Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Bracketbuster teams

WAC Commissioner Karl Benson said last week that the ESPNU Bracketbuster games will be announced following this weekend's games. Since NMSU is hosting, here is a list of the non-wac visiting teams. Conference RPI is first, followed by the team's RPI and strength of schedule. Info is from the pomeroy ratings.

The WAC's RPI is 17. NMSU is at 140. Benson said he hopes for television games from Nevada, Utah State and Boise State.


Albany America East RPI 27 team 214 SOS 266
Binghamton America East RPI 27 team 225 SOS 306
Boston University America East RPI 27 team 296 SOS 244
Vermont America East RPI 27 team 197 SOS 297
Portland State Big Sky Conf. RPI 24 team 158 SOS 205
High Point Big South Conf. RPI 26 team 246 SOS 311
Cal Poly Big West Conf. RPI 19 team 199 SOS 146
Long Beach State Big West Conf RPI 19 team 320 SOS 250
UC Davis Big West Conf. RPI 19 team 271 SOS 245
UC Santa Barbara Big West Conf. RPI 19 team 97 SOS 222
Deleware Colonial Conf. RPI 14 team 148 SOS 154
George Mason Colonial Conf. RPI 14 team 59 SOS 117
Georgia State Colonial Conf. RPI 14 team 292 SOS 231
Hofstra Colonial Conf. RPI 14 team 232 SOS 145
Northeastern Colonial Conf. RPI 14 team 203 SOS 184
Virginia Commonwealth Colonial Conf. RPI 14 team 58 SOS 174
Illinois-Chicago Horizon League Conf. RPI 10 team 162 SOS 114
Loyola Horizon League Conf. RPI 10 team 238 SOS 140
Wisconsin-Milwaukee Horizon League Conf. RPI 10 team 102 SOS 93
Wright State, Horizon League Conf. RPI 10 team 82 SOS 118
Youngstown State Horizon League Conf. RPI 10 team 187 SOS 47
Fairfield, Metro Atlantic Conf. RPI 18 team 221 SOS 172
Marist, Metro Atlantic Conf. RPI 18, team 86 SOS 155
Niagara, Metro Atlantic Conf. RPI 18, team 98 SOS 230
Rider, Metro Atlantic Conf. RPI 18, team 132 SOS 285
Siena, Metro Atlantic Conf. RPI 18, team 111 SOS 189
Ball State Mid American Conf. RPI 13 team 286 SOS 99
Bowling Green Mid American Conf. RPI 13 team 195 SOS 200
Central Mich. Mid American Conf RPI 13 team 176 SOS 187
Kent State Mid American Conf. RPI 13 team 36 SOS 121
Miami (Ohio) Mid American Conf. RPI 13 team 73 SOS 3
Western Michigan Mid American Conf. RPI 13 team 185 SOS 260
Morehead State Ohio Valley Conf. RPI 30 team 224 SOS 301
Samford Ohio Valley Conf. RPI 30 team 293 SOS 322
Southeast Missouri State Ohio Valley Conf. RPI 30 team 264 SOS 332
Tennessee Martin Ohio Valley Conf. RPI 30 team 227 SOS 274
Tennesee State Ohio Valley Conf. RPI 30 team 253 SOS 289
Tennessee Tech Ohio Valley Conf. RPI team 306 SOS 333
Bucknell Patriot League RPI 20 team 186 SOS 162
Davidson Southern Conf. RPI 16 team 79 SOS 164
Georgia Southern Southern Conf. RPI 16 team 104 SOS 182

JG

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

I wonder if the group responsible for the pairings is going to match the Aggies up with UIC, since Jimmy Collins is their head coach.

Anonymous said...

The Ohio game last year was a good one.
I hope we get a good team and I also hope the game is not at 10:00PM like last year!

Vic

Anonymous said...

The reason why we played at 10pm last year was because of ESPN2, but since this year we are not going to play on tv we will have a 7pm game.

Anonymous said...

Hey Teddy. What do you think of the newspaper article a Utah State reporter did today. It's taking a shot at NMSU Aggie fans. Have you read it? Would you ever write anything like that taking a shot at another rival?

http://hjnews.townnews.com/art...ts/sports02.txt

Teddy said...

Thanks anon,
Personally I wouldn't. It's hard enough to cover stuff that actually matters as far as what is going on with the team itself, that what a group of fans is doing is tough to observe. Particularly when I'm fighting for oxygen and straining to see what is going on on the court since we are in the nose bleed section. That story didn't make a whole lot of sense to me, but the impression I have gotten is that the USU writers love the team just as much as their fans do, so taking a shot at NMSU didn't really surprise me, but to answer your question, no I wouldn't take shots at opposing fans. Players, coaches, administrators perhaps, but not fans.

JG

Anonymous said...

