St. Mary's vs. Illinois State

[jman2004]

I'm going to fight for the Valley here.

Yes, as someone brought to my attention, St. Mary's has victories over 2 top 50 teams whereas Illinois State does not. I'd like to argue however that Illinois State's conference schedule itself should help even the field.

Illinois State (Valley ranked #8 Conference RPI): RPI of 35, record of 23-9 against division 1 teams, SOS of 69.

Won 8 of their last 10. Biggest wins come in conference play (swept Creighton, swept SIU, beat Wright State, beat Cincinnati). Played Indiana and Kent State tough but lost.

St. Mary's (WCC ranked #14 Conference RPI): RPI of 39, record of 24-6 against division 1 teams, SOS of 137.

Won 7 of their last 10. Biggest wins come against Gonzaga, Oregon, Drake (very early in the season). Lost badly to Southern Illinois and Texas. They also lost their first game in the WCC tournament yesterday to San Diego.

I think both are very comparable teams. To be honest, I think both will be more deserving than many of the other mediocre BCS schools that'll probably make the Dance. But that's not right.

If anything I wanted to show how very similar these two schools are, despite St. Mary's getting national attention and Illinois State not.

[Panther789]

Re: St. Mary's vs. Illinois State

I can't turn on the tv or surf the net without being bombarded with St. Marys propaganda.

[jman2004]

Re: St. Mary's vs. Illinois State

I can't turn on the tv or surf the net without being bombarded with St. Marys propaganda.

Maybe I should've compared both schools to Ohio State, who many believe after their victory against Michigan State, will get them an at-large bid. Their resume doesn't really look any better than either of these two schools.

[06panther10]

Re: St. Mary's vs. Illinois State

Well so much for the WCC gettin two teams in. San Diego just beat Gonzaga in their conf. tourny and now will be getting THREE teams in. Illinois St. is NIT bound.

[PantherHawk]

Re: St. Mary's vs. Illinois State

doesn't matter who you lost to. Its who you beat in the NCAA. St marys has a couple of big wins over Drake, and Oregan. They are playing not their best, but at 25-6, how can you keep a team out. Personally i feel both St marys and ill state need to be in. I don't want freakin 19-12 OSU or 18-11 Oregan in there. Get the teams who proved they can win. I am sorry if you go 7-9 or 8-8 in your conference then you haven't proven you can win.

[jman2004]

Re: St. Mary's vs. Illinois State

I think San Diego winning hurts BOTH Illinois State AND St. Mary's. If anything, it helps Illinois State a little because I don't see a conference like the WCC getting THREE teams.

[Khan4Cats]

Re: St. Mary's vs. Illinois State

I agree with jman. I think the San Diego win may hurt St. Mary's more. With a few more upsets, Illinois State is most likely out. I think they are teetering on the edge now.

[06panther10]

Re: St. Mary's vs. Illinois State

I think that St. Marys is firmly in the tourny. I don't see them getting left out.

[06panther10]

Re: St. Mary's vs. Illinois State

As I said in another thread, Lunardi of ESPN has Illinois State atop his list of last four teams IN the tourny today, and he is usally pretty good with his predictions. As long as there arent TOO many upsets in the conf. tournys such as San Diego, Illinois State still has a chance.