SB Nation - Xavier Musketeers

RPI WATCH: 12/22/09

BracketCat — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:00:20 -0000

Wow, the Sooners really suck. If we don't pack Lloyd Noble with purple in February, something is wrong with us.

All hell breaks loose tonight and tomorrow, so keep an eye on RPI WATCH to see how it all affects the Cats' profile.

Current Kansas State AP Ranking = 12

Current Kansas State Record = 11-1

Current Kansas State RPI = 1

Current Kansas State SOS = 2

Great Wins (RPI 1-50) = Loyola, Dayton, IUPUI, Xavier, UNLV

Solid Wins (RPI 51-100) = Washington State, Alabama

Bad Losses (RPI 101 or greater) = none

Loyola (8-2, 1-1) | RPI = 27
Western Illinois (4-6, 0-2) | RPI = 320
Boston (4-6) | RPI = 146
No. 20 Ole Miss (10-1) | RPI = 24
Dayton (9-2) | RPI = 32: Win over Appalachian State (65-49)
IUPUI (9-3, 2-0) | RPI = 50
No. 14* FHSU (8-1)
Washington State (9-2) | RPI = 83
Xavier (6-4) | RPI = 47
UNLV (10-1) | RPI = 34
Alabama (7-4) | RPI = 92
UAPB (0-10) | RPI = 265: Loss at No. 12 Kansas State (90-76)
Cleveland State (4-8, 0-2) | RPI = 247
South Dakota (6-5) | RPI = 208
Missouri (7-3) | RPI = 179
No. 23 Texas A&M (9-2) | RPI = 15
Colorado (6-4) | RPI = 229
No. 2 Texas (10-0) | RPI = 6
Oklahoma State (10-1) | RPI = 47: Win over La Salle (77-62)
Baylor (9-1) | RPI = 101
No. 1 Kansas (10-0) | RPI = 20
Nebraska (8-2) | RPI = 163
Iowa State (8-3) | RPI = 144
Oklahoma (8-4) | RPI = 114: Loss to UTEP (89-74)
No. 16 Texas Tech (9-1) | RPI = 33

*Division II Top 25

RPI WATCH: 12/21/09

BracketCat — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:00:27 -0000

Our opponents went 3-1 on Sunday. Pretty quiet, all things considered.

The new AP poll is out. We're not quite as high as I hoped. North Carolina staying put is a fracking joke.

But it's our highest ranking since 1973, so I ain't complainin' too much.

Current Kansas State AP Ranking = 12

Current Kansas State Record = 10-1

Current Kansas State RPI = 1

Current Kansas State SOS = 3

Great Wins (RPI 1-50) = Loyola, Dayton, IUPUI, Xavier, UNLV

Solid Wins (RPI 51-100) = Washington State, Alabama

Bad Losses (RPI 101 or greater) = none

Loyola (8-2, 1-1) | RPI = 27: Win at SIUE (79-61)
Western Illinois (4-6, 0-2) | RPI = 320
Boston (4-6) | RPI = 146
No. 20 Ole Miss (10-1) | RPI = 24
Dayton (8-2) | RPI = 31
IUPUI (9-3, 2-0) | RPI = 50
No. 14* FHSU (8-1)
Washington State (9-2) | RPI = 83
Xavier (6-4) | RPI = 47
UNLV (10-1) | RPI = 34
Alabama (7-4) | RPI = 92
UAPB (0-9) | RPI = 260
Cleveland State (4-8, 0-2) | RPI = 247
South Dakota (6-5) | RPI = 208: Loss at Wyoming (86-74)
Missouri (7-3) | RPI = 179
No. 23 Texas A&M (9-2) | RPI = 15
Colorado (6-4) | RPI = 229
No. 2 Texas (10-0) | RPI = 6
Oklahoma State (9-1) | RPI = 42
Baylor (9-1) | RPI = 101: Win over Texas-Arlington (94-63)
No. 1 Kansas (10-0) | RPI = 20
Nebraska (8-2) | RPI = 163
Iowa State (8-3) | RPI = 144: Win over Bradley (87-68)
Oklahoma (8-3) | RPI = 117
No. 16 Texas Tech (9-1) | RPI = 33

*Division II Top 25

RPI WATCH: 12/20/09

BracketCat — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:00:18 -0000

Well, the Cats did what they needed to do, and survived to fight another day as Upset Saturday claimed numerous other victims.

