From time to time here I see comments about the quality of the conference compared to the past. I think these comments are sometimes misguided. The KenPom conference rank is currently #18 (by the slightest of margins over the #19 Southern Conference).
The previous best ranks since the 2009-2010 season (as far as KenPom goes back):
20-21 (18)
19-20 (17)
17-18 (17)
09-10 (17)
And while there may not be a super-team (sorry EWU, I’ll get to that in a moment), the bottom is drastically improved. Idaho is currently ranked the worst at #281. Last year for example there were four teams #317 or lower. In 18-19, there were three teams #304 or lower. This could be the first year without a #300 or lower team (sort of my reverse Mendoza Line). In most years there are at least two and often in the 340-350 range (I am a fan of relegation . . . Good bye Idaho and Idaho State, welcome to the Big Sky MSU - Billings and St. Martins!)
Is Idaho with Moffitt and Jones an easy win? Do you really want to face UNC’s big 3 of Knecht, Kountz and Johnson II that is rounding into form?
Despite EWU’s brilliant season to date, they are tracking as a likely 15-seed. MSU was a 14-seed last year.
So the question is which would you prefer? A conference with a team capable of winning a tournament game but with 3-to-4 non competitive teams? Or a conference without a 12-13 seed but where you are basically getting competitive games every night?
The previous best ranks since the 2009-2010 season (as far as KenPom goes back):
20-21 (18)
19-20 (17)
17-18 (17)
09-10 (17)
And while there may not be a super-team (sorry EWU, I’ll get to that in a moment), the bottom is drastically improved. Idaho is currently ranked the worst at #281. Last year for example there were four teams #317 or lower. In 18-19, there were three teams #304 or lower. This could be the first year without a #300 or lower team (sort of my reverse Mendoza Line). In most years there are at least two and often in the 340-350 range (I am a fan of relegation . . . Good bye Idaho and Idaho State, welcome to the Big Sky MSU - Billings and St. Martins!)
Is Idaho with Moffitt and Jones an easy win? Do you really want to face UNC’s big 3 of Knecht, Kountz and Johnson II that is rounding into form?
Despite EWU’s brilliant season to date, they are tracking as a likely 15-seed. MSU was a 14-seed last year.
So the question is which would you prefer? A conference with a team capable of winning a tournament game but with 3-to-4 non competitive teams? Or a conference without a 12-13 seed but where you are basically getting competitive games every night?