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Yes I think the results show that the big ten is more of a complete conference while the top of the ACC has an edge

First RPI Ratings were released today:

Penn State 51st (5th best in B1G)
Pitt 119

Conference RPI:
1. Big 12
2. B1G
3. ACC
4. Big East

I'm impressed with Penn State's start of the season, just like I was with their football team when they started 4-0.

With the top to bottom strength of the B1G, they absolutely have to win 11 of their 13 OOC games. Right now, they have a chance to win 12. I know they are fellow conference "cellar-dwellers" but they do have 2 wins over power conference teams (USC and VT). They also have a win over Akron, which is probably their most impressive victory to this point.

IF they can get to the B1G slate with 12 wins, they would need a 7-11 conference season to head to Indy with a chance to play their way into the tourney. If they even can go 4-14, they would be NIT eligible when they head out to Indy. Even if the go out to Indy at 3-15 in the conference they would play a bottom 4 conference team on Wednesday to get to 16 wins and only need an upset of a 5-8 seed on Thursday to become NIT eligible. For this program, an NIT or NCAA bid this year would be monumental to continue to growth of the program. A lot of people didn't realize it but these OCC games are probably more important to Penn State than the conference slate. I feel like Newbill is talented enough to carry the team to a few conference victories. They play every B1G team. Ohio State, Wisconsin, Maryland, Minnesota, and Rutgers are the teams they face twice.

Here's how I see it. It's simple. PSU plays 31 basketball games. They have to win 17 regular season games to GUARANTEE a winning season, considering that a first round loss in the Big Ten Tournament will make them 17-15. If they win 16 regular season games, they will be 16-15. A first round loss will make them 16-16, which might not get them into the NIT. Soooo....if they win 12 OOC games, they will have to win ONLY 4 or 5 regular season conference games to make the above scenarios happen. Can they win this many conference games during the regular season? If PSU does NOT win the rest of their OOC games, things will look bleak for the Nits. Not saying this can't happen, but most of the Big Ten teams will be playing their tails off this season, as everyone in that conference is fighting for positioning in the conference. Anxious to see how this plays out.

Penn State escapes Huntington, WV with a 4 point victory over Marshall. Penn State played poorly, turned the ball over nearly 20 times, shot around 50% from the foul line, and had the scoring performance of the year from DJ Newbill. The good thing is they still found a way to win the game.

I agree Moldo. Every game they drop in the OCC schedule has to be made up with a win over a B1G opponent. Every team in the B1G is good. Look at teams like Iowa, Nebraska, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Illinois, and Purdue. I could make an argument that any of those teams could compete to be in the top 4 and have a bye in the conference tourney until Friday. I could also see any of those teams being near the bottom four and playing the play-in round on Wednesday.

I think Penn State, NW, and Rutgers are the 3 teams most of the conference sees playing in the play in round on wednesday. But who will be the 4th team???

Penn State did play awful and still was able to escape. Their last 6 mins of the game were the worst of the worst trying to hang on. If that's against a better opponent, that's a Loss for the Nittany Lions.

abpk2903 wrote: I think Penn State, NW, and Rutgers are the 3 teams most of the conference sees playing in the play in round on wednesday. But who will be the 4th team???

My guess would be Indiana followed by Minnesota or Maryland. Just MY opinion though.