MVC down the stretch

[9YRPLAN]

Re: MVC down the stretch

people are talking about davidson not getting an at-large if they lose. i dont care if it requires losing a couple games before then...just win out in STL

[Da Hog]

Re: MVC down the stretch

Getting the W's by gritty defense and inside play right now is just what we need going into the final games here. Then our outside shooting will get hot at the right time... Tourney Time.

[clenz]

Re: MVC down the stretch

If Davidson, and teams similar to them from other mid-major conferences aren't going to get at-large bids this season...it's going to be a boring NCAA Tournament. That means that the majority of the 34 at-large bids will go to teams from the Big East and ACC and it will be a predominately "BCS" tournament after the first weekend (unless some mid-major conference champs can knock off some BCS at-larges).

What will make me puke is if a 15-14 Notre Dame team gets in ahead of a Davidson, St. Mary's, Siena or UNI. Regardless of talent level...you have to win games.

I've been hearing on ESPN Radio and FSR that the Big East thinks they can get 8-11 teams in and the ACC thinks they will get 7-9 in. I know this can't/won't happen but that could make 20 of 64(5) teams from 2 conferences....that is nearly 33% of the field.

[ceaser150]

Re: MVC down the stretch

If Davidson, and teams similar to them from other mid-major conferences aren't going to get at-large bids this season...it's going to be a boring NCAA Tournament. That means that the majority of the 34 at-large bids will go to teams from the Big East and ACC and it will be a predominately "BCS" tournament after the first weekend (unless some mid-major conference champs can knock off some BCS at-larges).

What will make me puke is if a 15-14 Notre Dame team gets in ahead of a Davidson, St. Mary's, Siena or UNI. Regardless of talent level...you have to win games.

If I were Davidson, I wouldn't feel safe until I beat Butler. With the exception of West Virginia, almost all of their wins have been against sub-100 teams. A win against Butler would make them a lock. If they lose that one, and lose in their tournament (which would be another sub 100 loss) they are in some trouble. In that case I wouldn't feel bad for them if they were left out. They don't have a great resume.

I don't think the committee will totally exclude the non-BCS teams. They will always throw a bid or two to the mid majors to get them to shut up. I think Creighton could get one if they win out until the championship game, which they will likely do.

[9YRPLAN]

Re: MVC down the stretch

you also have to realize that ND would likely go through any mid-major undefeated with most being blow-outs

[SteinPizza]

Re: MVC down the stretch

What will make me puke is if a 15-14 Notre Dame team gets in ahead of a Davidson, St. Mary's, Siena or UNI. Regardless of talent level...you have to win games.

If the season ended today, it's a close one between Notre Dame and Sienna/UNI. Neither Sienna or UNI plays anywhere close to the competition of the Big East this year. Last I knew, UNI didn't have any top 50 RPI wins as of yet. Notre Dame shouldn't make it if they're 15-14, but the toughness of that league has to be recognized with a lot of bids

[06panther10]

Re: MVC down the stretch

If the season ended today, it's a close one between Notre Dame and Sienna/UNI.

Not in my opinion. I think you'd have to take ND every time. At least they have some quality wins.

We gotta win that conf. tourny.

[Panther Fan]

Re: MVC down the stretch

you also have to realize that ND would likely go through any mid-major undefeated with most being blow-outs

Are you including the Valley as one of those mid-majors? I know the Valley is down but I just think people underestimate the difficulty of winning game in and game out or on the road in any conference. Especially the Valley where there are some very legitimate big-time atmospheres. I was at the game in Wichita where Benny hit the shot and it was Senior Night (for Jamar among others). When they introduced the players it was so loud you could not hear the PA announcer.

To say a team that lost 7 straight games would win 18 straight in the Valley might be a little bit of an exaggeration. It’s the never ending battle we fight in that come January 1 we can never get any more “quality wins” in the eyes of most. But a team like Notre Dame has so far been getting beat up in the Big East but then gets their weekly shot at a ranked team (at home none the less) and wins and now they’re back in consideration for the tournament. They are now 13-10 and 63rd in realtimerpi and I assume due heavily to their strength of schedule of 26.

[Newt99]

Re: MVC down the stretch

you also have to realize that ND would likely go through any mid-major undefeated with most being blow-outs

No.

Are you including the Valley as one of those mid-majors? I know the Valley is down but I just think people underestimate the difficulty of winning game in and game out or on the road in any conference. Especially the Valley where there are some very legitimate big-time atmospheres. I was at the game in Wichita where Benny hit the shot and it was Senior Night (for Jamar among others). When they introduced the players it was so loud you could not hear the PA announcer.

To say a team that lost 7 straight games would win 18 straight in the Valley might be a little bit of an exaggeration. It’s the never ending battle we fight in that come January 1 we can never get any more “quality wins” in the eyes of most. But a team like Notre Dame has so far been getting beat up in the Big East but then gets their weekly shot at a ranked team (at home none the less) and wins and now they’re back in consideration for the tournament. They are now 13-10 and 63rd in realtimerpi and I assume due heavily to their strength of schedule of 26.

Well said. Conferences such as the Valley, C-USA, and the MWC would not be a cakewalk for a team that is now 4-7 in the Big East. Notre Dame would certainly contend for the conference title in these conferences, but to say a team that inconsistent would "go through any mid-major undefeated with most being blow-outs" is much too simplistic and just not true.

This gets said every year about the last couple of teams from BCS conferences that get left out of the NCAA Tournament. They usually go on to lose in the first round of the NIT.

[jman2004]

Re: MVC down the stretch

you also have to realize that ND would likely go through any mid-major undefeated with most being blow-outs

Is this the Hawkeye side of you giving too much credit to larger conferences? ND has been inconsistent at best this year. I think we could take it to 'em right now. They wouldn't go undefeated. No way.

[jman2004]

Re: MVC down the stretch

Not in my opinion. I think you'd have to take ND every time. At least they have some quality wins.

We gotta win that conf. tourny.

You're right, they have some quality wins, but have they really EARNED a bid at this point?

They have 4 wins against top 100 teams in 13 chances. I don't see how a 12-10 team that lost 7 games in a row, can be mentioned for an at-large bid at this point in time, especially with an RPI of 63.

[06panther10]

Re: MVC down the stretch

You're right, they have some quality wins, but have they really EARNED a bid at this point?

They have 4 wins against top 100 teams in 13 chances. I don't see how a 12-10 team that lost 7 games in a row, can be mentioned for an at-large bid at this point in time, especially with an RPI of 63.

Didn't say they earned a bid. They are probably on the outside looking in at this point.

I just was comparing them to UNI/Siena. I think they get in before us and Siena every time.

[jman2004]

Re: MVC down the stretch

I just was comparing them to UNI/Siena. I think they get in before us and Siena every time.

I'd normally agree with ya, but I don't know about this season. ND hasn't been impressive this season at all. If UNI/Siena finishes strong, they'll make a case.

Depends on if Digger is on the selection committee or not . . .

[JayJ79]

Re: MVC down the stretch

Creighton beat SIU earlier tonight, 82-60
Bradley beat Evansville, 86-79

Missouri State is leading Indiana State at the half, 35-30.
Drake hosts Illinois State tommorrow night.

Unless UNI makes a monster 2nd half comeback, the conference lead will be down to just one game with 3 to play.

[Panther-Sheik]

Re: MVC down the stretch

Ruh roh, Raggy!!