ESPN's Pat Forde disses Northern Iowa

[Bravesfan]

Here's this little gem from Pat Forde's online chat from Tuesday:

Jason (Iowa)


What are your thoughts on Northern Iowa? Are they in regardless of what happens in the MVC tournament this week?

Pat Forde (3:29 PM)


Jason: Noooooo. UNI has to win the Valley to get in, I believe. That's a one-bid league this year.

Oh really??? This guy is the only one from ESPN (at least amongst their online analysts) who think that Northern Iowa isn't even close to making the tournament. I wonder if this guy actually watches mid-major basketball!

Now I'm a little more realistic than some regarding UNI's status. I still think they're in the tournament comfortably at this point, but I would put them at around a #10 seed right now, which could be a bit tight if there are a lot of conference tournament upsets. But how could one not watch this team and not believe they are a legitimate NCAA Tournament team, even with the recent losses to Evansville and Bradley? Bradley is a middling team, but one that has showed themselves capable of beating high level teams. And Evansville has been playing a lot better than their record over the past month. So these should not be "back breaker" losses for UNI considering how far ahead of the pack they finished.

And besides, isn't UNI entitled to lay an egg once in a while as much as a highly ranked BCS team occasionally does?

[lefty]

I think the only way UNI doesn't get in is if there are a couple of tourney upsets combined with a poor game and loss for UNI in the their first game.

[Bravesfan]

I think the only way UNI doesn't get in is if there are a couple of tourney upsets combined with a poor game and loss for UNI in the their first game.

Agreed. That's why it is important for UNI to at least make the semifinals of the MVCT.

This will then set up the rematch between UNI and Bradley on Saturday!

[Braves4Life]

I was a doubter before but after beating ISU I believe UNI is now a 100% lock.

[TheAsianSensation]

This is why people who don't study bracketology like Lunardi should just shut the **** up and let the bracketologists do their jobs.

Let Lunardi and the other people who follow these things daily, instead of the actual games and human interest stories, tell you what's up, and you focus on your non-bracketeering duties.

It seems like every random media head has to have a bubble opinion today. No they don't. You don't let Lunardi talk about X's and O's, so don't let Digger talk about RPIs.

[LittleBrave]

I would be more amazed at any other snubbing since I've been watching college hoops if UNI didn't make the NCAA T if they get to the final game and lose.
I'm pretty sure they make it with a 1st round win regardless of what happens in subsequent games (UNLESS they lose by 20+ to a semi-final opponent, which I would be even MORE amazed if that happens! Unless it were to BU )

[MacabreMob]

Pat Forde = Part of the Drive By Media = Ignorant and Arrogant

[Fetz86]

Forde is more of a college football guy anyway, I wouldn't take too seriously anything he says about basekteball.

[Chico]

How many seriously think the MVC should get 2 teams in the Dance if NIU wins the conference tournament after the way this season has gone? I'm not a big fan of ESPN and their so called experts but let's face facts.

[Fetz86]

If UNI wins the MVCT then yes, its a one bid year again, but I get the impression nobody is counting on them to pull it off this year.

[BradleyBrave]

Forde is a football/SEC guy. He doesn't know what he's talking about.

[SFP]

If UNI wins the MVCT then yes, its a one bid year again, but I get the impression nobody is counting on them to pull it off this year.

Exactly! WSU or ISU are not deserving an at large bid, only UNI has the numbers to fully support their inclusion regardless of what happens down in St Louis.

[Bravesfan]

Forde is more of a college football guy anyway, I wouldn't take too seriously anything he says about basekteball.

Exactly. Then why is this guy involved in their college basketball coverage anyway?

[Bravesfan]

How many seriously think the MVC should get 2 teams in the Dance if NIU wins the conference tournament after the way this season has gone? I'm not a big fan of ESPN and their so called experts but let's face facts.

I think you missed the point here. Forde was talking about if Northern Iowa (UNI by the way, not NIU ) fails to win the Valley tournament and their chances of making the Big Dance. I agree that no other team from the Valley deserves an at-large bid at this point. But Forde was only talking about UNI's chances, which despite his views, I think are very good at this point. Even better than Creighton's chances last year.