Tweet
Zags continue to control their destiny; cost of a "slip" greatly reduced
Just 10 days ago, the price the Zags might pay for a single loss was worrisome. The then-#3 Zags stood alone as a one-loss team behind two undefeated teams. However, just one loss would have dropped them into a pool of over two dozen teams with two or three losses. Some high-ranked teams were dropping 6 or 7 spots in the polls after a defeat. While GU took care of business, that pool shrunk dramatically. There are now only four teams with two losses for the season, and only six more with three losses. Those numbers are guaranteed to drop. Five remaining games match-up teams from that group of ten: Louisville and Virginia will play each other twice down the stretch. The Cardinals also host Notre Dame, and the Irish must also travel to Duke. Northern Iowa has a rematch with Wichita State, this time as the visitors. In addition, there are several potentially challenging games: undefeated Kentucky is scheduled for a home-and-home set against Florida and must travel to Georgia; Virginia must also visit Syracuse; Wisconsin will be on the road for Maryland and Ohio State and Arizona has games against Utah, UCLA and in-state rival Arizona State.
Other games coming up for three-loss teams include: Louisville traveling to Syracuse; Duke playing two against Syracuse and two against North Carolina; Wichita State and Stephen F. Austen each facing multiple games against winning teams in their respective conferences. There are currently 11 four-loss teams, but won't detail their schedules, because it is highly unlikely the Zags will have that many losses or that any of those teams would "jump" the Zags as long as they have fewer losses. Then, along come conference tournaments, and more upset opportunities.
Bottom line: run the table, keep the #2 ranking, and nearly certain of a #1 seed; lose once, 1 or 2 seed still possible, but geographically protected (4-seed or better) approaching a lock. Just win, Zags, the rest will take care of itself as competitors defeat each other. Now just to make plans for Seattle . . . or Portland . . .or Seattle, and none too early to thing about the following week-end(s). Go Zags!
Other games coming up for three-loss teams include: Louisville traveling to Syracuse; Duke playing two against Syracuse and two against North Carolina; Wichita State and Stephen F. Austen each facing multiple games against winning teams in their respective conferences. There are currently 11 four-loss teams, but won't detail their schedules, because it is highly unlikely the Zags will have that many losses or that any of those teams would "jump" the Zags as long as they have fewer losses. Then, along come conference tournaments, and more upset opportunities.
Bottom line: run the table, keep the #2 ranking, and nearly certain of a #1 seed; lose once, 1 or 2 seed still possible, but geographically protected (4-seed or better) approaching a lock. Just win, Zags, the rest will take care of itself as competitors defeat each other. Now just to make plans for Seattle . . . or Portland . . .or Seattle, and none too early to thing about the following week-end(s). Go Zags!
Comment