Good luck in the Dance

[Saluki]

I feel confident that you guys are in, furthermore, if you get POB and Sommerville going at the same time you will be able to advance farther than any other MVC team.

I spent several beers at Jocques prior to your game with WSU, talked to a couple of BU fans for an hour or so (one was originally from Nebraska), really enjoyed the conversation!

The waiting game is a b#tch, SIU fans know all too well, but I firmly believe you are in, make some noise when you get there!

[Da Coach]

Thanks Saluki. We're still hoping for 5 MVC bids, but that might be a stretch.

Here is how Sports Illustrated sees it after Thursday's games-

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/basketball/ncaa/03/07/bubble.breakdown/index.html

[Saluki]

I see MO State as next guy out, if it comes to that.

[BU1999]

n the Sports Illustrated link they have a couple teams listed as locks that perturb me.

Michigan State has underperformed all year. They finish 8-8 tied for 6th in the Big Ten.
They lost 5 of their last 7 games, and they were 8-8 over their final 16. I know they have a top 20 RPI, but they should still be a bubble team and if you can't finish in the top half of whatever conference you're in or within a couple games of the conference lead then you shouldn't go.

Bucknell plays in the 20th ranked Patriot League.
Their overall SOS is around 200.
They lost their big opportunity to convince people when UNI tried desperately to give it to them.
They have beaten very few good teams, and so why are they a lock?
If Bucknell is a lock, then Missouri State should be.

Kentucky, come on! The SEC is weak this year. Only Tenn., FL, & LSU were good.
Kentucky finished weak, losing 5 of their last 9, and the only 4 decent nonconference teams they played (Iowa, UNC, Indiana, Kansas) they lost to.
They should also be a bubble team and not get the nod just because they are Kentucky and play in a BCS conference.

[New Guy]

Hey Saluki, I enjoyed our talk that day also. The beers and bloddy Marys wern't bad either. Thanks about you confidence in BU. I agree they have the potntial to go far as does SIU with that pressure D. They knocked POB off his game and just moved everyone else away from the basket the whole second half. That kind of D wins tournement games. Good Luck to both our teams.
PS I hought it was cool of you to come back the next day before the championship and say good things about the Braves. Enjoy south Florida.

[Big Mike]

Thanks Saluki...from here out it's all Valley!

[SFP]

Hey Saluki, I enjoyed our talk that day also. The beers and bloddy Marys wern't bad either. Thanks about you confidence in BU. I agree they have the potntial to go far as does SIU with that pressure D. They knocked POB off his game and just moved everyone else away from the basket the whole second half. That kind of D wins tournement games. Good Luck to both our teams.
PS I hought it was cool of you to come back the next day before the championship and say good things about the Braves. Enjoy south Florida.

I agree that pressure D is what will win games in the tornament. I think if SIU, given a decent draw, will suprise someone and have them shooting 20%. I hope that the BU players learned something from that game. I know JL has been preaching that great D will help the O that much more. D can and will win games. Go Valley!