MVC record thus far

[tornado]

The MVC is 32-9 overall

here's how it breaks down

vs. D-I: 26-9
vs. DII, DII, & NAIA: 6-0 (Wm. Jewell, Truman State, Philander Smith, Malone, Wartburg, Benedictine Springfield)
vs. BCS/power conference schools: 2-3 (wins (both by by WSU) over DePaul & Iowa, losses to USF, Cal, Notre Dame, UCLA, SDSU, Louisville)

[Bravesfan]

The MVC is 32-9 overall

here's how it breaks down

vs. D-I: 26-9
vs. DII, DII, & NAIA: 6-0 (Wm. Jewell, Truman State, Philander Smith, Malone, Wartburg, Benedictine Springfield)
vs. BCS/power conference schools: 2-3 (wins (both by by WSU) over DePaul & Iowa, losses to USF, Cal, Notre Dame, UCLA, SDSU, Louisville)

I think you meant 2-6 versus the BCS, with one of those a WSU win against a DePaul team that would probably finish ninth or tenth in the Valley! So so far, not a good showing by the Valley this year against the BCS teams, and as everyone says, close losses don't cut it (see my post on the "4 MVC games Friday 11/23" thread). However, UNI and Creighton both have good shots against Stanford and Wisconsin respectively today.

[tornado]

The MVC is 32-9 overall

here's how it breaks down

vs. D-I: 26-9
vs. DII, DII, & NAIA: 6-0 (Wm. Jewell, Truman State, Philander Smith, Malone, Wartburg, Benedictine Springfield)
vs. BCS/power conference schools: 2-6 (wins (both by by WSU) over DePaul & Iowa, losses to USF, Cal, Notre Dame, UCLA, SDSU, Louisville)

Yes -- and in fact with UNI's loss it now goes to...

vs. D-I: 26-10
vs. DII, DII, & NAIA: 6-0
vs. BCS/power conference schools: 2-7 (wins (both by by WSU) over DePaul & Iowa, losses to USF, Cal, Notre Dame, UCLA, SDSU, Louisville, Stanford)

[Bravesfan]

Yes -- and in fact with UNI's loss it now goes to...

vs. D-I: 26-10
vs. DII, DII, & NAIA: 6-0
vs. BCS/power conference schools: 2-7 (wins (both by by WSU) over DePaul & Iowa, losses to USF, Cal, Notre Dame, UCLA, SDSU, Louisville, Stanford)

Yes, I'm am now starting to get this sinking feeling of concern that you had early in the week tornado! The Valley is starting to look like a repeat of last year with Creighton and Wichita St. the two elite teams in the conference, with no one else making a statement right now. Still a lot of chances for the Valley coming up, but so far UNI is not showing me a lot so far.

UNI may yet challange for the Valley title before all is said and done, but they better start winning games that matter really soon! Again, without having watched the game, it looks like UNI either got outplayed and/or completely ran out of gas in the second half. Not good considering Stanford played the same number of games that UNI did in the same time span. Thankfully for them they still have some games that can help them make the NCAA Tournament. But going 0 for 2 so far against teams they had a chance to beat will not impress the selection committee, and will not help the Valley's RPI other than improving their strength of schedule.

[shaunguth]

Yes, I'm am now starting to get this sinking feeling of concern that you had early in the week tornado! The Valley is starting to look like a repeat of last year with Creighton and Wichita St. the two elite teams in the conference, with no one else making a statement right now. .

Yes....at some point the top-tier Valley teams need to win some of these games against the "big boys"!

[Bravesfan]

Yes....at some point the top-tier Valley teams need to win some of these games against the "big boys"!

Especially UNI who is supposed to be this year's challenger to Creighton. Right now, Wichita St. is playing the way UNI should be playing. What worries me about Wichita St. though is how good they will be once they enter conference play, and whether they are playing above their experience level right now. But if they make the tournament again this year with the players they lost, Gregg Marshall will win the Valley coach of the year in a landslide!

