MVC will get 5 teams in the tourny this year

[bigboydan]

the RPI rating of the missouri valley conference is currently 6th.

this conference has done everything the tourny committee has asked from them in recent years.

these teams should all make it i feel:

Wichita St. 21-6

Northern Iowa 21-6

Creighton 17-7

Southern Ill. 18-8

Missouri State 17-7

[BuddyBear]

that would be nice...i really wish we could see more mid-major basketball throughout the course of the year...fans don't know what they are missing.

I think the MVC is slightly better than the Pac-10 wouldn't you think?

[isetcap]

They only make it if they end up with 21 wins or more.

[pags11]

Dan, after watching today, I'm saying 3 at most...what about the WAC representing though?...

[bigboydan]

i don't feel the wac will get more than 1 team in. they may get two pending on who wins the conference tourny though, although i doubt it.

[onlooker]

i don't feel the wac will get more than 1 team in. they may get two pending on who wins the conference tourny though, although i doubt it.

I agree. If someone besides Nevada wins the WAC tourney, then they would get two in if the committee gives Nevada a at large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

[pags11]

La. tech is making a serious run though...Linardi said today that I think the WAC will have two even if Nevada wins the conference tourney...5-1 guys!...La. Tech was only the third team in like 2.5 years to beat SIU at SIU...

[onlooker]

La. tech is making a serious run though...Linardi said today that I think the WAC will have two even if Nevada wins the conference tourney...5-1 guys!...La. Tech was only the third team in like 2.5 years to beat SIU at SIU...

LaTech is a good team Pags, but I cant see them getting in with out winning the WAC tourny. So they will have to run the table in the WAC tourny to get in, I feel anyway.

[pags11]

I guess we'll see here in about 20 days onlooker...

[onlooker]

I guess we'll see here in about 20 days onlooker...

Yes we will.

I cant wait either. I love march madness. I will probably taking the tournament days off from work so I can sit on my ass and watch most the games.

[bigboydan]

i'm still wondering why the MVC had to play 5 bracket buster games on saturday, thats just crazy to me.

SIU might be the team that gets left out. I just don't see why they shouldn't get in there though. there RPI is better than some of the ones in bigger conference teams.

[pags11]

am thining Villanova gets a number one seed possibly as well...

[bigboydan]

nova is making one very strong case for that #1 seed pags. all they have to do is finish the season strong, and make it thru the first couple of rounds in the big east tourny.

[bigboydan]

The Valley continues to offer up 2 or 3 teams that are playing for NCAA Tourney post season, and 4 teams from the Valley were in bracket buster games this weekend. Creighton continued home dominance with a win over Fresno State, but continue to struggle on the road and are tied for 2nd place in the conference with Northern Iowa and Southern Illinois. The surprise continues to be Wichita State, as the Shockers had to replace 4 starters from last years team, and now sit at 12-4 in conference action and have the lead. They lost a bracket buster game to George Mason on Saturday, however they have a winnable roadie at Drake this week, and then have bottom feeder Illinois State at home this upcoming weekend. With a 7-3 SU road record, look for the Shockers to continue to play great defense and make a run for the regular season title here.

Creighton- 13-1 SU at home is the KEY for the Blue Jays, they need to win every home game they have left to contend here, for their 8th straight post season appearance. The problem is winning on the road, they are 5-6 SU with roadies and have a tough trip to high scoring Southwest Missouri State this weekend, but first a game at home in Omaha against Indiana State, a team they have beaten 69-53 already on the road. If this line is under 11 points, look for a take on Creighton this week in this game, as they dominate people at home in conference.

Wichita State- A national rank of 36th on defense is the Shockers claim to fame here, but they are winning games with great coaching and a team concept. They look for 2 more wins this week against teams they have already beaten, Drake on the road this week will be a tough road to hoe for them, as the Bulldogs are tough at home, and an easy game with Illinois State in Wichita. They have beaten Drake by 23 scoring a season high 85 points in that game, and have beaten Illinois State on the road by 9. After a huge win against Creighton last week in OT, and a 3 point loss to Colonial power George Mason, I see the Shockers going 2-0 this week and holding on to the top spot in the conference. That road trip to Drake is tricky, if they are laying more than 4 points, the dog would be worth a look. I would not be surprised to see a near pick'em game in that one.


Northern Iowa- The Panthers are 1 game behind the Shockers and are off a bracket buster win against #24 Bucknell this weekend, in a wild one. The Panthers biggest black mark this season is 2 losses to rival Creighton, but are 12-2 at home and have Bradley this week at home in Cedar Falls, and a roadie to Southern Illinois this Saturday which will be the game of the week in Missouri Valley without question. If Wichita State should fall either Tuesday or Saturday, both So. Illinois and Northern Iowa could be playing for #1 in Valley in this Saturday tilt, and I would lean towards the Panthers in that one, So. Illinois is struggling right now. The defense of the Panthers is ranked 12th in country allowing less than 60 ppg, and they are scoring 68 ppg overall. The offensive rebounds are deplorable for the Panthers, they need to step it up, especially on the road in that area to contend with the big boys, bottom line.

Southern Illinois- As stated above, it comes down to Northern Iowa at home this Saturday for conference tourney seeding, and a shot at the title here, expect the Saluki's to be ready, although they have REALLY struggled the past 2 weeks. They are 10-2 at home and have the 6th ranked defense in division I hoops. The UNDER may be worth a strong look on Saturday since both So. Illinois and Northern Iowa rank in the Top 12 in defense. It should be a battle. The Saluki's have Evansville on the road this week, and may be laying a huge number in that one, a game they might overlook since they already pounded them by 28 points. The Saluki's are 1-5 ATS their last 6 games, and lost their last 2 straight up, including a bracket buster game to Louisiana Tech this past Saturday at home. I expect them to lose on Saturday to Northern Iowa.

Another great week in this mid-major conference housing some pretty good teams. Look for Bradley (12-1 SU at home and 8-2 ATS) to continue its streak of home wins, they are world beaters at home, and anytime they are laying a small number or getting points they are worth a look. Missouri State is also a capable team and a huge game with Creighton at home this week, so far is their biggest game of the year, they are 17-7 ATS on the year and won a bracket buster game against Milwaukee Wisconsin this weekend. I look for them to give Creighton all they want, and as a small favorite possibly, might be worth a look. Back next week as the conference tourney nears.

[pags11]

nice write-up dan...

[Willie Bee]

nice write-up dan...

I second that. Haven't really been able to follow these teams much other than in print, so a nice little education.

[bigboydan]

there was a nice article in the NY times today on the MVC. i'll have to go see if i can dig it up.

[pags11]

saw that evansville was giving SIU a hell of a game earlier...

[bigboydan]

i can't wait til that MVC toury starts on march 3rd.

there is a lot of high expectations sourrounding this tourny this year. every year this tourny never disappoints at all.

[pags11]

yeah, I've even noticed Indiana St. has been playing better lately...

[bigboydan]

pags, heres an interesting stat for you.

clonecat posted this little gem in the hoops section last night.

Indiana State

0-7 ATS without David Moss
10-5 ATS with David Moss
12-5 SU with David Moss
0-8 SU without David Moss

He has been back in the lineup the last 5 games and Indiana State is 3-2 both SU and ATS.

[bigboydan]

this conference has 5 teams with 20 wins this season. if they all don't make tourney this year its a total travisty.