The Madness of the RPI
Most fans don't know exactly what it is but they know that it's important to their team's chances of making it into the tournament. The importance of the RPI is fed even more by the media like ESPN and CBS who seem unable to talk about any team without flashing that team's RPI on the screen.
But what exactly is the RPI?
Have you taken a look at the formula for this? It's a bit complicated and not being a math wiz I don't fully understand it, but here is what I do know: It's horrible!
For one thing, it doesn't take into account winning margin. But it does take into account the record of the team you're playing and the records of the team of the team you're playing. Got it? If not, let me help you.
You could have team A (an average team) playing team B (a team with a horrible record). Team A wins by 31 points.
Then, on the same night, Team C (an average team) plays Team D (a team in the top 10). Team C loses by 48 points.
Guess which team will get more points in the RPI?
If you guessed Team C, the team that just got throttled, you are right! That's right. Just because they played a team with a much better record and ranking, they'll move up in the RPI. Who cares if they lost by 48? Who cares if the other team won by 31? The RPI doesn't. Yet, many teams' chances of making it into the Dance hinge on this ridiculous formula.
Look, I'm all for some math geek making up some crazy formula to rank teams. (Personally I think he should go out to bar and have some fun but if he wants to play with number son a Friday night, who am I to object?) But why would the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee buy into his crap? It just doesn't make sense.
The only thing worse than the RPI is the BCS ranking in college football. Only problem is, everyone knows the BCS is a sham while most fans blindly accept the RPI as gospel.
Perhaps one day the letters RPI will no longer mean "Ratings Percentage Index" and they'll come to stand for what they are: a "Really Poor Invention".
Related Tags: basketball, ncaa, tournament, college basketball, march madness, ncaa tourney, rpi, ncaa tournament
Chai Rose is a freelance writer in New York.
Visit his sports blog at: http://www.sportschat.wordpress.com
You can also visit Chai's writing page at: http://www.squidoo.com/writer4hire
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Oklahoma City Thunder With a Bad Starting
The triumphs and achievements obtain by the Seattle Supersonics are left behind now they finished t - Los Angles Lakers Tickets
Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers is one of the most successful teams in the entire history of - Nba - Shaquille O'neal Still Has Something to Offer to the Nba
The "Big Diesel" of 36 years-old and four-time NBA champion, Shaquille O'Neal still has something t - Nba - Rudy Fernandez Could be the Surprise for the Blazers and the Nba Season
The Spaniard superstar of 23 years old, Rudy Fernandez, could be the surprise for this NBA season a - Basketball Training Made Easy
Basketball season is around the corner and thousands of players coming back to the court need a ref - Basketball Basics
Basketball Basics Below is some basic information about basketballs to give you an idea of what's o - What's the Score?
It's easy to understand that portable electronic scoreboards are an integral part of many sports. - Nba - Warriors Suspended Ellis for 30 Games
The star player of the Golden State Warriors of 22 years old Monta Ellis, will be suspended for at - Dallas Mavericks Stomp the Washington Wizards
The Mavericks are looking as dominate as ever as they closed out the Washington Wizards last night. - Basketball Game Courts and Putting Greens Come Home
For years now the idea of having a realistic synthetic putting green or a basketball court in your
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Joakim Noah - Is it See Ya Later Alligator?
As the Florida Gators sailed to their second consecutive NCAA championship on April 2, 2007, those o - Jump Higher-Improve Vertical Jump
To start off with, I get people all the time complementing me on how much higher I can jump than I u - The 30 Minute Practice Test - Would You Pass or Fail?
The incredible thing about being a basketball coach is the unlimited supply of information and resou - 10 Tips For Getting Your Basketball Team Focused Motivated And Playing Hard
"Coaches who can outline plays on a blackboard are a dime a dozen. The ones who win get inside thei - The Key To Defensive Success - Mastering Screens
Screening is a major offensive weapon in today's game. Teams that are able to stretch defenses with - Where Have All the Gym Rats Gone?
With the advent of technological advances in our world, our lives have become easier and more comfor - The American Basketball Association Becomes a Publicly Traded Company
It wasn't too long ago when basketball was a genuine sport, great players that projected positive im - West Dominates NBA
The Western Conference is looking like titans already in 2006-07. The Eastern Conference teams are b - 5 Coaching Tips for Successful Basketball Drills
Tip #1 - Make The Drill More Competitive.Many players thrive on competition and it's a great way to - Four Secrets Of Great Post Play
Search any library, bookstore, or the internet on the topic of basketball and you will find thousand