SDSU @ MSU Game Thread

[Beary Hinson]

Bears 24
Aztecs 16
7:03 left in 1H

Chaney playing pretty good defense on Brandon Heath so far.

:bears:

P.S.: Way to go :braves: !

[Ron Mexico]

Ahearn earlier was just treating this like an AND 1 tour game...haha...at least they are loose having fun

and yeah....Go Braves :braves:

[PurpleJays]

Score? Time?

[smsandmsuson]

27-24 SDSU
Missed the time

[Beary Hinson]

SDSU on an 11-0 run. They now lead 27-24 with 3:34 to go in the first half.

[Nyghtewynd]

SDSU in the midst of an 11-0 run, and they lead 27-24. It's so funny...all they talked about is how they wanted to get up and down the floor, and the actual game comes and they can't score points.

[Nyghtewynd]

SDSU now up seven...the Aztecs are running and shooting and being athletic, and the Bears are playing the same old tired system they've always played. Brandon Heath is single-handedly smacking MSU in the face.

[Beary Hinson]

Aztecs 34
Bears 29
Halftime

SDSU an 18-5 run to end the first half.

[Nyghtewynd]

Bears go into halftime down 34-29. They were well in control until the patented late-half collapse. We'll see what happens in the second.

[Nyghtewynd]

You forgot one part of that--none of the above is allowed in the first 25 seconds of the shot clock.

[smsandmsuson]

I love it. Art stated that he doesnt even think 5,000 are there tonight. Im telling you, this town is getting stick and tired of it and hopefully Neitzel takes notice...


Go Bears

[Nyghtewynd]

I don't know about that. I think that's a reasonable number with (a) three straight NIT years, (b) only three days warning for the game, and (c) a 9 PM start time during Lent.

[Nyghtewynd]

Lead up to eight...40-32 SDSU. They foul MSU, MSU makes one of two, and SDSU scores. The Aztecs may be getting into foul trouble, though...

[Nyghtewynd]

Bears still within four, but right now it's the *seniors* who are failing this team. Missing lots of gimmes.

[BearsCountry]

Is it just me, or does it appear that Barry Hinson only has 3 set plays in his playbook? The Bears are so predictable it's insane.

Wing screen for Ahearn
Dump into Mitchell
Ahearn baseline cut

Scouting this team would be a gift from god for any competent coach.

Another one of our gripes.

[Nyghtewynd]

Attendance: 4224. That's just BRUTAL.

[Nyghtewynd]

Eyewitness account: "The Bears are obviously not prepared for SDSU's team speed. All SDSU had to do is stop the secondary break and the Bears have just been clueless otherwise."

[Nyghtewynd]

Cheney and Ahearn with back-to-back 3s to get within two. Richards fouls, and Drew's darn near hopeless inside against the SDSU big man.

[Beary Hinson]

Back-to-back treys by TC and Blake. Bears within 2.

[smsandmsuson]

Bears take the lead!

Bears47
SDSU45

[Beary Hinson]

Deven layup. Blake 3.

47-45 Bears.

[Nyghtewynd]

SDSU with a FT, but Mitchell with a big double-clutch layup to get within one, and Ahearn hits a BIG transition 3. Timeout SDSU, and the Bears lead 47-45.

[BearsCountry]

WOW! Where has that been!?

That is Ahearn's strength, hitting the 3 on transition. Has been all 4 years but we never seem to run it.

[shockball]

Exciting game. Anybody wish that they were there?:bears:

[smsandmsuson]

Exciting game. Anybody wish that they were there?:bears:

:no::thumbdown: :puke:

[Nyghtewynd]

Game tied at 49, media TO.

[BearsCountry]

Exciting game. Anybody wish that they were there?:bears:

Its down the street but I got a nice seat here in front of the computer and tv. :original:

[frontrowdrake]

I wish I was there! I wish the audio feed was working on my computer too.:bears:

[frontrowdrake]

I am depending on you guys for updates!

[smsandmsuson]

Bears break the tie

53-49
Under 9 to go

[Nyghtewynd]

Bears up 58-53.

[smsandmsuson]

58-53
Under 8 to go

[Beary Hinson]

58-53 Bears after third 3 of the night by Shane Laurie, he of 2 points in 2 MVC Tourney games. Didn't hear time left.

[Nyghtewynd]

61-60 SDSU. Why this team seems allergic to leads is beyond me. And Ahearn misses *another* free throw, this one the front end of a 1-1.

