Weak Bubble???

[smacktalkermsu]

A lot of the pundits are saying Bradley will get in now. Due to the fact that the bubble teams aren't all that great this year.......I'm not sold yet, even though i'm cheering like heck for the Braves to get in.

Anyone think they are in as of right now?

Or do they have to win one more or even the title?

[BUBraves55]

well a win tomorrow gets them in, period. beating #10 usually helps the resume but i think they're at least a bubble team now
look at it this way, in the 5th best conference they finish 4th and get over 20 wins- at least a bubble team

[shocker3]

Which pundits are you talking about?

I hope your are right. But the ones I read don't even mention Bradley, other than the espn DRIVE TO 65 and they make it sound like BUs chances are very slim.

In fact, Doug Gottlieb tonight on espn GAMENIGHT said that BU needs to win the Valley tourney and he even said that MOST has to beat CU tomorrow to make the tourney basically because they lost to Winthrop by 11 at home on national TV (I think he is wrong about that). He also said that Winthrop is definitely in, so root for them tomorrow or one at large bid will disappear for the bubble teams.

If he is right about that, then we definitely should get out of the BB.:valley:

[tennis08tarheels]

The bubble teams are HORRIBLE this year, not just weak.

[FSUMatt222]

IMHO Bradley's chances are 0% if they lose tomorrow and 50-50 if they win tomorrow and lose the championship.

[Jamar Howard 4 President]

IMHO Bradley's chances are 0% if they lose tomorrow and 50-50 if they win tomorrow and lose the championship.

I agree.

[dawg_fan4life]

i think t's 50-50 if the lose tomorrow and 100% if they win.

[shocker3]

IMHO Bradley's chances are 0% if they lose tomorrow and 50-50 if they win tomorrow and lose the championship.


If the bubble is really that weak this year, then I would think that BUs chances would be better than that. Their rpi will be in the 30s, win or lose tomorrow.

It they win, they will have 2 wins over SIU (#5 in rpi) and a win at VCU- the CAA champ. That along with their 10-8 record in the #5 or #6 best conference, 22 wins, their leading scorer, Jeremy Crouch missed many games earlier this year and their good rpi should be enough to get them in if the bubble really is weak.

Even if they lose, they will have 1 win over SIU (#5 rpi), a win at CAA champ, VCU, a 10-8 record in the #5/#6 rpi conference, 21 wins and still have an rpi in the 30s. (Plus the injured Jeremy Crouch factor) That sounds like it should be better than 0%.

Having said all of that, I am not finding any so-called pundits who agree with me.

I think it is strange that a Winthrop win at MOST on national TV gives them a big dance boost, but a Bradley win at VCU (CAA champ) on national TV the next day seems to do nothing for the Braves.:valley: :braves:

[valleyclimber]

I'd say if the Braves beat SIU at Arch Madness, then having 2 wins over the Salukis, a good RPI, and a VERY good SOS should be the right combination to give BU a great shot at being selected to go dancing again. I know they say last year doesn't come into play, but the suprising Braves making the Sweet 16 is going to be hard to put out of mind.

Great tourney so far! Good luck and safe play to BU, CU, MSU and SIU.

ARCH MADNESS is going to be even more wild and wooly with the last three games....definitely!!

KEEP IT ROCKIN' VALLEY :yes: :braves: :jays: :bears: :salukis: :valley: :banana:

[MVC Fan]

If the bubble is really that weak this year, then I would think that BUs chances would be better than that. Their rpi will be in the 30s, win or lose tomorrow.

It they win, they will have 2 wins over SIU (#5 in rpi) and a win at VCU- the CAA champ. That along with their 10-8 record in the #5 or #6 best conference, 22 wins, their leading scorer, Jeremy Crouch missed many games earlier this year and their good rpi should be enough to get them in if the bubble really is weak.

Even if they lose, they will have 1 win over SIU (#5 rpi), a win at CAA champ, VCU, a 10-8 record in the #5/#6 rpi conference, 21 wins and still have an rpi in the 30s. (Plus the injured Jeremy Crouch factor) That sounds like it should be better than 0%.

