One thing that has been lost in the Kelvin Sampson saga is that the IU men's basketball team has been improving its potential seed for the NCAA tournament.
The Hoosiers are 5-1 since the allegations against Kelvin Sampson were made public by the University, including wins over ranked opponents Purdue and Michigan State. The only loss came at home against Wisconsin, the No. 11 team in the latest RPI rankings. IU currently stands at 18th in the RPI with a strength of schedule of 59.
IU was criticized by fans and some media for having a weak pre-season schedule, but that schedule is looking a lot better in the last few weeks. Both Illinois State and Southern Illinois have jumped into the RPI Top-40 while Kentucky has a chance to make it into the Top-50 by the end of the season. Ohio State sits right at 51, so they could easily finish the season in the Top-50, giving IU 2 more victories against Top-50 competition (one of the things the NCAA looks at). The Hoosiers are currently 4-4 against the Top-50.
There is a website that complies all the bracket projections on the internet to make a composite ranking. IU is currently a No. 4 seed, which seems in line with all the major projections such as ESPN's Bracketology.
The Hoosiers have the opportunity to get a three, or even a two seed, but they will have to earn it as well as get some help from other teams. Lets look at some criteria the NCAA uses, or at least is rumored to use, and how the Hoosiers stack up.
RPI/SOS: There are arguments on how important this is compared to a few years back. IU's SOS, especially non-conference SOS, is not out of this world impressive, but, as I said before, is improving. IU also will have games against Michigan State and possibly 1-2 more games against the best teams in conference at the Big Ten tournament. Other computer rankings are rumored to be looked at in the process, which should help IU as the Hoosiers are ranked No. 13 in the Sagarin Rankings and No. 16 in the Ken Pomeroy Rankings.
Conference Play: IU can win a share of the Big Ten championship, but it will face a stiff test this weekend at Michigan State. That would be a huge win for the Hoosiers not only in terms of the conference race, but seeding for the NCAA tournament.
Record in last 10 games: The Hoosiers are 7-3 in their last 10 games, with the only losses coming to Wisconsin and UConn. If IU can run the table, winning the conference and then the Big Ten tournament, IU is going to look really impressive. If IU loses to MSU and then in the Big Ten tournament, the Hoosiers'resume will be less impressive.
So what's the final verdict? Right now, its too close to call. IU has a great opportunity to move up in the seedings the next 3 weeks, but an untimely loss could haunt the Hoosiers' seed come March.
