[Elicoolbreeze]

Guys in looking at the schedule before the BracketBuster Selection coming this Feb 2nd things could not line up too much better for Liberty. Our next four games before the selection go like this:

Away at High Point (1-6 in conference play)
Home vs Radford (6-1 in conference play)
Home vs High Point
Home vs UNCA (4-3 in conference play)

We are taking on High Point for two games which should be relatively easy wins then take on two top conference teams in Radford and UNCA which IF we win all four games will give us a record of 17-6 overall and a 7-3 conference record. Being 7-3 at the end of the month should put us in sole possession of 3rd place if not tied for 1st or 2nd place. We would have beaten all the top teams in the Big South once (VMI, Radford, and UNCA). Not only that we would probably be a top 10 team in the Mid Major Poll. Our RPI is probably going to be around 140. We should be in prime position to match up with a good opponent.

What takes precedence for the selection committee; RPI, Mid Major Poll, Conference Standing?

Any thoughts?

[LUconn]

Ratings is their top priority since it's an ESPN event. But obviously not all of them get televised so after that I think they try to pair by RPI. I don't know that there's any set criteria though.

[jcmanson]

We are taking on High Point for two games which should be relatively easy wins

Let's not get ahead of ourselves as we don't typically play well on the road and especially at HPU. We haven't won there since 03-04, and we've only won at HPU twice in 10 tries.

[flamesbball84]

be honest with yourself now, aside from ratings, there is no reason to pair davidson against liberty. why pair davidson, who is going to get a reasonably high seed, with a team who won't make the ncaa tournament unless they get the auto bid other than ratings? The stated intent behind the bracket busters is to expose the mid majors to a wider audience and for them to beef up their resume.

On that note, Davidson is 30th in the rpi. Only bracket buster teams with a higher RPI are Siena (29), and Davidson can't play Siena, and Butler (9), who Davidson will be able to play. Currently there are 14 visiting bracket buster teams with a RPI in the top-100. Unless ESPN concludes that the ratings pull of Davidson vs. LU will be higher than Davidson vs. Butler/George Mason/VCU, I don't see it happening, especially once you add in the whole rankings thing. Even then I'm not sure if Davidson vs. LU can get better ratings than if Davidson played Butler since Butler has the name recognition now after being so successful the past few years, George Masosn has a big name recognition factor for success due to their final four run, and VCU also is a highly recognizable name associated with success due to Eric Maynor and the upset of Duke the other year ago. LU doesn't have the name recognition of successful men's basketball like a lot of the other schools do, which is why I think the only reason there will be LU vs. Davidson is because of the potential ratings pull of curry vs. curry.

[SumItUp]

LU doesn't have the name recognition of successful men's basketball like a lot of the other schools do, which is why I think the only reason there will be LU vs. Davidson is because of the potential ratings pull of curry vs. curry.

I agree that LU does not have the national name recognition, however, it could be a matchup this year between LU and Davidson that propels the program so that every college basketball fan in the country knows who Liberty is in 3 or 4 years. If it is a ratings decision by ESPN, so be it.

[flamesbball84]

LU doesn't have the name recognition of successful men's basketball like a lot of the other schools do, which is why I think the only reason there will be LU vs. Davidson is because of the potential ratings pull of curry vs. curry.

I agree that LU does not have the national name recognition, however, it could be a matchup this year between LU and Davidson that propels the program so that every college basketball fan in the country knows who Liberty is in 3 or 4 years. If it is a ratings decision by ESPN, so be it.

teams don't get propelled to long term national recognition for one bracket buster appearance. you don't get that unless you make noise in the ncaa tournament or post a bunch of big wins against "name" teams in the regular season.

[coolhandluke]

be honest with yourself now, aside from ratings, there is no reason to pair davidson against liberty. why pair davidson, who is going to get a reasonably high seed, with a team who won't make the ncaa tournament unless they get the auto bid other than ratings? The stated intent behind the bracket busters is to expose the mid majors to a wider audience and for them to beef up their resume.

On that note, Davidson is 30th in the rpi. Only bracket buster teams with a higher RPI are Siena (29), and Davidson can't play Siena, and Butler (9), who Davidson will be able to play. Currently there are 14 visiting bracket buster teams with a RPI in the top-100. Unless ESPN concludes that the ratings pull of Davidson vs. LU will be higher than Davidson vs. Butler/George Mason/VCU, I don't see it happening, especially once you add in the whole rankings thing. Even then I'm not sure if Davidson vs. LU can get better ratings than if Davidson played Butler since Butler has the name recognition now after being so successful the past few years, George Masosn has a big name recognition factor for success due to their final four run, and VCU also is a highly recognizable name associated with success due to Eric Maynor and the upset of Duke the other year ago. LU doesn't have the name recognition of successful men's basketball like a lot of the other schools do, which is why I think the only reason there will be LU vs. Davidson is because of the potential ratings pull of curry vs. curry.

