MVC final- Illinois State vs. Creighton

[lefty]

Excellent prediction by Kirk. ISU was right there all game. They definitely could have won the game. I gotta admit, this was a very entertaining game. For the people around the United States who watched the game, I am sure it held their attention. A quality showing of the Valley between two good teams.

One thing I didn't understand is that even though Kirk picked ISU to win in his story, the "prediction" in the game notes (that listed likely starting lineups) showed the score Creighton 85 ISU 79.

I think Reynolds does the predictions

[45otseoj]

Great 3-day showing

Definitely raises expectations for next season

Preseason #2?

[LittleBrave]

Interesting though that Jank has now finished in the Valley top 3 four times in his five years there.

Anyway, enjoy your time at the NIT this year.

I think the 'Birds are on the NIT bubble. But with this strong Arch Madness, they'll likely eek their way in as a 6 or 7 seed.

Man, we need guys who are confident & poised like many of the ISU players! You could just see it on their faces.
And I know I've seen it on their faces the last 7 games against US.

One of the most entertaning MVC finals in a looong time. Both teams played extremely well, which usually hasn't been the norm in the last 15 years or so.

[Tulsa Brave]

I doubt ISU gets an NIT bid. Keep in mind all conference regular season champions get an automatic NIT bid if they fail to win their conference tourney and then do not get an NCAA at-large berth. Middle Tennessee and Iona became the first 2 into the NIT I believe as I highly doubt either one makes it into the Big Dance. There will be several more of these NIT autobids to come over the next few days.

[TheAsianSensation]

they are what they are....whether they decided to sacrifice one or two wins for one or two losses at 18-15, they are no more attractive than they are at 20-13. But playing on Thursday and winning one game doesn't get you to the title game. So what if they put all their eggs in one basket, the Valley ain't the ACC or Big 12 or Big Ten. Its a bunch of schools out for themselves. A Hodge Podge affiliate league where anyone and everyone is a member in one sport or another.

Why should Jank care about his teams SOS if his belief is win 3 and take care of your own team, not The Valley. Amazing how everyone spouts all this "good for the Valley" crap when most people don't respect or even like most of the other schools. Otherwise, they're would be more appreciation for the showing the Valley put on today, rival or not. just saying.

You should never base your NCAA hopes mainly on winning the conference tourney. That should be the backup to building a solid at-large resume.

And who says they would lose the games they add to make the schedule stronger? Heck, just remove a couple 300+ opponents, replace them with 100ish opponents, and your SoS is significantly better.

[Da Coach]

The weak scheduling is obviously just a philosophy of Jankovich. He's done it every year, so it's not an accident. And he surely doesn't think he can simply sit back and then win 3 games in St. Louis, since that is a 1 in 1000 chance, and has never happened for him yet.
I think he just wants a pretty record because he's convinced that is what looks good for getting a better job someday. Let's see how he schedules next year when he will have a top 2 team in the MVC.

[tornado]

if their RPI was 50 they'd be expecting a call from the NCAA and I would be surprised if it wouldn't come -- they are exactly the kind of team and the kind of story the NCAA wants.....
They have killed themselves once again with their own choices in scheduling

[CubbieBear]

Excellent prediction by Kirk. ISU was right there all game. They definitely could have won the game. I gotta admit, this was a very entertaining game. For the people around the United States who watched the game, I am sure it held their attention. A quality showing of the Valley between two good teams.

One thing I didn't understand is that even though Kirk picked ISU to win in his story, the "prediction" in the game notes (that listed likely starting lineups) showed the score Creighton 85 ISU 79.

It was a great showing by the Valley in the National spotlight! Excellent game--very few turnovers--lots of (young) talent on both squads. OT game could have easily gone either way. I really hope CU and WSU do well in the NCAA's --and (it hurts me to say this) but I believe the Valley is a solid conference this year--so ISU deserves an NIT bid and they will be dancing next year for sure. (and now I am putting a bar of soap in my mouth )

[Hello Newman]

The weak scheduling is obviously just a philosophy of Jankovich. He's done it every year, so it's not an accident. And he surely doesn't think he can simply sit back and then win 3 games in St. Louis, since that is a 1 in 1000 chance, and has never happened for him yet.
I think he just wants a pretty record because he's convinced that is what looks good for getting a better job someday. Let's see how he schedules next year when he will have a top 2 team in the MVC.

Right on Da Coach. Doug Elgin keeps complaining and complaining to and about the ISU schedule with Coach Jank but it doesn't matter. He hasn't changed it and I would be surprised if he does next year.

[tornado]

ya think Jackie Carmichael might be getting a call or an e mail from Marcus Arnold's "agent"?

[Chico]

How did we come so close to ISU last week? They looked pretty good to me.

[bufan73]

How did we come so close to ISU last week? They looked pretty good to me.

It's defense. BU's defense against State was smothering. They played up on them, and played tough nose defense. Against Drake...it was passive, soft defense. Played off the guards too much.