Hypothetical

jbchis · March 11, 2008

Let's say Middle pulls the upset and gets the Sun Belt auto bid to the tourney. There is no way that both USA and WKU get at large bids giving the Sun Belt 3 teams in the NCAA tournament. I would assume that one of them gets in. Which one?

Both teams would have lost to the eventual conference tournament champion and have almost identical records, USA at 26-6 and WKU at 26-7. I guess it would come down to RPI, Top 50 wins, and record in the last 10 games.

RPI

USA 37

WKU 44

Record vs Top 50

USA 3-2 2 of the 3 wins are against WKU, the other against Miss St

WKU 0-4

Record last 10, assuming Middle beats WKU

USA 8-2

WKU 8-2

USA beat WKU both times they met this year. That will probably be the deciding factor.

WKU will hopefully take care of business so that both USA and WKU will get in.

What do you think? UNT beat USA, but lost to WKU twice. I didn't get to see any of those games. Who is better to the eye? USA or WKU?

CMJ · March 11, 2008

I think USA's starting five is probably better, but WKU is the deeper squad. USA will get in regardless I'd imagine - so the Hilltoppers need to win to get in. No way the SBC gets in three.

BTW - if in fact USA does get the at large bid every school in the league gets an extra money share...some 100K I believe.

Edited March 11, 2008 by CMJ

jbchis · March 11, 2008

I think USA's starting five is probably better, but WKU is the deeper squad. USA will get in regardless I'd imagine - so the Hilltoppers need to win to get in. No way the SBC gets in three.
BTW - if in fact USA does get the at large big every school in the league gets an extra money share...some 100K I believe.

I am disappointed that both teams won't meet in the championship. I think that would have been a great TV game for Sun Belt exposure.

FirefightnRick · March 11, 2008

I'll be laughing my ass off, that's what will happen. MTSU goes as the champion rep of the conference, Sou-Al goes as an automatic qualifier and the Converse High Toppers sit at home crying their eyes out, wondering how their somewhat mega money basketball program with it's self promoting tv programing wasn't enough to again go dancing this year.

Rick

Edited March 11, 2008 by FirefightnRick

CMJ · March 11, 2008

I have to think a WKU win would be better for any chance we have to get in the CBI.

I see it as:

NCAA

WKU

USA

NIT

Probably no one, but perhaps UALR being a divsion winner

CBI

Perhaps UALR or NT

On the other hand if MTSU wins tonight it'll probably be more like

NCAA

USA

MTSU

NIT

WKU

CBI

Maybe UALR

Edited March 11, 2008 by CMJ

Censored by Laurie · March 11, 2008

ESPN has WKU as one of the last four out. With San Diego coming up and winning the WCC, they're now gonna get 3 bids...the Colonial will get 2 b/c VCU lost. Its not out of the realm of possibility with their RPI that WKU and USA can secure at-large bids should MTSU win tonight...but it is lessened by the Colonial and WCC results

Also...does anyone work baggage customer service for an airline. I've been in Mobile for 3 days now and they still have no clue where my bag is...starting to worry

CMJ · March 11, 2008

Also...does anyone work baggage customer service for an airline. I've been in Mobile for 3 days now and they still have no clue where my bag is...starting to worry

Jesus dude. What airline did you fly? Jaydub used to have that gig...wonder if he still has connections.

jbchis · March 11, 2008

ESPN has WKU as one of the last four out. With San Diego coming up and winning the WCC, they're now gonna get 3 bids...the Colonial will get 2 b/c VCU lost. Its not out of the realm of possibility with their RPI that WKU and USA can secure at-large bids should MTSU win tonight...but it is lessened by the Colonial and WCC results
Also...does anyone work baggage customer service for an airline. I've been in Mobile for 3 days now and they still have no clue where my bag is...starting to worry

Depends on who is doing the analysis. Some dude was on Mike and Mike yesterday saying that VCU would be one of the 4 left out. It is obvious though that WKU would be on the bubble. Not sure how with such a strong RPI and 26 wins.

But you know that we have to get in that 10th ACC school or the 8th SEC school because they are clearly so much better than a bubble mid major with only a handful of losses. Tongue firmly in cheek.

CMJ · March 11, 2008

Depends on who is doing the analysis. Some dude was on Mike and Mike yesterday saying that VCU would be one of the 4 left out. It is obvious though that WKU would be on the bubble. Not sure how with such a strong RPI and 26 wins.
But you know that we have to get in that 10th ACC school or the 8th SEC school because they are clearly so much better than a bubble mid major with only a handful of losses. Tongue firmly in cheek.

