Props to UNI!

[BCPanther]

It was a huge opportunity for the Panthers. Missouri State knocked off Wisconsin and got their key win out of conference. Wichita State got LSU. UNI having Washington, ISU and Iowa was supposed to give them three big cracks at decent opponents, but ISU and Iowa look to be average at best and UNI's game with recent solid club Bucknell is losing it's luster as the Bison keep losing. The MVC will likely get five teams maximum and I just think some factors are not in UNI's favor to make the Dance come season's end. But the easiest way to deal with those factors is to just win baby! Good luck!

It seems to me though, that any "mid-major" win against a BCS is regarded as positive by the committe.

[Panthers to the Bone]

If UNI is average in the MVC, that still probably puts UNI into the NCAA's. I think most people felt there would be a drop off after last year (slight drop off), and that an NCAA appearance is what we all wanted, but knew things would be fine with an NIT appearance. UNI is right where I think most felt they would be right now...5-1 with a loss at Washington. UNI has a huge road swing at Bucknell and at Iowa. If they come out of those games 1-1 or 2-0, things are really beginning to look like NCAA tourney resume'.

If UNI is average in the MVC this year, that means they are 4th, 5th, or 6th. I think that 1-5 make the NCAA's. Especially if the RPI holds up. This team is still young and coming together nicely. There are going to be some ups and downs, but the talent is there. As many said/thought all along, UNI is only going to go as far as the freshmen go. They are 4 of the top 10, and need to continue to improve in order to make this team the best it can be.

I think making judgement on who is a NCAA tourney team this early in the season is still tough. There are still 3 and a half months of games remaining before Selection Sunday...alot can change in that period of time...and alot of growing as a team can also take place.

[Panthers Win!!]

I don't see the Washington loss as all that bad myself. It was away and UNI was leading most of the game. It would have been a much different matter if UNI had been blown out at home or on a neutral court. It's still a loss but I'll bet the Selection Committee looks at more than simply Ws and Ls for bubble teams. I can't see this team less than a bubble team.

Like any other year, if the Panthers can survive the season with no "bad" losses, win their home games and gain momentum at the end of the season (unlike last year) I think they'll be fine.

As I said, my gripe was that it's far to early to be discounting this team. Your sample is far too small if you're only looking at the ISU game. Now, if the Panthers drop two out of three against Bucknell, UMKC and Iowa I'll join you in your pessimism.