Because it is never too early--2011 Bracketology

[Hail Our Panthers]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology

Cleveland, Ohio
(1) Michigan State
(16) Coastal Carolina

(8) Clemson
(9) Northern Iowa

Lunardi's comment:

Northern Iowa: UNI loses a ton but brings in the most talent in the Missouri Valley. Stability on the sideline remains a huge edge for the Panthers.

Other sites include Charlotte, Denver, Tuscon, Tampa, Tulsa, Chicago, and DC

No other MVC teams make the cut.

They will be doing a 96 team bracketology on Wednesday.

[ceaser150]

Re: Because it is never too early--2011 Bracketology

I think WSU should be in there as well, or instead of us at this point.

[TravelingPanther]

Re: Because it is never too early--2011 Bracketology

I think WSU should be in there as well, or instead of us at this point.

Lunardi and I disagree with you.

[georgeW]

Re: Because it is never too early--2011 Bracketology

Lunardi and I disagree with you.

And the rest of panthernation. stone ceaser!!!!!!

[BCPanther]

Re: Because it is never too early--2011 Bracketology

What is with the Wichita love??

Yes, they will be good next year, but they lost Hannah and their best player, Murry, tends to disappear in big games.

We probably won't be the preseason favorite, but I don't think anybody is going to want to play us come Mid-January.

[georgeW]

Re: Because it is never too early--2011 Bracketology

What is with the Wichita love??

Yes, they will be good next year, but they lost Hannah and their best player, Murry, tends to disappear in big games.

We probably won't be the preseason favorite, but I don't think anybody is going to want to play us come Mid-January.

Yeah, Brett.....stone ceaser!!!!!

[Casey'sitsallgood]

Re: Because it is never too early--2011 Bracketology

Having a starting point guard with as much experience as KA has is HUGE and I think we are underestimating the experience guys like Sonnen, AJ and Jake got in the tournaments this year.

[UNIChippewa]

Re: Because it is never too early--2011 Bracketology

It would be great to see us make the tournament again, but I am hoping that any sort of pre-season "hype" like this doesn't raise the level of expectations too high so that an 11-7 conference record is regarded as a huge disappointment and we have the mindless minions screaming for Jake's head.

[achrist70]

Re: Because it is never too early--2011 Bracketology

It would be great to see us make the tournament again, but I am hoping that any sort of pre-season "hype" like this doesn't raise the level of expectations too high so that an 11-7 conference record is regarded as a huge disappointment and we have the mindless minions screaming for Jake's head.

He did just get a raise, anything less than a National Championship will be a disappointment.

[Hail Our Panthers]

Re: Because it is never too early--2011 Bracketology

And here is Lunardi's 96 team projection.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/bracket?id=5071629

Wichita State and Missouri Stare are the only other Valley teams in it. Iowa State is given a 17 seed.

CONFERENCE BREAKDOWN
Big East (13)
ACC (12)
Big 12 (9)
Big Ten (8)
SEC (8)
Atlantic 10 (6)
Conference USA (4)
Mountain West (4)
Pac-10 (4)
Missouri Valley (3)
Colonial (2)
Horizon League (2)
Mid-American (2)
West Coast (2)

If this is the way it is going to be (includng the #11 BigXII team but not the #4 Valley team), then I don't like it at all.

[Panther789]

Re: Because it is never too early--2011 Bracketology

I don't understand all of the hate about this from everyone on here. I love the tournament the way it is, but this isn't all bad.

Even if the percentage of MVC/Mid-Major teams doesn't increase relative to the BCS schools, the bottom line is that more mid-majors are going to be in this thing. All you can ask for is a chance to play to prove your worth, and this will help provide more small guys with that chance.

Am I missing something with ISU?? The field could be 200 teams and next year's ISU squad would be lucky to get in.

[Hail Our Panthers]

Re: Because it is never too early--2011 Bracketology

I just think he is misinformed with ISU. They will be laughably bad next year.

[buster69]

Re: Because it is never too early--2011 Bracketology

the main reason the new tournament spread blows is because unlike now, everyone will not be on an equal footing. The top 8 seeds will get a bye the first round.

[ceaser150]

Re: Because it is never too early--2011 Bracketology

Yeah, Brett.....stone ceaser!!!!!

Wow, you guys need to calm down. You don't think it is unrealistic to have us as the same seed as this year after a 30-5 season when we lose our 3 best players? WSU brings back all but 1 player. Our guys are talented, too, but they will have to carry a much bigger load. I am not saying we won't be back in the tourney next year. But let's not get carried away and put expectations on our guys that are unfair.

For those of you that are bashing me and agreeing with Lunardi, I wonder what you were saying last year at this time when he had Creighton in as the only MVC team? I am guessing you were saying, "We have almost our whole team back, why is Creighton in?"

[cydave]

Re: Because it is never too early--2011 Bracketology

ISU will NOT be in the tournament next year. hahaha the credibility of this bracket just dropped about 100%.