First question: On the PK80 Bracket that I found online MSU is supposed to open with Georgetown but on the Worldwide Leader's schedule for MSU, they are playing DePaul. What happened there?
They were supposed to play Georgetown, but they dropped out, and released some weird statement that was basically like "we don't want to play a bunch of losable games." I recall reading some DC writer blasting them for it, that this is basically the marquee event for Nike's premier basketball schools, and nobody is going to remember who wins and loses. That there's far more value in confirming your place among the basketball elite, both from a perception standpoint, and as far as your relationship with Nike, than in ducking a couple good losses.
Each bracket will produce:
- 3-0 Champion
- 2-1 Second place
- 2-1 Third place
- 1-2 fourth place
- 2-1 fifth place
- 1-2 sixth place
- 1-2 seventh place
- 0-3 eighth place
Do I have this right in my head?
Does anybody think Ohio State has a chance against Gonzaga?
Is it possible that Ohio State would be better off to lose to Gonzaga because they could then win two games in the losers bracket as opposed to beating Gonzaga and then probably losing two games in the winners bracket?
Yup, same as all of these 8 team preseason tourneys. I think it can be kind of a wash as far as winning first but going 2-1 vs. losing first but going 1-2. Yes, you pick up an additional loss the 2nd way, but by being in the winners bracket, you are more likely to play RPI boosting opponents. That said, this field is beyond loaded aside from Portland/Portland State, so aside from playing them, pretty much everyone should be an RPI boost, save for playing DePaul like MSU has to now.
The tourney as a whole should be great, only problem is the tip times with it being on the West coast.
I'll certainly give MSU AD Mark Hollis credit (this was his idea), that as far as these types of things go, he continues to be at the forefront. Not such a bad idea to throw a birthday bash for your biggest sponsor, and get ESPN involved.