[SFP]

I have zero concern how the rest of the Valley is doing. Next year and the year after may be a different tune. I thought we would be top heavy and at best only get two teams into the NCAA. If we get the right recruits and start winning we can take care of our selves and with the new MVC rules on scheduling I'm sure that part will improve in the coming years.

[shaunguth]

I have zero concern how the rest of the Valley is doing.

I don't really care how each team is doing, but I like to see the MVC get as many "big" wins as possible just to keep the name recognition positive and not be known as a conference that just doesn't win those games.

[SFP]

I don't really care how each team is doing, but I like to see the MVC get as many "big" wins as possible just to keep the name recognition positive and not be known as a conference that just doesn't win those games.

In reality the rest of the nation does not really care and considerations for name recognition comes in March. Winning in March is what really counts.

[shaunguth]

In reality the rest of the nation does not really care and considerations for name recognition comes in March. Winning in March is what really counts.

I think if the MVC consistently beat the big names on their schedules, there would be more positive press than always seeing our conference lose those games. The only time our conference plays these teams is in November/December.

I guess we should all schedule the Jank way and hope to win our tournament in March.

[Bravesfan]

In reality the rest of the nation does not really care and considerations for name recognition comes in March. Winning in March is what really counts.

Yeah, but you can't get the name recognition without beating named teams in November and December. Creighton going 15-3 in the Valley will be the same as some SWAC team going 15-3 in their conference in the eyes of the selection committee unless Creighton wins some games against the BCS in November.

Remember, there was even some question as to whether Murray St. would get into the tournament last year had they failed to win the OVC conference tournament. Yes, both Murray St. and Creighton would pass the "eye test", but that doesn't mean the selection committee wouldn't look for excuses to keep both of them out of the NCAA Tournament in favor of a couple of more mediocre BCS teams.

[TheAsianSensation]

Not worried yet although we could use a swing game or two (I'm thinking the Cal and Stanford losses by The Drake and UNI) to help. @Drexel and @VCU are going to be high quality wins that are worth significantly more than Iowa/DePaul, remember.

[SFP]

Yeah, but you can't get the name recognition without beating named teams in November and December. Creighton going 15-3 in the Valley will be the same as some SWAC team going 15-3 in their conference in the eyes of the selection committee unless Creighton wins some games against the BCS in November.

Remember, there was even some question as to whether Murray St. would get into the tournament last year had they failed to win the OVC conference tournament. Yes, both Murray St. and Creighton would pass the "eye test", but that doesn't mean the selection committee wouldn't look for excuses to keep both of them out of the NCAA Tournament in favor of a couple of more mediocre BCS teams.

I agree but I really just care about BU when it is all said and done. Yea I pull for Valley teams for the most part (never for ISU red) but i rarely go out of my way to watch one of their games. Next year and the following years may effect how I feel if BU becomes relevant for a discussion regarding the NCAA Tourney. Call me a stalwart BU fan but a fair weather Valley fan.

[tornado]

NC looks like this...

Overall 33-10

vs. D-I: 27-10
vs. DII, DII, & NAIA: 6-0
vs. BCS/power conference schools: 2-7

[Bravesfan]

I agree but I really just care about BU when it is all said and done. Yea I pull for Valley teams for the most part (never for ISU red) but i rarely go out of my way to watch one of their games. Next year and the following years may effect how I feel if BU becomes relevant for a discussion regarding the NCAA Tourney. Call me a stalwart BU fan but a fair weather Valley fan.

Got it. For me, I'm a Bradley fan first and foremost, but a Valley fan a strong second. If BU can't make the tournament, then I want as many out of the Valley to make it if for no other reason than to show that the Valley can be just as competitive as most of the "big boys".

And agreed about BU hopefully being more relevant in the next year or two, which is all the more reason that hopefully the Valley will remain strong. A strong conference should make it easier for Bradley to make the tournament if they are on the bubble.