Lunardi redefines "mid-major" conferences...

[jeffsu]

This actually isn't the worst thing I've seen out of him... he makes a claim that the MVC is a "recent" fall into the mid-major category (and the highest ranked of them) after the past few single-bid seasons. Can't argue too much on that behalf.

Anyway, thought some of you would find this a bit interesting at least.

http://insider.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/blog?name=ncbexperts&id=5938515

[Bravesfan]

Well, the only good thing about the Valley is that they have improved to 62-40, and there are quite a few home games this week against weaker teams. So the Valley's winning percentage should at least improve some more.

I still think two bids is possible if you have one team running away with the conference but losing in the Valley Tourney finals, or if you have two 15+ win teams that meet in the Valley finals a lot like CU and SIU did in the early part of this last decade. Sometimes conference ranking has no bearing on the number of bids, and for our sakes, I hope this is what happens this year. Otherwise one bid is pretty much a lock again.

[ancona flash]

Well, the only good thing about the Valley is that they have improved to 62-40, and there are quite a few home games this week against weaker teams. So the Valley's winning percentage should at least improve some more.

I still think two bids is possible if you have one team running away with the conference but losing in the Valley Tourney finals, or if you have two 15+ win teams that meet in the Valley finals a lot like CU and SIU did in the early part of this last decade. Sometimes conference ranking has no bearing on the number of bids, and for our sakes, I hope this is what happens this year. Otherwise one bid is pretty much a lock again.

I would love it if the Valley gets 2, but I don't remember a time within the past 15 years when the Valley has been this lousy. On the WL records this year the MVC isn't in the top third (as Lunardi states a high major to be). But as far as attendance, facilities, and fan support, the Valley has to be in the top 1/3 annually don't they?