ESPN chat observation

[Bravesfan]

Interesting question from ESPN's Dana O'Neil chat from earlier this week:


Chris (St. Louis)


How many teams will make the NCAA Tournament from the Valley? What do you think of Northern Iowa? R they for real or being overhyped?

Dana O'Neil (3:38 PM)


Chris: Valley is interesting this year. No one is really talking about them, which is odd. They don't have any holy smokes wins, which is probably why but I think Northern Iowa is legit. I could make a case for 3 but it's early.


I have to agree that it is odd no one is talking about this conference, though I think a lot more will be once UNI is ranked on Monday, providing they take care of business at home against Indiana St.

WSU is most certainly an at-large contender as well, and someone out of this middle third (which will change a lot over the next month) will make a strong case with a late run. With 6 or 7 teams consistently ranking in the RPI top 100 in the Valley, it will be interesting to see how all of these good teams will help solidify the resumes of the at-large contenders. As always, the Bracketbuster will be a very important factor come Selection Sunday as well.

[squirrelgotdead]

I wouldn't say its odd. . .there's really no reason to talk about the Valley right now. . .

UNI of course is legitimate.

But you have Wichita State #2 right now. They are 16-2, 5-1. Against one of the weakest schedules in DI, so people are still suspect as this was a play-in team last season. They still need to prove SOMETHING. Their next two are @ Creighton, who at 8-9 (when was the last time CU had a losing record at this point in the season. . .anyone?) are going to be motivated to get back to .500. A win here gives them credibility. They then host UNI. Big 2 game series here. WSU is not an NCAA team without wins in both, IMO.

Illinois State wasn't an NCAA team because of their weak sked the last two seasons. No real improvement to the schedule and the team isn't doing as well, so no buzz there.

Missouri State has the same problem as Wichita, that people are skeptical since this was a play-in team last year and their schedule isn't exactly noteworthy. But I think they can play themselves into a position like Wichita. But they've got a lot of work to do.

Creighton as pointed out earlier is 8-9. Big time disappointment.

Indiana State at present has the 5th most wins overall out of the league, but most agree this may still be a play-in team.

I guess the Valley's situation this year is odd at this point, so I don't think it's odd that people aren't buzzing about it. Don't get me wrong, the Valley is a great league still.