Having said all of that, I am not finding any so-called pundits who agree with me.

I think it is strange that a Winthrop win at MOST on national TV gives them a big dance boost, but a Bradley win at VCU (CAA champ) on national TV the next day seems to do nothing for the Braves.:valley: :braves:

You do a good job selling BU's good points, better than anyone else does. Some of it is just that, there isn't anyone on TV bragging up the Braves, but I just don't think it'll be enough unless they get another over SIU. Even then, they're strictly 50/50.

I do agree on Winthrop, though. The win over Mo. St. was obviously impressive, but all I saw in that game was a team that got ridiculously hot from 3 pt range and outplayed a team that did not shoot well at all. They played well but didn't exactly wow me, but they've gotten an incredible perception lift from that game, probably too much when you consider Texas A&M & Maryland both blew them out and they still lost to the other 2 best teams (or at least biggest names) that they played.

[FSUMatt222]

Considering Winthrop plays the #302 RPI team at home for the Big South Championship they would likely be left out of the field if they were to lose. They'd be in the 80s in the RPI and have an equal number of good (not great) wins as horrible losses.

I could be wrong but I think they need to win to get in.

[shocker3]

Considering Winthrop plays the #302 RPI team at home for the Big South Championship they would likely be left out of the field if they were to lose. They'd be in the 80s in the RPI and have an equal number of good (not great) wins as horrible losses.

I could be wrong but I think they need to win to get in.


Matt- I agree with you. I am just amazed at these talking heads like Gottlieb who seem to be in love with Winthrop just because they beat MOST on national TV.

Even Andy Glockner, on his DRIVE TO 65 is now saying for all bubble teams to root for Winthrop. I just don't see how they could take a team with no great wins and an rpi of 80+ from a very weak conference. There is nothing there to me that screams at large.

[barkeep1967]

Winthrop might have played a great schedule but they beat what was put in front of them.

I doubt there is another bubble team that would have one even one game
At Maryland
AT North Carolina
AT Texas A&M
AT WIsconsin

That is a rough scedule

They have wins
AT Mississippi State
AT MIssouri State

They are in and deservedly so. Moot point really because they will win today.

[shocker3]

You do a good job selling BU's good points, better than anyone else does. Some of it is just that, there isn't anyone on TV bragging up the Braves, but I just don't think it'll be enough unless they get another over SIU. Even then, they're strictly 50/50.

I do agree on Winthrop, though. The win over Mo. St. was obviously impressive, but all I saw in that game was a team that got ridiculously hot from 3 pt range and outplayed a team that did not shoot well at all. They played well but didn't exactly wow me, but they've gotten an incredible perception lift from that game, probably too much when you consider Texas A&M & Maryland both blew them out and they still lost to the other 2 best teams (or at least biggest names) that they played.


If BU doesn't win the Valley tourney, then I would suspect that Elgin will be all over the national media talking about how BU was just 7-6 without their leading scorer Jeremy Crouch, 14-5 with him and he is definitely back and healthy. We will also probably hear about BU being 8-8 away from Peoria, I doubt if many other bubble teams have won 8 games away from home.

:valley:

[azbirdfan]

They are in and deservedly so. Moot point really because they will win today.

Not so fast.....

It's a tight game on ESPN right now

[shocker3]

If they do lose today, that means Winthrop will have lost to a #300 rpi team at home and probably end up with an rpi around 80.

I don't see them making it in under those circumstances, but if they do they would have the WORST RPI of any at-large team ever. (the opposite of MOST last year). :valley:

[shocker3]

Winthrop might have played a great schedule but they beat what was put in front of them.

I doubt there is another bubble team that would have one even one game
At Maryland
AT North Carolina
AT Texas A&M
AT WIsconsin

That is a rough scedule

They have wins
AT Mississippi State
AT MIssouri State

They are in and deservedly so. Moot point really because they will win today.

