Illinois @ Indiana

[BradleyBrave]

I agree their pretty terrible. I don't think my team's god or anything, but I doubt they'd finish last. With the Valley being THIS down this year, UIUC wouldn't finish last in the MVC, there's too many terrible teams this year. Plus, UIUC typically has some size, although guys like Randle and Pruitt foul far more than what is necessary.

I didn't say they'd finish last. I don't think they would. I do think they'd be close to playing in though, which means they'd finish between 7th and 10th. I think they'd go 8-10 or so in league play, which likely would put them in the Thursday play-in round.

[mportsch]

Pomeroy's ratings last year said BU was among the nation's top 40 teams, as the RPI did. That doesn't mean anything. Illinois is a terrible basketball team that couldn't score if they were in the gym alone. I have been eyewitness to them losing at home to Miami-OH and Tennessee St, and on the road to a terrible Maryland team among others. They would have a tough time staying out of the play-in round in the MVC this year. Sorry if that's insulting, but it's true.

FWIW, I agreed with Pomeroy's ratings last year and thought BU probably deserved an NCAA bid. The selection committee making a mistake has nothing to do with the validity of Pomeroy's ratings and, to a lesser extent, the RPI. Of course, as I'm always saying, it's best not to put much value in the RPI until the season is almost over. Pomeroy's ratings are the best way of objectively comparing teams across the nation. We can just agree to disagree on this one.

By the way, were you also eyewitness to Illinois defeating good teams in Missouri and Arizona State on neutral courts? Taking Arizona to overtime? Nearly defeating Indiana in Bloomington? I'll agree that Tennessee State is an embarassing loss, but one game does not define how good or bad a team is.

[MacabreMob]

UIUC would win the MVC easy.

Because we ALL know ANY B10 would win the MVC and ANY MVC team would finish last in the B10.

[MacabreMob]

I agree their pretty terrible. I don't think my team's god or anything, but I doubt they'd finish last. With the Valley being THIS down this year, UIUC wouldn't finish last in the MVC, there's too many terrible teams this year. Plus, UIUC typically has some size, although guys like Randle and Pruitt foul far more than what is necessary.

I thought you had 2 teams... UIUC and Bradley.

True colors showing thru.... there is only 1 with you. (but yea, you root for others as well, but there is only one #1 team for each person)

[mportsch]

UIUC would win the MVC easy.

Because we ALL know ANY B10 would win the MVC and ANY MVC team would finish last in the B10.

Nice strawman. Nobody said Illinois would win the MVC, and I can't think that anyone actually believes that. All I'm saying is that Illinois is better than Evansville, Bradley, Indiana State, Wichita State, and Northern Iowa - all teams that are outside of Pomeroy's top 100.

It's not a matter of disrespect for the MVC - the numbers say that Drake could compete for a title in the Big Ten this year, and I'll believe they are that good until proven otherwise.

[lefty]

Pomeroy's ratings last year said BU was among the nation's top 40 teams, as the RPI did. That doesn't mean anything. Illinois is a terrible basketball team that couldn't score if they were in the gym alone. I have been eyewitness to them losing at home to Miami-OH and Tennessee St, and on the road to a terrible Maryland team among others. They would have a tough time staying out of the play-in round in the MVC this year. Sorry if that's insulting, but it's true.

It's actually your opinion...we will never know if it's true or not

[cpacmel]

I m just curious as to when the Pomeroy's ratings became the end all for college basketball?

What do the Sagarin ratings look like?

17 Drake
46 Creighton
48 Illinois State
82 Southern Illinois

92 Illinois

142 Bradley

[bert notorius]

IL would have it's hands full with ISU this year. They would probably split home & road. There would be a period in the second half where the lights would be lowered and everyone could take a nap....

[MacabreMob]

Nice strawman. Nobody said Illinois would win the MVC, and I can't think that anyone actually believes that. All I'm saying is that Illinois is better than Evansville, Bradley, Indiana State, Wichita State, and Northern Iowa - all teams that are outside of Pomeroy's top 100.

It's not a matter of disrespect for the MVC - the numbers say that Drake could compete for a title in the Big Ten this year, and I'll believe they are that good until proven otherwise.

Not disrespected here mportsch. I was trying to be a little funny and beat somebody to saying the comment I said.

I honestly think UIUC is pretty good. They would do ok in the MVC - not many MVC teams could handle Pruitt and Randle - no matter how bad they got homered against in fouls. UIUC's problem would be trying to contain other teams' guard play.... and even with the MVC in a "down" year, they would not be in the top 5 in guard play (IMO). With all that said, I think a 3rd to 7th place finish for UIUC if they were in the MVC this year (and more likely closer to 3rd than 7th - just my opinion - so don't feel disrespected).

