Championship Sunday

[Wufan]

I just want to say that I decidedly do not think Muller is classless, nor do I feel that way about McIntosh. While the Redbirds and Shocker coaching staffs have had cold moments in the past, I wouldn't put that on Muller, other than...he is ultimately responsible for the team. It's easy to point out that several "incidents" have occurred under his watch without public/meaningful punishment, but I have always viewed his public demeanor as one of character. A little work needs to be done to keep his kids in check, but otherwise he's okay.

McIntosh exited poorly. Still all the respect for him. Brown had a bad foul yesterday. He shouldn't have gone there, but...it's great to see some of these young and talented kids want to compete! More players in this conference need to stand up and say that they are tired of losing! I hope his attitude is focused in a more sportsmanlike way.

Not a Hawkins fan.

[Redhawk]

To those taking shots at ISU.

Remember, this is a program that hasn't been to the NCAA Tournament in 19 years, one that dedicated this run to SEVEN men who died tragically in a plane crash, including an assistant coach who was like a father to the two players who got dinged with technical fouls. If you can't understand the frustration, then you probably need a reality check.

When you deal with that kind of adversity and likely see the end of your dream come true, frustration will happen. Part of life. Just wondering if some of you have any clue. Have some perspective, like your coaching staff who handled today with pure class.

[acesfool]

To those taking shots at ISU.

Remember, this is a program that hasn't been to the NCAA Tournament in 19 years, one that dedicated this run to SEVEN men who died tragically in a plane crash, including an assistant coach who was like a father to the two players who got dinged with technical fouls. If you can't understand the frustration, then you probably need a reality check.

When you deal with that kind of adversity and likely see the end of your dream come true, frustration will happen. Part of life. Just wondering if some of you have any clue. Have some perspective, like your coaching staff who handled today with pure class.

Amen! The Birds deserve a bid! NIT or NCAA go get em Birds.

I believe the Birds are an automatic NIT qualifier.

[mvcfan]

To those taking shots at ISU.

Remember, this is a program that hasn't been to the NCAA Tournament in 19 years, one that dedicated this run to SEVEN men who died tragically in a plane crash, including an assistant coach who was like a father to the two players who got dinged with technical fouls. If you can't understand the frustration, then you probably need a reality check.

When you deal with that kind of adversity and likely see the end of your dream come true, frustration will happen. Part of life. Just wondering if some of you have any clue. Have some perspective, like your coaching staff who handled today with pure class.

Amen! The Birds deserve a bid! NIT or NCAA go get em Birds.

I believe the Birds are an automatic NIT qualifier.

I don't think that is true. Not all conferences have 2nd place finishers that qualify. The NIT just invites the programs that are deserving that weren't invited to the NCAA Tournament. There is no doubt that the Redbirds are deserving of either an NCAA or NIT bid. We will not receive any other bids to the NIT.

[Shockerfan13]

Amen! The Birds deserve a bid! NIT or NCAA go get em Birds.

I believe the Birds are an automatic NIT qualifier.

I don't think that is true. Not all conferences have 2nd place finishers that qualify. The NIT just invites the programs that are deserving that weren't invited to the NCAA Tournament. There is no doubt that the Redbirds are deserving of either an NCAA or NIT bid. We will not receive any other bids to the NIT.

Pretty sure that all Regular Season conference champs that don't make the NCAA tourney automatically get invited to the NIT. Not sure how they treat conferences that have a tie. But technically I believe they should get an automatic invite as they were co-champs

[TheAsianSensation]

ISU has an automatic bid to the NIT as the regular season champion who got the 1 seed for the conference tournament.

They'd be good enough for an at-large bid to the NIT if they needed it, obviously.

The only regret is that Illinois' run means they won't be a low enough seed to be forced to travel to ISU in the tournament.

[BirdsEyeView]

Wow ISUR are such a classy team.... LOL

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GSMNWJk4OAs

Talk about class.

You're a trash play-in fan. Enjoy the offseason.

Come on man. Who you are as a person is not reflected by the team he roots for. "Trash play-in fan" comment was uncalled for.

Just because you cheer for the Shox does not make you any better than anyone else.

[BirdsEyeView]

From a columnist in the local paper here in Bloomington (not even a sports writer)...

Illinois State's basketball team is clearly not as good as Wichita State's, and now the discussion is whether ISU can possibly get into the NCAA field after losing to Wichita on Sunday by 20.

Perhaps, however, the discussion should be on just how good -- and obviously under-rated -- is Wichita State?

Yes, ISU (with 27 wins) deserves to be among the country's top 70 teams.
And Wichita deserves much better regard.

[TheObserver]

Come on man. Who you are as a person is not reflected by the team he roots for. "Trash play-in fan" comment was uncalled for.

Just because you cheer for the Shox does not make you any better than anyone else.

I just don't get you. A Bradley fan can come on here and troll a fan base after a championship and that gets you no looks. But I RESPOND to those derogatory comments and I'm the one that gets the lecture.

Because I'm sure you have shown such restraint when seeing comments you don't like on this board. Please spare me.

And my team is BETTER. This is a message board and that's how these things work.

[municup14]

Congratulations to the shox,I'm sure they will represent the Valley well.
Now the Birds will have the waiting game.I believe they should get in.
Hopefully there won't be any upsets in the power conferences tournaments.
Lastly,I wish they would do away with conference tournaments.Reason why
You can have a team that does not perform well all season,then gets hot
During the conference tournament and knock out a team like Illinois St who
Has done well all year.Award the regular season champ with the NCAA bid.