Will an MVC team make the Final Four in the next 10 years?

[MoValley John]

Will a valley team make a Final Four run in the next decade? Heck, I don't know. My guess is somewhere close to Snapshot's, but I'd be a little more broad and guess 5-15%. Making the Final Four is a daunting task for any team, and even the top BcS conferences stuggle to get teams in. In reality, "non-BcS teams" have a stacked deck against them. And even though "non-BcS" teams have made it in three of the last five years, past that, it looks pretty bleak.

That said, the Valley is in about as good of shape as any "non-BCS" conference when it comes to being in position to have a team make a Final Four run. Still very long odds.

[panther-state]

Agreed, it is a remarkable feat for a non-BCS school to make that Final Four. The daunting part is that you have to be one of the top-notch teams in the nation out of what...350+ D.I schools? And then on top of that, you need to be hitting your stride in March and playing better basketball than 4-5 of those other "top-notch teams". Thats quite a mountain to climb and it's amazing that a team like Butler has not only done it two years in a row but then gone one-step further by making the championship game.

[Pinkie]

I can't even begin to imagine how much the fans of whatever MVC team that made a final four would lord it over the other 9 teams. It might be better for everyone if it doesn't occur.

[pafan]

I can't even begin to imagine how much the fans of whatever MVC team that made a final four would lord it over the other 9 teams. It might be better for everyone if it doesn't occur.

Only true if its one of the teams west of the mighty Mississippi. Us easterners may not know Phil Jackson from Puxatawney Phil, but we'll never brag.

[panther-state]

I can't even begin to imagine how much the fans of whatever MVC team that made a final four would lord it over the other 9 teams. It might be better for everyone if it doesn't occur.

Only true if its one of the teams west of the mighty Mississippi. Us easterners may not know Phil Jackson from Puxatawney Phil, but we'll never brag.

Ha! Love the sarcasm pafan, keep it

[CaseyGarrisonforPrez]

Ten years means 40 teams. We would be selling ourselves short if we did believe that there is a fighting chance to get there. If the Colonial and Horizon can do it twice, we should darn well believe that we can at least once in a decade.

[beatingrillz]

Problem with a valley team making it that far isn't skill. I would say the level of player in the league is equal or better than the horizon or caa. The problem is the valley bests tge crap out of each other and by the time we would get to the final4 we are exhausted. Only time will tell but I have to agree 10-15% that's our shot, now who is gonna take it.

[MSUDuo]

Problem with a valley team making it that far isn't skill. I would say the level of player in the league is equal or better than the horizon or caa. The problem is the valley bests tge crap out of each other and by the time we would get to the final4 we are exhausted. Only time will tell but I have to agree 10-15% that's our shot, now who is gonna take it.

Can't say I buy that argument. It wasn't like VCU won the CAA and ran away with it. They finished 4th or 5th and still made the run. Same for Butler this year. They had plenty of trouble in the regular season and were a 9 seed this time around. The last 5 years or so, the talent level has decreased in the Valley. Our non-conference records, recrods against BCS teams, and RPI's prove that. Hopefully we will get back to the early-mid 2000's levels again

[beatingrillz]

The difference is the bottom 5 teams in those 2 conferences don't put up a fight. Every team in the valley has to go to D+, ISUb, and EU even though they are basement dwellers they don't roll over.

[Jays26]

The difference is the bottom 5 teams in those 2 conferences don't put up a fight. Every team in the valley has to go to D+, ISUb, and EU even though they are basement dwellers they don't roll over.

Oh no....now we are going to hear from all the Syc fans....