2/16 Valley Standings

[thefish7]

Opinion on the board is all over the place, but my sentiments follow BradleyBrave and it's boogie time regarding the CBI. Of course I want the NCAA and then NIT first... But, I had a great time with the CBI last year and think it was a positive for the program overall.

[Bravesfan]

Obviously the NIT would be the goal for any team that does not win in STL... but what is the general consenus on this board about the CBI? You got to see your team for x more games then expected. You got Ruffin, Crouch, and crew a few more games in college... you got your young players a chance to play in the "post season"... what were the negatives? Do/did most posters/fans agree that it was good to do, and would want to do it again if the chance arises this year? Did BU make or lost money? I hear you have to guarantee some $$ to the CBI or NCAA to host games... just curious... i didn't follow the board much when you guys were playing in it

I definately like the CBI or any other new tournament that comes about. I also like the fact that the CBI is set up to favor teams that draw good crowds just like the old NIT did. And anytime extra games are played during the postseason, especially at home, that is a good thing. However, with the NIT more selective on who gets to play, the NIT is a bit more prestigious than it was in recent years. Therefore the NIT is the ultimate goal for those teams that don't make the NCAA Tournament.

But again if we don't make the NIT, any other postseason tournament is a good thing in that seniors get to extend their playing careers and returning players get invaluable experience. And Bradley now has a "history" with the CBI and probably gets at least two home games against more BCS teams as I believe more will participate this time around.

So yes, any postseason is good. I know some around here will find anything less than the NIT a major disappointment, but anything is better than sitting at home watching others playing. So while the NIT would represent an improvement over last year, the CBI or CI.com tourneys are good rewards for a decent year as well.

[Bradleyguy10]

I had fun also last year...and it had great benefits. I just don't know if I could stomach it...saying Bradley is in the CBI...again

[oilerpimp]

I just don't know if I could stomach it...saying Bradley is in the CBI...again

As opposed to saying "Bradley is at home cleaning out their lockers...again."? I just don't understand. I have yet to see a viable, legitimate reason (ex.: university costs, recruiting disadvantages, players missing classes, etc. ) that should prevent us from participating in this post-season tournament. I'm not saying there isn't one, just that I have yet to hear it.

[shaunguth]

I'd make the argument that only the NCAA selection committee is really looking at that. Since we're not fighting for an at-large bid, I think the 14th win could be considered a little more valid. I don't know if the CBI/NIT/Barnum & Bailey circus tournaments care about this ... but they might?

The RPI does not take into account wins/losses against any team other than D-I and I'm not sure about the NIT these days. I happen to think it's a little silly to count them since it should be considered "padding" a team's record. I guess where 20-win seasons depend on it, then it makes sense.

Yes, I'm all for the CBI if we aren't good enough to make the NCAA or NIT! I have no idea why anyone would be against it. I really wish illinois state was put in the position of accepting/declining the offer since many of their fans seemed to think it was ridiculous that we enjoyed watching our team play all those extra home games!

[Rusty 54]

I am for the CBI. Anyting to prolong the season. Here is an interesting question, would you rather lose in the second round of the NIT or lose in the final in the CBI?

[cpacmel]

Yes, I'm all for the CBI if we aren't good enough to make the NCAA or NIT! I have no idea why anyone would be against it. I really wish illinois state was put in the position of accepting/declining the offer since many of their fans seemed to think it was ridiculous that we enjoyed watching our team play all those extra home games!

Now Shaun, that is taking it out of perspective just a tad. I don't think many ISU fans are against the CBI. I know personally, I don't have a problem with it. What I am against is people who BOAST about being in the CBI tourney as if it's based on Merit or something like that. Like the CBI is rewarding teams for their fine regular season play.

It's great for fans and player development. But let's be honest, it's not a merit based tourney that awards teams for their regular season play like other tournies. The CBI lost some of it's footing when teams declined invites AND when it included an under .500 team in Cincy in the field.

[Da Coach]

Every team in the CBI had a winning record, except Cincinnati. And they were chosen as the sole representative from The Big East, the #1 conference in the country.

Furthermore, there were teams in the CBI who were better than, and had better RPIs than some of the teams in the NCAA and NIT tournaments.

[cpacmel]

Every team in the CBI had a winning record, except Cincinnati. And they were chosen as the sole representative from The Big East, the #1 conference in the country.

I don't believe the Big East was the #1 conference last season. I believe they were #5.

http://www.kenpom.com/confrank.php?y=2008

A better Big East choice would have been Seton Hall. But the Hall balked at the CBI: http://www.northjersey.com/collegesp...ough_sell.html

Furthermore, there were teams in the CBI who were better than, and had better RPIs than some of the teams in the NCAA and NIT tournaments.

Only better (RPI wise) than teams that got rewarded by winning their conference's automatic bids in the NCAA tourney and NIT tourneys. RIGHT?

[TheAsianSensation]

We're in our extremeties for an NIT bid. We need a run just for that. It would probably require jumping an MVC team in the pecking order, and that's nigh impossible because of ISU's gaudy record, Creighton's overall profile, and UNI's league record.

Translation: CBI.