In a fair world, the AP Top 15 that comes out tomorrow would look something like this:

Texas (10-0)
Kansas (10-0)
Kentucky (11-0)
Purdue (10-0)
Syracuse (11-0)
West Virginia (8-0)
Duke (9-1)
Villanova (10-1)
Michigan State (9-2)
Connecticut (7-2)
Kansas State (10-1)
Georgetown (8-1)
Ohio State (9-2)
New Mexico (12-0)
Ole Miss (10-1)

It will be interesting to see what the pollsters, in all their wisdom, come up with.

P.S. Did I call that Wichita State upset or what? Booyah!

Current Kansas State AP Ranking = 17

Current Kansas State Record = 10-1

Current Kansas State RPI = 1

Current Kansas State SOS = 3

Great Wins (RPI 1-50) = Loyola, Dayton, IUPUI, Xavier, UNLV

Solid Wins (RPI 51-100) = Washington State, Alabama

Bad Losses (RPI 101 or greater) = none

Loyola (7-2, 1-1) | RPI = 45
Western Illinois (4-6, 0-2) | RPI = 320
Boston (4-6) | RPI = 146
No. 20 Ole Miss (10-1) | RPI = 24: Win over Centenary (108-64)
Dayton (8-2) | RPI = 31: Win over Presbyterian (71-52)
IUPUI (9-3, 2-0) | RPI = 50: Win over Duquesne (73-64)
No. 14* FHSU (8-1)
Washington State (9-2) | RPI = 83: Win over Portland State (93-69)
Xavier (6-4) | RPI = 47: Loss at No. 21 Butler (69-68)
UNLV (10-1) | RPI = 34: Win over SCUU (88-58)
Alabama (7-4) | RPI = 92: Loss to No. 17 Kansas State (87-74)
UAPB (0-9) | RPI = 260: Loss at Missouri (88-70)
Cleveland State (4-8, 0-2) | RPI = 247: Loss to No. 6 West Virginia (80-78)
South Dakota (6-4) | RPI = 139
Missouri (7-3) | RPI = 179: Win over UAPB (88-70)
No. 23 Texas A&M (9-2) | RPI = 15: Win over The Citadel (71-50)
Colorado (6-4) | RPI = 229
No. 2 Texas (10-0) | RPI = 6: Win over No. 10 North Carolina (103-90)
Oklahoma State (9-1) | RPI = 42
Baylor (8-1) | RPI = 72
No. 1 Kansas (10-0) | RPI = 20: Win over Michigan (75-64)
Nebraska (8-2) | RPI = 163: Win over Jackson State (57-41)
Iowa State (7-3) | RPI = 155
Oklahoma (8-3) | RPI = 117: Win over Northern Colorado (80-79)
No. 16 Texas Tech (9-1) | RPI = 33: Loss at Wichita State (85-83)

*Division II Top 25

10 from the 00s: The rise (and fire) of Gus Johnson

SFBE.NF — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:03:53 -0000

During my senior year at Xavier University, one of the country's great Jesuit higher-education institutions, the Musketeers second round match-up in the 2007 NCAA Tournament against heavily favored Ohio State carries a special significance. Not only did I watch with about 40 of my closest friends, all hoping for the best while expecting the worst, but we sat cramped together in a small living room. It was all part of the St. Patrick's Day festivities.

The game itself should have finished as one of the greatest wins in Xavier's history. Instead they fumbled and lost the lead down the stretch, losing in overtime. Did it suck to watch such an egregious effort of poor clock and game management, along with a few clutch Ron Lewis threes and Greg Oden shoves? Yes. But was that gut-wrenching feeling mitigated because my school's missed opportunity for a trip to the Sweet 16 came over the exuberant voice of Gus Johnson? Yes. Thirty-nine kids in that room left distraught, I just enjoyed the moment.

Ask the right demographic, and you'll find that not only is Gus Johnson perceived as one of the great purveyors of fantastic color commentary, he's as crucial a cog in the Field of 65 as the upset-minded 12 seed.

Gus is a YouTube sensation. In 2005 he called the first and only Vermont Catamounts NCAA Tournament victory. He also spazed out last season when AJ Price tied Gonzaga in a regular season game, made an "inhuman" noise as UCLA ended Adam Morrison's college career in 2006 and, just to show us he's versatile behind the mic, nearly went into cardiac arrest when the Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Stokley made one of the most improbable plays of this NFL season.

The last time I checked, calls by Craig Bolerjack are not on YouTube.

