Indiana St. @ #25 Vanderbilt

[CyCarp]

Re: Indiana St. @ #25 Vanderbilt

Pac 10 (or 12) was brutal last year and still got 2 teams in.

[Panther-Sheik]

Re: Indiana St. @ #25 Vanderbilt

Pac 10 (or 12) was brutal last year and still got 2 teams in.

And didn't one of them do well, which kind of vindicated the decision for the committee apologists? Maybe I am mis-remembering, but I seem to remember maybe Arizona or USC doing much better than expected one year?? Too lazy to look it up.
Anyway, I am just making cautious predictions based on past experiences. That way I can hopefully be pleasantly surprised. Ever since about 2006 there seems to have been a huge backlash against the mid's and an even stronger bias in favor of the big's come selection time. Right now there is a lot of attention on the mid's because we are pre-conference season. I'm just afraid that once conferences heat up and the mid's RPI's inevitably drop we will go to page 3 of the sports pages again. Here's to me hopefully being wrong...again!

[achrist70]

Re: Indiana St. @ #25 Vanderbilt

I think that you are thinking of two years ago with Washington.

[Gboom23]

Re: Indiana St. @ #25 Vanderbilt

I think Sheik is right about Arizona. In 2009 many thought they shouldn't be in - they ended up getting a 12 seed, were a part of the annual 12-5 upset and then beat the 13 seed Cleveland St.

[Hail Our Panthers]

Re: Indiana St. @ #25 Vanderbilt

I share your pessimism, Shiek.

Looking at the latest projection, we are an 8. Take a look at what Minnesota, for example, has done, and they are listed as one of the first four out. If the season ended today would the committee really take UNI over Minnesota? History leads me to doubt that. And when the season is over they are going to have the B10 season on top of that.

The seasons of Providence, Ohio, ISUcy, Iowa, and UWM are going to be crucial. BTW, has anyone noticed that Providence has silently put up a nice season? They even got a couple players back this week from injury/suspension (don't remember which). If they could manage to put together a decent Big East season, that could be huge. Also, UWM has kept it going. They lost a close one to ranked Wisconsin, won their next gimmie big, and now have a big game with #10 Marquette coming up.

[TheMacHouse]

Re: Indiana St. @ #25 Vanderbilt

I share your pessimism, Shiek.

Looking at the latest projection, we are an 8. Take a look at what Minnesota, for example, has done, and they are listed as one of the first four out. If the season ended today would the committee really take UNI over Minnesota? History leads me to doubt that. And when the season is over they are going to have the B10 season on top of that.

The seasons of Providence, Ohio, ISUcy, Iowa, and UWM are going to be crucial. BTW, has anyone noticed that Providence has silently put up a nice season? They even got a couple players back this week from injury/suspension (don't remember which). If they could manage to put together a decent Big East season, that could be huge. Also, UWM has kept it going. They lost a close one to ranked Wisconsin, won their next gimmie big, and now have a big game with #10 Marquette coming up.

Interesting that you brought up both Minnesota and Providence since Lunardi talked about both in his last chat.

Here is what he said about Minnesota.

It's more a question of schedule strength with the Gophers (or is that Goofers?). Minnesota has played two borderline NCAA teams. They beat one (VaTech) by three points at home and got drilled by the other (Dayton) on a neutral floor. Both other teams you mention have multiple NCAA-level performances.

Here is what he said about Providence.

Who is the 9-2 against, Chris? I see two Top 100 opponents and two losses by a combined 27 points.

He also talked about Ohio which I think has something to do with UNI based on who UNI has scheduled this year.

Here is the question and response about Ohio.

Not to make this an all Ohio U. chat, but in terms of "NCAA-level scheduling" how do you look at a team like that? They only have one "Big 6" opponent on the schedule in Louisville, but then a series of good mid-major games at Marshall, at Oakland, at Northern Iowa, vs. Robert Morris, vs. Lamar. How much traction do those type of wins get a team that might lack the big "name brand" win?

More than you would think, Nick. I consider most of those "NCAA level" (or at least "NCAA consideration") games. The Committee is quite wise to the ways of scheduling and its difficulties at the mid-major level. Keep the faith...

[achrist70]

Re: Indiana St. @ #25 Vanderbilt

Lunardi gets paid to guess and favor bcs conference schools.

[Hail Our Panthers]

Re: Indiana St. @ #25 Vanderbilt

For lack of a better thread I'll put it here
Davidson is up 3 late against Kansas if anyone is interested. ESPNU
Chance for a little redemption from 2008