The top six mid-major contenders this season

[byufan4ever]

http://www.si.com/college-basketball/20 ... hita-state

1. Gonzaga (First in WCC, NCAA tournament No. 3 seed)
2. St. Mary’s (Second in WCC, No. 6 seed)
3. Wichita State (First in MVC, No. 7 seed)
4. San Diego State (First in MWC, No. 9 seed)
5. BYU (Third in WCC, First Four)
6. Princeton (First in Ivy League, First Four)

3 teams from the WCC in this list. Sure hope we can make the tournament.

[BlueK]

http://www.si.com/college-basketball/20 ... hita-state

1. Gonzaga (First in WCC, NCAA tournament No. 3 seed)
2. St. Mary’s (Second in WCC, No. 6 seed)
3. Wichita State (First in MVC, No. 7 seed)
4. San Diego State (First in MWC, No. 9 seed)
5. BYU (Third in WCC, First Four)
6. Princeton (First in Ivy League, First Four)

3 teams from the WCC in this list. Sure hope we can make the tournament.

By the way, it's not possible for Princeton to finish first in the Ivy League and end up in a "first four" game. The team that finishes first in the Ivy gets an autobid because that conference doesn't have a tournament. And the "first four" games the writer of the article is thinking about are reserved for at large teams. They also won't be a 16 seed, so they won't be in one of those "first four" games either. And if they were, they wouldn't be mentioned in this article because they wouldn't be one of the best mid majors in that case.

[hawkwing]

if BYU is 3rd in the WCC this year is that on-par with where we are or a disappointing season?

[BlueK]

if BYU is 3rd in the WCC this year is that on-par with where we are or a disappointing season?

Could go both ways. BYU finished third in the WAC in 1981 when Ainge was a senior and they went on to the elite 8. In 1981 Utah won the WAC and got a 3 seed and made it to the sweet 16. Wyoming finished second and got a 5 seed and made it to the round of 32. BYU finished third, got a 6 seed and made it to the elite 8. We have to get past only thinking of conference standings. That said, I think we at least finish ahead of St. Mary's this year. We were better than them last year when all was said and done. The difference is we replaced some of our team with better players and they didn't.

[byufan4ever]

So does "First Four" mean that stupid new extra round game or does it mean "first four out?"

[byufan4ever]

if BYU is 3rd in the WCC this year is that on-par with where we are or a disappointing season?

I stand by my earlier expectations:

NIT early exit = Major disappointment, Rose on the HOT seat
NIT semi-finals = disappointing season
Making the NCAA tournament = Expectation
Win conference title and/or conference tourney = Exceeding expectations
Sweet 16 = Fantastic season

I'm ok with 3rd in the WCC on the condition that we get into the NCAA tournament. Failing to make the tournament (2 years in a row!) will be a disappointing season even if we finish 2nd in conference play.

[BlueK]

So does "First Four" mean that stupid new extra round game or does it mean "first four out?"

The first four is that extra round. They have the 4 lowest seeded teams in the tournament play each other (16 seeds) and then the last 4 at large teams to make the field play in the other 2 games, and those are usually 12 or 11 seeds.

[BlueK]

if BYU is 3rd in the WCC this year is that on-par with where we are or a disappointing season?

I stand by my earlier expectations:

NIT early exit = Major disappointment, Rose on the HOT seat
NIT semi-finals = disappointing season
Making the NCAA tournament = Expectation
Win conference title and/or conference tourney = Exceeding expectations
Sweet 16 = Fantastic season

I'm ok with 3rd in the WCC on the condition that we get into the NCAA tournament. Failing to make the tournament (2 years in a row!) will be a disappointing season even if we finish 2nd in conference play.

I agree the expectation for this team with these players is to make the tournament. Rose teams almost always do make the tournament however.

[hawkwing]

if BYU is 3rd in the WCC this year is that on-par with where we are or a disappointing season?

I stand by my earlier expectations:

NIT early exit = Major disappointment, Rose on the HOT seat
NIT semi-finals = disappointing season
Making the NCAA tournament = Expectation
Win conference title and/or conference tourney = Exceeding expectations
Sweet 16 = Fantastic season

I'm ok with 3rd in the WCC on the condition that we get into the NCAA tournament. Failing to make the tournament (2 years in a row!) will be a disappointing season even if we finish 2nd in conference play.

I do agree with this but Rose needs to win the WCC outright in the next 3 years if he wants to stay on at BYU.

[BlueK]

I think Rose will have the team ready to go for the the Princeton game and people will be surprised as things rapidly pick up steam heading into December.