appalachian St. Sun Belt 11-17 5-10 1-0 5-7 0-0
222 227 Ga. Southern Sun Belt 13-15 5-9 0-0 7-6 1-0
240 242 South Ala. Sun Belt 9-19 4-9 1-1 2-9 2-0
254 258 Georgia St. Sun Belt 11-17 6-6 1-2 3-9 1-0
255 257 Coastal Caro. Sun Belt 12-15 4-9 1-0 6-5 1-1
320 321 Arkansas St. Sun Belt 6-23 0-14 1-2 5-7 0-0
335 335 La.-Monroe Sun Belt 5-23 1-13 0-0 2-10 2-0

[lcitsh]

Women: http://web1.ncaa.org/app_data/weekly...17WBBrpi3.html

45 47 Little Rock Sun Belt 23-7 11-5 0-0 12-2 0-0
83 97 UT Arlington Sun Belt 21-7 9-4 1-0 9-3 2-0
125 119 Troy Sun Belt 19-10 6-7 2-0 9-3 2-0
150 145 Louisiana Sun Belt 17-10 5-6 1-1 9-3 2-0
164 146 Texas St. Sun Belt 16-13 6-9 0-0 10-3 0-1
225 214 Appalachian St. Sun Belt 11-18 5-10 1-0 5-8 0-0
232 222 Ga. Southern Sun Belt 13-16 5-10 0-0 7-6 1-0
245 256 Coastal Caro. Sun Belt 13-15 5-9 1-0 6-5 1-1
252 243 South Ala. Sun Belt 10-19 4-9 1-1 3-9 2-0
255 255 Georgia St. Sun Belt 12-17 6-6 1-2 4-9 1-0
322 321 Arkansas St. Sun Belt 6-24 0-15 1-2 5-7 0-0
330 335 La.-Monroe Sun Belt 6-23 1-13 0-0 3-10 2-0

Men: http://web1.ncaa.org/app_data/weekly...17MBBrpi3.html

39 36 UT Arlington Sun Belt 24-7 11-7 0-0 11-0 2-0
99 93 Arkansas St. Sun Belt 20-11 7-9 1-1 11-1 1-0
112 127 Louisiana Sun Belt 20-11 8-7 0-0 10-4 2-0
115 123 Georgia St. Sun Belt 19-11 6-8 2-0 9-3 2-0
116 114 Ga. Southern Sun Belt 18-13 6-11 2-0 8-2 2-0
181 188 Troy Sun Belt 18-14 5-10 2-0 9-4 2-0
185 169 Coastal Caro. Sun Belt 15-16 3-10 1-0 9-6 2-0
193 197 Texas St. Sun Belt 18-12 5-9 2-0 9-3 2-0
225 236 South Ala. Sun Belt 14-17 4-10 0-0 8-7 2-0
242 239 Little Rock Sun Belt 15-16 4-9 2-1 7-6 2-0
293 300 Appalachian St. Sun Belt 9-20 1-14 0-0 6-6 2-0
314 308 La.-Monroe Sun Belt 8-23 2-12 0-3 4-8 2-0

"If only." The women had a chance to put themselves in a similar position the men are now in. The win over UTA could have moved them up as dramatically as the men did in the rpi rankings and put them at least in some consideration for the NIT. They are now on the Little Rock side of the bracket where they will have to win 2 games to meet them in the semifinals instead of the finals.

The men are close to the point where they may have a chance to be considered for the NIT. They may be the 7th seed in the conference tournament, but they are the #3 rpi team in the league, so they'll technically be favored to make it to the finals.

[lcitsh]

Men: http://web1.ncaa.org/app_data/weekly...17MBBrpi3.html

37 35 UT Arlington Sun Belt 25-7 11-7 1-0 11-0 2-0
98 98 Georgia St. Sun Belt 20-11 6-8 3-0 9-3 2-0
110 110 Louisiana Sun Belt 21-12 8-7 1-1 10-4 2-0
120 120 Arkansas St. Sun Belt 20-12 7-9 1-2 11-1 1-0
122 122 Ga. Southern Sun Belt 18-14 6-11 2-1 8-2 2-0
174 174 Troy Sun Belt 20-14 5-10 4-0 9-4 2-0
179 179 Coastal Caro. Sun Belt 16-17 3-10 2-1 9-6 2-0
192 193 Texas St. Sun Belt 19-12 5-9 3-0 9-3 2-0
230 230 South Ala. Sun Belt 14-18 4-10 0-1 8-7 2-0
245 244 Little Rock Sun Belt 15-17 4-9 2-2 7-6 2-0
295 295 La.-Monroe Sun Belt 9-24 2-12 1-4 4-8 2-0
298 298 Appalachian St. Sun Belt 9-21 1-14 0-1 6-6 2-0