[BearsCountry]

SDSU 61
Bears 60

5:10 left

[BearsCountry]

Brandon Heath is one heck of a player for the Aztecs.

[frontrowdrake]

Come on Bears!

[shocker3]

Let's go Bears!!!:bears: :valley:

[Nyghtewynd]

Heath just keeps running down court, and the Bears keep looking at him like he's an alien. 67-62 SDSU, and Heath has 23. TO Bears. Ahearn is absolutely killing this team right now.

[BearsCountry]

Bilyeu and Ahearn are both killing us.

[PurpleJays]

I wish I was there! I wish the audio feed was working on my computer too.:bears:

I have Vista my feed wasn't working either...what you do is go to http://www.ktxrfm.com/ right click on listen online and click "save target as" hit save or open and it should come up in your media player.

[Beary Hinson]

SDSU 69
MSU 64

2:59 left

Richards to the line after TO.

[Nyghtewynd]

The seniors are really uniformly horrible right now. Richards, on the other hand, is having himself a very good second half.

[tennis08tarheels]

The seniors are really uniformly horrible right now. Richards, on the other hand, is having himself a very good second half.

Drew Richards is playing in the second half? Wow, he usually averages about 9 fouls in the first half.

[Beary Hinson]

Drew's got 15 points and 8 boards and much more amazingly is 5 for 7 from the FT line. 69-66 SDSU.

[smsandmsuson]

Drew Richards is playing in the second half? Wow, he usually averages about 9 fouls in the first half.

I wish you would leave

[smsandmsuson]

Come on! Take it back right here. They are wanting to give us the game and we dont want it either.

[Nyghtewynd]

1:36 left, Bears down 2.

[Nyghtewynd]

Mitchell turns it over. SDSU ball, about a minute left.

[Nyghtewynd]

Turnover SDSU. Ugly finish to this one. Bears again with a chance to tie/lead, down 2, 56 seconds.

[frontrowdrake]

I have Vista my feed wasn't working either...what you do is go to http://www.ktxrfm.com/ right click on listen online and click "save target as" hit save or open and it should come up in your media player.

Thanks for the try.... I did that, it still says no. game's close to over anyway. Too bad, I like to listen to Art. Thanks though!
Come on Bears!

[Beary Hinson]

Mitchell to the line for two and the tie.

[Nyghtewynd]

Mitchell draws the foul, 2 FTs to tie. And that's the fifth foul on Habel.

[tennis08tarheels]

I wish you would leave

What's your problem? I've watched probably half of the Bears' games this year, and Richards has fouled out in all of them.

[shocker3]

Come on Bears, please pull this one out!:bears: :valley:

[Beary Hinson]

Made em both! 70-70 with 39 secs. left.

[Nyghtewynd]

He makes them both. Tie game.

[smsandmsuson]

What's your problem? I've watched probably half of the Bears' games this year, and Richards has fouled out in all of them.

You are annoying

[Nyghtewynd]

Timeout, 30 seconds left, 24 on shot clock. SDSU will get essentially the last shot.

[Nyghtewynd]

You are annoying

It's not like he's lying or something and Richards never fouls. This is really quite a game for him.

[frontrowdrake]

The ESPN website says the game is over and has SDSU winning 70-68

[tennis08tarheels]

You are annoying

Quality post. Maybe the best I've ever seen. Post count +1!

[BearsCountry]

Heath hits a NBA three with 5 seconds left, Bears ball timeout.

[iSASO]

Welcome to WSU / Florida State - without the atmosphere.

[smsandmsuson]

Good strategy. Foul so we cant tie

[smsandmsuson]

Quality post. Maybe the best I've ever seen. Post count +1!

Glad that is what you came up with. *Applause*

[frontrowdrake]

UGGGGGGG, what a game!

[Nyghtewynd]

You know they're going to foul. Why not get it into the hands of someone who can actually shoot a three?

[BearsCountry]

Good strategy. Foul so we cant tie

Remember the thread on letsgobears about this in the Shox game in St. Louis?

[smsandmsuson]

Remember the thread on letsgobears about this in the Shox game in St. Louis?

Yep. Dont know why more teams dont do it

[BearsCountry]

Yep. Dont know why more teams dont do it

I dont either its smart basketball.

[smsandmsuson]

And this sad season comes to an end.
Press conference tomorrow? Probably not. No one has the guts to do it.

[frontrowdrake]

What is happening?

[BearsCountry]

Game over Bears lose.