A win at MOST is definitely a good win. A win at Miss. St is not that significant. Miss St is around 70 in rpi.

A loss at home to a 300 rpi team would most likely undo the win at MOST. :valley:

[tennis08tarheels]

Sure, they won, but I think a lot of you underestimated VMI. They will be a serious force to be reckoned with next year. I mean, they just beat the #2 and 3 seeds in the BS (no pun intended) tourney, and gave the #1 seed a serious run for their money. If VMI would've won the title game, won the NCAA play-in game and been paired with Kansas, they would win.

[MoValley John]

Sure, they won, but I think a lot of you underestimated VMI. They will be a serious force to be reckoned with next year. I mean, they just beat the #2 and 3 seeds in the BS (no pun intended) tourney, and gave the #1 seed a serious run for their money. If VMI would've won the title game, won the NCAA play-in game and been paired with Kansas, they would win.

They would not have beaten Kansas. Beating Kansas in an opening round is reserved for teams starting with "B"!

[HollywoodBrave]

VMI didn't start a senior this year. Next year they are going to win the Big South.

[tennis08tarheels]

I think Matt Murrer is a senior, and Fred Robinson, a vital bench player and great pure shooter, is a senior as well.

[Bradleyfan]

If the bubble is really that weak this year, then I would think that BUs chances would be better than that. Their rpi will be in the 30s, win or lose tomorrow.

It they win, they will have 2 wins over SIU (#5 in rpi) and a win at VCU- the CAA champ. That along with their 10-8 record in the #5 or #6 best conference, 22 wins, their leading scorer, Jeremy Crouch missed many games earlier this year and their good rpi should be enough to get them in if the bubble really is weak.

Even if they lose, they will have 1 win over SIU (#5 rpi), a win at CAA champ, VCU, a 10-8 record in the #5/#6 rpi conference, 21 wins and still have an rpi in the 30s. (Plus the injured Jeremy Crouch factor) That sounds like it should be better than 0%.

Having said all of that, I am not finding any so-called pundits who agree with me.

I think it is strange that a Winthrop win at MOST on national TV gives them a big dance boost, but a Bradley win at VCU (CAA champ) on national TV the next day seems to do nothing for the Braves.:valley: :braves:

Great analysis shocker3. I hope your right! :original:

[Bradleyfan]

They would not have beaten Kansas. Beating Kansas in an opening round is reserved for teams starting with "B"!

I would say it's Butler's turn to be Kansas this year, but Butler won't be a 15 or 16 seed. :grin:

[smsandmsuson]

You take away the names of MSU and BU and replace the Valley with a BCS conference and the 3rd and 4th place teams from the 6th ranked conference would be in without a doubt with the numbers that these two have. There is no way that they should be left out. Its a money grabing piece of crap and it is a shame that it will probably be like that forever. You look at most BCS teams on the bubble and MSU's resume is better then most and BU is no worse the Ga Techs, Purdues, Michigan, etc.

[MVC Fan]

Winthrop might have played a great schedule but they beat what was put in front of them.

I doubt there is another bubble team that would have one even one game
At Maryland
AT North Carolina
AT Texas A&M
AT WIsconsin

That is a rough scedule

They have wins
AT Mississippi State
AT MIssouri State

They are in and deservedly so. Moot point really because they will win today.

No problem that they lost all those games...but they weren't even close at Maryland or A&M. If Texas Tech can win at A&M, if Maryland can lose to a team like Miami...as much as they've been bragged up of late, Winthrop should at least be expected to play them close.

[MVC Fan]

You take away the names of MSU and BU and replace the Valley with a BCS conference and the 3rd and 4th place teams from the 6th ranked conference would be in without a doubt with the numbers that these two have. There is no way that they should be left out. Its a money grabing piece of crap and it is a shame that it will probably be like that forever. You look at most BCS teams on the bubble and MSU's resume is better then most and BU is no worse the Ga Techs, Purdues, Michigan, etc.

