Daily Bullets (March 10)

It’s a Big World

When thinking about Big Dance bids, comparing OSU to OU and Baylor are one thing… But they aren’t the only thing that’s important.

We can debate OSU vs. OU all day long. OU vs. Baylor. OSU vs. Texas.

But that’s not the way the NCAA selection committee operates. It compares the Sooners or the Cowboys to 15 other teams, rarely in head-to-head comparison but sometimes.

The Cowboys lost to Kansas 82-68 Thursday in the Big 12 quarterfinals and imperiled their NCAA Tournament hopes. But always remember, that a dozen other results around the nation change the discussion. [NewsOK]

Heaven help us all if a rum-dum makes a run in their conference tourney and knocks out our beloved Pokes.

Debbie Downer

As an act of tampering expectations, here’s a viewpoint from the other side of the fence – the one where the grass isn’t green and OSU doesn’t make the tourney because of RPI 🙁

Oklahoma State won’t play another game before Selection Sunday but their RPI will move up and down through Sunday’s games. It’s highly, highly unlikely to settle inside the top 75 and more likely to be around 85th. And while the NCAA Tournament selection committee has adjusted the selection process, adding metrics and emphasizing certain outcomes, they still rely heavily on the RPI. If they reached for Syracuse two years ago, sure, it’s possible they could reach again, this time rewarding Oklahoma State for numerous high-end wins while largely ignoring an NAIA non-conference schedule.

Don’t bet on them reaching this far.

Oklahoma State has the away wins the committee loves (e.g. Kansas, West Virginia) and no terrible losses the committee hates (worst losses are at home vs. Baylor and Kansas State). Still, the Cowboys would demolish the old record for lowest-ranked RPI for an at-large tourney team, which would be effectively admitting their selection process is not what they claim it to be.

No one would question whether Oklahoma State was a tournament team. They are a damn good team that, like Syracuse, could win four games. Everyone, however, would question whether they should’ve deserved a spot. [HeroSports]

Blah, blah, RPI is bad, blah, blah. As a finance guy, it’s like when people act like the Dow Jones index is a comprehensive view of today’s economy – hint: it’s not, it’s nostalgic and a good comparison point against itself since 1896.

Buffalo is 32nd in RPI, which is 53 spots ahead of Oklahoma State. They boast 0 Quadrant 1 wins and 1 Quadrant 2 wins. Long live the RPI. pic.twitter.com/uwyIkx3xs0

— Adam Lunt (@AdamLunt817) March 9, 2018

OSU and NCAA Notes

The O’Colly on Burns Hargis’ ten years as president was good….For diehard CFB fans, Ian Boyd breaks down Ohio State’s offense under a new QB….Boynton jabs back at criticism of the Pokes’ resume in this Q&A….A third win over KU was a (nearly) impossible mission…. Bracketologist Joe Lunardi has changed his tune to an extent

Buffalo Bills picking at No. 21 and No. 22 make an awful lot of sense for Mason Rudolph now.

Browns strike again.

This time, Cleveland agrees to trade a mid-round draft pick to Buffalo for QB Tyrod Taylor, source tells ESPN.

Taylor now will throw to new Browns’ WR Jarvis Landry.

And Buffalo back in QB market.

More on SportsCenter now.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2018

Woof – poor TU.

Memphis beats Tulsa at the buzzer in the AAC tourney. pic.twitter.com/NvOApDzmGO

— Mark Cooper (@mark_cooperjr) March 9, 2018

KU fans are sympathetic to the cause.

If Oklahoma gets in the tournament and Oklahoma State doesn't, the selection committee should be abolished. The Cowboys have the better case in all senses. I think both will make it, but Oklahoma State should absolutely be in.

— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) March 8, 2018

824 yards outside to 888 inside on deep balls – that’s an arm.

Mason Rudolph on deep passes pic.twitter.com/veB3tllF60

— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) March 10, 2018

What You Missed On PFB

• NCAA tourney chair had some cryptic quotes on OSU’s tourney chances
• Take a look at the top ten PFB comments of the week
• Old NBA player Wally Szczerbiak had some thoughts on OSU’s resume
• NCAA tourney notes and where the Pokes stand as of Friday
• Learn about the future of the cornerback position in Stillwater

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• Zach Lowe’s Ten Thoughts featuring the Rockets’ offense and Pistons slumping
• Inside Warren Buffett’s deal making machine – how the business is split and perplexing
• This Quartz piece on absorbing contrarian news in unique ways was interesting

https://medium.com/the-mission/the-art-of-a-great-question-2a160f50aec1