Just sayin'
One of the big bubble debates of the next week will revolve around Virginia Commonwealth, which won the Colonial Athletic Association regular-season title, then lost in the semifinals to William & Mary last night. VCU is now firmly on the bubble, and will be hotly debated right up until the field of 65 is announced on Sunday -- and beyond, probably. If they don't get in, the mid-major-loving blogosphere (ahem) will erupt in rage, while if the Rams do get in ahead of, say, Syracuse or Maryland, Billy Packer's head will most likely explode. In the latter scenario, the presence of VCU's athletic director on the selection committee will figure prominently into the commentary.
Anyway, I just thought it might be worth noting that this isn't the first time a CAA champion or co-champion has triggered intense debate after being eliminated in the semifinals of that tough conference's tournament. In fact, it happened a mere two years ago, causing me to write at the time:
With the NCAA selection show exactly 100 hours away, the most intriguing question right now — supplanting the whole Missouri Valley vs. power conferences debate — is what the selection committee will decide to do with George Mason.
Ahem. I think we all remember how that decision turned out. :)
In fairness, this isn't actually a valid argument for letting VCU in -- nor is the fact that they beat Duke last year. We mid-major-philes always insist that previous years' records shouldn't matter (in contrast to the Billy Packers of the world, who think teams should be rewarded for what they did in 1985), so to be consistent, we really shouldn't advocate letting VCU in as a bubble team just because George Mason got in as a bubble team in a superficially similar situation two years ago, and pretty well proved they belong.
Still, I couldn't resist mentioning it in passing. ;)
P.S. Speaking of George Mason, the Patriots lead William & Mary 27-26 at the half in the CAA title game.
I know this has nothing to do with this post but...Is anyone else loving Drake as much as I am this season. Talk about a fun team to watch.
Posted by: Marty West | Mar 10, 2008 8:38:14 PM
'Cuse got the shaft last year. They better not get it again this year. And if Siena loses to Rider tonight, they deserve it more than VCU. At least the Saints beat Stanford and the drunken tree.
Posted by: domerdc | Mar 10, 2008 8:41:37 PM
nevermind, Siena is running away with it.
Posted by: domerdc | Mar 10, 2008 8:42:06 PM
Drake is a sham. :P
j/k
Posted by: Brendan | Mar 10, 2008 8:42:57 PM
YOU'RE A SHAM!!!! Hahaha.
I think Zaga is in need of a 'quality' win tonight.
Posted by: Marty West | Mar 10, 2008 8:52:32 PM
I know someone who went to Drake, how random is that?
Posted by: Andrew | Mar 10, 2008 9:33:34 PM