Just heard ESPN say that even if they lose tonight they are in. They aren't in the top 5 Conferences so why are they different than say Murray St. who went undefeated but may be left out because of a conference tourney loss?
Why is Gonzaga different than other mid-majors
- Thread starter BigBlueGuru
- Start date
They aren't in a top 5 conference but maybe the next best, easily top 3 next best, whereas the OVC is among the bottom few conferences. Also, Gonzaga has a long basketball tradition that's not bad. All that said, I think Murray should get in...
And just to give examples...Gonzaga beat UGA, SMU, UCLA, and St. John's. 3 of those 4 are tourney teams, and UCLA is close...and they dominated their league, which has a team in BYU that might get in the tourney and is much stronger overall than the OVC.
It is what it is. We all like Murray ST and I am no fan of Gonzaga but I, like you, have to defend them when they deserve it.
I'm no fan of Gonzaga, and was arguing against them as 1 seed even before they lost to BYU. However, as the previous posters said, look at the schedules. Gonzaga may not have done enough to merit a 1 seed, but wins over SMU, Georgia, St. John's, and UCLA, not to mention a 17-1 record in a conference that's significantly stronger than the OVC, should let you know what the difference is between Gonzaga and Murray State.
This post was edited on 3/10 9:08 PM by mj2k10
This post was edited on 3/10 9:08 PM by mj2k10
I guess my post should have asked what separates a Mid-Major from another Mid-Major? If Murray St. would have played the teams Gonzaga did with the same results would they be in the tourney? I wasn't saying Gonzaga isn't a top 10 team as I think they are I am just curious as to the factors. Is it strictly RPI, Strength of schedule etc. Thanks for everyone who tried to answer the question and didn't give a smart *** response.
If Murray st played those teams, then yes they would have been regarded in the same light. Well sort of. They still play in a conference that's inferior to the one Gonzaga plays in.
But yeah they would definitely be considered a tournament team.
Gonzaga is ranked in the top ten because the people who vote in the polls are desperate for another school in the west to actually play some real basketball. Arizona us usually fair and of course you have and you have and then there is also... Well I guess not. The west is unbelievably weak and Gonzaga is the only one they can come up with but as anyone who has watched them can tell you they are not a top 10 team. Once the tournament starts you will see just how weak they really are.
I have watched Gonzaga more than once, and yes, they are a top ten team, regardless of how far they go in the tournament. There will not be the top 8 rated teams in the elite 8 if history tells us anything. To lump Gonzaga in with other mid majors this year is a mistake.
Like them or not, Gonzaga is a national brand. They recruit like a top 10-20 program. They aren't Murray State, or any other mid-major. They are kind of what Memphis was under Calipari. Or UNLV was in the 80's and 90's. They play a national schedule, are a national draw and just happen to be in an average conference.
Same reason Boise was "*great*" prior to conference switch. Gotta give Few credit though, great coach and has done a tremendous job establishing a winning culture there.
Because Gonzaga didn't lose by 35 to Valpo and 27 to Xavier. Their best win is Illinois State.
Gonzaga beat SMU, Georgia, St Johns, and UCLA. Washington State, not great, but from a power conference. They also beat St Joe's, who again isn't great, but they are from the 7th rated conference in the country. Murray State didn't even play a single team from one of the top 6 conferences. They played 1 team from one of the top 8 conferences and that was the 12-18 Houston Cougars.
Gonzaga beat SMU, Georgia, St Johns, and UCLA. Washington State, not great, but from a power conference. They also beat St Joe's, who again isn't great, but they are from the 7th rated conference in the country. Murray State didn't even play a single team from one of the top 6 conferences. They played 1 team from one of the top 8 conferences and that was the 12-18 Houston Cougars.