Only 4 ACC schools are penciled in right now on ESPN's Bracketology. I think quite a few of the little guys are getting in.

untbowler · March 11, 2008

I have to think a WKU win would be better for any chance we have to get in the CBI.
I see it as:
NCAA
WKU
USA
NIT
Probably no one, but perhaps UALR being a divsion winner
CBI
Perhaps UALR or NT
On the other hand if MTSU wins tonight it'll probably be more like
NCAA
USA
MTSU
NIT
WKU
CBI
Maybe UALR

Not being rude but we do not deserve a post-season berth. to many losses to low RPI teams and being #7 seed in a middle road conference does not help. Low attendance, piss poor Road record will not get you into a post season tournament.

CMJ · March 11, 2008

Not being rude but we do not deserve a post-season berth. to many losses to low RPI teams and being #7 seed in a middle road conference does not help. Low attendance, piss poor Road record will not get you into a post season tournament.

Actually it was a 6.

We probably won't, but we have a shot. There are 113 spots available in postseason play. There are definitely some schools in the Big 6 that will probably refuse an NIT invitation - someone like Syracuse(who felt they got snubbed last year).

I'm too lazy to look it up, but let's for arguments sake say there are 90 schools with 20 wins. So after you get invite the Power league schools with say 17-18 wins you are gonna have several spots available for Mid Major types - like us.

EDIT: There are 83 schools currently with 20 or more wins by my count.

Edited March 11, 2008 by CMJ

untbowler · March 11, 2008

Actually it was a 6.
We probably won't, but we have a shot. There are 113 spots available in postseason play. There are definitely some schools in the Big 6 that will probably refuse an NIT invitation - someone like Syracuse(who felt they go snubbed last year).
I'm too lazy to look it up, but let's for arguments sake say there are 90 schools with 20 wins. So after you get invite the Power league schools with say 17-18 wins you are gonna have several spots available for Mid Major types - like us.
EDIT: There are 83 schools currently with 20 or more wins by my count.

Well it would be a long shot, but unfortunately tournaments would prefer a 15-15 major conference team over a 20 win mid-major conference. Much like the bowl games it is who you are and not your record that counts.

Quoner · March 11, 2008

Well it would be a long shot, but unfortunately tournaments would prefer a 15-15 major conference team over a 20 win mid-major conference. Much like the bowl games it is who you are and not your record that counts.

I would restate that as it is how well your fans support you in good times and in bad that counts.

UNTflyer · March 11, 2008

What happens if Middle wins Sun Belt?

Then one of the two best teams in the Belt gets screwed.

UNTflyer · March 11, 2008

Also...does anyone work baggage customer service for an airline. I've been in Mobile for 3 days now and they still have no clue where my bag is...starting to worry

That's what happens when you don't tip your baggage handler.

greenminer · March 11, 2008

Not being rude but we do not deserve a post-season berth. to many losses to low RPI teams and being #7 seed in a middle road conference does not help. Low attendance, piss poor Road record will not get you into a post season tournament.

If it happens, who'd argue!

Take the money, the press, and run...

CMJ · March 11, 2008

This guy uses ESPN's NCAA projections to then project the NIT and CBI. Doesn't have us in.

http://tcaa.puretecmo.com/bracket31008.html

And here is another guy's brackets for both NIT and CBI.

http://bracketproject.atspace.com/nit.html

Basically it appears that we'll need plenty of turn downs - which is possible(especially with the start up CBI). Realistically though, probably not.

bstnsportsfan3 · March 11, 2008

This guy uses ESPN's NCAA projections to then project the NIT and CBI. Doesn't have us in.
http://tcaa.puretecmo.com/bracket31008.html
And here is another guy's brackets for both NIT and CBI.
http://bracketproject.atspace.com/nit.html
Basically it appears that we'll need plenty of turn downs - which is possible(especially with the start up CBI). Realistically though, probably not.

what i am trying to figure out...its it just because they are in the Big 12 that Oklahoma state ( who we beat and has a worse record) gets in and we dont?

CMJ · March 11, 2008

what i am trying to figure out...its it just because they are in the Big 12 that Oklahoma state ( who we beat and has a worse record) gets in and we dont?

Well. they may not have the head to head over us, but they have some big wins(like Kansas). Playing in those Power leagues cuts both ways - more chances to lose tough games, but more chances to beat quality opponents.

They beat Baylor, A&M, Kansas, and Nebraska in the top 100 of the RPI.

We beat Oklahoma State and South Alabama.