[PurpleJays]

Its looking bleek like seconds left down by 3

[frontrowdrake]

I take it the Aztecs won.:no:

[shocker3]

What was the final score?

[Nyghtewynd]

Well done, seniors. You three absolutely lost this game. Especially Ahearn. Heath is a stud, and Ahearn just disappeared when the game was on the line. How big was that front-end of a 1-1 that Ahearn *missed*? Brutal. Only 3 of 16 teams lose home games in the first time, and the Bears are one of them.

Good riddance to this season. Worse than last year in just about every measurable category with the same players around.

Dear Bill: First of all, quit. Second, you owe the fans of this team a press conference tomorrow. I don't care what happens in this press conference, but don't drag it out. Either give him a 3-4 year extension and get it over with, or fire him.

[shocker3]

What happened at the end of the game? Was the final by 1 or 2 points? Inquirying minds would like to know.:valley:

[Beary Hinson]

Bilyeu missed 2 FTs (2nd one on purpose). Aztecs get rebound, make 1-2 FT, game over.

SDSU wins 74-70.

:doh:

[shocker3]

Wow, 4 points that is strange. I assume the Bears must have missed both FTs and then fouled SDSU. Too bad. Tough way to end a season that should have been much better for MOST. (Shocker fans can definitely relate).

[BearChief]

Barry Barry Barry!!!

Home loss in the first round of the NIT in front of 4,200 fans.

That would be a fitting end to Barry's career. If so, good riddance. If not, somebody shoot me in the head.

[PurpleJays]

Sad really...I don't know how to feel about the "boycott." Is it selfish to think that if you packed the house, you would have won, thus helping the valley?

[smsandmsuson]

Oh lord. Here we go with the post game. What the heck! It just shut off on me. I guess they didnt want to hear from him anymore and that is that:clap:

[smsandmsuson]

Sad really...I don't know how to feel about the "boycott." Is it selfish to think that if you packed the house, you would have won, thus helping the valley?


No one cares about the NIT. It wouldnt have done much for the Valley

[Beary Hinson]

Yeah, it shut off on me, too, and then went to a commercial. They also had problems with the halftime interview with Keith Guttin. Hmmmm.

[smsandmsuson]

4200! Way to go! Goes to show no one cares!

[MVC Fan]

Heath hits a NBA three with 5 seconds left, Bears ball timeout.

Heath got away with an Iverson-like carry on that play. Glad to see the emphasis on palming fell through the cracks on that one. :ermm:

Story of Bears' the past few seasons, though. Always 1-2 plays away when they're needed most.

[Nyghtewynd]

Final line for the three seniors combined tonight:

10-32, 31 of 70 total points, 2-5 FTs.

Great line, guys. Thanks for coming out.

[smsandmsuson]

"Excited about the future, administration...we're going to go out on a bang...put this old arena out in style...likes foundation...love the young guys...take a little time before spring starts up...really excited about what's going on...thanks art...thanks the nit...will be harder to get into in the future...thanks his players, fans and listeners..."

Unbelievable. And they continue to have radio connection problems. Does this University know how to do anything?

[PurpleJays]

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

[Canevision]

Barry, don't go away mad, now Barry, just go away....

[Beary Hinson]

Well done, seniors. You three absolutely lost this game. Especially Ahearn. Heath is a stud, and Ahearn just disappeared when the game was on the line. How big was that front-end of a 1-1 that Ahearn *missed*? Brutal. Only 3 of 16 teams lose home games in the first time, and the Bears are one of them.

Good riddance to this season. Worse than last year in just about every measurable category with the same players around.

Dear Bill: First of all, quit. Second, you owe the fans of this team a press conference tomorrow. I don't care what happens in this press conference, but don't drag it out. Either give him a 3-4 year extension and get it over with, or fire him.

Hey Nyght, was that you just now on Bears Extra with Art?

[Nyghtewynd]

I have *NO* idea what you're talking about. ;D

[Beary Hinson]

I have *NO* idea what you're talking about. ;D

:grin:

Verrrry Nice!

[Nyghtewynd]

Holy cow, the radio is off the air again. I've had enough of the fight song. I'm beginning to *loathe* school spirit. ;)

[Beary Hinson]

Holy cow, the radio is off the air again. I've had enough of the fight song. I'm beginning to *loathe* school spirit. ;)

Yeah, as Art said, things were continuing to deteriorate at HSC!