Exactly right. Last yr's committee conveniently forgot/ignored the statistics that showed how CU was 6-6 vs. the top 50, MSU finished hot, etc. Yet i can almost guarantee that a stat like BU's top 50 record this yr will be used against them, though, while the injury factor won't help them.

[DB for POY]

on espn at the moment they are running down bubble teams being in and out. Both these morons say MSU is out and then one of them goes on to say Kansas St. is in. His reasoning for putting Kansas St in is because they have 6 road wins and failed to mention the 7 road loses. Lets look at the KSU excellent resume

Record
Overall 21 - 10
Home 13 - 2
Away 6 - 7
Neutral 2 - 1
Conference 10 - 6
Non-Conf. 11 - 4
Post Season 0 - 0

RPI Rank SOS Rank
0.5728 62 0.5321 94
Record vs. RPI Teams
1-50 1 - 5
51-100 3 - 2
101-200 9 - 3
201+ 8 - 0

MSU

Record
Overall 21 - 10
Home 11 - 4
Away 8 - 4
Neutral 2 - 2
Conference 13 - 7
Non-Conf. 8 - 3
Post Season 1 - 1

RPI Rank SOS Rank
0.5908 38 0.5663 39
Record vs. RPI Teams
1-50 3 - 5
51-100 5 - 4
101-200 10 - 1
201+ 3 - 0

[MVC Fan]

I don't think it should be even close. MSU has had a far better season than the Kitties. And I don't think that's being seen through Valley-colored glasses, either. Consider the sources on a lot of this ESPN bubble crap...and just hope committee members aren't listening to them or looking to them for their input.

[Bradleyfan]

You take away the names of MSU and BU and replace the Valley with a BCS conference and the 3rd and 4th place teams from the 6th ranked conference would be in without a doubt with the numbers that these two have. There is no way that they should be left out. Its a money grabing piece of crap and it is a shame that it will probably be like that forever. You look at most BCS teams on the bubble and MSU's resume is better then most and BU is no worse the Ga Techs, Purdues, Michigan, etc.

That's what I'm saying as well. Hopefully the selection committee will ignore the politics, and pick the teams that deserve to be there, not the ones that make the most money.

:braves: :valley:

[Bradleyfan]

on espn at the moment they are running down bubble teams being in and out. Both these morons say MSU is out and then one of them goes on to say Kansas St. is in. His reasoning for putting Kansas St in is because they have 6 road wins and failed to mention the 7 road loses.

I saw that too, and that was lazy on their part. Kansas St not only has a bad top 50 record, most of their conference wins came against creampuffs. No, Texas Tech is much more deserving even though they finished a game behind Kansas St, and so is Missouri St.

In all fairness though, Tom Brennan did have Appalachian St in the field as a second team out of the Southern Conference due to their neutral site wins against Virginia and Vanderbilt, and their road win at Wichita St. Their 58 RPI is well within at-large range, and I think they deserve to be in. But again, so does Missouri St with their win against Wisconsin at Wisconsin, and their 12-6 record in a top 5/6 conference.

At the very least, these analysts should be consistent with their picks!

:valley:

[DB for POY]

But again, so does Missouri St with their win against Wisconsin at Wisconsin, and their 12-6 record in a top 5/6 conference.

At the very least, these analysts should be consistent with their picks!

:valley:

Win was neutral court at south padre, but still a HUGE win

[Bradleyfan]

I don't think it should be even close. MSU has had a far better season than the Kitties. And I don't think that's being seen through Valley-colored glasses, either. Consider the sources on a lot of this ESPN bubble crap...and just hope committee members aren't listening to them or looking to them for their input.

The good thing is the committee last year did not listen to the members of the "Eastern Seaboard Programming Network", nor the president of the "Anti Valley Cheerleading Club" on CBS. Yeah they jipped Missouri St and Hofstra, but they rewarded Air Force and Utah St for belonging to top 10 conferences, and they otherwise rewarded four Valley teams and two CAA teams over a few bubble BCS teams. And I think when all is said and done this year, there will be more "mid-majors" and fewer BCS teams in the tournament than the so-called "experts" demanded.

