R P Why?

Selection Sunday is three weeks from today, so get used to hearing about "RPI's" and the fate-sealing power they hold over those on the dreaded Boeheim ("bubble" for my new readers). The RPI is the ubiquitous rating system that makes about as much sense as Quarterback Ratings and the BCS; equal parts nebulous and vital to a team and its opportunity for success.

Let me walk you through three RPWhy's lest us diehard fans place too much stock in this "rating" methodology.

First, Siena. I am as big a fan of the underdog as anyone. As a matter of fact, I believe Siena has earned an at large bid already and will dance regardless of whether or not they win their conference tourney (not an automatic, Niagara is tourney-tough as well). However, their RPI has hovered in the teens nearly all season without any semblance of a quality win.

Their losses are mostly quality: Tennessee, Oklahoma State, Wichita State (bas loss), Pitt, Kansas and Rider. Their "biggest" wins are over Cornell, St. Joes and Niagara.

Their conference is a mid-major by the most generous labeling; yet the above resume has them comfortably perched in the RPI Top 25.

Secondly, lets examine Kentucky. Their RPI currently has them 66th, well outside traditional at-large consideration. Much of the blame can be placed on the relative weakness of the SEC this season (giving them the 77th SOS), which is beyond their control, but nonetheless a legitimate mitigating factor.

Digging deeper in Kentucky's resume you will find the following non-conference games:
Losses: North Carolina, Miami, Louisville (at the buzzer) and of course, the dagger, the season-opening loss to lowly VMI.

Wins: Indiana (who knew when scheduling this game...) Kansas State, and West Virginia. Their conference losses against South Carolina, Ole Miss, and Mississippi State are offset by wins over Florida and a sweep of "tourney lock" Tennessee.

They are 19-8, (8-4) and in first place in the SEC East, a BCS conference and traditional powerhouse.

By all conventional measures, they are tourney locks. However, their RPI suggests they best win 2 or 3 more games to breathe easily.

Lastly, lets examine the Utah Utes. They are currently ranked 9th in the RPI. They are 10-2 in the good Mountain West Conference. The conference is ranked 7th in the RPI, just behind the SEC and the highest rated non-BCS conference.

Their non-conference wins include Wisconsin Green-Bay, Mississippi and LSU. Their losses include Cal, Oklahoma, Utah State and Idaho State.

Looking just at conference affiliation, conference record, wins and losses and quality of opponents, one would think that Kentucky and Utah should be neck and neck. However the difference between them is 52 spots! That is the difference between life and death in the world of NCAA tournament bracketing. What exactly accounts for the vast discrepancy?? Your guess is as good as mine, but much stems from that damning opening Wildcat loss to what may eventually be NCAA tourney bound VMI.

Ready for the show-stopper?? Utah also suffered a season opening loss to Southwest Baptist! Not familiar with them? It's OK, not many are. They won't be in the Big Dance this March...they aren't even Division I. However, due to a glitch in RPI calculating methods, this disgraceful loss doesn't factor into the ratings.

RPI's are a potentially useful tool, but here's hoping the committee uses their EYEs as well three Sundays from today.

With an RPI at 9, no need to scramble on Selection Sunday

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