UNI #22 in today's ESPN/USA Today Top 25 poll-

[Da Coach]

UNI #22 in today's ESPN/USA Today Top 25 poll

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/rankings?pollId=2

UNI was #15 today in RPI rankings-
http://realtimerpi.com/rpi_Men.html

[Braves4Life]

Guess we just had a simultaneous post


UNI has jumped seven spots to No. 20 in the Associated Press top-25 poll
(Jan. 18 ), and the Panthers are No. 22 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches
poll. It's the highest-ever ranking for UNI in men's basketball. Prior
to UNI, Drake was the MVC's last ranked team (season-ending polls of
2007-08 ). The Valley has had six different teams ranked in the Top 25
since 2006.

[MacabreMob]

Here's how it typically works for Mid-Majors and the MVC... get in the Polls one week, then get beat, drop out of the polls and never be heard from again in the polls.

January 18th
UNI ranked

January 19th
UNI at Wichita St

Good luck Panthers.

[SFP]

I do not see WSU beating them! I also believe WSU is not really that good. They play great D, play hard for 40 minutes and rebound as well as anyone but in terms of talent they are average. They are not a lock to finish 2nd IMO.

[Bravesfan]

I do not see WSU beating them! I also believe WSU is not really that good. They play great D, play hard for 40 minutes and rebound as well as anyone but in terms of talent they are average. They are not a lock to finish 2nd IMO.

Oh I agree that 2nd place will be a free-for-all this year. And there in lies the problem regarding the Valley's chances at multiple bids. I said several times before the season began this year that we need three or four teams to break ahead of the rest of the pack and finish within a game or two of first place. What I'm seeing now is one team on the cusp of running away with the league again with any of seven or eight teams with a shot of 2nd and 3rd! This will give us plenty of NIT bids, but only two NCAA bids if someone takes out UNI in the MVCT.

I would like to congratulate UNI on their ranking and hope they continue to play well, outside of their rematch in Peoria of course! However, I'm a little torn on how I want the game tomorrow night to turn out. If UNI wins, they are on track for a runaway Valley title and top 10 to 15 ranking by the end of the season, which would lead to a nice high seed in the NCAA Tournament, maybe a 5 or even 4 seed. A UNI loss to WSU however keeps WSU in the at-large discussion, but at the sacrifice of UNI's ranking. Either scenerio gives the Valley national publicity, but right now I agree with today's ESPN Weekly Watch scenerio that the Valley is a one bid conference for now and that tomorrow night's game is an absolute must for WSU.

Also nice props by ESPN for calling WSU's arena an underrated place in the country for a great college atmosphere. I don't think WSU is as good as UNI either, but UNI will still have it's work cut out for them tomorrow night!

[Braves4Life]

I do not see WSU beating them! I also believe WSU is not really that good. They play great D, play hard for 40 minutes and rebound as well as anyone but in terms of talent they are average. They are not a lock to finish 2nd IMO.

Can't agree here SFP. I think WSU is one of the most talented teams in the Valley and I think they will beat UNI at home..... maybe by a lot

[SFP]

Can't agree here SFP. I think WSU is one of the most talented teams in the Valley and I think they will beat UNI at home..... maybe by a lot

Time will tell! Did you watch them lose to CU?

[MacabreMob]

If UNI wins, they are on track for a runaway Valley title and top 10 to 15 ranking by the end of the season, which would lead to a nice high seed in the NCAA Tournament, maybe a 5 or even 4 seed.

I doubt a 5 (or even 4). I'd say 6 will be about as high as they will get. Don't get me wrong - I agree a 5 or 4 would be more deserving, but they will get snubbed and get no higher than a 6.

And... if they don't runaway with the MVC, I'd have to say they are likely a 7 at best, but more likely locked into the 8/9 seed. And the 8/9 IMO is the ABSOLUTE WORST seeding a team can get (outside of a 16, of course ).

[Bravesfan]

Time will tell! Did you watch them lose to CU?

I did, but as bad as CU is this year, they're still hard to beat at home. And if we almost beat UNI at their place, then tomorrow's UNI/WSU game could easily go either way. It should be interesting!

[Bravesfan]

I doubt a 5 (or even 4). I'd say 6 will be about as high as they will get. Don't get me wrong - I agree a 5 or 4 would be more deserving, but they will get snubbed and get no higher than a 6.

And... if they don't runaway with the MVC, I'd have to say they are likely a 7 at best, but more likely locked into the 8/9 seed. And the 8/9 IMO is the ABSOLUTE WORST seeding a team can get (outside of a 16, of course ).

I'd just like to see UNI get a win or two in the NCAA Tournament as a Valley representative, irregardless of whether or not we get there ourselves.

[MacabreMob]

Here's how it typically works for Mid-Majors and the MVC... get in the Polls one week, then get beat, drop out of the polls and never be heard from again in the polls.

January 18th
UNI ranked

January 19th
UNI at Wichita St

Good luck Panthers.

Looks like Vegas knows what's going on.... Wichita St opens up a 3 point FAVORITE OVER UNI.

[electricmayhem]

Looks like Vegas knows what's going on.... Wichita St opens up a 3 point FAVORITE OVER UNI.

This doesn't mean anything... wasn't UNI a dog at SIU and ISU?

I expect UNI to handle WSU tonight.

One thing to note: WSU is 11-0 at home and has won their games by an average of 19 points. 67-65 UNI

[MacabreMob]

This doesn't mean anything...

That's why I was "laughing" with the smiley. () I was only joking. But I suppose I shoulda had a wink () and a roll of the eyes () as well as the laughing () so it would be known I was only joking.

[BUBalum05]

UNI vs WSU is on ESPN-U tonight for those who have that channel.