Happy Friday Fanatics.
I’ve got a few quick hits on for you on your Friday afternoon. Check out CF later today for Austin Narber’s weekend college basketball viewer’s guide. It’s a great new piece of content here at CF and if you haven’t read one yet, I highly suggest doing so.
Strength of schedule
If you hadn’t checked lately, Iowa State’s overall strength of schedule is now up to 10th, according to CBSSports.com. According to RealTimeRPI.com, Iowa State’s strength of schedule is ranked 8th.
Why so high? Well, the Big 12 is brutal, but you already knew that. There is more to it though.
*** For instance, did you know though that BYU, who Iowa State beat in November (in Provo), defeated Gonzaga on Thursday night? Sure, the Cougars struggled during the second half of their non-conference campaign but Dave Rose’s team has surged since West Coast Conference play began. BYU has won six of seven and is now 11-5 in league play. The Cougars are considered to be a bubble team but many national pundits, such as SI’s Seth Davis, have “Sharpied” them in the NCAA Tournament. The Cougars are currently ranked No. 36 in the RPI, which is notably ahead of Kansas State (38) Baylor (47), Oklahoma State (49) and West Virginia (70) from the Big 12.
***As we already knew, Iowa State has defeated eight teams in the RPI’s top 50. Only Kansas has won more games against that level of competition.
*** Michigan, who Iowa State beat on Nov. 17, is up to No. 17 in the RPI. Iowa, who the Cyclones defeated in December, is currently at No. 26. Checking in on a few other of Iowa State’s non-conference opponents, Boise State is at No. 56. Another Hawaii victory for the Cyclones, Akron is hanging around the top 100 at No. 94.
Bracketology
CBS’ Jerry Palm updated his “Bracketology” this morning.
I found it interesting that he had Oklahoma State and Baylor both still in the Big Dance. Palm has seven Big 12 teams in the tournament and Iowa State as a 3-seed.