I surprised you are familiar with the RPI ranking system and its application to the Bracketbuster games? I'm not really sure, so I'm just asking... Do they have and RPI in D 3 ball?

[Schfourteenteen]

Hes a Kentucky fan

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

They still have fans?!

[flamesbball84]

be honest with yourself now, aside from ratings, there is no reason to pair davidson against liberty. why pair davidson, who is going to get a reasonably high seed, with a team who won't make the ncaa tournament unless they get the auto bid other than ratings? The stated intent behind the bracket busters is to expose the mid majors to a wider audience and for them to beef up their resume.

On that note, Davidson is 30th in the rpi. Only bracket buster teams with a higher RPI are Siena (29), and Davidson can't play Siena, and Butler (9), who Davidson will be able to play. Currently there are 14 visiting bracket buster teams with a RPI in the top-100. Unless ESPN concludes that the ratings pull of Davidson vs. LU will be higher than Davidson vs. Butler/George Mason/VCU, I don't see it happening, especially once you add in the whole rankings thing. Even then I'm not sure if Davidson vs. LU can get better ratings than if Davidson played Butler since Butler has the name recognition now after being so successful the past few years, George Masosn has a big name recognition factor for success due to their final four run, and VCU also is a highly recognizable name associated with success due to Eric Maynor and the upset of Duke the other year ago. LU doesn't have the name recognition of successful men's basketball like a lot of the other schools do, which is why I think the only reason there will be LU vs. Davidson is because of the potential ratings pull of curry vs. curry.

I surprised you are familiar with the RPI ranking system and its application to the Bracketbuster games? I'm not really sure, so I'm just asking... Do they have and RPI in D 3 ball?

www.masseyratings.com used to have an RPI like ranking for all divisions (even NAIA) for basketball. for some reason he hasn't even done D1 hoops this year.

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

be honest with yourself now, aside from ratings, there is no reason to pair davidson against liberty. why pair davidson, who is going to get a reasonably high seed, with a team who won't make the ncaa tournament unless they get the auto bid other than ratings? The stated intent behind the bracket busters is to expose the mid majors to a wider audience and for them to beef up their resume.

On that note, Davidson is 30th in the rpi. Only bracket buster teams with a higher RPI are Siena (29), and Davidson can't play Siena, and Butler (9), who Davidson will be able to play. Currently there are 14 visiting bracket buster teams with a RPI in the top-100. Unless ESPN concludes that the ratings pull of Davidson vs. LU will be higher than Davidson vs. Butler/George Mason/VCU, I don't see it happening, especially once you add in the whole rankings thing. Even then I'm not sure if Davidson vs. LU can get better ratings than if Davidson played Butler since Butler has the name recognition now after being so successful the past few years, George Masosn has a big name recognition factor for success due to their final four run, and VCU also is a highly recognizable name associated with success due to Eric Maynor and the upset of Duke the other year ago. LU doesn't have the name recognition of successful men's basketball like a lot of the other schools do, which is why I think the only reason there will be LU vs. Davidson is because of the potential ratings pull of curry vs. curry.

I surprised you are familiar with the RPI ranking system and its application to the Bracketbuster games? I'm not really sure, so I'm just asking... Do they have and RPI in D 3 ball?

www.masseyratings.com used to have an RPI like ranking for all divisions (even NAIA) for basketball. for some reason he hasn't even done D1 hoops this year.

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Burn!

[flamesbball84]

I surprised you are familiar with the RPI ranking system and its application to the Bracketbuster games? I'm not really sure, so I'm just asking... Do they have and RPI in D 3 ball?

www.masseyratings.com used to have an RPI like ranking for all divisions (even NAIA) for basketball. for some reason he hasn't even done D1 hoops this year.

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Burn!

yep, apparently he has said "screw college basketball" for this year as he has rankings for nba/d league, a few minor basketball leagues, and even high school hoops.

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

So Im assuming the OKC Thunder are atop the D-League Rankings

[flamesbball84]

So Im assuming the OKC Thunder are atop the D-League Rankings

probably closer to the bottom, I would guesstimate.

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

True. At Least Blake Griffin wont have to move far.