While ESPN's Bill Simmons rarely dabbles in basketball of the college kind, he did offer this great graf on Gus a few years ago, as part of a column that seemed to signal the beginning of Johnson's rise to power.

The Gus Johnson Question has turned into one of the defining sports questions in life. Where you stand says more about you than you'd think, just like it's telling if you hated "Field of Dreams" or started rooting for Duke during the early '90s because you liked watching Christian Laettner and Bobby Hurley. If somebody tells me they don't like Gus, I'm not even sure how to react. They might as well tell me, "Yeah, sometimes I like to save dogs from the pound, then murder them with my bare hands."

So whether it's "Rise and Fire," "Oh. My. Goodness," or just a string of inaudible noises used to describe mass hysteria, watching a Gus Johnson game means praying for a close one replete with a fantastic crescendo of emotions right up to the final buzzer. All from the most likable announcer of the decade.

RPI WATCH: 12/19/09

BracketCat — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 04:00:17 -0000

No Division I opponents played last night, but our Division II opponent did. And they moved up the rankings, as well.

Also, our strength of schedule moved to No. 1 last night, and our RPI remains at No. 1, too.

Kansas: Where No. 1 teams reside.

Current Kansas State AP Ranking = 17

Current Kansas State Record = 9-1

Current Kansas State RPI = 1

Current Kansas State SOS = 1

Great Wins (RPI 1-50) = Loyola, Dayton, UNLV

Solid Wins (RPI 51-100) = IUPUI, Washington State, Xavier

Bad Losses (RPI 101 or greater) = none

Loyola (7-2, 1-1) | RPI = 45
Western Illinois (4-6, 0-2) | RPI = 320
Boston (4-6) | RPI = 146
No. 20 Ole Miss (9-1) | RPI = 35
Dayton (7-2) | RPI = 27
IUPUI (8-3, 2-0) | RPI = 60
No. 14* FHSU (8-1): Win over Bethel College (92-37)
Washington State (8-2) | RPI = 88
Xavier (6-3) | RPI = 61
UNLV (9-1) | RPI = 27
Alabama (7-3) | RPI = 87
UAPB (0-8) | RPI = 281
Cleveland State (4-7, 0-2) | RPI = 235
South Dakota (6-4) | RPI = 139
Missouri (6-3) | RPI = 161
No. 16 Texas A&M (8-2) | RPI = 18
Colorado (6-4) | RPI = 229
No. 2 Texas (9-0) | RPI = 5
Oklahoma State (9-1) | RPI = 42
Baylor (8-1) | RPI = 72
No. 1 Kansas (9-0) | RPI = 21
Nebraska (7-2) | RPI = 151
Iowa State (7-3) | RPI = 155
Oklahoma (7-3) | RPI = 142
No. 23 Texas Tech (9-0) | RPI = 18

*Division II Top 25

Xavier victim of new way to lose a basketball game

SFBE.NF — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 22:51:08 -0000

More photos » by Michael Conroy - AP

Browse more photos »

Was there time, or was there no time? That is what everyone in Hinkle Fieldhouse was pondering after witnessing one of the wackier finishes in college basketball, this side of my lifetime.

After an accidental start/stop button push with 14.7 seconds on the clock, Gordon Haywood hit a lay-up to give Butler the lead. 1.2 seconds remained and Hinkle erupted, but questions abounded. As the officials deliberated and shot perplexed looks at each other for nearly 15 minutes, roars grew as to just what exactly was going on. Would there have been enough time for Haywood's lay-in to count had the clock never stopped? Should Xavier be given any of the 1.2 remaining on the clock to play for the win? And hold on here, was Haywood's "jump ball" call really legit? This game was full of surprises.

As expected, Xavier fans are ticked and Butler fans are elated. The problem here is that there is still speculation. We never were told exactly how many ticks the refs determined would have run off if the clock wasn't inadvertently stopped. It looks like it was no more than 1.2 seconds meaning that Haywood's shot, which was released at about the 1.8 second mark, would have counted. But leaving few privy to the exact amount is infuriating.

There's no clear article in the NCAA rulebook set aside for a situation like this. The refs seemed to have made the right call, but at this time we don't know for sure.

RPI WATCH: 12/18/09

BracketCat — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:45:09 -0000

Only one opponent played last night. But it's an opponent we should be rooting for to win every single game from here on out. And they won. Good for them.

