Now comes the challenging part of the schedule and the opportunity for the Cajuns to make a move in the RPI, Q1 games, and their general postseason resume. Some quick projections ...
Let's assume the Cajuns win their two remaining home mid-week games ... #208 Houston Christian and #260 Jackson State. And no, we do not want to lose the Jackson State game. This is a good game from the perspective of improving your RPI. Considerably better than several teams on the Cajuns' schedule ranked 100+ spots higher. Meanwhile, a win over Houston Christian is an extremely small loss in RPI. Not even worth talking about.
Next, let's assume that the Cajuns win 2/3 in every remaining conference series.
The above would result in the Cajuns obtaining a #32 RPI ranking entering the conference tournament based on the current RPI rankings, all other things being equal. Importantly, it would yield 4 Q1 wins ... assuming Georgia Southern does stay in the RPI Top 60 (currently 58). Ironically, the Cajuns sweeping Georgia Southern could take the Cajuns from 4 Q1 wins to 2 Q1 wins due to potentially moving Georgia Southern out of the RPI Top 60. But Georgia Southern could still get there by other means. We are Georgia Southern fans, except in our series against them.
#72 Troy in another real possibility of moving into Q1 range. The home loss to Jacksonville State last night hurt. We are Troy fans as well.
Also, as discussed many times prior, #77 Louisiana Tech could get there ... adding a 1 win and 0 losses to the Q1 record.
It would be really difficult for #48 Southern Mississippi to get to Q1, but not impossible. In addition to the Cajuns on the road, they do have Coastal at home remaining. Southern Miss simply does not feel like an RPI Top 25 team. Too many holes.
We would prefer that #49 LSU not make it into the RPI Top 40, which would give the Cajuns another Q1 loss. With their schedule (Missouri aside), they do not need to win a lot to get there.
#118 Texas State would need a minor miracle to get to the RPI Top 60. Not impossible ... but I do not see it happening.
Maybe we can get JMU in the conference tournament (neutral site) ... and hope some others can move into the RPI Top 40 for more potential Q1 wins (Southern Mississippi, Old Dominion, Georgia Southern).
Brian