Tuesday, February 21, 2012

This Week in Wrenball: J is for Hypocrite


W&M lost to VMI in Bracketbusters "action" over the weekend, and plays out the string on a desultory what-might-have-been campaign with home games against Hofstra (9-20, 2-14) and Georgia State (19-9, 10-6). At this point, all I really care about is that the Tribe finishes with the 10th overall seed and avoids the 8:30 pm Friday 6/11 game in the CAA Tournament. That would put a significant crimp in my weekend plans, which are shaping up as epic. (Tune in here on March 5th for Team G:TB's hazy recollections of what promises to be an all-timer.)

While we watch this season circle the drain, it's early promise gone the way of an ESPN.com headline writer with a thing for bad Asian jokes, we're left with hoping for #2bids4CAA and reviewing the bidding for at-large bids in the NCAA Tournament. I'm sure we'll get into this in more detail later (read: we'll almost certainly beat this dead horse like a rented mule in the next few weeks), but here's a spoiler: I think the CAA gets at least one at-large bid. I know the numbers don't really favor that proposition, and I'm well aware of the conference's inept work in November and December. I realize that the CAA's only real quality out of conference wins are Iona and Cleveland State (twice), and that 11th-place Hofstra pulled off two of those. But I've never before seen the luminaries of the collegiate hoops universe sing the CAA's praises to the degree Jay Bilas, Andy Katz, Dick Vitale, and Seth Davis have over the past week. I can't quantify it, for sure, but I really believe it means something.

In related news, noted major conference mainstay Jim Larranaga caused much gnashing of teeth and rending of garments yesterday when he snubbed his former mid-major colleagues in arms. Said the Miami head coach, "If you look at [George Mason's] non-conference strength of schedule, it's in the 300s. That's not the resume that the committee has looked for over the years. You look for people that have really challenged themselves in the non-conference, and not just in the non-conference, but done pretty well. If your strength of schedule is 200 or below, in the non-conference, as a committee you look at that and say, 'Well, what have they proven?"

To be fair, Larranaga was responding to a question directly referring to his former employer and didn't just choose the moment to jump ugly on the Patriots. But it's all just a little unseemly, no? FoG:TB Jerry Beach is a longtime rabid anti-Larranagite, and his opinion on the subject is a must-read. For our money, Larranaga's analysis requires a bit more context. Sure, his Miami squad has played a tougher schedule this season, but how have they performed? The U is a dismal 1-6 against RPI Top 50 squads, 3-9 against Top 100 opponents. In comparison, CAA co-leader Drexel (23-5, 14-2 CAA, 15-game winning streak) is 0-2 against the Top 50, but 4-2 against the Top 100. VCU (23-6, 13-3) is 1-2 against the Top 50 and 2-3 against the Top 100. The maligned Mason (23-6, 14-2) is 1-2 versus the Top 50, 3-4 against the Top 100.

The difference is opportunity. Miami of the ACC gets a ton of chances to play other big guys, but they sure as heck haven't made much of it. The CAA's littles get a limited number of runs at the power programs, and while Drexel and Mason sure would like another bite at the UVA apple, especially the way both are playing right now, the three CAA teams listed above still have better winning percentages against top 100 RPI programs than does Miami. Hell, even the aforementioned Hofstra Pride, 11th in the CAA, are 3-8 against RPI top 100 programs.

Bet man of the people Larranaga didn't get into that in his presser.

15 comments:

TR said...

Greg Fucking Oden.

T.J. said...

Nice pic of Larranaga.

Squeaky said...

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zman said...

What's the deal with three-piece suits? It never occurred to me to buy one but two new people cropped up in my office wearing them regularly. One is notably scrawny, the other quite beefy, so maybe it's a Laurel and Hardy type of thing.

mayhugh said...

I think you should try it Z, only wear a white three piece suit a la Boss Hog. You could institute Boss Hog Fridays.

Danimal said...

Or rick pitino restaurant sex days.

zman said...

I already have "rick pitino restaurant sex days" every Thursday because that's when I have my slow jam dick.

Jerry Beach said...

#MANCRUSH

Danimal said...

so what's everyone giving up for lent?

zman said...

Whilst stepping into the subway car this morning, I heard someone say "If you push me again I will FUCK YOU UP!!!" The voice didn't seem to match the message, and when I looked over I confirmed that the shouter was, indeed, a 70+ year old woman. She yelled some more about people's moms not teaching them manners. Then she looked at me and smiled and shook her head. Then she yelled "I'm getting off at the next stop and if anyone steps on my foot I will FUCK THEM UP TODAY!!!" As opposed to dispensing a fucking up at some point in the future. When the train stopped the bodies in the car parted like the Red Sea before Moses and the old lady stormed off.

Danimal said...

probably on her way to church...

rob said...

zman, that much typing should result in a post.

postcount!

Clarence said...

So she's Grandma Moses?

zman said...

I got a Grandma Easel and a Grandma Tilly.

Clarence said...

And a Grandma fetish.