Andy Katz 03-02-2010

[Dallas Brave]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=katz_andy&id=4958699

MVC

Top seed: Northern Iowa (25-4, 15-3)
Storyline: The more I look at Northern Iowa's profile, the more I see the Panthers as an NCAA tourney team regardless of what occurs this week in St. Louis. I know not all of the same criteria apply to mid-majors (such as beating NCAA tournament-bound teams). But this squad has won on the road and for the most part has been one of the more consistent teams this season. But historically, the favorite for "Arch Madness" hasn't fared all that well. Wichita State still has the talent as the No. 2 seed to take down the Panthers -- the Shockers already did it once in Wichita.
I also wouldn't sleep on the winner of Creighton-Bradley, which likely would face UNI in a semifinal. And remember when Missouri State was one of the last remaining unbeaten teams? Well, the Bears slipped to No. 7 in the standings. If they beat Evansville, why can't they be a sleeper against Wichita and make a run to the semifinals, too? The final will be on CBS on Sunday, and if UNI isn't in the game, someone will be sweating out the following Sunday.

[Bravesfan]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=katz_andy&id=4958699

MVC

Top seed: Northern Iowa (25-4, 15-3)
Storyline: The more I look at Northern Iowa's profile, the more I see the Panthers as an NCAA tourney team regardless of what occurs this week in St. Louis. I know not all of the same criteria apply to mid-majors (such as beating NCAA tournament-bound teams). But this squad has won on the road and for the most part has been one of the more consistent teams this season. But historically, the favorite for "Arch Madness" hasn't fared all that well. Wichita State still has the talent as the No. 2 seed to take down the Panthers -- the Shockers already did it once in Wichita.
I also wouldn't sleep on the winner of Creighton-Bradley, which likely would face UNI in a semifinal. And remember when Missouri State was one of the last remaining unbeaten teams? Well, the Bears slipped to No. 7 in the standings. If they beat Evansville, why can't they be a sleeper against Wichita and make a run to the semifinals, too? The final will be on CBS on Sunday, and if UNI isn't in the game, someone will be sweating out the following Sunday.

You beat me to it by about fifteen minutes Dallas Brave. But I will add a couple of comments.

First, some nice love for UNI by Katz (and from ESPN's Bubble Watch and Joe Lunardi for that matter). I think they are in a better position then Creighton was last year, even with that bad loss to Evansville. And I agree that the Shockers will give them a run for their money. At least that's if UNI is still around by the Valley final.

I was also about to say that while Katz believes Creighton and Bradley could be dangerous, hasn't that been said about Bradley the last five years or so? Especially by the MVC network commentators. Hopefully this will be the year when their predictions come true!

[BradleyBrave]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=katz_andy&id=4958699

MVC

Top seed: Northern Iowa (25-4, 15-3)
Storyline: The more I look at Northern Iowa's profile, the more I see the Panthers as an NCAA tourney team regardless of what occurs this week in St. Louis. I know not all of the same criteria apply to mid-majors (such as beating NCAA tournament-bound teams). But this squad has won on the road and for the most part has been one of the more consistent teams this season. But historically, the favorite for "Arch Madness" hasn't fared all that well. Wichita State still has the talent as the No. 2 seed to take down the Panthers -- the Shockers already did it once in Wichita.
I also wouldn't sleep on the winner of Creighton-Bradley, which likely would face UNI in a semifinal. And remember when Missouri State was one of the last remaining unbeaten teams? Well, the Bears slipped to No. 7 in the standings. If they beat Evansville, why can't they be a sleeper against Wichita and make a run to the semifinals, too? The final will be on CBS on Sunday, and if UNI isn't in the game, someone will be sweating out the following Sunday.

UNI won't be the one sweating.

3-0 against the RPI top 50.
8-1 against the RPI top 100.

Done and done.

[squirrelgotdead]

What's funny about UNI is they are safe, but all their losses are BAD losses.

