Running NCAA Basketball Thread 2014-15

A bit of an off-the-wall question, but if Texas Southern makes it through the SWAC Tournament and into the NCAA Tournament, could they be a first-round sleeper pick?
They won at Michigan State, and nearly won at Auburn and Kansas State (two losses by a total of three points). They have an RPI of 127, so they should be able to avoid the play-in game and a 16-seed as well. Depends on the matchup, of course, but I'm thinking they're a good choice for a first-round upset.

 

Texas Southern actually won at K-State too. But there is no way a 19-12 team is getting an at large out of the SWAC.

It had a nice three-game stretch one week in late Dec. But it was preceded by monumental blowout losses to Baylor, Gonzaga and Florida and followed by a loss to New Mexico state.

 

And I just realized I misread Batman's post.

Depends on the matchup, but Michigan State and K-State were really struggling when they played.

 

Misread the K-State score when I first posted that.
And very true about the blowout losses, though that's par for the course for the SWAC. Their non-conference strength of schedule as a league has got to be one of the highest in the country, given the number of cash-grab games they play against powerhouses.
This year, though, the SWAC seems to have a little something. Besides Texas Southern's wins, a few other teams had some notable non-conference wins and near-misses (by notable, I mean they were within 10 a couple of times and won a few against some mid-majors; for the SWAC, that's an accomplishment). Southern University played Iowa State, Baylor and Louisiana Tech tough.
I guess it's more a function of the historical shittiness of the SWAC that any non-conference win makes you raise an eyebrow at one of their teams. The league hasn't won a real NCAA Tournament game (UAPB won a play-in game a couple of years ago, but that doesn't really count) since 1993 -- also the last time their champion wasn't a 15- or 16-seed.

 

Nobody shits the bed like the Iowa Hawkeyes. 27% from the floor against dogshit Penn State. Enjoy your 9 seed boys.

 

Make it a 10 seed and have them play a play-in game.

 

Evidently there are still a number of sites for next week, and beyond, that have lots of unsold tickets. NCAA is offering a one-day special today (Friday) whereby Ticketmaster is waiving its fee on orders.

 

Michigan didn't attempt its first free throw till 30 seconds to play, in the game.

On, Wisconsin.

 

SMU just beat East Carolina, the Mustangs' first victory in a conference tournament game since 2006.

 

Uggg......borderline foul call could let Villinova survive Providence.


Desperation 3 off and Nova advances.

UVA going down, though.

 

Heels in title game.

When they're on they're good.

But they look laughable at times.

 

UVA lost because its defense came up short and Bennett got out coached. Can't say that too often these days.