The last 5:00 of game time in that OVC final was fantastic, culminating in a textbook backdoor cut for the game-winner by Belmont. Great hoops!
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I’d prefer not to play a similar defense that destroyed us last year. I know Dayton is a good team, but I still think there’s something to the fact that they haven’t played a good team since December. I’d rather take my chances with that in a sweet 16 game.
This year’s first two conference tournament finals each with a fantastic finish.
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This reminds me of the 2016 NCAA Tournament when the PAC 12 got 7 teams in and it was clear to most but the selection committee how weak the league was. 5 of the 7 lost in the 1st round (all as the favored seed), a sixth lost in the 2nd round (again as the favored seed), and only Oregon was legit, advancing to the second weekend.
I don’t believe it’s quite as bad this year, but I think it’ll be a similar story.
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I may be completely wrong, but I think it’s possible to have higher efficiency numbers, even when adjusted for opponent, when you’re only playing bad teams. Meaning that I don’t think they’d have the same exact efficiency numbers, and thus lower NET, Kenpom, BPI, KPI, etc. rankings, if they played a B1G schedule.
Basically, I think there’s something to be said that Dayton hasn’t played a single team as good as the top 12 in the B1G since Colorado on Dec 21 (who they lost to).
I was sure that Travis was a Michigan State fan before opening that tweet. Dayton would drag Iowa.
I also don’t think many (any?) Big Ten teams would have only lost 2 games against Dayton’s schedule
I think they’re a middle of the pack Big Ten team. Toppin is great, though he’s playing against weak competition. Who else on their roster starts at a good Big Ten program? Ibi Watson is a big contributor for them, couldn’t see the floor for us.
Probably not I guess? Their schedule consisted of 7 kenpom tier A games (5-2) and 2 Tier B games (2-0). 1-2 in Quad 1A games, 4-0 Quad 1B, 2-0 Quad 2A, 6-0 Quad 2B, 16-0 Quad 3-4.
2 years ago. You seen Ibi now? Completely different body and player. He’d start for us no doubt. Dayton would be a top 3 team in the Big Ten and honestly it’s silly to say otherwise. Wisconsin is about to win the B1G. They lost to St. Mary’s(who Dayton beat), Richmond(in Dayton’s Conference) who they beat twice, and also lost to nC State and New mexico
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Going undefeated in 17 Quad 2&3 games with many on the road is more impressive than going 7-7 in Q1 games. A good team would be expected to lose multiple games in that scenario.
I think Dayton would be a Big Ten contender, in the mix for a Big Ten double bye.
Don’t think Ibi Watson being a bench player as a RS Jr. Says anything about how good they are.
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Crutcher and Toppin start everywhere and would probably be all conference guys. Landers and Ibi would start on many and have a role on all teams.
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For sure. I’m not saying that Dayton isn’t an elite team. They’re a top 10 team and a Final 4 contender.
But out of the teams Michigan could potentially play in the sweet 16, I wouldn’t hate getting matched up with Dayton.
Michigan has played in 17 Q1A games and Dayton has played in 3. I just think there’s something unquantifiable to being “battle tested” and playing really good teams week in and week out in tough environments (i.e. the B1G).
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That’s fair. But I personally see them as a nightmare matchup. Toppin vs Teske and Davis is no bueno. They’re small so Livers is neutralized. I’d have them very far down the list of teams I’d want to play.
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Wisconsin lost all those games mentioned without Micah Potter. They look much better with him.
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Austin Davis couldn’t see the floor for us just last year and now he’s a contributor at a big ten program. See how ignorant your Ibi Watson take is?
In fairness those losses were before Potter was eligible. Potter makes a HUGE difference for that team
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