Two things that speed up the tier progress a lot, is beating up on higher tiered players, and winning doing really well in ready goes. Granted the second generally also means your average will be going down quite a bit.
But if I recall my average when I hit legend was a little over 62, but when you look at my events it's pretty obvious getting credit for the RG is what sent me up.
Other tourney's may as well, but haven't heard as much on that.