[MacabreMob]

You're just helping the IU fans! All they do is look at that garbage, even though it's not relevant because their last title was in 1987.....

I know.... the game of basketball only began in like 2002. Btw, when was UIUC's last title?

Note: I chose 2002 for you and UIUC fans cause IU was in the Championship game in 01 - equal to UIUC's visit to the Championship game in 05.

Over the last ten years, UIUC has dominated IU, but their fans all bring up meaningless crap from the '80s and further back. Most of those fans weren't even born then, so who cares? I'm talking about current powers, and that's not Indiana.

And UIUC is CURRENTLY the power and IU is not?

Out of 3 games last season, we beat them twice. They weren't that much better. Plus it's pretty easy to be one of the best in the nation when you steal other school's commits! I know it was a verbal, but the way they went around Webber was extremely low.

You and Illini Nation need to turn the page on this whole "stealing commits" thing. It was wrong and there is nothing that is gonna change where EG is playing today. Overcome and move on.

[IlliBraves]

I thought you had 2 teams... UIUC and Bradley.

True colors showing thru.... there is only 1 with you. (but yea, you root for others as well, but there is only one #1 team for each person)

That's not true. It's very easy to be a fan of each team when they usually don't play each other. I'm just saying that I don't think that they'd finish last in the Valley. I actually agree with Tornado after re-reading his post. UIUC isn't terrible, I mean at the beginning of the year they beat Arizona State and Oklahoma State and have played some good teams. I still think they'd miss the NCAA, but the MVC only has a couple of legit teams this year. I'm extremely disappointed about this year for my teams, more so BU than UI because BU was supposed to be near the top, UI was supposed to be rebuilding. I ALWAYS pull for the Valley against the B10 unless they're playing UIUC and the team playing UIUC isn't Bradley, otherwise, I don't care who wins. I always defend the Valley, but I see them as a two-bid league this year with ISU and Drake.

[IlliBraves]

I know.... the game of basketball only began in like 2002. Btw, when was UIUC's last title?

Note: I chose 2002 for you and UIUC fans cause IU was in the Championship game in 01 - equal to UIUC's visit to the Championship game in 05.
That's not what I said, but who cares what you've done 20 years ago? I didn't say they weren't a historic power, but we've dominated them in the last couple of years with the exception of last year. If we're going to talk about championships from 1987, we might as well talk about Loyola of Chicago's championship in the '60s.


And UIUC is CURRENTLY the power and IU is not?

Yeah, I admit they're better, but Illinois has been better over the last decade. I'm just saying that their attitude is ridiculous considering we have beaten them and owned the series in the last 8 years or so.

You and Illini Nation need to turn the page on this whole "stealing commits" thing. It was wrong and there is nothing that is gonna change where EG is playing today. Overcome and move on.

That won't happen. UIUC hates IU and if someone did the same thing to Bradley, I'm sure we'd all boo them off the court as well. You're not going to be friendly with them, and seeing them lose is always a good thing. It's especially frustrating when you play in the same conference, and that one player would have changed your entire season. Don't act like it's just us rude UI fans, ANY fan of ANY team would feel the same way. Until EG goes to the NBA, IU can expect a rude welcome from UI fans.

[IlliBraves]

Also, Mac, please understand I am not attacking you, I just disagree with you in part on this one, and I don't like it when somebody else questions my loyalty to BU because I disagree with somebody else's comment and I like UIUC. Don't get me wrong, I like you and I respect what you have to say. I understand that most BU fans don't like UI, but I am an exception I wish the Drake game wasn't on Wednesday, or I'd definitely be there. Unfortunately, I have class.

[MacabreMob]

Also, Mac, please understand I am not attacking you, I just disagree with you in part on this one, and I don't like it when somebody else questions my loyalty to BU because I disagree with somebody else's comment and I like UIUC. Don't get me wrong, I like you and I respect what you have to say. I understand that most BU fans don't like UI, but I am an exception I wish the Drake game wasn't on Wednesday, or I'd definitely be there. Unfortunately, I have class.

No worries man.

Sorry I attacked you and your loyalty. You are a fan and passionate for the teams you follow - and I am glad Bradley is one of them.

[egib52]

IlliBraves- I am in agreement with you I definitely think you can be a fan of both teams as they rarely meet and are in different conferences. However, MM and I have been around on this very issue before, and we just have differing opinions on the matter.