Women: http://web1.ncaa.org/app_data/weekly...17WBBrpi3.html

45 45 Little Rock Sun Belt 24-7 11-5 1-0 12-2 0-0
84 84 UT Arlington Sun Belt 22-7 9-4 2-0 9-3 2-0
126 125 Troy Sun Belt 20-10 6-7 3-0 9-3 2-0
145 147 Louisiana Sun Belt 19-10 5-6 3-1 9-3 2-0
169 168 Texas St. Sun Belt 16-14 6-9 0-1 10-3 0-1
214 213 Appalachian St. Sun Belt 12-19 5-10 2-1 5-8 0-0
242 241 South Ala. Sun Belt 11-20 4-9 2-2 3-9 2-0
247 247 Ga. Southern Sun Belt 13-17 5-10 0-1 7-6 1-0
255 256 Coastal Caro. Sun Belt 13-16 5-9 1-1 6-5 1-1
261 260 Georgia St. Sun Belt 12-18 6-6 1-3 4-9 1-0
317 318 Arkansas St. Sun Belt 7-25 0-15 2-3 5-7 0-0
331 331 La.-Monroe Sun Belt 6-24 1-13 0-1 3-10 2-0

I think the men took themselves out of NIT consideration with the loss to Georgia State yesterday. Their rpi ranking may give them a look from the committee, but I see too much working against them to believe they have a reasonable chance of making the field. Somebody would have to have some really good connections to convince the committee to select them.

I don't even see the women on the NIT committee's radar, but they might get there if they knock off Little Rock today. I still don't see it happening even if.

[VObserver]

I have a better chance of winning the lottery than either team has of getting in the NIT. As for the NCAA, it will take the women two miracles in a row to get there. I don't see that happening, either.

[lcitsh]

I have a better chance of winning the lottery than either team has of getting in the NIT. As for the NCAA, it will take the women two miracles in a row to get there. I don't see that happening, either.

It will take less of a miracle than expected. The Cajuns beat Troy in the one game they played this season, 80-72 in Lafayette. Little Rock will get stuck with the NIT. I'll be interested in seeing how much of an improvement this win gives the Cajuns in the rankings.

[VObserver]

It will take less of a miracle than expected. The Cajuns beat Troy in the one game they played this season, 80-72 in Lafayette. Little Rock will get stuck with the NIT. I'll be interested in seeing how much of an improvement this win gives the Cajuns in the rankings.

Kudos to the ladies for the win over Little Rock. I agree we match up better with Troy than with UTA, so our chances of getting to the dance are better than expected. I had better check my lottery tickets in the morning.

As to rankings, per Warren Nolan, our current RPI is 138. He is usually correct, or at least within 1 or 2 positions of the official NCAA ratings.

[CajunEXPRESS]

Troy has some interesting qualities. They led the conference in both offensive and defensive rebounds. Led in points scored. Second in assists and steals. They're 2nd in 3 point defense while the Cajuns 2 NFL in 3 point offense.

[mahtoo]

Troy has some interesting qualities. They led the conference in both offensive and defensive rebounds. Led in points scored. Second in assists and steals. They're 2nd in 3 point defense while the Cajuns 2 NFL in 3 point offense.

Rebounding is what made the biggest difference against UTA. Don't remember the exact stats but I believe they out rebounded them by approx 30 boards.

[CajunEXPRESS]

I trust Jones to be a difference maker.

[lcitsh]

Women: http://web1.ncaa.org/app_data/weekly...17WBBrpi3.html

47 45 Little Rock Sun Belt 24-8 11-5 1-1 12-2 0-0
82 84 UT Arlington Sun Belt 22-7 9-4 2-0 9-3 2-0
126 126 Troy Sun Belt 20-10 6-7 3-0 9-3 2-0
137 145 Louisiana Sun Belt 20-10 5-6 4-1 9-3 2-0
167 169 Texas St. Sun Belt 16-14 6-9 0-1 10-3 0-1
216 214 Appalachian St. Sun Belt 12-19 5-10 2-1 5-8 0-0
244 242 South Ala. Sun Belt 11-20 4-9 2-2 3-9 2-0
247 247 Ga. Southern Sun Belt 13-17 5-10 0-1 7-6 1-0
256 255 Coastal Caro. Sun Belt 13-16 5-9 1-1 6-5 1-1
259 261 Georgia St. Sun Belt 12-18 6-6 1-3 4-9 1-0
317 317 Arkansas St. Sun Belt 7-25 0-15 2-3 5-7 0-0
330 331 La.-Monroe Sun Belt 6-24 1-13 0-1 3-10 2-0

