March 17, 200818 yr Author All that is true, but they are in a Power Conference and they finished 2nd in the East Division with a 12-4 conference record. This is why they're in the dance. What was Syracuse's regular season conference record? They finished 9th in the Big East. Syracuse was an even 9-9 in conference play. To me, this is the key difference between the Cats and the Orangemen in terms of tourament resume.
March 17, 200818 yr All that is true, but they are in a Power Conference and they finished 2nd in the East Division with a 12-4 conference record. This is why they're in the dance. What was Syracuse's regular season conference record? Big East>SEC
March 17, 200818 yr Author He picked Xavier over Duke in the Sweet 16. You can't call that bias. He is an L away from having Bias for a last name. Of course he's biased, maybe just not all the time.
March 17, 200818 yr Bilas calls a spade a spade... people think he is biased towards Duke, but on numerous occasions I have heard him discount Duke when they were favored in certain games. He sticks by his guns. None of us UK fans had a problem with him when he was predicting big things from those teams led by Chuck Hayes, Tayshaun Prince, et all..... He makes a strong point, and he even addressed that he uses UK because everyone knows who they are. Good point, the reason that he uses Kentucky is that every person in the nation knows the name and tradition with the program.
March 17, 200818 yr Good point, the reason that he uses Kentucky is that every person in the nation knows the name and tradition with the program. Exactly. I think Bilas is a straight shooter. Some fans don't like hearing the truth.
March 17, 200818 yr He said earlier the only reason he uses Kentucky is that everyone knows them. He said he thought they belonged in. He was just using them as an argument as an opponent to the RPI. I think he is right in that the RPI is a usualness tool. That there were two teams that were in the 30's and two teams that got in to the tournament with 50's then it is not a good tool.
March 17, 200818 yr He said earlier the only reason he uses Kentucky is that everyone knows them. He said he thought they belonged in. He was just using them as an argument as an opponent to the RPI. I think he is right in that the RPI is a usualness tool. That there were two teams that were in the 30's and two teams that got in to the tournament with 50's then it is not a good tool. The RPI is just used as a starting point. The factors that got UK in were their conference record, strength of schedule and their performance in their last twelve games. Syracuse did not have much of a case, although some teams such as Arizona St., Virginia Tech and Ole Miss may have.
March 17, 200818 yr I've always felt that Sagarin's ratings are more accurate than the RPI ... As for Bilas, he calls it like he sees it. That is his job, and he's good at it. And he's one of the most knowledgable guys out there. Personally, I'm not convinced that Kentucky should get in, either ... but I think we all can agree that UK is likely to get the benefit of the doubt when they're on the bubble.
March 17, 200818 yr Statistically, I have to agree with him. They showed a graphic between UK, Syracuse and Oregon. Blind resume's... Syracuse had the most impressive one, and they were never even on the bubble. In all fairness, that did not include Conference wins/losses or quality wins, if I remember correctly.
March 17, 200818 yr Florida first of all was too young and inexperienced and because of that....they played the WEAKEST schedule possible. What if those players stayed? WOW!!! They wouldnt have lost a single game
March 17, 200818 yr 18-12 41 point loss to Vandy Loss to a Georgia first round. No big road wins. Not to mention the loss to Gardner-Webb ... I know you can discount that by pointing out the injuries to Meeks and Jasper at the time, but if you do that, don't you have to take into account that UK is without Patterson for the rest of the season? Without Patterson, is UK really among the best 34 at-large teams?
March 17, 200818 yr Florida first of all was too young and inexperienced and because of that....they played the WEAKEST schedule possible. What if those players stayed? WOW!!! They wouldnt have lost a single gameIf those players had stayed, Florida would have played a tougher pre-SEC schedule, although Donovan always manages to schedule his share of cupcakes.
March 17, 200818 yr I don't see anything not to like about Jay Bilas. He presents well, he is intelligent, he loves the game, and he is very honest. ESPN is lucky to have him.
March 17, 200818 yr Exactly. I think Bilas is a straight shooter. Some fans don't like hearing the truth. :thumb: I couldn't have said it better myself...
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