Thoughts on who we'll play for the Bracket Buster?

[UNI MadCat]

First off, when do they announce the games?

I'm hoping for Bucknell. I believe this team is getting far too much hype and we will further expose them for the pretenders they are. Ok, that's too harsh, because, in general, I want teams like Bucknell to suceed. However, we deserve more hype than they do and aren't getting it. And beating them down would be nice. I would think ESPN would want this match-up just because we're both likely NCAA teams. (Plus, you know they'd have fun with the whole, "our band played for them in the tournery" thing).

Just wondering what everyone else thought.

Sidenote - This is the one game I can make it back for this year so I'm hoping for a rockin' Dome on 2/18!!!!

[UNI MadCat]

Ok, I guess we'll find out around 1/28.

Also, here are the list of teams that we could play.

Away Teams: Fairleigh Dickinson, Akron, Albany, Arkansas State, Bucknell, Buffalo, Butler, Cal Poly, UC Santa Barbara, Cal State-Northridge, Delaware, Drake, Eastern Michigan, Eastern Washington, Fairfield, Fresno State,George Mason, Georgia State, High Point, Idaho, Illinois-Chicago, Illinois State, Indiana State, Long Beach State, Louisiana Tech, Marist, Missouri State, Morehead State, New Mexico State, New Orleans, Niagara, UNC-Asheville, UNC-Greensboro, Northern Arizona, Northern Illinois, Northwestern State, Oral Roberts, Rider, Samford, Santa Clara, Siena, Southeast Missouri State, Stephen F. Austin, Toledo, Tennessee-Martin, Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech, Vermont, Wright State and Youngstown State.

It's too bad because other teams that would be good are:
Old Dominion
UW-Milwaukee
W. Kentucky

... but they are all getting home games too.

[NJ Panther]

Heard a rumor that ESPN really wants Bucknell @ Nevada as the showcase game. I respect one of those teams, I'll let you pick which one. Hate to say it but if I worked for ESPN where would I rather broadcast from, Reno or Cedar Falls. If we keep winning we'll likely be in the #2 game/time slot. Other then Bucknell Freso is the only one that would excite me too much

[pantherclaw]

I think it would be neat to have say eastern washington or ysu in the dome, then we could say we beat them in both football and basketball

[BCPanther]

Your right we could have Eastern Washington and get no credit from the committee. Think!!!

[ejacobson]

Teams which are good 1-AA football teams arent all good bball teams too. I know that YSU and EW would be fun for the football diehards but the bball team can't take playing anymore weak teams, getting the votes and status we are getting with 2 D-II games is amazing already.

[UNI MadCat]

Heard a rumor that ESPN really wants Bucknell @ Nevada as the showcase game. I respect one of those teams, I'll let you pick which one. Hate to say it but if I worked for ESPN where would I rather broadcast from, Reno or Cedar Falls. If we keep winning we'll likely be in the #2 game/time slot. Other then Bucknell Freso is the only one that would excite me too much

That sucks. There really isn't much else besides Bucknell. I would think (hope?) that last year's great atmosphere with almost 7K might play a role b/c it will be even more this year. Fingers crossed!!!

[BCPanther]

One would think that Bucknell would come here do to travel time and cost. But we all know that there is no concern for the Student Athlete within the NCAA!!

[B.True]

One would think that Bucknell would come here do to travel time and cost. But we all know that there is no concern for the Student Athlete within the NCAA!!

it is my understanding that the NCAA has about 0% say in the bracket buster pairings (correct me if i'm wrong)....i believe it all comes down to what Burke Magnus and his staff at ESPN have to say.