That point would be accentuated if they lose in the quarters in St. Louis. I think that's an easy point for the Committee to use against them.

[LittleBrave]

I was also about to say that while Katz believes Creighton and Bradley could be dangerous, hasn't that been said about Bradley the last five years or so? Especially by the MVC network commentators. Hopefully this will be the year when their predictions come true!

Yes - I remember Spoon saying that too several times.
The first time was when BU beat Missouri St. pretty handily in the final game of the MVC reg. season. He said something like, "Nobody wants to face Bradley this weekend." Then #7 BU faced #10 ISU and got a whippin', and then NOBODY was worried about Bradley.

Does anyone remember - was that the year before the Sweet 16 season? Maybe 2 years before.

[squirrelgotdead]

You're thinking of 2004:

BU finished the season winning 5 of 6 with the loss being the near upset of nationally ranked SIU in Carbondale.

Then we lost to ISU by 20 in the tournament.

[BradleyBrave]

Aren't we the team 'no one wants to face' every year? Isn't that usually the bad team that occasionally can beat a good one? I personally would rather be the #1 seed. Usually teams don't want to play the best one, it's the hardest path to a title.

Also, doesn't Evansville has as much right to that claim as we do? They've beaten the top 2 teams as many times this year as we have, and finished the season with a road win. Just sayin'.

[squirrelgotdead]

Every year! Right where we want to be: Under the radar with the target on our backs! Up 13 or down 2 at half, it doesn't matter! We're always strategically placed.

[houstontxbrave]

Every year! Right where we want to be: Under the radar with the target on our backs! Up 13 or down 2 at half, it doesn't matter! We're always strategically placed.

LOL negative hater

[tornado]

Summary of Katz' column = anyone might win and no sure bets (he uses more words)

[Grassman]

Yes - I remember Spoon saying that too several times.
The first time was when BU beat Missouri St. pretty handily in the final game of the MVC reg. season. He said something like, "Nobody wants to face Bradley this weekend." Then #7 BU faced #10 ISU and got a whippin', and then NOBODY was worried about Bradley.

Does anyone remember - was that the year before the Sweet 16 season? Maybe 2 years before.

I just remember Trey Guidry going off on us with 3's. We got slammed, it was awful.

[MacabreMob]

No mention of ISU.

I'm taking them as the "sleeper" to win 3 in St Louis. Dinma's been a force down the stretch and "O" gets to the Dance finally getting his national exposure.

As ISU knocks off UNI in the title game... a bubble will burst on UIUC. So not only will Bradley "own" UIUC, ISU will "steal" their NCAA bid.

[LittleBrave]

I'm taking I.S.U. to win it all too. They are a veteran group and hungry to finally win after 2 straight championship losses.
The difference between previous seasons is their intense, strong style of play and they don't always rely on O-Hawk to carry them.
If they lose again, they'll be stuck in the NIT yet again...
oh - if only BU had that problem.

Hey! Just realized 2 things we have in common with the Redbirds. (can you find them above? Other than not relying on O-Hawk to carry us )

Much will be forgotten with a win Friday!

[SaintLouBrave22]

I'll take the Shox in the final...


I am impressed though that Katz actually even knew what seeds teams were...


Seems someone other than Gottlieb actually pays attention to mids at ESPN...



Now if they could only figure out why they can't find Bradley University in Indiana...

[Bravesfan]

Aren't we the team 'no one wants to face' every year? Isn't that usually the bad team that occasionally can beat a good one? I personally would rather be the #1 seed. Usually teams don't want to play the best one, it's the hardest path to a title.

Also, doesn't Evansville has as much right to that claim as we do? They've beaten the top 2 teams as many times this year as we have, and finished the season with a road win. Just sayin'.

Very good points! It seems every conference tournament has that one "bad" team that gets hot at the right time and upsets their way into the NCAA Tournament, or at the very least the conference tournament final.

I for one though hope we are that team this year.