Started By
Message
Ranking the SEC bubble teams
Posted on 1/20/15 at 12:08 pm
Posted on 1/20/15 at 12:08 pm
Purely on resumes at this point.
Kentucky is a lock. Everyone else has work to do.
1. Arkansas
As weird as it may sound, Arkansas' road wins are what separate them from the rest of the SEC bubble pack imo. Even though SMU was without their best player at the time, it's an impressive win on paper, as is their win in Athens. They also have the benefit of not having any terrible losses to this point (worst loss is at #98 Clemson). RPI of 29. SOS of 50.
2. Georgia
Their wins aren't terrific, but their RPI and SOS keep them afloat. They do have one really good win against Seton Hall, but their next best wins are over fellow bubble team Florida and NIT bubble team Colorado. Still in good shape because of the 28 RPI and 11 SOS, though.
3. LSU
Like Arkansas, LSU has some impressive road wins. Their win over WVU is the most impressive win of any non-UK team this season, and beating Ole Miss on the road is pretty impressive as well. They do have one really bad loss at Missouri, though. Their SOS is pretty weak as well. RPI 54, SOS 84.
4. Alabama
Alabama needs a marquee win. They have a good enough record and RPI to get in, and also have avoided bad losses, but they won't get in with their best wins being against A&M, Tennessee, and UCLA. Those are solid, resume-building wins, but they need a marquee win to put them over the top. Winning in Fayetteville or Baton Rouge would probably do the trick. RPI 49, SOS 54.
5. Ole Miss
Ole Miss has two really good wins: a neutral court victory over Cincinnati and a road win against Arkansas. Their problem has been avoiding bad losses, losing to TCU and Charleston Southern at home. They have proven that they can win away from home, though. That's important. RPI 46, SOS 25.
6. Tennessee
They also have two quality wins over Butler and Arkansas, but they need to prove that they can win away from home against competition better than Missouri and Mississippi State. Tonight is a good opportunity for them to prove that they can against South Carolina. Their resume is really thin after their two good wins as well, with their next best wins being against #97 Kansas State and #115 Texas Southern. RPI 50, SOS 43.
7. Texas A&M
They have a good computer profile and no bad losses, but that's it. They have one win against the Top 100 (@LSU). They still have a chance because of their RPI, but they need to start racking up quality wins now. RPI is 39, SOS 38.
8. Florida
I wouldn't even really consider us a bubble team right now, but we can still play our way back on to the bubble, and I think we will. Our best win currently is over #64 Yale (although our best win in reality is at South Carolina, even though the RPI doesn't show it yet). RPI 69, SOS 39.
9. South Carolina
USC has maybe the best collection of wins of any SEC bubble team; they just haven't been able to play consistently. They have a winning record against the Top 50 (3-2), including a very impressive neutral court win over Iowa State. The issue is the three bad losses (at Auburn, Akron, Charlotte) and the bad computer profile. RPI 110, SOS 78.
I think there's room for anywhere from 3 to 5 of these teams in the dance. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out. The conference is definitely stronger this year than it has been in recent years, but there's also a lot more parity.
Kentucky is a lock. Everyone else has work to do.
1. Arkansas
As weird as it may sound, Arkansas' road wins are what separate them from the rest of the SEC bubble pack imo. Even though SMU was without their best player at the time, it's an impressive win on paper, as is their win in Athens. They also have the benefit of not having any terrible losses to this point (worst loss is at #98 Clemson). RPI of 29. SOS of 50.
2. Georgia
Their wins aren't terrific, but their RPI and SOS keep them afloat. They do have one really good win against Seton Hall, but their next best wins are over fellow bubble team Florida and NIT bubble team Colorado. Still in good shape because of the 28 RPI and 11 SOS, though.
3. LSU
Like Arkansas, LSU has some impressive road wins. Their win over WVU is the most impressive win of any non-UK team this season, and beating Ole Miss on the road is pretty impressive as well. They do have one really bad loss at Missouri, though. Their SOS is pretty weak as well. RPI 54, SOS 84.
4. Alabama
Alabama needs a marquee win. They have a good enough record and RPI to get in, and also have avoided bad losses, but they won't get in with their best wins being against A&M, Tennessee, and UCLA. Those are solid, resume-building wins, but they need a marquee win to put them over the top. Winning in Fayetteville or Baton Rouge would probably do the trick. RPI 49, SOS 54.
5. Ole Miss
Ole Miss has two really good wins: a neutral court victory over Cincinnati and a road win against Arkansas. Their problem has been avoiding bad losses, losing to TCU and Charleston Southern at home. They have proven that they can win away from home, though. That's important. RPI 46, SOS 25.
6. Tennessee
They also have two quality wins over Butler and Arkansas, but they need to prove that they can win away from home against competition better than Missouri and Mississippi State. Tonight is a good opportunity for them to prove that they can against South Carolina. Their resume is really thin after their two good wins as well, with their next best wins being against #97 Kansas State and #115 Texas Southern. RPI 50, SOS 43.
7. Texas A&M
They have a good computer profile and no bad losses, but that's it. They have one win against the Top 100 (@LSU). They still have a chance because of their RPI, but they need to start racking up quality wins now. RPI is 39, SOS 38.
