PonyFans.com

http://www.foxsports.com/college-basket ... del-021017

FS has us in the 8/9 game vs. Dayton - would play KU in second round [in TULSA]

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/bubblewatch

SMU [21-4 (11-1), RPI: 25, SOS: 101] After starting 4-3, SMU's crucial win at Temple makes it 17-1 in its past 18 games, and the Mustangs were a bucket from a win at Cincinnati on Jan. 12. Former Duke transfer Semi Ojeleye has spent all season proving why he was signed by no less august a program than the Blue Devils in the first place; his latest demonstration came Thursday, with a 30-point, 10-rebound performance. We moved Tim Jankovich's team into the "should be in" category after that victory, and deservedly so. In the meantime, we can't wait for Sunday, when Cincinnati makes its return visit. SMU has spent the past month and change gradually raising statistically minded folks' eyebrows. Now we get to test our hypotheses: Just how good are these guys, anyway?

Wow cool that they changed us

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basket ... acketology

7 seed vs. CAL in Indy; would play L'Ville in second round

Looking more and more like we'll only end up in Tulsa if we are an 8 or a 9. Baylor and Kansas are both still in great shape to be 1 seeds. If that's the case, then we can only play there if we are an 8 or a 9. Now if Baylor falls to a 2, we could end up there as a 7 (or 10). Major meltdown would have to happen for Baylor and Kansas to both not end up there (location preferences for top seeds).

We should jump to a 6 if we beat Cincy.

Probably have to win out to keep a 6 seed. Maybe not if we only lose to cincy in conference champ game.

Harry0569 wrote:http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/bubblewatch

SMU [21-4 (11-1), RPI: 25, SOS: 101] After starting 4-3, SMU's crucial win at Temple makes it 17-1 in its past 18 games, and the Mustangs were a bucket from a win at Cincinnati on Jan. 12. Former Duke transfer Semi Ojeleye has spent all season proving why he was signed by no less august a program than the Blue Devils in the first place; his latest demonstration came Thursday, with a 30-point, 10-rebound performance. We moved Tim Jankovich's team into the "should be in" category after that victory, and deservedly so. In the meantime, we can't wait for Sunday, when Cincinnati makes its return visit. SMU has spent the past month and change gradually raising statistically minded folks' eyebrows. Now we get to test our hypotheses: Just how good are these guys, anyway?

Glad to see they changed us.

Love the comment about the Frank Haith vs. Kelvin Sampson matchup: The Watch has cast its Sauronian eye in Houston's general direction. Sure, the Cougars lack quality wins and have nothing interesting on their resume, but, hey, so goes the bubble. They're not here yet, but they might get a long-shot spot with a win at Tulsa on Saturday. (Which, by the way, features a Kelvin Sampson/Frank Haith coaching showdown, the basketball equivalent of a windowless van with "scholarships" spray-painted on the side. Seems legit.)

PonyLawExpress wrote:Glad to see they changed us.

Yeah that is cool.

It will be great once we get to a lock since at that point it is a done deal.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/bracketology

7 seed vs. Michigan State in Indianapolis (I would not want that). Would play Kentucky in 2nd round.

Joe Lunardi bumped us up to a 6 seed vs Syracuse in SLC. He has Arizona vs Boise St. as the 3-14 match up next to us. He dropped Cincinnati to a 5 seed.

I know Bracketology is just for fun and nothing to really worry about at this point, but I hate this week's projected regional matchups (after Syracuse who is eminently beatable but I really wish would tank at this point an not make it anyway).

• I'm from Kansas, rooted for KU as a kid and attended some games, including the Larry Brown years AND
• my mom went to Wichita State and my grandparents had season tickets until the mid-90s so I rooted for them and attended games AND
• (much to Hoopmanx's chagrin) am a former Cameron Crazie during my law school years.

Only 1 of those 3 can get past the Sweet 16 in Lunardi's current projection, who we would then have to face if we made it through to the Final 8 (overly-optimistic, I know). I'd prefer to only play these particular 3 teams IN the Final Four, not before, thank you very much. Of course, I'd be rooting for SMU regardless, but I'd prefer SMU not have to take out any of the other teams on my rooting depth chart -- or them take out each other -- early in the tourney.

Great insight here from SI on the committee's likely debate with us if we continue on this path. While I want to be as good of a seed as possible, I agree with the majority of this, especially after seeing what they valued in the top 16 this weekend (namely - top 50 wins). A 5 seed is the absolute ceiling I think, and only if we win out and beat Cincy again in the tourney final. Win out and lose to Cincy in tourney final and I think 6 is still realistic but could even see them giving us a 7. Anything else and we're looking at 7-10 depending on who the losses are too. Ultimately, it's all about matchups anyway, so maybe stressing over seed is pointless. If we end up in Tulsa as a 7, with a potential second round matchup with Baylor as a 2, I'll be quite pleased...

http://www.si.com/college-basketball/20 ... or-gonzaga

Due to parity, this is the year where there really is no dominant team. There are some excellent teams, but no dominant one. I think on any given day any of the Top 30-35 teams could beat any of the other top 30-35 teams. Our hope is to get a seeding at 8 or above so that we get to play a lower seed in the first round. Still have to come to play. Then we have to beat higher seeds the rest of the way. If there is ever a year for us to make a deep run, this tournament is the year. Sooner or later we'll have to probably beat a 1 seed. My view is the earlier the better. Defense wins tournaments. We have shown that we can play D with anyone. The only way you can really beat us is to hit 50%+ from outside of the 3 point line which on any given night can happen. My only other fear aside from injury is getting put in a regional at altitude with our thin bench.

ESPN bubble watch update today:

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/bubblewatch

American Athletic Conference
Teams that should be in: Cincinnati, SMU

SMU [22-4 (12-1), RPI: 19, SOS: 80] The Mustangs' 60-51 win over the Bearcats on Sunday took them to 12-1 in league play and gave them a share of first place alongside their just-vanquished opponent. Considering SMU traded just 54 possessions in the win, forward Semi Ojeleye's line of 18 points, four rebounds, three assists and one block is even more impressive than it first seems. That it came against a stout Mick Cronin defense? Even better. Sunday was, finally, a solid affirmation of what the past weeks have gradually hinted at: This team is really good. The fact that SMU went this deep into the season without a win to prove that point is the biggest reason why it is still -- just barely! -- unlocked. (Provided nothing disastrous happens against Tulane on Wednesday, Friday's update should be a different story.)