NCAA Tournament 2018: 5 biggest snubs on Selection Sunday

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 04: FIU guard Eric Lockett (5) and Middle Tennessee forward Karl Gamble (25) reach for a rebound during a college basketball game between the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders and the Florida International University Panthers on January 4, 2018 Florida. Middle Tennessee defeated FIU 71-66 in overtime. (Photo by Richard C. Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 11:St. Mary’s Gaels guard Jordan Ford (30) goes up for a lay up but gets fouled by Santa Clara Broncos forward Jarvis Pugh (4) during the game between the St.Mary’s Gaels and the Santa Clara Broncos on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at the Leavey Center, Santa Clara, CA.(Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. St. Mary’s Gaels

Record: 28-5

RPI Ranking: 40

Conference (WCC) RPI ranking: 13

SOS: 169

Non-Conference SOS: 182

Top 100 RPI/Quality wins:

New Mexico State (35)
at Gonzaga (24)
BYU/ at BYU — twice (67)

Even though their SOS is nothing to brag about, they boast one win which should have put them over the top. Winning at the Kennel in Spokane, Washington. Unfortunately, the Gaels had two factors working against them; west coast bias and Mid Major bias. That’s never a good combination if you want inclusion into the NCAA tournament.

Next: You’re not the only one who thought Selection Show was weird

Maybe next year, the NCAA tournament will be “fair and balanced.” I know, that’s a pipe dream, and it won’t happen anytime soon. Each season, the March Madness field will include more undeserving Power 5 schools and lesser deserving Mids/West Coast teams will be excluded. Such is the life as an underdog.

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