The road to 2 NCAA bids

[musiccitybulldog]

I think a key with UNI not getting in is getting defeated by a large amount in the conference tournament loss. Every time I can remember a possible at-large getting beat by a large amount, they haven't been chosen. I remember in 2008 I thought Illinois State would be in for sure, I believe they had the right numbers. But the lop sided loss hurt them.

[VUGrad1314]

You guys sure you want to go to double byes?

HL Tournament:
4UIC 73 1Wright State 56

[Jsnhbe1Birds]

No question, yes.

[just ducky]

There is still value in being in the first 4 out. Those are automatic NIT #1 seeds. In 2016 that forced Texas Southern, Florida St and Saint Marys to the ARC when the last 2 would never have otherwise agreed. If this plays out perfectly for UNI then a couple of top notch programs who would not likely give them 1 or 2 or even 3 for 1's may have to make the trip.

If that happens then pound some lumps on them and keep up the good work at Madison Square Garden.

[VUGrad1314]

That's all well and good but you can't tell me you weren't as bummed as I was when we got left out. That year still stings even though that NIT run was fun and one of my favorite memories as a Valpo fan. You want that at large You want to be in the tournament.

[mvfcfan]

You guys sure you want to go to double byes?

HL Tournament:
4UIC 73 1Wright State 56

Hard pass. Attendance in St Louis will be worse than it already is. People tend to only show up when their school actually has a chance.

I used to be in favor of protecting the top seeds, but if you can't beat a Thursday team that played the night before then you have no business getting the automatic bid. Expanding to 12 would go a long ways. You would have to finish in the top 4 to avoid Thursday.

[just ducky]

You guys sure you want to go to double byes?

HL Tournament:
4UIC 73 1Wright State 56

Trust us that the double bye just isn't the answer. The 1 and 2 seeds sit on their duffs for a full week while the 3 to 10 seed winners play 2 games on that neutral floor and know the backgrounds like the back of their hands. Suddenly in the semi-finals those underdogs have an almost home court familiarity advantage. Been there. Done that . Hate it!

Last I looked Green Bay (the 3) was leading Northern Kentucky (the 2) in the second half. What a surprise.

[VUGrad1314]

And Gonzaga (another double bye team) is locked in a battle with San Francisco. Double byes are dangerous. They are not the answer.

[Mikovio]

Agree on going 12 and giving byes to 4 teams instead of the current 6. It would make Thursday a lot more interesting too. My votes are for Murray and Wright.

[VUGrad1314]

There's a lot to like about Wright State. Good market (Dayton) Nice arena (Nutter Center) Strong attendance (4000+ every game would likely increase with higher profile competition) Strong all sports profile (baseball team is generally excellent for starters. Volleyball often pretty good too. And if my memory serves solid in softball and women's basketball as well). Good basketball budget (in excess of $3million). Strong history with current league members (Loyola and Valpo specifically. Valpo fans used to really get up for the Wright State games which were often meaningful for the title race in the HL days). Generally solid Top 100 caliber basketball program that would be helped tremendously by the MVC scheduling which could push them up towards top 75 caliber.) Reasonably close to the Indiana schools and not horrible travel for most Illinois schools either. Does stretch the footprint and take the center further away from St Louis but at least they're in the I70 corridor. I would welcome them.