NCAA Tournament Would You Rather?....

**FDWxMan** · 02-16-2013, 08:07 PM

Enter as an 8/9 seed, or go to First Four as a 12/13 seed?

Here is the scenario. This really isn't exactly meant to apply to this team this year or any team in reality. Just something I was thinking about. Essentially assume names have been changed to protect the innocent.

Say your team, at this point in the season (6 or 7 games left) is riding right along or just inside the bubble. Team has the talent to be solidly in the tournament, but things just haven't clicked for whatever.

Now, lets say you are guaranteed to make the tournament. You can go on a run to end the year, but the schedule is such you are only going to improve the resume to the point of an 8 or 9 seed. You could also sputter/implode a bit, but still squeak into the first four.

Do you take the 8/9 and the nearly certain death that the 1 seed represents in the second round?

Or do you go to the First Four, and get a very beatable opening game (essentially pretending you got a 5 seed) and avoid the looming number 1 seed, taking your chances against a couple fringe-ish top-25 teams during opening weekend?

**Aclone** · 02-16-2013, 08:11 PM

I'd rather win it, irregardless of seed. Any other questions?

**chuckd4735** · 02-16-2013, 08:12 PM

Id def take the first four. I hate the 8/9 line.

**FDWxMan** · 02-16-2013, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by chuckd4735

Id def take the first four. I hate the 8/9 line.

That's kind of what I was thinking. Especially since the 4/5 line is can be pretty shaky.

**Final42b** · 02-16-2013, 08:13 PM

I just want to get in at this point.

**FDWxMan** · 02-16-2013, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by Final42b

I just want to get in at this point.

I don't really mean it in that way, not applying it to this team.

Purely a hypothetical.

**cyclones500** · 02-16-2013, 08:18 PM

With only these two options, 8/9 - Play-in requires sweating on Selection Sunday.

**awd4cy** · 02-16-2013, 08:21 PM

8/9, don't want to have to play in the first round.

**gocubs2118** · 02-16-2013, 08:22 PM

Definitely 8/9. I don't want to play in anymore games than we have to.

**VikesFan28** · 02-16-2013, 08:40 PM

Originally Posted by Aclone

I'd rather win it, irregardless of seed. Any other questions?

I have a question. Irregardless. Meaning not regardless. Which means it matters to you, but you didn't answer the question if that's the case. I understand that you'd want to win, but please clear up the confusion.

**HGPuck** · 02-16-2013, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by VikesFan4Ever28

I have a question. Irregardless. Meaning not regardless. Which means it matters to you, but you didn't answer the question if that's the case. I understand that you'd want to win, but please clear up the confusion.

I think he means irrespective.

**atlantacyclone** · 02-16-2013, 10:13 PM

Just make the tourney.

**Cyclonepride** · 02-16-2013, 10:25 PM

No play in game. I don't like that anyway.

**3GenClone** · 02-16-2013, 10:25 PM

I take the 8/9 this year. Even in your hypothetical scenario there isn't a clear favorite to win the tournament, in fact there are about 7 teams vying for the four #1 seeds. If my team is just finding their groove I feel better about them taking on a potential #1 seed like Gonzaga than having to play that extra play-in game and risk injury/fatigue later in the tourney.

**FDWxMan** · 02-16-2013, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by atlantacyclone

Just make the tourney.

That's not the point of the poll/thread. As stated above, you're in no matter what.

Doesn't have anything to do really with this year's ISU team. Just a hypothetical strategy question.

How many think the trade-off of the extra game is worth potentially avoiding a 1 or overall 1 seed on opening weekend.