Four MVC Teams in the Tourney??

[alleycat]

http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk

[JayJ79]

Northern Illinois?!?!?!?

I just want to smack sports writers sometimes....
I mean, I appreciate the ink (or pixels, in this case). But "northern Illinois", NIU, Cedar Rapids, etc. get annoying after a while....

Ben's expression in that pic cracks me up, though
(of course, I can't talk. I avoid photos)

I'm not gonna hold my breath on FOUR MVC teams making the tourney, as alot can happen during the conference season. But it would be quite nice.

[NJ Panther]

Nice pub and its sure possible but... Indiana St. is a pretender. Their schedule is an absolute joke. Like us they have a quality win over a good Big 10 team that beat Kentucky, but thats where it ends. They also have barely escaped against medicore competition (OT win over Ill St. and two 1 point wins). I love the Valley, but its conference time and I just don't think the Sycamores can contend. But hey, I'm usually off baset. I think its BS that a certain media company from CT has dumped UNI in favor of ISU even though are resume is FAR FAR superior. I hope we pound them by 20 both times

[CF Panther]

Nice pub and its sure possible but... Indiana St. is a pretender. Their schedule is an absolute joke. Like us they have a quality win over a good Big 10 team that beat Kentucky, but thats where it ends. They also have barely escaped against medicore competition (OT win over Ill St. and two 1 point wins). I love the Valley, but its conference time and I just don't think the Sycamores can contend. But hey, I'm usually off baset. I think its BS that a certain media company from CT has dumped UNI in favor of ISU even though are resume is FAR FAR superior. I hope we pound them by 20 both times

I still think that 4 is within reach, although 3 again is much more likely. That being said, Indiana State is not one of the 4 (or more likely 3). There will be at least 3 strong resumes from Valley teams come March, and anyone can win our conference tournament. I could see a Bradley or SIU sneak up on people in the MVC tournament and snatch an extra bid for the conference; similar to what we did 2 years ago.

[NJ Panther]

With my rant out of the way here is my view. UNI, MSU, and Bradley have darn good chances. Creighton will be good without Funk, but the question is how good. Their name recognition and early wins could help them if they do well in congerence. SIU would have to probably win 12+ conference games to have a chance given their horrendous start to the season (losses to DII teams are a killer). Whatever the case the MVC performed way too well out of conference not to be AT LEAST a 3 bid league. If things play out the right way 4 is possible.