Selection Sunday

[ozark trout fisher]

So Mizzou did not really make a run in the SEC tournament like we hoped, but will now (almost certainly) have a chance to make that right in the NCAA tournament. They finished up 23-10, and 11-7 in the SEC. Good computer numbers make sure they're basically a lock for the tournament, but losing early to Ole Miss really hurt their seed. It will be interesting to see where they end up. I tend to believe they will be an 8 or a 9 seed. That is usually very bad news. It sets a team up with a fairly winnable (but tough) first game, but then you get a likely top 5 team in the next game. Since I don't think under any reasonable circumstances Mizzou can be any higher than a 7 seed, I actually wouldn't mind them dropping a couple lines. An 11 seed would be ideal-because it sets you up with a slightly tougher first game, but the next opponent might be considerably less frightening than a 1 or 2 seed.

So cheer for Mizzou to stay out of that 8-9 seed territory! And if we can get our first game or two in Kansas City by some form of luck, all the better.

As for SLU, they did take care of business winning the Atlantic 10. They have a good chance at a 4 seed, and I think they should at least get a 5.

[ozark trout fisher]

Mizzou is a 9 seed playing Colorado State. With a win, we play Louisville. Tough draw, but we're in, so I won't complain. And we were the first 9 seed listed, so no nervous waiting.

SLU a 4 seed. Could meet Mizzou in tournament if both win two games.

[Jerry Rapp]

Louisville can be beat obviously, especially on a neutral court in California. That is if they can beat that powerhouse 8 seed Colorado State. The Bills will be interesting to watch. Everyone talks about how tough the A-10 was. We will find out I guess.

[Jerry Rapp]

and Illinois got a 7 seed? Go figure?

[ozark trout fisher]

Colorado State is an excellent team for an 8 seed. Mizzou can win but it won't be easy. They are one of the best rebounding teams in the country, which could work against Missouri's biggest strength.

I thought SLU was well rewarded for an excellent season. They can make a run.

[moguy1973]

and Illinois got a 7 seed? Go figure?

Yeah, that's silly...

[ozark trout fisher]

Not Missouri related, but I think the committee did a really good job selecting teams. Some tournament quality teams got left out, but none that I really think got snubbed-and every team in the tourney deserved to be there in my opinion. Good job putting in mid-majors like Middle Tennessee State and St. Mary's that are good enough to win games. Middle Tennessee was a surprise, but we do need teams like that.

That said, I thought the seeding was a little bit weird in a couple cases. Oregon somehow got a 12 seed despite going 26-8 and winning the Pac-12 tournament. Their computer numbers weren't great, but they had plenty of quality wins, and it's not like the Pac-12 is nearly as bad as it was last year-it's not even the worst "power" conference this season. I heard that Oregon moved down from an 11 for bracketing reasons, but even that was way too low in my opinion. They maybe should have been in a 5 vs. 12 game, but probably as the five seed.

I also thought that Ole Miss can't be feeling too good about its seed, though it's probably not as extreme of a case. They also finished 26-8 and won the SEC tournament, beating Missouri and Florida along the way. They got a 12 seed also, and in my opinion have a really good 5 seed in Wisconsin. But they did have somewhat mediocre computer numbers and some bad losses. And the SEC was slightly worse than the Pac-12 by most measures this year. So that was at least slightly more understandable.

In the end, they did a very good job. Figuring out which teams get a chance to play in the tournament is much more important that what seed they get. And they got the first part of that pretty close to perfect, in my opinion. So no huge complaints for me.

[Justin Spencer]

I love that Kentucky got left out, one and done players are great gets for a program, but you can't fill a team with them and expect to be good year after year. Should be a fun tourney, I think an 8 or a 9 over a 1 is a good possibility, just got to figure out which one.

[ozark trout fisher]

I think an 8 or a 9 over a 1 is a good possibility, just got to figure out which one.

I hope you're right. And I have a specific 9 seed in mind!

[stlfisher]

Louisville is playing really well right now and this is toughest regional for sure. MU could beat them if we beat Colorado st, but MU is an enigma. Not sure you fear them, but not sure you really want to play them either. I give up predicting how we will do...but am setting my expecations low.

It is great to see SLU as a 4 seed, but they might have had an easier run at a 5 seed in another regional. If we get that far I think SLU will give Louisville all kinds of headaches. This is a matchup that Lousville probably doesn't want. Oklahoma state is a good squad the matchup angainst SLU will be a really good game.

Mizzou was the last number 9 seed. Really they weren't that far from being out of the tourney.

Anyone see the center for New Mexico State? He is like 8 feet tall and 320lbs'. I am interested to see how SLU hanldes that.

God I love this time of year...