Anon. good find on the article from Logan, sounds like sour grapes to me.

http://hjnews.townnews.com/articles/2008/01/30/sports/sports02.txt


Back to the original topic, I brought up the possibilty of the UIC matchup, but I'd rather see Kent St. They have the highest team RPI on the list, and the Aggies need to beat a "quality team."

Maybe then case Karl Benson would reconsider having the Aggies on tv.

Ross said...

It kind of sucks to get thrown down by a USU reporter. I had the impression that there was at least a little mutual respect between our two teams. I guess not. This just goes to show the resentment that's out there towards NMSU. I don't understand it, it's not like we're a dynasty or anything, a whole WAC championship doesn't make this program the Yankees of the WAC, what gives?

Anonymous said...

I read the article and that man must have been a woman in his previous life! Nag, nag, nag!

He complained about basketballs, a fan that gets under players skins, etc. It was pointless girly talk that you hear at a beauty salon.

If USU is so good and we are so bad. Why are they 2-5 vs. NMSU since both schools joined the WAC?

She should worry about cleaning her room before cleaning the rest of the WAC!

Ganja Boy

Anonymous said...

Changing the subject..How the hell does Mumme allow not one but two local all-state football players leave to play at UNM...this is pathetic..NMSU rolls over again...

Anonymous said...

I just read that the Utah State students were saying the You S**K chant in their last home game against Idaho. The reporter is a tool. He can't get over the embarrassment his team tooked so he wants to take a shot at our fans. If we were to sell out every game, I think our place would be louder then the Utah State arena. I think we have the pontential to have the best fans in the league, but we need to get them to show up.

Anonymous said...

anon 1/31/08 5:32AM,

When are you and other Las Crucens going to understand that a coaching staff can't hold recruits here against their will. If they were recruited by both and the player chose UNM there is nothing NMSU can do about it. Mumme getting local recruits might attract maybe 300 more fans per game but it's not going to help us win games.

Anonymous said...

I'm a State fan that absolutely hates the Lobos.

But even I would accept an offer from UNM over NMSU, if all circumstances such as chance to start, and playing time were the same.

Just look at the track records.

Anonymous said...

It is called building a fan base. Whether it is 3,30,300 it dose not matter. The coaching staff, and institution would demonstrate that they are loyal to the community where they are located. Of course the recruit decides, but ask yourself this, why UNM over NMSU? GO AGGIES!

Anonymous said...

COACH MENZIES AND THE AGGIES SUCK!

EVL said...

The Aggies beat USU by 30 and then they lose to Hawaii by 23! The inconsistency is annoying.

This was another game the Aggies were not prepared to play. I actually can't wait to hear the post game show to hear Menzie's excuses. For whatever reason, a team with this much talent should not lose this bad to a mediocre Hawaii team. I am not sure they will beat San Jose on Saturday.

Anyhow, I hope the Aggies can rebound and win the WAC tourney because the way it looks they might be a 4 or 5 seed.

It hurts being an Aggie fan this year! I guess I should be used to it. I'm also a Cubs fan.

EVL said...

Well, after hearing the post game show, I just realized coach Menzies sounds like Ned Flanders. "Son of a gun didaly-on, Hawaii was tough". "Okaly-dokay-do, got saddle up for the next game".

Teddy, can you find out what type of "emotional outburst" occurred on the Aggie bench? It seemed like Hawkins was frustrated all game.

David said...

I'm not going to agrue here evl. But my take is Menzies makes a controlled effort not to lose his cool "on air". He saves it for behind the scene. According to some, he may not always say the right things publicly, but I have an educated hunch that he doesn't hold back in the locker room.

I'm curious, what would you like him to say? That question is out of sincerity. I just ask because when I'm about to lose composure, I often laugh to keep my bearings. Menzies seems to be the same. He didn't sound at all happy, a la Ned-did-neddly.

I, too, wonder what emotional outburst he was talking about.

David said...

P.S. This was another horrible game all around. Coach and players left their lessons learned from USU somewhere in the Pacific. Hopefully, they snatch them up on their way to SJSU.

Anonymous said...

The loss to UH was a total embarrasment!
How can you beat the top team in the WAC by 30 and then lose to a bottom feeder by 23?!

NMSU is the most talented team in the WAC and is also the most inconsistent.
We can't even get over .500 for the year!

Blame the players and blame the coaches. No one is getting the job done.
Marvin Menso, quit complaining about attendance! No one want's to show up to see a Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
We want to see a consistent winner!

This season has been a major dissapointment.
For those of you who think we can win the WAC tournamenr? Get real!
We will bomb in the first round. Good riddance to a horrible season!

Anonymous said...