[STLRedbird]

I was really pleased when the old SMS was invited and joined the Valley. This was a school mainly cut from the same piece of cloth as my Redbirds. A basketball school with a pit like our old Horton Fieldhouse. Victories there were EARNED. They were a school - like mine - that had intangibles.

I watched the Bears get close to the brass ring, and read posts from knowledable Bears fans that had turned against their coach ---- and I thought they were OVERREACTING. He was such a good guy. I listened to their radio broadcasts over the internet. He was a likeable guy. As a matter of fact, he was a good recruiter too.

But there was something wrong. He couldn't get the job done at this level. Fans from other schools would post how it was a bad idea to fire a coach like this. I realized it was very easy for them to say such things because I had felt this way about MSU's coach. It's easy to like the guy you can beat.

MSU waited eight, long frustrating years to (apparently) fire Hinson. ISU will pull the trigger after four years, but Moser and Hinson are cut from the same piece of cloth. It was inevitable.

[BearsCountry]

I was really pleased when the old SMS was invited and joined the Valley. This was a school mainly cut from the same piece of cloth as my Redbirds. A basketball school with a pit like our old Horton Fieldhouse. Victories there were EARNED. They were a school - like mine - that had intangibles.

I watched the Bears get close to the brass ring, and read posts from knowledable Bears fans that had turned against their coach ---- and I thought they were OVERREACTING. He was such a good guy. I listened to their radio broadcasts over the internet. He was a likeable guy. As a matter of fact, he was a good recruiter too.

But there was something wrong. He couldn't get the job done at this level. Fans from other schools would post how it was a bad idea to fire a coach like this. I realized it was very easy for them to say such things because I had felt this way about MSU's coach. It's easy to like the guy you can beat.

MSU waited eight, long frustrating years to (apparently) fire Hinson. ISU will pull the trigger after four years, but Moser and Hinson are cut from the same piece of cloth. It was inevitable.

Thank you!

[jaypharmalum]

Any word on when the administration is going to make some kind of statement?

Is Steve Alford available?

[dawg]

Sad really...I don't know how to feel about the "boycott." Is it selfish to think that if you packed the house, you would have won, thus helping the valley?

Was there really a boycott? Or just lack of interest?

[okstarsfan]

Was there really a boycott? Or just lack of interest?

My guess is that Bears fans are just tired of the NIT appearances.......I know I am!

[TNMSUFAN]

Any word on when the administration is going to make some kind of statement?

I imagine everyone will know the outcome of the coaching situation by Friday

[DUBulldog]

I watched the game.....Ahearn basically disappeared down the stretch.....huge missed 1-and-1 and then an airball on the next possession.

Does anybody else think that the timeout that Barry called with 4-5 seconds left was a stupid timeout? I know it sounds like I'm being a "Monday morning quarterback", but I said it at the time, and I'll say it now......that wasn't a good time out. MSU was advancing the ball quickly upcourt and SDSU hadn't had a chance to set their defense. Probably could've gotten a good look at a 3 in scramble mode. By calling timeout, it gave SDSU a chance to set their defense and to foul intentionally. Even if SDSU hadn't fouled, it would've cost the Bears a couple of seconds.....they inbounded it to a guy who was in basically the same spot as they had the ball before the time-out.....but he was starting from a standstill, as opposed to the guy before the time-out who was already moving at full speed up the court.

[BostonBird]

Its a joke if they fire Hinson for winning like he has.

[smsandmsuson]

Its a joke if they fire Hinson for winning like he has.

The winning is not getting us where we want to be!!! When will people realize that! Good lord

[troutangler]

I watched the game.....Ahearn basically disappeared down the stretch.....huge missed 1-and-1 and then an airball on the next possession.

Does anybody else think that the timeout that Barry called with 4-5 seconds left was a stupid timeout? I know it sounds like I'm being a "Monday morning quarterback", but I said it at the time, and I'll say it now......that wasn't a good time out. MSU was advancing the ball quickly upcourt and SDSU hadn't had a chance to set their defense. Probably could've gotten a good look at a 3 in scramble mode. By calling timeout, it gave SDSU a chance to set their defense and to foul intentionally. Even if SDSU hadn't fouled, it would've cost the Bears a couple of seconds.....they inbounded it to a guy who was in basically the same spot as they had the ball before the time-out.....but he was starting from a standstill, as opposed to the guy before the time-out who was already moving at full speed up the court.

Welcome to eight years of hell. :helpsmilie:

[DUBulldog]

Welcome to eight years of hell. :helpsmilie:

I'm a Drake fan....I'm way past 8 years :lol:

[dawg_tired nemesis]

I thought he was stupid for calling the time out also. Especially in backcourt.

