Overrated

Sporting News, The, Jan 14, 2002

Brutal schedules. Folks who talk about tough schedules preparing teams for success in the NCAA Tournament either are twisting the facts or ignoring them. In the past two seasons, only two of the top eight teams in the Ratings Percentage Index schedule rankings reached the Final Four. The same number missed the NCAA Tournament, which could be Temple's fate this season.

Only four of the 16 teams with the highest-ranked schedules the past two years advanced beyond the second round. Beating enough tough teams might get a team into the NCAAs, but only knowing how to win will keep that team alive.