[Elicoolbreeze]

Here is Chris Lang's take on my comments and question:

RPI has the most to do with it. Attractive TV matchups are part of the equation too. I think ESPN would have a very difficult time shying away from a Butler-Davidson matchup if those two remain unbeaten in their leagues over the next two weeks. Butler is ranked. Davidson is on the cusp of being ranked. Unless they wanted to send Butler to Saint Mary's instead. Liberty-Davidson could still happen, but it's a bit more complicated than just "Curry vs. Curry". I don't think the mid-major Top 25 is a factor at all. Conference standing plays a big role. The Big South is not a respected league at all, so being in third place will not look good for LU.

So if Liberty is going to have a shot at playing a big game then they better win the next four games and they need some help. VMI and Radford must stumble around in their next few games so Liberty can be on top in the standings.

[flamesbball84]

Here is Chris Lang's take on my comments and question:

RPI has the most to do with it. Attractive TV matchups are part of the equation too. I think ESPN would have a very difficult time shying away from a Butler-Davidson matchup if those two remain unbeaten in their leagues over the next two weeks. Butler is ranked. Davidson is on the cusp of being ranked. Unless they wanted to send Butler to Saint Mary's instead. Liberty-Davidson could still happen, but it's a bit more complicated than just "Curry vs. Curry". I don't think the mid-major Top 25 is a factor at all. Conference standing plays a big role. The Big South is not a respected league at all, so being in third place will not look good for LU.

So if Liberty is going to have a shot at playing a big game then they better win the next four games and they need some help. VMI and Radford must stumble around in their next few games so Liberty can be on top in the standings.

Davidson vs. Butler would be the best draw - Patrick Mills is awesome, but doesn't have the same ratings appeal as Stephen Curry and both teams are pretty darn good too. If Davidson doesn't get Butler, I would think the next most logical choice would be VCU as they are probably one of the very few teams remaining that has any chance at an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. AS far as I can surmise at this moment, it's going to be Butler as the first choice, VCU as a distant second choice, then everyone else better pray for an act of God for them to go to Davidson.

[Sly Fox]

I would be shocked if ESPN paired VCU and Davidson over LU. Shocked. That's not how they do business.

[coolhandluke]

I would be shocked if ESPN paired VCU and Davidson over LU. Shocked. That's not how they do business.

I agree. If Davidson does not get paired with Butler, I think they get paired with us.

But this brings up a good question for you guys... Do you actually want to see a LU vs Davidson match up this year?

I think it would be great media exposure for LU and it would be awesome to see Curry vs Curry, but I think they will probably beat us. Would we be better off playing a team we have more of a chance of beating?

[Sly Fox]

It would guarantee them coming to Vines next season ... of course that could happen either way since we were trying to schedule one another back before the season started.

[jcmanson]

It would guarantee them coming to Vines next season ... of course that could happen either way since we were trying to schedule one another back before the season started.

This is the top reason why I would like to play them. It would help our RPI next year. If we're going to be able to get something finalized for us to play them next year anyways, I would rather play someone else.

[TIMSCAR20]

I would be shocked if ESPN paired VCU and Davidson over LU. Shocked. That's not how they do business.

I agree. If Davidson does not get paired with Butler, I think they get paired with us.

But this brings up a good question for you guys... Do you actually want to see a LU vs Davidson match up this year?

I think it would be great media exposure for LU and it would be awesome to see Curry vs Curry, but I think they will probably beat us. Would we be better off playing a team we have more of a chance of beating?

Winning would help the profile of the league and Liberty but losing it does 0 damage. It is a win-win for Liberty. I believe we will see it happen. Ratings are important and this would be a ratings bonanza. The Nation's leading scorer vs his little brother who leads the nation's freshmen. Oh by the way their dad is an NBA employee and a 16 year veteran. You can't turn that down if you are ESPN.

[Elicoolbreeze]

Would we be better off playing a team we have more of a chance of beating?

I personally think the exposure is more important than taking on a team we are more likely to beat. So what if we beat a (Niagara or Drexel) team whose RPI is around 100 but if we get the exposure on ESPN the talent will keep on coming to Liberty!!! Can you imagine if we were to beat a Davidson, we would vault from a 15/16 seed to possibly a 14/13. This really is a building year for the following years when we really get good. The chances that we get a good enough seed to do some damage in the tournament are slim but next year and the following years after that we should be very dangerous come tournament time.

[JMUDukes]

from our forums:

Hyper's List of Potential Bracket Buster opponents (if they were picked today):
Buffalo
Ohio
Austin Peay
Akron
Liberty
Northern Iowa
Southern Illinois

that would be a hell of a game.

[Kolzilla41]

I'm just trying not to get my hopes up. If it is around here, I will travel within reason