Seton Hall just beat UConn in overtime, and as a neutral party and college basketball expert, let me just say:
The better team won.
I know, I know. UConn grades out higher on kenpom. I know, I know. UConn was the betting favorite. I know, I know. UConn has more wins this season and fewer losses.
Ever heard of strength of schedule?
While UConn spends Saturdays in February playing 6–18 teams (sorry, 7–18 teams), reigning national champions Seton Hall seek out the best the country has to offer. Today, they even tried the reigning champs from a little upstart postseason event, something called the “NCAA Tournament” which features a bloated 68-team field.
If you were worried that this “NCAA Tournament” (what a boring name, by the way) might have staying power, worry no more. Seton Hall dispatched its champion with ease. The score was never closer than tied.
The NIT stays the greatest. As for the NCAA T*urnament? It’s doing its best, but you can’t compete with history. Well done, Pirates.
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A few more thoughts:
- Seton Hall is now 3–2 against UConn over the last three years. Over that timeframe, UConn has two NCAA T*urnament championships and Seton Hall has one NIT title. For those who’ve asked how much an NCAAT title is worth, the current answer appears to be maybe 33% of an NIT championship. That’s the math. Seton Hall’s 50% better than UConn, and UConn has two NCAAT rings to Seton Hall’s one NIT ring. One NIT ring is therefore three times as powerful as one NCAAT ring. That, as I said, is the math.
- The first edition of this year’s NIT Bubble Watch is still six days away, but while UConn is in the picture, that picture is blurry. Not only will the Huskies need to fall out of the NCAA T*urnament field, but they’ll need to fall past the two spots Big East commissioner and future Hell resident Val Ackerman signed away to the College Basketball Crown. They don’t only need to fall off the NCAAT/NIT bubble. They also need Villanova and Xavier to pass them. Hopefully Dan Hurley treats Fox Sports executives with the same respect he shows 19-year-olds from Omaha.
- This blog post is funnier in hindsight.
- To be clear, I wish Val Ackerman nothing but the best. I don’t want anyone to spend eternity in Hell. But if you commit a mortal sin, like trying to murder the NIT? Well, I know I keep saying this, but that’s the math. Take it up with God.
- Poetic that UConn scored 68 points. Pick whatever number you want for that tournament. It’s never enough.
- Good for Shaheen Holloway. I like that guy. Good coach. He’ll be back.
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