Some Thoughts On Hoops

Just a few thoughts as basketball season rolls along…..

One of the better high school players I’ve seen in person is Daniel junior D’Andre Hopkins. His name may sound familiar because he’s had two stand-out seasons in the Lions secondary and as a wide receiver. As a basketball player, the six-foot-three Hopkins has a smooth touch on his jump shot and handles the ball pretty well. I’ve heard that whoever recruits him for football will do so knowing he also wants to play basketball in college. He’ll be a major prospect from a football standpoint. I’m not sure he can make a similar impact in basketball based on the caliber of schools that will be pursuing him but he looks like he has the raw potential in that sport.

As tough as it may be to stomach, Clemson fans should wish for a South Carolina win every time the Gamecocks take the court and USC fans should be pulling for the Tigers as the season winds down. That’s because in the world of RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) wins by each helps the other.

The Tigers should be in decent shape assuming they don’t implode. They’re on target to get about 22 or 23 regular season wins, at least, and with an RPI that’s remained in the top 10 throughout the season they’ll stay high and not only get an at-large bid to the NCAA Tourney but likely a decent seed.

USC is having a great season but the same can’t be said for the SEC, which this week doesn’t have a team in the Top 25 of either poll for the first time since 1989. Therefore, assuming the SEC may only get three teams into the NCAA tourney, it could come down to RPI. The Gamecocks are in the 40s. Beating team in their league won’t necessarily help their cause. But you benefit when teams you’ve played, win or lose, also win and that’s where Clemson comes in.

Another RPI key will be Baylor’s success, as South Carolina picked-up a win against the Bears in early January and, since they play in the Big 12, a Baylor upset of one of that league’s heavyweights would help.

USC does have a decent opportunity within its conference as Tennessee is actually 20th in the RPI rating and they still have to visit Columbia. The Vols held on for a three-point win over Darrin Horn’s team in Knoxville last month.

Speaking of the Gamecocks working their way into the post-season conversation, their 16-4 start had them thrown in the NCAA mix by ESPN in their latest Bracketology.
Just how close that projection is to the reality of selection Sunday will be determined within the next four-and-a-half weeks.