Here's part of a letter that Menzies sent to the season ticket holder in July. Encouraging us to re-new our tickets:

"I hope your as excited as I am about this year's team and the upcoming season. With the outstanding and athletic players we have in our Aggie team...We are commited to continuing and building on the exciting atmosphere created last year...I will work hard, nurture good student athletes and focus on making the community proud of our program.
Winning will be a positive result if we take care of these principles...today I seek your support and commitment for the upcoming season. A foundation has been laid and I want to continue to build upon that..."

Is it me or does Menzies and this team sound/ look like used car salesmen?
I'm really dissapointed w/ the season and this letter is nothing but lies and broken promises.

Aggie Stud

Anonymous said...

NMSU BB has no discipline. You need an iron fist with the type of players that are currently getting playing time on this team. They are very talented BB players but lack self-discipline so it has to come from the coaching staff.

Ross said...

It is frustrating to watch. They'll have one game where they have flashes of greatness, and the next, they'll lay an egg. It's hard not to look at the coaching and say that's the problem, because honestly, this team is quite talented.

To all you die hard Menzie people out there, how do you defend a 23 point loss to Hawaii? Saying it was on the road doesn't cut it, this is college basketball, winning on the road is part of the deal. When NMSU started winning some games, I still sat up in the stands scratching my head at some of the stuff Menzies did. I understand it's easy to jump on the bandwagon when your team approaches .500, but come on, this is getting ridiculous.

Anonymous said...

Regarding football recruits, don't fool yourself about building fan base with local kids. There is only one thing that will materially build fan base - WINS!! Where the recruits come from is irrelevant, but more players will be interested in a consistently winning program.

Now to b-ball. Guess I'll repeat myself - what was that?? Yet another uncompetitive outing to an inferior opponent. We never got within 15 points in the 2nd half! Nevada, Utah State, Hawaii. Who the hell knows what to expect any more from the preparation provided our team by this coaching staff. But based on our last three games, my "guesstimate" is we blow out SJSU. Go figure.
-Aggie Glare

Anonymous said...

24 turnovers = undisciplined bb

Anonymous said...

Just sit back and enjoy the games. Everyone is complaining about things that are out of their control. Whether we play at 10pm or 10am just be happy that we have a D1 team to watch play. Yeah, winning more often than not is great, but trying to prove how upset you are over losing to Hawaii is a waste of time. The only games that matter are the WAC tourney. As long as NMSU gets their rotation together when the tourney starts and wins out, they're in. Only one team from the WAC is going to the Big Dance, so face that reality because that is all that matters now.

Anonymous said...

If this erratic play doesn't remedy fast,that one WAC team won't be NMSU-looks like right now,they're on their way to "one & done" in the WAC tourney.This team has no maturity or discipline to win on the road.

Anonymous said...

You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear--only chicharrones.

Anonymous said...

To all the ESPN college basketball analysts who post here, your comments are well taken and sometimes comical. I can appreciate your passion and I feel your frustations with ups and downs of our mens BB team this year. First of all no game is a given even Hawaii. With the exception of the early season tournaments, no Division I team outisde the WAC is going to schedule a game in Hawaii. Many reasons such as beaches, start time, jet lag who knows. Any team is beatable when they have to play in Hawaii. There is no dominant team in the WAC this year. Look at how we clobbered Utah State last week. The title and the automatic bid are up for grabs. My book on Menzies is he needs another year with his playes where everybody is together at the beginning. Pope is a good talent and will continue to improve. I played Division II BB more than 10 years ago and I can safely say and agree most of you that our point guard play is weak. The point guard controls the game. My old college coach used the cliche the point guard is the field general. Despite how we are playing, anything can happen in the WAC tournament. I don't believe we will be one and done. We still have home court advantage. Enjoy the ride and be ready for a wild finish.

Ross said...

Home court advantage sure did the job against Nevada. Look, anon 5:16 AM, I see your point, it's a game, sit back and enjoy. But come on, it's not like this blog popped up last week and a bunch of wannabe analysts jumped in here to throw Menzies in the mud, it's the nature of sports, fans don't like to see their team in the crapper.

As far as this 'bracket buster' game goes, it really doesn't matter. Anon (2/1 8:55 AM), who seems to also be the anon I was just talking to, did have a point when saying that it's all about the WAC tourney. NMSU has to win the tourney, and then they'll likely get a 14-16 seed, but I'm not full of confidence right now, there's five teams in this conference who are better right now, so, you know, whatever, let's see how it goes.

Anonymous said...

Wow ANON 5:16AM 2/2/08 I didn't realize you were going to use this blog as a springboard into blogging for ESPN full-time. I'm pretty sure JG and Teddy have you beat. It is frustrating being an Aggie fan, but everyone here sees the talent we have and want to see it all come together. Let's leave the original posting to the professionals and the Book on Menzies for the D2 circuit. Next you'll say your book on winning is scoring more points than the other team. Where can I buy that? Oshman's?