On Second Thought...
I've given Doug Gottleib a fair amount of grief over the two-plus years he's been on ESPN as an analyst. Mainly because I disagreed with his opinions. But when I'm wrong, or when someone changes, I'm the kind of guy who will admit he was wrong and apologize.
Over the past week, Gottleib has become my favorite talking head on ESPN, summarily taking on and down the likes of Digger Phelps, Jay Bilas, Hubert Davis, et al. Collegehoops.net summed up my thoughts exactly, so I'll just quote them instead of rehashing it:
"...have to say that Doug Gottlieb's work in the studio for ESPN this week has been a breath of fresh air. Really enjoying his willingness to challenge the other ESPN heads, who haven't seen a bubble team yet from the Big East, Big 10 or ACC that they'd keep out. Most of them come across as downright apologists and think it doesn't matter if you beat good teams so long as you play them. Gottlieb has presented the seldom publicized view from the other side; if anything he's guiltier of being too critical more than the opposite. His criticism of the non-conference schedules of Texas A&M and Florida State has been right on. He's also pointed out how, with so many chances to beat good teams, a Syracuse, Michigan or Cincinnati should at least prove they can win those games with some regularity, not just play close. What an idea-not just play a tough schedule, but win some of the games! No one will ever confuse the guy for a lawyer like Jay Bilas or a basketball nerd like Rick Majerus (that description is meant with affection), but his studio analysis and its originality have blown away that done by anyone else on the Four-Letter Network this season."
Right on.
Still Confident that Jays Will Be Dancing
As the long, long week until Selection Sunday nears, I remain slightly confident that Creighton can still be invited to the NCAA Tourney (for my Nebraska readers comprehension: in football terms, the Rose Bowl) instead of the NIT (akin to the Poulan Weedeaters Humanitarian Bowl).
The truth is no one really knows. There's never been a year quite like this one -- the major conferences are down, the mid-majors are up -- and there's never been a conference like the Valley with 6 worthy teams. They've had several bracket gurus on the radio here this week, and to a man they admit this has been the toughest year to project ever.
Really, though, its rather exciting as a fan -- the Jays have never been in this position before, teetering on the outcome of every game all week. In their 7 NCAA berths under DA, 5 were automatic bids and the two at-larges were largely sewed up by the end of Arch Madness. Only the year they lost in the semis to Indiana State and got the at-large to play Iowa was up in the air, and even then not nearly like this year.
The suspense is killing me. I hope it'll last...nah, not really. Come on, Sunday!
I will remain optimistic until the picks are shown Sunday. But I also understand that the chances of attending an NIT game next week are looming. If that is their fate, I hope Maryland and that D-bag coach Gary Williams get sent here. Can I say D-bag? Its my site, why not?
Anyway, fans from three other Valley schools have posted messages on ValleyTalk that they would drive up to Omaha for that game just to boo Williams. Its amazing how after the games are played, SIU, Creighton, and Wichita all root for each other. Well, maybe not SIU.
Prove Me Wrong
Many of the so-called bubble teams are not as good as Creighton. Sure, CU is the fifth or sixth pick from the MVC. I won't dispute that. They lost in the quarters, Bradley, UNI, SIU and Wichita won, so they're the top four. Missouri State and CU fight it out for 5 and 6.
Once again, CollegeHoops.net sums it up so well, I'll quote them (because dammit, I'm so sick of the drama all week -- Are they in? Are they out? Hofstra lost? Awesome! Syracuse won? Dammit!) that I'm mailing it in for this section. Sue me.
"Personal opinion: Indiana should not be in unless it beats Wisconsin. Again, this is our opinion, but the Hoosiers lost 7 of 8 before their recent streak of four wins in a row. Those recent wins were against Purdue, Penn State, and struggling Michigan and Michigan State teams, personally do not see enough proof that this team is back to the form it displayed early in the season or that it deserves a bid at 17-11. By contrast, while Creighton is 6-4 in its last four, it lost all four of those to likely NCAA teams, and more importantly has been playing without its point guard. Comparing them head-to-head, the numbers favor IU on paper slightly, but Josh Dotzler's absence and Indiana's generally poor play since mid-January ought to have the Bluejays in and the Hoosiers out, unless IU beats Wisconsin.
Other than Indiana, it should be emphasized again that Creighton has a better profile than just about all of these bubble teams. Texas A&M also should not be in ahead of Creighton or Indiana. The Aggies do not deserve to be rewarded for their horrible non-conference schedule and their complete disregard for the committee's request for teams to play people out of conference; however, they'll likely get in based on their Big 12 record. Never mind that 10-6 in the Big 12 this year does not mean what even 9-7 in that league has meant in the past. We'd personally endorse Cincinnati or Hofstra over the Aggies, but would suggest A&M over Florida State or Michigan."
Amen, my brother by another mother.
The Only Thing We Know For Sure
Go Jays. That's the only thing we know for sure, that we'll be cheering the Jays against somebody next week, whether its Monday or Tuesday in Omaha against an NIT opponent, or Thursday or Friday against an NCAA team. Either way, there's actual basketball to be played (how refreshing!) instead of this constant paralysis by analysis that's consumed everyone this week.
I took a voluntary leave of absence from the Bluejay Cafe message board because I just couldn't stand the constant worrying anymore. I just want to know an opponent, where I need to go to cheer, and root for a victory. Come Sunday, I'll get my wish. And with that attitude I can't go wrong -- happiness either way.
But I still want the NCAA's bad. 5 NIT wins and a championship is still not as good as a First-Round NCAA game, even if its a loss.
You bet.
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