...per ESPN's Joe Lunardi: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology Will this be an accurate prediction for the Tigers? Higher/lower? Interestingly, this guy is predicting 5 SEC teams to go to the dance.
If LSU keeps playing like they are playing now, we should be a lock. We're the best team in the SEC by far right about now.
this is the best site. includes updates of predictions from 48 sites. http://bracketproject.50webs.com/matrix.htm lsu currently is predicted as an average of 10 seed in 24 of 48 sites, although about 20 of the sites havent updated their predictions since the last game. id agree that lsu is the favorite for SEC champs now being one game up on the field and not playing in the east. USC is the other favorite but they still have UT, UK and UF again and lost the tiebreaker to LSU.
I think the polls are relatively right on. I think that the SEC getting 5 in is likely right, given the year it's having, although a 6th could sneak in depending on the SEC tournament. What's interesting is that many thought that 5th team would NOT be USC. But USC with a win against FL and a 16-4 record has folks in the SEC wondering whether it's time to get new coaches, like Johnson and Horn. No wonder as well that Felton and Gottfriend got shown the door. You also see that LSU is the only team in the west with a likely bid. Right now, you can't count out Miss St or Arkansas (if they make a strong run) still. I don't like folks talking about LSU like it's won the SEC yet. It hasn't. There's 10 games to play still, and we've played 6. As LSU and Brady has certainly shown in the past, a team streaking at the right time in the second half of the SEC season can be very dangerous and I don't want LSU to be on the receiving end of that. Moreover, you look at the depth issues that LSU has and heavy minutes our starters are logging, one injury can mean the season. So, let's calm down. I think that if LSU finishes near the top 4 of the SEC RPI wise, they should be in perhaps as a 10 or 11. If LSU manages to win out and beat the likes of FL/UK, and win the SEC West, you'll see them creep into the 8 range. I don't see them being higher than a 6 seed, unless they win the SEC tournament. And, then they'll probably be a 4 or a 5. In any case, it's exciting to be talking Bracketology and LSU. :grin:
This shows that they have not been paying attention to the SEC at all. Kentucky loses back-to-back games and stays a 6-seed. Tennessee went 4-5 in the month of January and MOVES UP to a 6-seed. Meanwhile LSU cruises along at the top of the SEC standings unnoticed.
I have to agree, those have me puzzled too. Only thing I can think of is the talking heads are projecting Tenn. and UK to finish strong and LSU to falter in the latter half of the SEC schedule. And to be fair that's not beyond the realm of reason given how heavily LSU relies on their starters to do all the leg work.
never give much value to lunardi. there are many, many other bracket predictors with a better success rate. and some of those strange moves can be explained by the strange RPI (which is really bad, but not too many people seem to think so). UT lost to Memphis and their RPI goes up. LSU beats Arky and their RPI goes down. Way too much value is given to a loss to a good team in the RPI.
dont be so pessimistic. the way i look at is based on performance so far. there is a reasonable # of games, even conference games, to go by. there is not a game on the schedule that LSU cannot lose, but they do have a game lead over the entire SEC and a relatively easy schedule. a 12-4 conf record is realistic. that would give a decent shot at SEC title. the injury thing. well thats just redicuuuluous. most teams are in the same boat. have you been tokin' today? if LSU wins out they will be much higher than a 8 seed. they would be 27-4 and 15-1 in the SEC!!! regardless of RPI and performance in the SEC tourney they would be no lower than a 4. 6 is the reasonable seed for fans to hope for. you get a reasonable first round game and stay away from the 1 seed and dont play the 2 seed til the third round.
