Better season - Creighton or Wichita State?

[saluki762]

I can name every mid-major team that's made the Sweet 16 since 2006 off the top of my head.

Says the mid-major fan. Talk to the average Kentucky fan. They don't know who won the MVC or that WSU was in the S16 in 2006. Neither matters next year. Whoever said Final Fours are all that matters is correct.

The average fan, one that only pays attention around tournament time remembers Butler and VCU, maybe George Mason but even that run is forgettable now.

WSU has had the better season but neither season means anything yet.

I think you guys can make a Final Four run but you won't have any long term returns coming your way yet.

That's absurd.

Of course the average Kentucky fan can't name the mid-major Sweet 16 teams. But every single year, the underdogs in the Sweet 16 are hyped. I could literally link you more than 100 articles that have been written about WSU in the last week.

As I said, the average fan on the street can't name the Sweet 16 teams from last year. Almost all of them can name the Sweet 16 teams from THIS year, though. And the average fan on the street doesn't even know the MVC exists. There's no doubt a Final Four has more lasting importance ... no on would ever argue that. But to say that a Sweet 16 isn't very important for the national prestige of a team is insane for a fan of a team that is only remembered today because of two Sweet 16 teams in the last decade.

I used Kentucky fan as an example. No doubt, SIU, UNI and WSU get mentions this time of year. A better example is Bradley in 2006. When how many mentions does that get now?

My only point is that S16 runs are aside mentions during a tourney and only mentioned 3-5 years later when said team is playing again or the team they beat is playing. The truly lasting remembrance comes from Final Four appearances.

I am in 100% agreement that WSU already has a better season than Creighton. I also believe that you all have as good a chance at a Final Four appearance as any team left in this tourney.

Make the Final Four and 90% of college basketball fans will have you stuck in their brain for 10 years. Get eliminated tonight (god I hope not) and in 3 years 80% of college basketball fans will have forgotten the run until you are mentioned in tourney coverage.

How many of you vividly remember that Cornell and St. Mary's were S16 teams in 2010? How many casual fans do?

[SHOXMVC]

Seth Davis just made a prediction, with a foam Wu Shock in tow, that WSU would make the final 4. I must have missed it when he held up a foam Blue Jay after their conference and tournament title. I would like for WSU to own those 2 titles as well...buuuuuuuut our run is sure gratifying.

[uniftw]

Seth Davis just made a prediction, with a foam Wu Shock in tow, that WSU would make the final 4. I must have missed it when he held up a foam Blue Jay after their conference and tournament title. I would like for WSU to own those 2 titles as well...buuuuuuuut our run is sure gratifying.

I am the only one in a pool at work that picked WSU...I had them going to the Elite 8...needless to say I'm doing pretty well.

[Wufan]

This silly thread can now be put to rest.

[Aces0976]

Game......Set........Match

[Ricardo del Rio]

I hate this thread.

The Jays had a terrific season. Absolutley terrific.

[horacepinker]

Ron Baker will be on JIm Rome today talking about the Sweet 16.......I wonder when Dougie is going on Rome to talk about their regular season and tournament titles????? I mean they are both equal.....right?

Oops. Wait for it.......

Oops. Wait for it......elite 8......biatch!

[cu36]

I'm not going to argue which outcome I would rather have, going to the Elite 8 is by far a greater achievement than winning the regular season or the MVC tournament, even both in the same season. I remember Bradley's run, WSU's run and UNI's run in previous NCAAs. I was watching because they were in the Valley and I was rooting for them. Ali's shot against Kansas really sticks out to the nation because, obviously, they were about to knock off a 1 seed. But his shot stands out even more because when he shot I was thinking 'what the hell are you doing, just hold the ball and run clock...' then it went in and sealed the deal for UNI. That shot was one of the gutsiest shots I have ever seen, and it went in. That's why I think it gets shown so often. As far as making a Sweet 16, Elite 8 or even a Final Four run and its effect on future seasons, where are Bradley and UNI now? The more relevant question is where is George Mason now? They made the Final Four, would anyone from WSU be proud to say they tried to recruit a player but he went to George Mason because they made a Final Four? I doubt it, but I could be wrong.

I'm not trying to downplay the success of WSU this season, and I hope they win it all, but as far as future recruits go, most will take KU who makes unbelievably early exits in the NCAAs over a mid major who had a good season last year. For the last 15 years I have been hoping these runs will make better futures for mid majors, but recruits, just like many fans, can be very fickle.

I hope WSU continues their run, I hope they beat OSU and whoever else in the finals. But until that happens be prepared to be another highlight that gets run every March and has very little effect on whether a top-notch recruit will play for you or not.

I wish WSU luck and will be rooting for you.

[GoShockers89]

Backhanded compliments

Wichita State in the NCAA Tournament = Arnold Schwarzenegger against Predator

Creighton in the NCAA Tournament = Stephen Hawking in a dance-off


Thanks for the "best wishes."

[cu36]

Sorry, I'll dumb it down for you.

I = happy for WSU's success in the NCAAs.

You = too optimistic on the effect of success this year on the future.

I didn't intend for my compliments to come off as back-handed, your success this year is the envy of the Valley. But stating that a good run in the NCAAs is a guarantee on future success is not backed up by past results. That's all I was saying, hopefully this year proves me wrong as I do hope for continued success for all Valley teams.