Men: http://web1.ncaa.org/app_data/weekly...17MBBrpi3.html

45 37 UT Arlington Sun Belt 25-8 11-7 1-1 11-0 2-0
106 98 Georgia St. Sun Belt 20-12 6-8 3-1 9-3 2-0
114 110 Louisiana Sun Belt 21-12 8-7 1-1 10-4 2-0
120 120 Arkansas St. Sun Belt 20-12 7-9 1-2 11-1 1-0
122 122 Ga. Southern Sun Belt 18-14 6-11 2-1 8-2 2-0
159 174 Troy Sun Belt 21-14 5-10 5-0 9-4 2-0
172 192 Texas St. Sun Belt 20-12 5-9 4-0 9-3 2-0
183 179 Coastal Caro. Sun Belt 16-17 3-10 2-1 9-6 2-0
230 230 South Ala. Sun Belt 14-18 4-10 0-1 8-7 2-0
245 245 Little Rock Sun Belt 15-17 4-9 2-2 7-6 2-0
295 295 La.-Monroe Sun Belt 9-24 2-12 1-4 4-8 2-0
299 298 Appalachian St. Sun Belt 9-21 1-14 0-1 6-6 2-0

It doesn't look to me like either team is in a very good position to be considered for the NIT. For the women, it's win this game or go back to the minor league tournament.

[VObserver]

Women: http://web1.ncaa.org/app_data/weekly...17WBBrpi3.html

47 45 Little Rock Sun Belt 24-8 11-5 1-1 12-2 0-0
82 84 UT Arlington Sun Belt 22-7 9-4 2-0 9-3 2-0
126 126 Troy Sun Belt 20-10 6-7 3-0 9-3 2-0
137 145 Louisiana Sun Belt 20-10 5-6 4-1 9-3 2-0
167 169 Texas St. Sun Belt 16-14 6-9 0-1 10-3 0-1
216 214 Appalachian St. Sun Belt 12-19 5-10 2-1 5-8 0-0
244 242 South Ala. Sun Belt 11-20 4-9 2-2 3-9 2-0
247 247 Ga. Southern Sun Belt 13-17 5-10 0-1 7-6 1-0
256 255 Coastal Caro. Sun Belt 13-16 5-9 1-1 6-5 1-1
259 261 Georgia St. Sun Belt 12-18 6-6 1-3 4-9 1-0
317 317 Arkansas St. Sun Belt 7-25 0-15 2-3 5-7 0-0
330 331 La.-Monroe Sun Belt 6-24 1-13 0-1 3-10 2-0

Men: http://web1.ncaa.org/app_data/weekly...17MBBrpi3.html

45 37 UT Arlington Sun Belt 25-8 11-7 1-1 11-0 2-0
106 98 Georgia St. Sun Belt 20-12 6-8 3-1 9-3 2-0
114 110 Louisiana Sun Belt 21-12 8-7 1-1 10-4 2-0
120 120 Arkansas St. Sun Belt 20-12 7-9 1-2 11-1 1-0
122 122 Ga. Southern Sun Belt 18-14 6-11 2-1 8-2 2-0
159 174 Troy Sun Belt 21-14 5-10 5-0 9-4 2-0
172 192 Texas St. Sun Belt 20-12 5-9 4-0 9-3 2-0
183 179 Coastal Caro. Sun Belt 16-17 3-10 2-1 9-6 2-0
230 230 South Ala. Sun Belt 14-18 4-10 0-1 8-7 2-0
245 245 Little Rock Sun Belt 15-17 4-9 2-2 7-6 2-0
295 295 La.-Monroe Sun Belt 9-24 2-12 1-4 4-8 2-0
299 298 Appalachian St. Sun Belt 9-21 1-14 0-1 6-6 2-0

It doesn't look to me like either team is in a very good position to be considered for the NIT. For the women, it's win this game or go back to the minor league tournament.

Neither team was ever close to NIT consideration.