Daily Bullets (March 12)

Behind the Veil

Talking with the Omaha Herald, the NCAA tourney committee chair shared what turned out to be a contradictory thought considering his later given explanation about leaving out the boys from Stillwater.

“(Omaha columnist) has certainly given reasons why (non-con SOS) is not a valid number, and the committee recognizes this. I have argued each year that I have been on the committee that non-conference SOS should be taken off the team sheet, but until we develop a new metric it is staying.

However, understand that the committee understands its fallacies (as we also recognize other weaknesses in the current RPI formula) and it is not a prominent factor in decisions.” [Omaha Herald]

Interesting claim there stating “it is not a prominent factor in decisions.” So much of things like this are a) political, b) money-driven, i.e. the views from one day of hopeful Trae Young highlights and c) using the numbers to say what you want to appease conditions a) and b).

Rasmussen: "In looking at games outside the conference, they had a lot of wins but they had a lot of games against teams that really were in the bottom 100 in the RPI." #okstate

— Mark Cooper (@mark_cooperjr) March 12, 2018

Do the Crime, Do the Time

ESPN had another reason for the snub.

Maybe this is a conspiracy theory, but three of the biggest teams left out of the field — Louisville, Oklahoma State and USC — were connected to the FBI investigation in September. Take it a step further and one could make the case that Arizona and/or Auburn — also involved in the investigation — are seeded lower than expected. Maybe it was purely based on credentials, but it’s certainly something to think about. [ESPN]

It would be heinously weak if that’s the case. Giving Arizona and Auburn four-seeds hardly seem sufficient if there’s a point being made – although slipping Arizona State into the tournament was a nice whammy for the two not making it and their biggest rival in Tuscon.

OSU and NCAA Notes

Cowboys disappointed to miss out on the Big Dance….SI says OSU’s quarterback battle is one of the hottest to watch….No. 5 on this CFB coach hot seat list surprised me….Cowgirl Soccer beating Mexico’s U-20 team sounds really impressive….For those still interested – SI did a pretty good explanation of what the tourney committee values (pre-release)….Cowboy Baseball dropped the weekend series to Eastern Michigan

Boynton rallied well.

?? ICYMI: @thacoachmike caught up with @ESPNU’s crew about the Cowboys’ NIT selection. #LetsWork #okstate pic.twitter.com/V1svz8wFkj

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) March 12, 2018

The Cowboys certainly had their advocates.

To all the fans and media members showing us love over the last few weeks, we just wanted to say thanks. We appreciate your support. #letswork #okstate pic.twitter.com/JE2ysI7Kam

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) March 11, 2018

Mason Cox has started a Poke pipeline down under.

Crazy to think two alumni basketballers from @OSUAthletics are now half a world away playing footy. It's great seeing @TeegsyC killing it in the AFLW today.#getitgirl #alfw pic.twitter.com/0mel9ioXi2

— Mason Cox (@masonsixtencox) March 11, 2018

Here are the Big 12’s draws for the tourney, 90 percent headed to the postseason:

Shall we dance? pic.twitter.com/RYbPNLFEam

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) March 11, 2018

What You Missed on PFB

• OSU earns No. 2 seed in the NIT – draws Florida Gulf Coast
• Dickie V. calls snubbing the Pokes “an embarrassment”
• Boynton and Co. respond to missing out
• Social media reaction to the Pokes missing out
• OSU missed the tourney, OU received an at-large bid

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• SI profiled this Sam Hinkie-disciple that created NBA-site Cleaning the Glass
• Former Rockets star Stevie Francis tells his wild story
• Porter recommended this recently but I finished Beartown over the weekend – incredible
• What the former Packers front office guy is doing in Cleveland is interesting