A Sea Of Red

Joe Lunardi is predicting UNCA in the the play-in game? He's NUTS. They have a chance to be 24-8 with a couple of quality non-conference wins. The only reason they would be in the play-in game is because the NCAA is too chicken-bleep to put the MEAC and SWAC teams in it together.

They've got to get there first

I would seriously doubt either WU or UNCA would get less than a 15. Probably a 14, with the best possible a 13.

True...but it shows the lack of respect the conference has in spite of Winthrop's run of <del>luck</del> success over the past 10 years.

Lunardi is just going by current RPI right now. He's not trying to get across a message about our league. Some of the higher RPI teams that are on his bracket won't win their tournament to get in. Which would push UNCA or WU up.

If it's UNCA, I think they're in the playoff game--however, if WU wins, they get a 14, maybe even a 13, on name alone.

There is zero chance WU gets a 13 seed ... 14 is a real stretch.

Hopefully there are some upsets and the play-in game isn't an option.

Sly Fox wrote:There is zero chance WU gets a 13 seed ... 14 is a real stretch.

Hopefully there are some upsets and the play-in game isn't an option.

Yea, the winner most likely gets the standard 15 or 16.



As far as predictions go regarding who gets the play-in: it's kinda ridiculous to speculate at this stage as to who's gonna get the play-in game. Things will begin to take shape once we actually know who's going to the dance. There's always at least a team or two from a weak conference that gets in with a losing record or has marginal credentials at best. Every front runner would have to win their respective mid-major tourney in order for there to be the slightest chance of UNCA as a play-in. Of course, it never happens like that, so UNCA should be safe.

I'd imagine that UNCA would probably play a primetime game against a top-ten opponent, with the potential for a big draw because of George.

No chance WU gets a 16 based on what they say they judge on. WU will have better wins than just about anyone in the 14-16 range, and will have a much tougher strength of schedule than anyone in that range as well. I'd say probably a 14, but if there are a few upsets a 13.

UNCA will have a little tougher time based on their weak OOC schedule and lack of top 100 RPI wins.

To put it this way: no team in the 14-16 range will have a win over a top 25 RPI team, and two top 100 teams like WU. That will keep them at a 14 at worst now that I think about it.

UNCA has a tougher case as their best win is Winthrop.

Realist wrote:To put it this way: no team in the 14-16 range will have a win over a top 25 RPI team, and two top 100 teams like WU. That will keep them at a 14 at worst now that I think about it.

UNCA has a tougher case as their best 3 wins are Winthrop.

Fixed it for you

I agree. I think it's nuts to put unca in a playin. Anybody who has seen them play would know that. Who gives a crap about the rpi. UNCA almost beat UNC.

If by "almost beat", you mean "played", then yes they did.

LUconn wrote:If by "almost beat", you mean "played", then yes they did.

Wasn't it really close for much of the second half. I'll be honest, that's my recollection. Possibly I am Misremembering.

kel varson wrote:

LUconn wrote:If by "almost beat", you mean "played", then yes they did.

Wasn't it really close for much of the second half. I'll be honest, that's my recollection. Possibly I am Misremembering.

Oops. You're right. I mis-remembered. It was a one pt game early in the 2nd half. UNC pulled away quickly after that.

updated today. UNCA as a 16 but not in the play-in.

Yeah...against UCLA.

Eddie Biedenbaugh has had some success vs UCLA as a coach on a very large stage (1974)

SCAR wrote:Eddie Biedenbaugh has had some success vs UCLA as a coach on a very large stage (1974)

Great Call!

That's the kind of stuff that just pops in my mind. I'd be dangerous if I actually did "a little research"

SCAR wrote:Eddie Biedenbaugh has had some success vs UCLA as a coach on a very large stage (1974)

As a huge NC STATE FAN (David Thompson is still my all time fave player)...I should have picked up on that. I don't think that George, Smithson, and Garland are exactly Burleson, Thompson, and Towe, though.

SCAR wrote:That's the kind of stuff that just pops in my mind. I'd be dangerous if I actually did "a little research"

For real... You have my respect today sir.

Fumblerooskies wrote:

SCAR wrote:Eddie Biedenbaugh has had some success vs UCLA as a coach on a very large stage (1974)

As a huge NC STATE FAN (David Thompson is still my all time fave player)...I should have picked up on that. I don't think that George, Smithson, and Garland are exactly Burleson, Thompson, and Towe, though.

I have coached vs Towe when he was at UNCA (Fumble you probably know him too) and I have met DT a few times. One time I came out of my office at Liberty and he was in our lobby! He was waiting for coach Meyer. I was like, sup DT! The other time was when he spoke at an FCA function when I was sitting with Ryan Mantlo, Gabe Martin and Randy Tomlin among others. That was fun too. DT doesn't mind talking about his dunks though. You guys thought I was bad!

SCAR wrote:

Fumblerooskies wrote:

SCAR wrote:Eddie Biedenbaugh has had some success vs UCLA as a coach on a very large stage (1974)

As a huge NC STATE FAN (David Thompson is still my all time fave player)...I should have picked up on that. I don't think that George, Smithson, and Garland are exactly Burleson, Thompson, and Towe, though.

I have coached vs Towe when he was at UNCA (Fumble you probably know him too) and I have met DT a few times. One time I came out of my office at Liberty and he was in our lobby! He was waiting for coach Meyer. I was like, sup DT! The other time was when he spoke at an FCA function when I was sitting with Ryan Mantlo, Gabe Martin and Randy Tomlin among others. That was fun too. DT doesn't mind talking about his dunks though. You guys thought I was bad!

It's funny UNCA has ties to all those guys you've mentioned- not just because of Eddie either.. DT's daughter went to UNCA and was a Track Athlete for us in the 100m, Long Jump, & Triple Jump (perhaps others as well- I dunno), Burleson lived about 30 mins from Avl and was in the gym a bunch when I played back in the day, and Monte was an assistant coach my senior year until bouncing to JUCO in Fl then UNO & now NC State.. funny little life circles!!

For the record- should we be victorious tomorrow I can't imagine us getting a 16 seed- I also wouldn't want to speculate until the other conference winners are confirmed- there's always upsets that occur..

What do you expect to get if you win tomorrow?

SCAR wrote:

Fumblerooskies wrote:

SCAR wrote:Eddie Biedenbaugh has had some success vs UCLA as a coach on a very large stage (1974)

As a huge NC STATE FAN (David Thompson is still my all time fave player)...I should have picked up on that. I don't think that George, Smithson, and Garland are exactly Burleson, Thompson, and Towe, though.

I have coached vs Towe when he was at UNCA (Fumble you probably know him too) and I have met DT a few times. One time I came out of my office at Liberty and he was in our lobby! He was waiting for coach Meyer. I was like, sup DT! The other time was when he spoke at an FCA function when I was sitting with Ryan Mantlo, Gabe Martin and Randy Tomlin among others. That was fun too. DT doesn't mind talking about his dunks though. You guys thought I was bad!

I know Monte very well...still talk to him a couple times a year...
...and had the honor of eating breakfast with Thompson and introducing him at UNCA when he gave a drug education talk to our athletes.