The negotiators hired by the conferences — the Pac-12 has retained Octagon; the Mountain West is using Endeavor — will use every data point available to better their position. But network executives take a multi-year view of the ratings generated by specific teams and leagues.

The second-seeded Rams blasted No. 5 Boise State, 69-56, in Saturday’s Mountain West Tournament championship game at Thomas & Mack Center to secure an automatic bid to the NCAA

Xavier and Indiana had chances to give their NCAA Tournament resumes a significant boost. But the Musketeers lost 89-87 to Marquette, and Indiana fell 72-59 to Oregon.