Biggest game in the Valley this season

[Bravesfan]

That would have to be Wichita St. hosting UNLV on Sunday afternoon. UNLV just took out the #1 team in the country the other night, so what a huge win this would be for the Valley if the Shockers could pull this off.

UNLV is one of the few elite mid-majors where a win against them would weigh just about as much as beating a top 10 BCS team. So while the Shockers missed a couple of opportunites for great wins earlier this year, a win against UNLV would just about guarantee an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament if they finish in one of the top 2 spots in the Valley.

Feel free to discuss.

[Future Walk-On]

Well when Illinois embarrassed UNLV last year they were running a way different system...so I dunno about them, except jumping from Unranked to 18/19 is a little steep......

They won in a 95% homegame....and only beat Nevada by 4....no other great wins.


Why isn't Central Florida getting a vote....their only 2 losses are to a ranked FSU and #26 or 27 Harvard...and they beat UCONN...

[tornado]

the way both Duke & UNC went down - I think it shows that the 2nd tier of teams from #10 thru #50 or so isn't too far behind those big boys..

[TheGuy]

I would say creightons game at san diego st. tonight is a pretty big one for them and for the valley.

[BeBrave]

I think the Valley takes the challenge this year. 5-3 or maybe even 6-2.

[TheAsianSensation]

So while the Shockers missed a couple of opportunites for great wins earlier this year, a win against UNLV would just about guarantee an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament if they finish in one of the top 2 spots in the Valley.

If only it were that simple.

Anyways, WSU does need to erase some flaws on the resume and this is the best form of white-out available to them.

[LittleBrave]

That would have to be Wichita St. hosting UNLV on Sunday afternoon. UNLV just took out the #1 team in the country the other night, so what a huge win this would be for the Valley if the Shockers could pull this off.

UNLV is one of the few elite mid-majors where a win against them would weigh just about as much as beating a top 10 BCS team. So while the Shockers missed a couple of opportunites for great wins earlier this year, a win against UNLV would just about guarantee an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament if they finish in one of the top 2 spots in the Valley.

Feel free to discuss.

I believe they still have little margin for error even if they defeat UNLV.
They still need a decent road win (vs. RPI Top 100 team outside of the Valley), probably need to beat the #1 Valley team once, and finish a close second in the Valley, depending on how other Valley teams finish the non-conf. season to boost the conference as a whole. The MVC needs to earn respect that they had a few years back...before the 1-bid league streak.
I disagree about guaranteeing an At-Large bid, as there are so many factors that go into the selection process. An early exit or poor showing in Arch Madness has not boded well for the Valley in recent years.

[LittleBrave]

I would say creightons game at san diego st. tonight is a pretty big one for them and for the valley.

Absolutely is! They can afford to lose, but not get embarrassed. Losing by less than 10 and losing by 20+ is a big deal.
Now a win? That would do wonders for CU's At-Large resume in the end.

[tornado]

..
Why isn't Central Florida getting a vote....their only 2 losses are to a ranked FSU and #26 or 27 Harvard...and they beat UCONN...

there are a lot of similar teams right there knocking on the door...hoping to break into the rankings...
Saint Louis just learned that as soon as you get ranked they go after the target on your back..
and SLU immediately lost to Marymount.........

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=201111290317

[Bravesfan]

I would say creightons game at san diego st. tonight is a pretty big one for them and for the valley.

I would call this one of the top 3 games of the year for the Valley. SDSt is supposed to be a bit down this year. But they are 7-1 with their only blemish a 10 point loss to then #11 Baylor. They beat an albeit bad USC team 56-54, but also have a road win against then #23 Arizona 61-57. So this would be a huge win for Creighton, and probably a lot bigger than their beating up of Iowa a couple of weeks ago.

[Bravesfan]

the way both Duke & UNC went down - I think it shows that the 2nd tier of teams from #10 thru #50 or so isn't too far behind those big boys..

Agreed. We already saw this last year with Butler and VCU making the Final Four.

[Bravesfan]

I believe they still have little margin for error even if they defeat UNLV.
They still need a decent road win (vs. RPI Top 100 team outside of the Valley), probably need to beat the #1 Valley team once, and finish a close second in the Valley, depending on how other Valley teams finish the non-conf. season to boost the conference as a whole. The MVC needs to earn respect that they had a few years back...before the 1-bid league streak.
I disagree about guaranteeing an At-Large bid, as there are so many factors that go into the selection process. An early exit or poor showing in Arch Madness has not boded well for the Valley in recent years.

True, but because WSU already lost to Alabama and Temple, they most likely don't even get into the at-large discussion without a win against UNLV.

[Bravesfan]

there are a lot of similar teams right there knocking on the door...hoping to break into the rankings...
Saint Louis just learned that as soon as you get ranked they go after the target on your back..
and SLU immediately lost to Marymount.........
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketb...d=201111290317

And this is LMU's second win over a top 25 team this year as they already beat then #17 UCLA 69-58. LMU is 4-2 with a loss to a very strong Harvard team that may be ranked before the season is done (speaking of a similar team knocking on the door), though LMU does have a "head scratching" loss to Middle Tennessee State at home as well. I guess those things happen, but if they minimize the bad losses, there could be four teams out of the West Coast Conference in the bubble discussion.

[Fetz86]

Blue Jays and Aztecs going down to the wire. CU up 2 with a minute 16 left.

[Gwright]

CU hangs on, McDermott with 25 points and 12 boards. hard fought game from the sounds of it.