Current Kansas State AP Ranking = 17

Current Kansas State Record = 9-1

Current Kansas State RPI = 1

Current Kansas State SOS = 2

Great Wins (RPI 1-50) = Loyola, Dayton, UNLV

Solid Wins (RPI 51-100) = IUPUI, Washington State, Xavier

Bad Losses (RPI 101 or greater) = none

Loyola (7-2, 1-1) | RPI = 45
Western Illinois (4-6, 0-2) | RPI = 320
Boston (4-6) | RPI = 146
No. 20 Ole Miss (9-1) | RPI = 35
Dayton (7-2) | RPI = 27
IUPUI (8-3, 2-0) | RPI = 60
No. 22* FHSU (7-1)
Washington State (8-2) | RPI = 88
Xavier (6-3) | RPI = 61
UNLV (9-1) | RPI = 27: Win over Weber State (72-63)
Alabama (7-3) | RPI = 87
UAPB (0-8) | RPI = 281
Cleveland State (4-7, 0-2) | RPI = 235
South Dakota (6-4) | RPI = 139
Missouri (6-3) | RPI = 161
No. 16 Texas A&M (8-2) | RPI = 18
Colorado (6-4) | RPI = 229
No. 2 Texas (9-0) | RPI = 5
Oklahoma State (9-1) | RPI = 42
Baylor (8-1) | RPI = 72
No. 1 Kansas (9-0) | RPI = 21
Nebraska (7-2) | RPI = 151
Iowa State (7-3) | RPI = 155
Oklahoma (7-3) | RPI = 142
No. 23 Texas Tech (9-0) | RPI = 18

*Division II Top 25

RPI WATCH: 12/17/09

BracketCat — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 03:15:17 -0000

by Laura Rauch - AP

Thanks to the Worldwide Leader, Frank and his Wildcats are sucking up all the national attention. Take that, Lew Perkins! (AP Photo/Laura Rauch)

View full size photo »

As an astute reader pointed out last night, Kansas State indeed moved up to No. 1 in the RPI.

So I guess I was wrong about No. 2 being the pinnacle — we managed to pass Duke after all.

I still say enjoy it while it lasts. After Alabama, we play a trio of teams that will put at least a small dent into that ranking. But once we get into the meat of Big 12 play, I could see it settling into the Top 10 or Top 15 and staying there for the duration.

Frank couldn't have planned this non-conference schedule any better if had tried. Not only are Dayton, Xavier and UNLV living up to expectations, but Loyola — who just netted a really nice road win — and Washington State appear to be better than expected, and IUPUI quickly is looking like a front-runner in its conference. Brave, Mr. Martin.

Wednesday night's results are after the jump. A couple of close ones, but our opponents pulled them out in the end and vaulted us to the top overall spot.

Current Kansas State AP Ranking = 17

Current Kansas State Record = 9-1

Current Kansas State RPI = 1

Current Kansas State SOS = 2

Great Wins (RPI 1-50, bold = RPI 1-25) = Loyola, Dayton, UNLV

Solid Wins (RPI 51-100) = IUPUI, Washington State, Xavier

Bad Losses (RPI 101 or greater) = none

Loyola (7-2, 1-1) | RPI = 45: Win at Bradley (68-65)
Western Illinois (4-6, 0-2) | RPI = 320
Boston (4-6) | RPI = 146
No. 20 Ole Miss (9-1) | RPI = 35: Win over UTEP (91-81 in overtime)
Dayton (7-2) | RPI = 27
IUPUI (8-3, 2-0) | RPI = 60
No. 22* FHSU (7-1)
Washington State (8-2) | RPI = 88
Xavier (6-3) | RPI = 61
UNLV (8-1) | RPI = 24
Alabama (7-3) | RPI = 87: Win over Samford (60-45)
UAPB (0-8) | RPI = 281: Loss at No. 22 Georgia Tech (65-53)
Cleveland State (4-7, 0-2) | RPI = 235
South Dakota (6-4) | RPI = 139
Missouri (6-3) | RPI = 161
No. 16 Texas A&M (8-2) | RPI = 18
Colorado (6-4) | RPI = 229
No. 2 Texas (9-0) | RPI = 5
Oklahoma State (9-1) | RPI = 42: Win at Stanford (71-70)
Baylor (8-1) | RPI = 72
No. 1 Kansas (9-0) | RPI = 21
Nebraska (7-2) | RPI = 151
Iowa State (7-3) | RPI = 155
Oklahoma (7-3) | RPI = 142
No. 23 Texas Tech (9-0) | RPI = 18

*Division II Top 25

RPI WATCH: 12/16/09

BracketCat — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:00:33 -0000

If you were wondering, there was no RPI Watch yesterday because none of our opponents played Monday night.