My Braves may not be one of them, but I think the Valley will at least get the minimum number of teams that the number 5/6 conference historically deserves.

[Bradleyfan]

Win was neutral court at south padre, but still a HUGE win

Oh, I thought it was at Wisconsin. I guess not. But it still is a terrific win since the tournament games are played on a neutral court anyway.

Second time I got my info mixed up tonight. Good thing I'm not on the selection committee! :grin:

[valleyclimber]

Watched the Eastern Seaboard Programming Network picks of Gottlieb and the moron former coach of Vermont. Jesus, freakin' Kansas St??? Gimme a break. The old Vermont coach is pretty out of touch if he thinks the #5 rated conference in the country is only going to get 2 bids.

Not a big fan of Gottlieb, but in his defense, he did NOT say the MSU Bears would not make the tourney. What he said was there were all the other conference tourneys next week and let's see how they shake out.

IMO the Bears are a complete no-braniner for the selection crew. THEY SHOULD BE DANCING!

Those conferences that have yet to play out their tourneys may just help out the Valley. Know many think Bradley is dust, but with a #35 RPI and #18 SOS, think the Braves are still going to be given consideration if some of the other "bubble" teams make an early and unexpected exit from their conference tourney.

Should be an interesting week :yes:

:braves: :jays: :bears: :salukis: :valley: :clap:

[shocker3]

on espn at the moment they are running down bubble teams being in and out. Both these morons say MSU is out and then one of them goes on to say Kansas St. is in. His reasoning for putting Kansas St in is because they have 6 road wins and failed to mention the 7 road loses. Lets look at the KSU excellent resume

Record
Overall 21 - 10
Home 13 - 2
Away 6 - 7
Neutral 2 - 1
Conference 10 - 6
Non-Conf. 11 - 4
Post Season 0 - 0

RPI Rank SOS Rank
0.5728 62 0.5321 94
Record vs. RPI Teams
1-50 1 - 5
51-100 3 - 2
101-200 9 - 3
201+ 8 - 0

MSU

Record
Overall 21 - 10
Home 11 - 4
Away 8 - 4
Neutral 2 - 2
Conference 13 - 7
Non-Conf. 8 - 3
Post Season 1 - 1

RPI Rank SOS Rank
0.5908 38 0.5663 39
Record vs. RPI Teams
1-50 3 - 5
51-100 5 - 4
101-200 10 - 1
201+ 3 - 0


On the local news tonight, they showed Huggins, the kstate coach, saying he told his team today that if they beat Ou at home that they would be a LOCK for an ncaa bid.

He said that he believes that they are now a lock. If they are a lock with one top 50 win and an rpi of 62 then both MOST and BU should also be locks!!!!:valley: :bears: :braves: :jays: :salukis:

[chuckywang]

I would say it's Butler's turn to be Kansas this year, but Butler won't be a 15 or 16 seed. :grin:

Bucknell Bison
Bradley Braves
Butler Bulldogs

I like it!

[smsandmsuson]

Bucknell Bison
Bradley Braves
Butler Bulldogs

I like it!

Anyone want to let the Buffalo Bulls win the MAC and take a 15-16 seed?

:bears: :braves: :jays: :salukis:

[FSUMatt222]

On the local news tonight, they showed Huggins, the kstate coach, saying he told his team today that if they beat Ou at home that they would be a LOCK for an ncaa bid.

He said that he believes that they are now a lock. If they are a lock with one top 50 win and an rpi of 62 then both MOST and BU should also be locks!!!!:valley: :bears: :braves: :jays: :salukis:

As a neutral observer, there is no way in h#&$ that Kansas St. is a lock right now. They need at least 1 win and probably 2 in the Big 12 tournament to be considered. MSU's resume is far and away better than Kansas St.'s. That said, Missouri St. is definitely squarely on the bubble and will be one of the last few teams in or one of the last few teams out. Their main problem now is the fact that they have to sit back and watch other teams try to improve their resume while their season is over.