Who you rooting for, Top 2 or the field?

[pafan]

Whatever happens, it's now official that both Wichita State and Creighton will be ranked during the conference tournament. Is this the first time that has ever happened? (I realize there were two ranked Valley teams at the same time in the early 1980s, but don't know if that lasted until the tournament)

I know that it hasn't happened since 1982, because the Valley hasn't had two teams ranked in the top 25 in the same poll (any week) since February 1983.

So there's only six years it could possibly have happened, since the tournament era didn't start until 1977.

(Source for the 1982 date is Creighton's SID, Rob Anderson, who has now assembled an 83 page media guide for Creighton vs. DU/BU )

[Ace Dad]

There are 6 Valley teams that can win a NCAA game.

As my comrades said a couple of years ago:

"No way can UNI beat Kansas."

[GarH]

I'm a Shocker fan so of course I want my Shocks to finally win the tourney. It's long overdue.

[getreal4]

There are 6 Valley teams that can win a NCAA game."

Not possible this year, most would be playing 2 or 3 seed teams. The only Valley team with any respect beyond Wichita St & Creighton is UNI. If UNI wins the MVC tourney, they are a 13 or 14 seed at best and would have no chance to win their first round game unless Mitchell turns into Kwadzo Ahelegbe and Jay Koch turns into Adam. I thought the Bears had a slight chance a month ago, but the Bears went considerably backwards late in the season. Aces would have to shoot 70% or better to win and the only good win by the Aces was over defenseless Creighton ( 6 or 7 seed ? ) during the Jays swoon. Swept by the Bulldogs doesn't add to your argument that the Aces could beat a 2 or 3 seed team. Redbirds didn't beat a good team all season, only one win over a top 100 team?

None of these teams could beat a 2 or 3 seed NCAA team this season, too many weaknesses in our midpack teams. And none of them have shown the toughness needed for a big upset. IMO

[Ace Dad]

There are 6 Valley teams that can win a NCAA game."

Not possible this year, most would be playing 2 or 3 seed teams. The only Valley team with any respect beyond Wichita St & Creighton is UNI. If UNI wins the MVC tourney, they are a 13 or 14 seed at best and would have no chance to win their first round game unless Mitchell turns into Kwadzo Ahelegbe and Jay Koch turns into Adam. I thought the Bears had a slight chance a month ago, but the Bears went considerably backwards late in the season. Aces would have to shoot 70% or better to win and the only good win by the Aces was over defenseless Creighton ( 6 or 7 seed ? ) during the Jays swoon. Swept by the Bulldogs doesn't add to your argument that the Aces could beat a 2 or 3 seed team. Redbirds didn't beat a good team all season, only one win over a top 100 team?

None of these teams could beat a 2 or 3 seed NCAA team this season, too many weaknesses in our midpack teams. And none of them have shown the toughness needed for a big upset. IMO

Where did I say the Aces was among the 6?

One game. Sorry. We disagree. One game. You never know.

[jaybydna]

A CU/WSU final is a nationally televised game on CBS between two ranked teams from the Missouri Valley - and each of them will have a nice winning streak going if they make the finals. That's going to get a national audience. A finals game between - say Illinois State and Creighton or Evansville and WSU would probably get less than half the viewers as a CU/WSU final.

I know fans of any school not named WSU or CU think an upset is best for the league. I can't buy that at all. If either CU or WSU loses before the finals, it could drop them by as much as 2 seeding spots. A win in the finals over a ranked team could easily bump either CU or wWSU up a spot from where they might be seeded today. Better seeds equls a better chance of winning.

The Valley's reputation would be best improved with 2 top-25 tems in the finals and two teams each winning at least a game in the NCAA's. The chances of that happening in the NCAA's is improved with a WSU/CU final.

Ditto

[Ace Dad]

A CU/WSU final is a nationally televised game on CBS between two ranked teams from the Missouri Valley - and each of them will have a nice winning streak going if they make the finals. That's going to get a national audience. A finals game between - say Illinois State and Creighton or Evansville and WSU would probably get less than half the viewers as a CU/WSU final.

I know fans of any school not named WSU or CU think an upset is best for the league. I can't buy that at all. If either CU or WSU loses before the finals, it could drop them by as much as 2 seeding spots. A win in the finals over a ranked team could easily bump either CU or wWSU up a spot from where they might be seeded today. Better seeds equls a better chance of winning.

The Valley's reputation would be best improved with 2 top-25 tems in the finals and two teams each winning at least a game in the NCAA's. The chances of that happening in the NCAA's is improved with a WSU/CU final.

Ditto

Nope. Nope. Nope.

Conferences are judged by how many teams they get in and how those teams fare, especially in the first round.

WSU and CU are going to have to play the better teams sooner or later. I do not buy the theory of "give me an easier team first." Beat the team you see in the first round and you never know.

A 3rd Valley team, this year, is better than the record shows. Look at how the midlings have given both WSU and CU a run for their money.

[2livewu]

What?

First we're judged by how we do, especially in the 1st round, but WSU and CU somehow don't deserve an easier matchup?

You aren't making any sense. Are you saying the best thing is to have Evansville (for instance) win the tourney, then in all likelihood get pounded in the 1st round while CU and WSU get tougher 1st round opponents they will have a harder time defeating? You think that's what's best?

What's best for the Valley is for CU and WSU to get the best seeds they can so they can win multiple games, and then take that momentum and star quality into next year.

[Ace Dad]

What?

First we're judged by how we do, especially in the 1st round, but WSU and CU somehow don't deserve an easier matchup?

You aren't making any sense. Are you saying the best thing is to have Evansville (for instance) win the tourney, then in all likelihood get pounded in the 1st round while CU and WSU get tougher 1st round opponents they will have a harder time defeating? You think that's what's best?

What's best for the Valley is for CU and WSU to get the best seeds they can so they can win multiple games, and then take that momentum and star quality into next year.

Call me stupid. I am.

I want 3 teams in the tournament.

I want a UNI, or Indiana State, or Drake to have a chance at a first round game.

I want CU and WSU to beat the team they play. I do not buy this crap about playing a easy game in the first round and then harder games later. The Shockers and the Jays are going to have to beat these teams sooner or later before they get to the Sweet Sixteen.

[UNIFanSince1983]

With the brackets the way they are right now (Lunardi on ESPN) WSU has a good chance at going to the Sweet Sixteen, and CU has a good shot at one win for sure. The only way CU or WSU get really hurt is if one loses in the first round of the tourney to the play in team. They probably won't get helped too much either by winning the whole thing. I think they move up or down 1 each depending.

I am clearly biased and want UNI to win. I think 3 is better than 2 even if it means one worse seed for either WSU or CU. Tough call though. Better seeds technically give you a better chance, but if you look Drake had a 5 and lost in the first round we had a 9 and wend to the Sweet Sixteen so you just never really know.