I think you're reading a bit of what you think into what I'm saying.
I don't think they should go because they have some magic "skill" that makes them win every close game. And I totally agree they were lucky to not be a few games worse, as are a lot of teams.
But they did the thing. I've watched world series champions where I say "that's not the best team, but they played well late and won the games for dumb reasons." And they get a trophy and such.
I think the reason people grip onto the regular season because there is something sad and weird about the conference tournament thing often.
I think the difference between each side is also needlessly overcomplicated. Some people think that doing this thing that is very hard, and even requires enough luck, is enough of an accomplishment (with a few solid resume metrics) to warrant a fringe spot over a team we all think is not very good. And others say no, that isn't the case. The regular metrics are enough, and the undefeated small conference team would likely lose head-to-head. Both are legit outlooks and neither needs to be complicated much past that.
Yep. And as I said, I actually don't really care much.
All I'm saying is that the metrics (NET, other rankings, etc) don't really support the idea that they're as strong as the teams that are typically on the bubble. So if the committee is trying to make at large selections purely based on creating a stronger field, they don't fit the profile.
However, going undefeated in the regular season, even against crap competition, is a cool feel good story. So if the committee decides to reward the feel good story at the expense of a stronger team who is marginally worthy of a bid, so be it. Just don't make up a story that it's because they're any good. It's a feel good story.
The 11 seeds in the play-in games are basically going to be teams 43-46 in the field. Throwing Miami into the play-in game doesn't create a ton of harm, considering no 11 seed has ever won it all--in fact no 11 seed has ever even made it to the championship game.
So if the committee throws them a bone, so be it. I'm not going to whine about it even if I personally think they blew their chances when they lost to UMass.