[troutangler]

I thought he was stupid for calling the time out also. Especially in backcourt.

Dually noted when the play happened. It was a bad timeout, especially where it was called.

[DawgieStyle]

great job Barry and the Bears...thanks for validating the selection committee's decision to leave you out....great job....:no:

I wonder how many of you think the Bears should have been in the dance now.

[dawg_tired nemesis]

If we were rally the #6 rpi rated conference, then yes we should of had 3 teams in the dance. So, if SIU loses in the first round to Holy Cross do you think SIU should not have been invited to the ncaa? I think not...

[BostonBird]

The winning is not getting us where we want to be!!! When will people realize that! Good lord

You are not Duke. You are not UNC. You are not ANY school that is counted on to go to the NCAA tourney every year. If you have a coach that can win and puts you in a position to be in the tourney every year you are in great shape. Get over yourselves. :chair:

[troutangler]

You are not Duke. You are not UNC. You are not ANY school that is counted on to go to the NCAA tourney every year. If you have a coach that can win and puts you in a position to be in the tourney every year you are in great shape. Get over yourselves. :chair:

Sorry, that argument has already been shot down. You need to read up, junior.

No MSU fan has EVER said we should go to the tournament every year. None, zilch. We have however said we expect to go every two or three years and go to the NIT the other years.

If we want a coach that gets to the NIT, Barry is our guy.

[yeager]

I think everyone would like to go to the dance every 2-3 years but...where in your past is that expected from MSU....since being in the Valley, you have went to the dance twice, I think, since joining the MVC and that has been in like 15-16 years. So him taking you to 4 NIT's is a step closer to the NCAA's.

[BostonBird]

Man you must be really smart. And old. Otherwise you wouldn't have called me junior.

But, that doesn't shoot down the argument.

Anywho, I now hope you get a new coach, and suck for the next 10 or so years. The grass is NOT greener on the otherside.

[BearsCountry]

I think everyone would like to go to the dance every 2-3 years but...where in your past is that expected from MSU....since being in the Valley, you have went to the dance twice, I think, since joining the MVC and that has been in like 15-16 years. So him taking you to 4 NIT's is a step closer to the NCAA's.

We went twice to the dance in our first 9 years with 3 NIT apperances.

[BearChief]

Man you must be really smart. And old. Otherwise you wouldn't have called me junior.

But, that doesn't shoot down the argument.

Anywho, I now hope you get a new coach, and suck for the next 10 or so years. The grass is NOT greener on the otherside.

Why do you care? Why don't you mind your own business? Note to BostonBird: if you don't know anything about the subject, shut up!

[BostonBird]

Man rough crowd. How do you know that I don't know anything about the subject? Perhaps you're being just a bit obtuse.

[Aargh]

If Barry is removed, the explanation better be declining ticket sales or something like that. If MSU goes on a hunt for a coach and the word in coaching circles is that Hinson got fired because he didn't win 22 - 25 games in 3 out of 4 years - or something like that - there's a huge problem.

Looking at MSU's departing and returning players, it's going to look like a bit of a rebuilding year. There may be some player defections with a coaching change. The Valley is a tough league for expecting to win 22 - 25 games.

MSU isn't going to look like a great opportunity. It's going to look more like Indiana, where fan expectations are so high that an incoming coach is on the chopping block the day he steps into his offices.

The danger in firing a 20-win coach is that the next coach you hire might be a 10-win coach.

WSU fired a 20-win coach (Gene Smithson). Graduation rates were down, ticket sales were down and Gene had developed a habit of being the last guy out the door at closing time at a couple of local watering holes. It took 15 years to find a coach who could get WSU back to 20 wins. Those were some really bad years at WSU.

In WSU's case the grass looked greener, but once the fence was crossed, it was just rocks painted green. There wasn't any grass.

[smsandmsuson]

You are not Duke. You are not UNC. You are not ANY school that is counted on to go to the NCAA tourney every year. If you have a coach that can win and puts you in a position to be in the tourney every year you are in great shape. Get over yourselves. :chair:

SIU seems to have it down. CU goes just about every year. Why cant we? It is absolute BS

[okstarsfan]

If Barry is removed, the explanation better be declining ticket sales or something like that. If MSU goes on a hunt for a coach and the word in coaching circles is that Hinson got fired because he didn't win 22 - 25 games in 3 out of 4 years - or something like that - there's a huge problem.
It's not that he's not winning enough games. It's very simple.

