Aargh wrote:For a team that has locked up an NCAA invite, a conference tourney is a way to work on the last elements to maximize a run in the NCAA's. It's not a series of "must-win" games.
I remember a few years back when WSU had a Fr named Ron Baker that no one had heard of because WSU was the only D1 team to give him a shot and he had been injured. He got a lot of minutes in the MVC tourney to knock some rust off. He didn't do much in the MVC tourney, but those games helped prepare him for what was coming.
Another Fr at WSU that year got more minutes in the tourney than he'd had during the year. A guy named VanVleet.
As I recall, Creighton won the conference tourney that year. CU went down in the first round in the NCAA's. WSU went down in the F4 that year. Looks like Louisville, who took the Shox out in the F4, may have to vacate that win for illegal recruiting and player incentives. Providing hookers to recruits and players is frowned on by the NCAA.
At this point in time for WSU, Arch Madness is a last-minute tuneup for the real tourney. It's sort of like early season exhibition games. Winning isn't as important as what can be learned from the games.
When the next Valley team that doesn't win in St. Louis gets an NIT championship, I will be a little more receptive to criticism of WSU's lack of championships in St. Louis.
1. Baker was returning from an injury so he played significantly less minutes than normal.
2. Van Vleet played only 13 minutes per game in the tourney but avg 18 minutes per game during the season.
3. I understand that if you are already in the big dance that it might not seem important but I guess I just feel any team (Power 5 or otherwise) that can win their conference regular season championship should be able to win their conference tourney. It just feels wrong/dirty to have to split the title with another team.
4. I agree the tourney is a great experience but if you are telling me that Gregg Marshall looks at it as ho-hum something to do before March Madness then you might not be watching the same games as me.
I hope the Aces do put it all together and mount a challenge to WSU. It would make the season a lot more interesting. It all depends on your coach and how he utilizes his talent IMO.
