Bubble Teams

[panther2317]

bcrawf...I'm not doing this thread because I think we're on the bubble. Many of the 'bubble' teams I've listed will get into the NCAA's, and I said in the original thread that we want as many of these teams to lose to improve our seed opportunities. So I'm sorry you assumed I think we're not solidly in anymore...but that's not what the purpose of this thread was.

[BCPanther]

Thanks for clarification. With all the negativity I dealt with at campus today surrounding UNI basketball I am just maybe over doing the positive!!

I was talking to one guy and he told me that we are to the point where we have to win the MVC Tourney or we are not getting in because they can only take so many "mid-majors" I wanted to scream!!!

[panther2317]

UNI doesn't have (in my opinion) many college basketball savvy student fans. Especially the casual, "I'll go to a game and pay attention if it doesn't interrupt my daily routine" type of student.

Student support is SO MUCH BETTER than it has been, but not every student gets the high level UNI is playing at...yet. Just keep being positive about the Panthers, get them to the game Saturday morning and then you can do the "I told you so" routine when we do get in as an at-large (or as an automatic) to the Dance.

[BCPanther]

Good Call 2317,

It is completely lost on these students what good basketball is all about. I would like to extend to everyone the four most outrageous things I have been told by UNI students regarding basketball- these are from students I know attend games regularly

"What happened to Jacobsen, he only had 13 points last night"

"Why do people talk about rebounding so much, scoring is more important"

"Why doesn't Tyler Griffin get more minutes?"

and my favorite:

"This team isn't as good as last year, they only scored 55 points when they won last night"

Its maddening completely maddening

[panther2317]

Those are pretty maddening. It's unfortunate...those are the type of kids who will probably join the I Club when they graduate.(sorry Newsbreaker, it slipped and is one my biggest pet peaves...UNI grads financially supporting Iowa {or any other major college}Athletics instead of UNI.) They'll never get it. BUT, since I'm a glutton for punishment...I say keep getting good information out to these people. I could be wrong...maybe they will get it.

I know this...there are more good student fans now than there EVER have been. They do a great job and I hope their support continues to rise. Thanks students and keep working to grow student support.

[ColoradoPanther]

2/15 Bubble games

Not to get too much on topic, but here's a sample of tonight's bubble action. I've shamelessly pulled some of this off the Bucknell board. (Poor bastards, have to worry about winning the Patriot Tourney. I'd hope they're clear as at at-large, but you never know. Do we miss the Mid-Con days of being in a 1-bid league, no way!)

Some big ones tonight! Here are the major ones that will help:

NC State over Fla State
Syracuse over Cinci (Two bubble teams, toss up.)
Georgia over Kentucky
Mississippi over Arkansas
Florida over Vanderbilt
Oklahoma over Colorado
Nebraska over Iowa State
Penn State over Indiana
Minnesota over Michigan
Tulane over UAB
TCU over Air Force

Did I miss any?

[panther2317]

Nope...I think you got 'em all. Good list for tonight.

[panther2317]

Wednesday, February 15, 2006
NC State 86 Fla State 64
Cincinnati 82 Syracuse 65
Kentucky 68 Georgia 61
Mississippi 73 Arkansas 70
Florida 73 Vanderbilt 68
Colorado 84 Oklahoma 75
Nebraska 73 Iowa State 63
Penn State 71 Indiana 68
Michigan 72 Minnesota 50
UAB 87 Tulane 82
Air Force 63 TCU 45

[ColoradoPanther]

Overall, a decent night for the bubble to soften. What do you think, can we put a dagger in ISU and Indiana? I had hoped the 'clones could put things together, but it looks like they've finally collapsed. Arkansas still might rise up since they get shots at three ranked team in their next three games, but they're not playing like they'll win any of them. FSU loss was big also. They're 0-5 against the RPI top 50, with limited opportunity for any big wins remaining.

The media is starting to discuss it, but jeez.... it really does look like it will be hard to find 64 good teams to fill the bracket. A couple of writers are starting to mention Bradley and six bids for the Valley. They've got their RPI down to 46, so why not?!

[Marc Wigim]

Six bids for the Valley would be absolutely INSANE. I would probably just implode if that happened.

[panther2317]

I would have an eternal grin on my face if 5 got in...I can't imagine how much fun it would be for Valley fans if 6 got in. As a group, I don't think you'd find a happier bunch of people if that really did happen. But let's focus on Saturday first.

[UNI MadCat]

Pretty sure you can add us to that bubble list right about NOW. We can get off it real easily with a win Saturday but there's no question we're on that radar. And if you don't believe that, you are looking thru some pretty purply colored lenses.

[DRAKELAWPANTHER]

Devastating loss, no doubt about it...

To be honest, with wins over Iowa, LSU, and Bucknell, I don't think making the tourney will be a problem regardless if we lose out. What WILL be a problem is our seeding...Can anyone say #12???

By the way, I don't think any NBA scouts are going to be breaking down Benny's door after tonight...too bad....

Alright, I'm going to go shoot myself in the face...

[PantherHawk]

No way are we a lock to get in. Late season collapse have hurt teams in the past and we are def headed towards one. Three horrible losses to MSU, Ind St, and Bradley Twice? I really think our RPI will drop and i seriously think if we lose on saturday we are on the bubble. We are already deserve at the highest 10, so i am looking maybe at a 12 or 13 or possibly a 14. Too bad for the panthers so much promise and couldn't live up to the hype, i hope they go to St. Louis with a chip on their shoulder and win 3 and get the automatic bid.

[DRAKELAWPANTHER]

Yeah...you could be right. I really think they'd have to curl up and die to miss the tourney though. But we can pretty much count on a UNI-Duke matchup first round...

Honestly, at this point, I've spent so much time defending the MVC and touting how good the Panthers are...I'm exhausted. And I'm pretty much betting that Gary Rima will be curled up in the fetal position, bawling like a school girl tonight.

Meanwhile, in other horrible news, my other MVC team - Drake - got beat in another close game...Seriously, I've got to transfer to UNC or Gonzaga or something....