8. Florida
I wouldn't even really consider us a bubble team right now, but we can still play our way back on to the bubble, and I think we will. Our best win currently is over #64 Yale (although our best win in reality is at South Carolina, even though the RPI doesn't show it yet). RPI 69, SOS 39.
9. South Carolina
USC has maybe the best collection of wins of any SEC bubble team; they just haven't been able to play consistently. They have a winning record against the Top 50 (3-2), including a very impressive neutral court win over Iowa State. The issue is the three bad losses (at Auburn, Akron, Charlotte) and the bad computer profile. RPI 110, SOS 78.
I think there's room for anywhere from 3 to 5 of these teams in the dance. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out. The conference is definitely stronger this year than it has been in recent years, but there's also a lot more parity.
This post was edited on 1/20/15 at 12:20 pm
10
Posted on 1/20/15 at 12:13 pm to GatorsGators
Solid list...it's going to be really interesting going down the stretch. Only one lock and it's a tossup beyond that
Posted on 1/20/15 at 12:17 pm to tween the hedges
The SEC Tourney should be interesting this year.
Posted on 1/20/15 at 12:18 pm to GatorsGators
quote:
1. Arkansas
As weird as it may sound, LSU's road wins are what separate them
looks good but i think you typo'd lsu there instead of the glorious hogs.
Posted on 1/20/15 at 12:19 pm to piggilicious
whoops
Posted on 1/20/15 at 12:31 pm to GatorsGators
Vols at Cocks tonight will be a big one for both teams.
LSU @ UF is huge as is Ole Miss @UGA.
Will be a good night of Bball watching.
LSU @ UF is huge as is Ole Miss @UGA.
Will be a good night of Bball watching.
Posted on 1/20/15 at 12:32 pm to GatorsGators
we suck
Posted on 1/20/15 at 12:32 pm to Ericvol2096
Nearly every SEC game has bubble implications considering more than half the conference could be considered a bubble team. 
Posted on 1/20/15 at 12:33 pm to GatorsGators
If it weren't for about a minute and half of basketball to start SEC play, we'd already practically be in the tourney sitting at 4-0 and 13-3 right now.
Dammit.
Dammit.
Posted on 1/20/15 at 12:34 pm to GatorsGators
quote:
2. Georgia
Their wins aren't terrific, but their RPI and SOS keep them afloat. They do have one really good win against Seton Hall, but their next best wins are over fellow bubble team Florida and NIT bubble team Colorado. Still in good shape because of the 28 RPI and 11 SOS, though.
False.
@ Kansas State
Posted on 1/20/15 at 12:34 pm to GatorsGators
MSU is a lock along with UK
Posted on 1/20/15 at 12:36 pm to PNW
That's not a quality win
Posted on 1/20/15 at 12:39 pm to GatorsGators
RealtimePRI has Stony Brook as a quality win. Only one RPI spot behind UF
Posted on 1/20/15 at 12:40 pm to GatorsGators
@ Kansas State continues to become a "better win", even if at the moment it's not a true "quality win".
They've won four straight Big 12 games (two against top 25 RPI teams).
It remains to be seen where they end up, but their RPI is definitely improving quickly.
They've won four straight Big 12 games (two against top 25 RPI teams).
It remains to be seen where they end up, but their RPI is definitely improving quickly.
Posted on 1/20/15 at 12:40 pm to GatorsGators
quote:
That's not a quality win
They're 97 in RPI and just beat Baylor last week.
This post was edited on 1/20/15 at 12:43 pm
Posted on 1/20/15 at 12:44 pm to GatorsGators
quote:
Nearly every SEC game has bubble implications considering more than half the conference could be considered a bubble team.
I think that's part of the problem for the SEC, outside UK where do SEC teams get quality W's now? It basically boils down to hold serve vs other bubble teams and don't take a resume killing loss to MSU or Mizzou.
Posted on 1/20/15 at 12:48 pm to GatorsGators
After the SEC not getting many bids due to being down for a few seasons, I could see the SEC getting limited bids again this year simply by having too many "pretty good" teams this year.
If all 9 of the teams you mention continue their current uneven form it may be hard for more than 3 to get bids simply because too many finish around 10-8 in conference.
Not sure if the committee will consider that being due to a tough conference slate without many easy wins instead of general mediocrity.
If all 9 of the teams you mention continue their current uneven form it may be hard for more than 3 to get bids simply because too many finish around 10-8 in conference.
Not sure if the committee will consider that being due to a tough conference slate without many easy wins instead of general mediocrity.
Posted on 1/20/15 at 1:08 pm to GatorsGators
Ole Piss aint no bubble team
Posted on 1/20/15 at 1:19 pm to geauxtigs99
quote:
I think that's part of the problem for the SEC, outside UK where do SEC teams get quality W's now?
It's tough to really say what's best:
Either: All the 9 bubble teams keep playing so evenly, back and forth, with each other. This would perhaps make the conference seems deeper and would insure a lot of 35-70 range RPI teams.
However, like you say, I'm afraid the committee may frown on the lack of big Top 25 wins for the bubble teams.
Or: half these 9 teams go into a slump and the other half on a tear where you have a clear top 4 or 5 (in addition to Kentucky) that would mean better RPI/Top25 wins for everyone in that group.
Posted on 1/20/15 at 1:25 pm to wm72
It would be good for the SEC if a few teams like Arkansas and Georgia could separate themselves from the bubble pack and settle into the Top 25 of the RPI.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News