But a few of them did Tuesday night. Hit the jump to see how they did.

Current Kansas State AP Ranking = 17

Current Kansas State Record = 9-1

Current Kansas State RPI = 2

Current Kansas State SOS = 3

Great Wins (RPI 1-50, bold = RPI 1-25) = Loyola, Dayton, UNLV

Solid Wins (RPI 51-100) = IUPUI, Washington State, Xavier

Bad Losses (RPI 101 or greater) = none

Loyola (6-2, 1-1) | RPI = 40
Western Illinois (4-6, 0-2) | RPI = 320
Boston (4-6) | RPI = 146
No. 25 Ole Miss (8-1) | RPI = 34
Dayton (7-2) | RPI = 27
IUPUI (8-3, 2-0) | RPI = 60
No. 22* FHSU (7-1)
Washington State (8-2) | RPI = 88
Xavier (6-3) | RPI = 61
UNLV (8-1) | RPI = 24: Win at Southern Utah (77-59)
Alabama (6-3) | RPI = 91
UAPB (0-7) | RPI = 302
Cleveland State (4-7, 0-2) | RPI = 235: Loss to Robert Morris (78-70)
South Dakota (6-4) | RPI = 139
Missouri (6-3) | RPI = 161
No. 16 Texas A&M (8-2) | RPI = 18
Colorado (6-4) | RPI = 229
No. 2 Texas (9-0) | RPI = 5: Win over UTPA (104-42)
Oklahoma State (8-1) | RPI = 31
Baylor (8-1) | RPI = 72: Win over Jackson State (90-60)
No. 1 Kansas (9-0) | RPI = 21
Nebraska (7-2) | RPI = 151
Iowa State (7-3) | RPI = 155
Oklahoma (7-3) | RPI = 142
No. 23 Texas Tech (9-0) | RPI = 18

*Division II Top 25

RPI WATCH: 12/14/09

BracketCat — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:00:23 -0000

by Laura Rauch - AP

Presenting your 17th-ranked Kansas State Wildcats! (AP Photo/Laura Rauch)

View full size photo »

No. 17 AP and No. 22 ESPN/USA Today!

As I hinted yesterday, our recently defeated foe, the Xavier Musketeers, picked up a great win over ranked Cincinnati in a double-overtime thriller that threatened to break out into a brawl at several points.

Meanwhile, our version of Alcorn State, winless Arkansas-Pine Bluff, got whomped in Stillwater. That game will have a wonderful effect on our RPI...

Current Kansas State AP Ranking = 17

Current Kansas State Record = 9-1

Current Kansas State RPI = 2

Current Kansas State SOS = 4

Great Wins (RPI 1-50) = Loyola, Dayton, UNLV

Solid Wins (RPI 51-100) = IUPUI, Washington State, Xavier

Bad Losses (RPI 101 or greater) = none

Loyola (6-2, 1-1) | RPI = 40
Western Illinois (4-6, 0-2) | RPI = 320
Boston (4-6) | RPI = 146
No. 25 Ole Miss (8-1) | RPI = 34
Dayton (7-2) | RPI = 24
IUPUI (8-3, 2-0) | RPI = 60
No. 22* FHSU (7-1)
Washington State (8-2) | RPI = 88
Xavier (6-3) | RPI = 61: Win over No. 19 Cincinnati (83-79 in double overtime)
No. 18 UNLV (7-1) | RPI = 29
Alabama (6-3) | RPI = 91
UAPB (0-7) | RPI = 302: Loss at Oklahoma State (81-66)
Cleveland State (4-6, 0-2) | RPI = 232
South Dakota (6-4) | RPI = 139: Win at Binghamton (89-77)
Missouri (6-3) | RPI = 161
No. 16 Texas A&M (8-2) | RPI = 18
Colorado (6-4) | RPI = 229
No. 2 Texas (8-0) | RPI = 5
Oklahoma State (8-1) | RPI = 31: Win over UAPB (81-66)
Baylor (7-1) | RPI = 105
No. 1 Kansas (9-0) | RPI = 21
Nebraska (7-2) | RPI = 151
Iowa State (7-3) | RPI = 155
Oklahoma (7-3) | RPI = 142
No. 23 Texas Tech (9-0) | RPI = 18

*Division II Top 25