8 years - 0 NCAA appearances, 0 MVC titles, 0 MVC Tourney titles

As for the next coach (now that a change is justified), I don't think he will face outrageous expectations right away. Most fans know we're losing a lot of players, and I think we'll be looking at more of a long-term expectation of winning a Valley title, tournament, or making the NCAAs at least once in a while.

:bears: :valley:

[TNMSUFAN]

It's not that he's not winning enough games. It's very simple.

8 years - 0 NCAA appearances, 0 MVC titles, 0 MVC Tourney titles
:bears: :valley:

I would add that Barry took over a program with 4 starters back from a Sweet 16 team. It wasn't like we were 3-26 finishing 10th in the Valley or anything like that when he got here. I know the Valley is tough but when the administration is watching UNI, BU, WSU, CU, and SIU all dance recently while the Bears keep missing out you have to assume the buck stops at the coach.

[Nyghtewynd]

If Barry is removed, the explanation better be declining ticket sales or something like that. If MSU goes on a hunt for a coach and the word in coaching circles is that Hinson got fired because he didn't win 22 - 25 games in 3 out of 4 years - or something like that - there's a huge problem.

Looking at MSU's departing and returning players, it's going to look like a bit of a rebuilding year. There may be some player defections with a coaching change. The Valley is a tough league for expecting to win 22 - 25 games.



You keep on believing that. This "problem" is nothing that a few hundred thousand dollars and a chance to coach in the MVC won't solve. This isn't some puny conference any more. There are head coaches in about 15-20 conferences who see this as a step up now.

Again, I don't officially care what the administration does. I'd prefer that Bill Rowe announces his "retirement" and the new AD makes it clear that everyone's contract begins anew in every sport from this point forward.

[BearsCountry]

A little auto parts store here in town will put up some money that should cause some problems to go away.

[BostonBird]

This isn't some puny conference any more.

The NCAA tourney committee would beg to differ. And they are the gate keepers to what you want.

[Nyghtewynd]

No, losing to SIU twice, CU three times, and Winthrop (at home) is the gatekeeper. MSU didn't get screwed. Their results just weren't good enough.

[BostonBird]

I'm refering to the comment on the conference. 2 teams in means we're still puny in their eyes. The 3rd place team in a non-puny conference gets in no problem...probably the 4th place team too.

[MSU Bleeds Maroon]

I'm refering to the comment on the conference. 2 teams in means we're still puny in their eyes. The 3rd place team in a non-puny conference gets in no problem...probably the 4th place team too.

So.... conferences earn NCAA bids now?

[BostonBird]

Don't ask me, ask the comittee. Most people agree they made it pretty obvious.

[MSU Bleeds Maroon]

Don't ask me, ask the comittee. Most people agree they made it pretty obvious.

If you wrote this...

I'm refering to the comment on the conference. 2 teams in means we're still puny in their eyes. The 3rd place team in a non-puny conference gets in no problem...probably the 4th place team too.

... then I'm asking you. Can you provide proof to back up your claim? Or are you espousing someone else's conclusion without having done the research necessary to verify it?

[BostonBird]

You want me to post how many teams got in from the #1-#7 conferences?

I'll give you a hint, it drops when you get to the MVC. Ease up there on the tone...I'm just discussing like the rest of you.

[CreightonRx]

If you wrote this...



... then I'm asking you. Can you provide proof to back up your claim? Or are you espousing someone else's conclusion without having done the research necessary to verify it?

From a handout at one of Altman's luncheons.

Number of teams in NCAA 65 by conference RPI over past 15 years.

RPI of conference-- # teams
1 -- 5.93
2 -- 5.13
3 -- 5.06
4 -- 4.60
5 -- 5.93
6 -- 4.60
7 -- 3.80

If we're rated 5 or 6, we are definately well outside of normal.

[smsandmsuson]

From a handout at one of Altman's luncheons.

Number of teams in NCAA 65 by conference RPI over past 15 years.

RPI of conference-- # teams
1 -- 5.93
2 -- 5.13
3 -- 5.06
4 -- 4.60
5 -- 5.93
6 -- 4.60
7 -- 3.80

If we're rated 5 or 6, we are definately well outside of normal.

But I those 4.6 or 5.9 teams had good enough resumes to get in. Unlike MSU and BU

[BostonBird]

The difference between those teams and MSU are who they play in conference. Out of conference, the big guys rarely have better schedules than their MVC counterparts.