WBB: The CAA

[jmufan]

Hey there Mathew, was wondering what your thoughts are as to how many bids the CAA will get this year. According to realtimerpi.com, the CAA is ranked the 7th best conference in the country. Some think that this will still only be a one bid league, while others thank that the league will certainly have two or three bids. What are your thoughts?

 

[MatthewStoss]

I actually asked Kenny about this yesterday at his weekly press conference for a to-be-written Rivals post (high school basketball tournaments have gotten in the way), which might just end up being a repeat of this, plus Kenny's thoughts.

I think it depends on how far which teams go in the tournament. The best-case scenario for multiple bids is Delaware (I'm pretty sure they've locked up an at-large) losing and someone else winning. Three bids seems high to me. My guess would be the champion and the runner-up if it's JMU or Hofstra. JMU's RPI is 35 and Hofstra's is 53.

For JMU to get it, I would assume it needs a run to championship game because it doesn't have the signature-type wins its had the past few years. It also has a couple of bad losses (Towson and Northeastern). But the Dukes also played Virginia and Delaware tight, so there's that.

The at-large bids also are contingent on what happens with other mid-major conferences and teams. But again, the best thing for multiple CAA at-larges: a Delaware tournament loss.

 

[jmufan]

Thanks for the reply, I guess woman's basketball is a little different. You would think that having multiple bids this year would be a sure thing given that the conference rank is two spots ahead of the Atlantic 10, 1 spot ahead of the West Coast and 1 spot behind the ACC at number 7. Look forward to your write up.

 

[jmufan]

JMU makes the WNIT sweet 16 and will play USF at home on Friday at 7 PM, be there for some exciting basketball.

 

[MatthewStoss]

They're apparently also giving away Dr. Dre headphones. Or something like that. And I've been told the game will be broadcast on the radio locally on WSVA 550, meaning Friday you pick up the game other places than WHBG's parking lot.

 

[jmufan]

JMU put on an amazing defensive effort against USF holding them to just 12 points in the first half and 33 points in the second half. JMU wins 72-45. Absolutely amazing. Next up UVA.

I think JMU can beat UVA, they should have won earlier this year at the JPJ. The atmosphere tomorrow at the convo is going to be absolutely electric. I hear UVA is bringing their pep band. This has truly become a great rivalry in WBB. I hope they are able to keep the rivalry going.

 

[jmufan]

JMU beats UVA and will now play Syracuse at the Convo on Wednesday at 7 PM. The winner of this game will either play Oklahoma State or San Diego for the WNIT Championship.

 

[MatthewStoss]

You want to hope its San Diego (if JMU beats Syracuse, which looks very possible). They draw like 500-600 per game, which will help JMU out-bid them for a home game. The only problem is finding somewhere to play it.

The home/garden show Saturday could make the Dukes homeless. Among the options are John Paul Jones Arena, EMU's Yoder Arena and Spotswood High School (not kidding). But I find it hard to believe that a D-3 court and a high school gym could win any bid -- even against a team that doesn't draw.

 

[jmufan]

To bad they cannot put that thing on the following weekend. If we were to beat Syracuse and play in the final and actually beat OKST in attendance, and cannot find a home, that would be a major fail on the administration. It will be right up there with the football bid blunder last year.

 

[MatthewStoss]

I'm not sure if it's the same. There's nothing they can do about the home and garden show. That's booked in advance and the administration has done a lot to keep JMU at home during the WNIT. In the end, it could cost them more $100,000 and they've even looked into using a high school gym. And they did manage to postpone the setup for the show, which wasn't easy. This is a very significant event every year and takes days to get going.

I understand the annoyance if they lose out to Oklahoma State (which did draw, albeit by only 200+, better than JMU during the regular season), but I don't think that's on the administration. Many universities don't put this kind of emphasis on women's basketball, which loses money just about everywhere -- including JMU and the CAA.

 

[jmufan]

Very good point. They do get props for getting us the semifinal. Hopefully starting next year, they will make the Home and garden show a week later.

 

[MatthewStoss]

Or just make the NCAA tournament and not have to worry about home and garden shows. But moving the show isn't a bad idea. Delle Donne still has one more year...