Here is the first of a periodic breakdown of teams sweating out their invitation to the Big Dance
Appalachian State
What to Like: Victories over Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth and Vanderbilt show that the Mountaineers are as good as other teams gunning for an at-large berth in the NCAA tournament.
What Not to Like: ASU was thumped by 30 at Clemson, and by 32 in Blacksburg at the hands of Virginia Tech.
What Will Help Them: Three things-- Vanderbilt's continued success, Virginia Tech advancing deep into the ACC tournament, and Winthrop winning the Big South. With the Eagles winning their tournament, that saves one an at-large for a hopeful.
Vitals: 61 RPI, 15-3 in conference, 77 S-Curve, 8-2 in their last ten games, road win at Wichita State in the Bracket Busters.
Verdict: NIT. By not advancing to the finals of their conference, consider them as good as gone from the Big Dance. Quality wins aside, ASU needed to truly take advantage of their conference tournament to show America and the committee what they were made of. Unfortunately, they're made of hosting a first round game in the NIT, and then travelling to a power conference foe for the second round.
(posted by JH)
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1 comment:
They also beat UVA on a neutral court. I think they've got a very good shot at getting in. Nobody knows what criteria the committee has, but I think those wins in Puerto Rico will resonate.
-PS
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