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| Wednesday, February 5 Making their case for several more Cinderellas ESPN.com |
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After uncovering the ESPN.com offices from the deluge of Cinderella Watch email, we've skimmed off the best responses for your enjoyment and edification.
Holy Cross! Where's the Crusaders?
"COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS - After seeing what this team has done the past two years in the tournament (giving Kentucky and then Kansas the scares of their lives), I think they deserve some credit. This year's team is arguably even better than the past two. Their record is currently 14-3 with an 8-game win streak. Their best win coming against Boston College of the BIG EAST CONFERENCE. They are by far the best team from a Low-Major Conference and certainty should be considered among the top ten from the Mid-Major Conferences. Holy Cross even got a vote in this week's AP Top 25 Poll. When your own analyst Joe Lunardi predicts HC to earn a 13 seed I think that is clear evidence that this team should be taken seriously and deserves to be among the Cinderellas."
"The last couple of years, coach Ralph Willard of Holy Cross has had his team playing their best ball of the year at tournament time. This years team is the best and most experienced he's had up here. Instead of just putting a scare into a first-round opponent, they have a legitimate chance to win one or more games. Hopefully the committee will reward them with a higher seed should they continue to play as well as they have been and win the Patriot League as they are favored to do."
Don't Diss Dayton
"How is it that the Dayton Flyers can be left off any Cinderella Watch? They have a comparable record, better RPI, and better quality wins (Cincinnati, Marquette, Villanova, Temple) than any of the teams on your list. Plus, they were pretty much the only team on Duke's non-conference schedule to give the Blue Devils a run for their money. Yet, I hardly believe anyone (other than the Flyer faithful, that is) is EXPECTING them to be a contender. Therefore, by your own definition, they would be the ultimate Cinderella."
"The question I have is if the Atlantic 10 is considered 'above' the Cinderella Watch. I certainly don't think any A-10 teams are above the watch. So where is Dayton? They beat Nova, Marquette, Cincinnati, they played Duke tough, and they are undefeated in conference play. They beat Evansville, which is more than I can say for a certain team on your watch. Where is the love for the Flyers?"
Valpo or Oral?
"How can you consider Oral Roberts as a Cinderella team and not consider Valparaiso?! Sure ORU has the better record, but look at the caliber of teams that Valpo has played against in non-conference matchups. Plus, Valpo is 5-0 in Mid-Con play and has shown great improvement in their playing ability since the near win against Notre Dame to open 2003. I think Valpo a lot more potential to make it as a Cinderella team than Oral Roberts does."
"My vote goes for ORU. Obviously I'm an alum, two degrees worth, and suffered through many mediocre seasons. With the exception of a few years when Tim Gill and Earl Maclellan were on the team, and beating Arkansas when they were in the Top 25 a few years back, it was all average. But this year seems to be different."
"Here's to keeping ORU's Golden Eagles on the Watch!"
MAC's Western Flavor
"Are you guys over there ever going to talk about another MAC team besides Kent State and Bowling Green? How about Western Michigan? Western just gave BG a severe beating and held the MAC West leaders to 17 first-half points last week. The Broncos have a better RPI rating (67) than Weber State, Oral Roberts and College of Charleston AND a better SOS (143) than Manhattan, Butler, Creighton, Kent State and Oral Roberts. And they aren't even mentioned as waiting to replace Kent State in your Cinderella section? The Broncos have the third best defense in the nation and, after a very poor 0-3 start in the MAC, have won four league games in a row by a average margin of 17 points per contest over Bowling Green, Akron, Eastern Michigan and Ball State. WMU also has hugh road wins against Auburn (by 18 points) and Michigan, while also defeating Virginia Tech by 18 in Kalamazoo. Check out the Broncos, boys, the best team in the MAC! "
For Your Consideration ... Plus, the only reason they lost to Green Bay was because the Panthers knew that a loss in the Resch Center wasn't going to amount to anything in the long run. Finally, Butler's not going to have a chance to get the bid anyhow because Milwaukee hosts the Horizon Tournament. So forget those pesky Bulldogs, and welcome the eventual Horizon League Champions to the Watch!"
"You need to look at Morehead State. They are hot right now. They are 8-0 in there conference and 13-5 Overall and in their 5 losses were to No. 1 at the time Alabama, Ohio State, and buzzer-beater at Arizona State. They have one of the top 25 players in America, Ricky Minard, and are coached by former all-american at Kentucky Kyle Macy. Look out OVC and hopefully field of 64!"
"How about the UNCW Seahawks! We go into California last year and knock off Final Four favorite USC and give national runner-up Indiana all they could handle! Remember 'The (Brett) Blizzard' is still making the CAA have nightmares of what may be in store for them each night they step on the court to play UNC Wilmington."
"What about Rhode Island? With a 11-5 record, and big wins over USC, Providence and Saint Joesph's. They were picked to finish second to last in the A-10 and they had an eight-win season last year. Watch out for URI this season, they are a LEGIT basketball team, and get them in your Cinderella watch!"
"Why, oh why, does it have to be the 'Gonzaga Rule'? You do realize that you relegated the Zags to NCAA Tourney Purgatory! Yeah, I guess you really can't have it both ways ... Gonzaga, in the role as the sleeper, is within seconds of heading to the Final Four in 1999 -- and as a 'underseeded', 'unrespected' No. 6 seed in 2002 loses to No. 11 Wyoming! Well, if nothing else, Gonzaga has created an eternal enigma for college hoop history!"
"I don't know what BYU is considered to be, but if they aren't already considered a favorite, they should at least be a Cinderella. They have been in the top 20 for RPI for a while this season. They beat San Diego State and Arizona State on the road this year. Even though they lost their 44-game home winning streak last week, they still are a favorite to win the MWC."
"I was looking through the college site and was pleased to find some pretty good mid-major coverage. However, when the Cinderella Watch is updated, I feel the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks should be included. I realize SFA has been way off the map in men's basketball since the 1986 season, but there accomplishments this year make them a team to watch. A 13-3 (9-0) start with a 12-game game win streak has led to a mid-major ranking of 19 and an RPI of 98. I noticed Oral Roberts was included in the watch even though SFA handled them earlier this season, we also didn't embarrass ourselves against UT. Basketball fever is back in Nacogdoches for the first time since I've been here and it would be pretty cool if espn.com could include us in the next Cinderella watch, GO JACKS!"
"What about Richmond? They are known giant-killers come tournament time. The Spiders are 12-6 with two wins over top 25 teams, and nearly a win over then-undefeated Wake (poor officiating). In a strong A-10, they are 6-1. They are among the best defensive teams in the country. They're gonna make some notice come March, you heard it here first."
"Keep an eye on Appalachian State. They already beat UT-Chattanooga and play College of Charlston at home where they haven't lost this season. There only losses are at Georgia, at Marquette, at South Carolina, a close on at Western with our whole team sick from the flu, and a tough loss at Garner Webb (ouch!) who are big conference rivals. They have a great shot at winning the SoCon and could pull off an upset come March. They are also the number 2 (I think) scoring team in the nation."
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