Is West Virginia a Lock for the NCAA Tourney?

by user Pean

As of last week's rankings, West Virginia sits at #23 in AP, and #22 in the coach's poll. They currently have a 20-6 record, with an 8-5 record in the Big East. Twenty wins with 3 or 4 games to go seems like a lock to me, but they have a pretty bad OOC schedule. Aside from their upset of highly ranked UCLA, they haven't beaten many quality opponents.

Fans in messageboard land are claiming that they need beat Providence tomorrow night in order to punch their ticket. With 20 wins, and in the top 25, shouldn't they be considered a lock right now? They most likely won't beat Pittsburgh away, and Providence will give them a tough game on their home court. However, they should roll over Cincy and worse case scenario be 21-8. Do they have the resume?

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BigPPupMajor Leaguer

1045 days ago

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A win over PRovidence will secure them, but I also think it would be overkill at this point. I think the win against UCLA a week ago should be enough to get them into the NC2A. The only drawback I see WVU having is a collapse in the Big East Tourney.

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DNLLegend

1045 days ago

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I agree -- let's see at least one win in the conference tourney.

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BigPPupMajor Leaguer

1045 days ago

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West Va is sitting at 22 and 18 in both of the polls. Typically a top 25 team will make the tourney. So once again, they just need to get to the Big East and win 1

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TartanVarsity Captain

1045 days ago

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Polls be darned, WVU has an RPI of 49 and an awful strength of schedule. The only teams worth absolutely anything they've beaten are Villanova and UCLA. That UCLA victory will be downgraded as time goes on; cross-country away trips in February without your point guard are very tough to win. They're 2-5 against the top 50, and they've been pretty much manhandled by most of their top opponents this season. and rolling over Cincy is far from a certainty, the Mountaineers lost to them by 13 last time at Cincy, although the Bearcats are on a serious skid right now. I don't think the Mountaineers are a lock for the tournament currently. Remember, AP poll and USA Today/ESPN coaches poll voters don't have any say in who makes the tournament, much more intelligent people are in charge of that.

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BigPPupMajor Leaguer

1045 days ago

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Not sure I would say more intelligent people, but if WVU can stay in the top 25 I cannot see anyway that they do not make the tourney.

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PeanMajor Leaguer

1045 days ago

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I think you have some valid points Tartan...not every team in the Top 25 makes the tourney..but IMO, a Big East team in there should be a lock

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TartanVarsity Captain

1045 days ago

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It's widely believed right now that the Big East is down hard this year, how many teams do you expect to get in from that conference?

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BigPPupMajor Leaguer

1045 days ago

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You are right Tartan the Big East is down this year. I think it is a 4 maybe 5 bid league this year.

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TartanVarsity Captain

1045 days ago

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You've still got Villanova, Marquette, Pittsburgh, Georgetown, Louisville (maybe), Notre Dame (maybe) and then West Virginia comes into the picture. I just don't see it as likely a scenario as you guys do I guess. It certainly isn't a slam dunk right now, just in my own opinion.

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BigPPupMajor Leaguer

1045 days ago

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I think Louisville and Notre Dame are big maybes. WVU Id throw in ther ahead of those other two.

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