20 wins just might be possible

[BUBalum05]

With the win last night at WSU, we're at 11-10 (4-5) with a minimum of 11 games left (9 MVC, 1 ESPN BB, 1 MVC Tourney), what do you guys think about our 3rd consecutive 20 win season. I think we need to make it to the MVC championship game to do so. Here's my picks, what you guys think?

W 01-30 Indiana St......9-8 (5-3) 92
W 02-02 at Evansville...5-13 (1-8 ) 246
W 02-06 Missouri St.....10-10 (4-5) 122
L 02-09 at Illinois St....13-5 (6-2) 45
W 02-12 at Indiana St..9-8 (5-3) 92
W 02-16 Creighton.......13-5 (5-4) 53
L 02-19 at Drake........16-1 (9-0) 8
W 02-23 ESPN BB.........?
W 02-26 Southern Ill.....10-10 (5-4) 55
L 03-01 at Creighton...13-5 (5-4) 53
--Finish Reg Season 18-13 (10-8 )
W at MVC Quarterfinals 19-13
W at MVC Semifinals 20-13
And if we've gone that far, why not...
W at MVC Championship 21-13

Regardless of the championship game, 20 wins is probably good enough for NIT, but can we dance then too at-large?

[shaunguth]

I'm not so sure we can't beat Drake, even at their place, with a healthy Ruffin! Actually, the way the Valley has been so far, there's no reason we can't win them all, but I'll take a 10-3 finish to the regular season!

[Chucky T's]

I still think that BU has dug to deep of a hole to garner an at-large bid to the NCAA's. I think we have a decnt shot at winning the MVCT and I think we have a very good shot at the NIT. I agree that 18 - 13 is a good target for the remainder of the year. With some luck we may be able to do better than that!

[shaunguth]

I still think that BU has dug to deep of a hole to garner an at-large bid to the NCAA's. I think we have a decnt shot at winning the MVCT and I think we have a very good shot at the NIT. I agree that 18 - 13 is a good target for the remainder of the year. With some luck we may be able to do better than that!

I agree. It would probably take a 15-1 finish to have a shot at an at-large.

[MacabreMob]

It's all about making shots... and the last couple games, we've been making our 3's.

We will need to win in St Louis to go to the dance... but a hot finish could get us into the NIT or the other new tourney that is being held this year.

[Beninator]

but a hot finish could get us into the NIT or the other new tourney that is being held this year.

Not a fan of the new tourney. The NCAA and NIT are enough. Anything more is overkill.

It's a cliche, but I am just taking one game at a time.

[Big Mike]

In my world right now I'm only worried about Win # 12! Let's not get too ahead of ourselves....1 @ a time is the road to success!

[Fetz86]

I hope the team is taking them 1 at a time, but where is the fun in that for the rest of us.

[squirrel]

Not a fan of the new tourney. The NCAA and NIT are enough. Anything more is overkill.

It's a cliche, but I am just taking one game at a time.

I know people don't like the new tourney. But I think it will work. Plus the best of 3 final is intriguing.

What I think will happen is with the NIT, you'll increasingly get the BCS NCAA leftovers that really don't want to be there.

But I think you will get some really good teams that normally would not have postseason opportunities with the CBI, and I think they'll offer a good product that may have been lost in the NIT.

[audacious_aficionado]

the last five games SM has had a 30-4 assist/turnover ratio. if he can keep that up and everyone else stays healthy and does their part, we can do just about anything.

[MacabreMob]

I know people don't like the new tourney. But I think it will work. Plus the best of 3 final is intriguing.

What I think will happen is with the NIT, you'll increasingly get the BCS NCAA leftovers that really don't want to be there.

But I think you will get some really good teams that normally would not have postseason opportunities with the CBI, and I think they'll offer a good product that may have been lost in the NIT.

I see this new tourney as a direct attempt at killing the NIT.

NC St was a 6 seed on the road last year.... this tourney takes them from the field. Providence woulda opted for the new tourney rather than playing as a 5 seed at Bradley.

Pretty soon, the NIT will be nothing but mid-majors.

The new tourney will be nothing but BCS schools that did not make the NCAA.

Mission accomplished.

NIT dead.

Seperation.

I can't wait to see Kentucky in a down year at like 14-17 playing against Duke in a down year at like 15-16 in the championship of this tournament..... because the perception is that these teams are better than any midmajors.

Perception = Reality

????

NOT!!!!!!

But just the same ole extension from the drive-by media mentality.

[squirrel]

At any rate, it will be interesting to see. But as long as the NCAA controls the NIT, any BCS teams the tournament invites, will have to play in it, right?

[Beninator]

I see this new tourney as a direct attempt at killing the NIT.

NC St was a 6 seed on the road last year.... this tourney takes them from the field. Providence woulda opted for the new tourney rather than playing as a 5 seed at Bradley.

Pretty soon, the NIT will be nothing but mid-majors.

The new tourney will be nothing but BCS schools that did not make the NCAA.

Mission accomplished.

NIT dead.

Seperation.

I can't wait to see Kentucky in a down year at like 14-17 playing against Duke in a down year at like 15-16 in the championship of this tournament..... because the perception is that these teams are better than any midmajors.

Perception = Reality

????

NOT!!!!!!

But just the same ole extension from the drive-by media mentality.

I will admit that I am probably not as well versed on the new CBI tournament as you or squirrel, but let me throw this in.

Why would the NCAA spend approximately $50 million to buy the NIT?
It would seem to me that the NCAA which ultimately controls everything would want to look out for themselves after taking the trouble to purchase the NIT.

The last article that I read about the CBI mentioned that the CBI did not have a tv deal. I am sure this will change, but aside from alumni and fans, who will want to watch the CBI in March while the NCAA and to a lesser extent the NIT are in progress?

65 teams in the NCAA...32 or so teams in the NIT... 16 remaining teams for the CBI... It doesnt sound too interesting considering that a lot of teams are not too enthused to play in the NIT. Look at the December College Football Bowl games. It used to be a big deal for a school to go to a bowl game. Not anymore. (unless you are talking about the major bowls)

My take on the potential of the CBI (and I am probably wrong) is that the investors of the CBI are hoping that the NCAA expands the field for either the NCAA or NIT thus allowing for the investors in the CBI to turn a nice profit when the NCAA has to knock on the door to buy them out.

[real fan]

Anythings possible but I would like to see us concentrate on Ind. State wed. night as that is the most important game for us now; I also believe that there is not one team that is better then us if we continue to improve like we have and keep fighting for those rebounds. The Valley tour. is up for grabs more then it ever has been in the past and there are quite a no. of teams that have a chance to win it including ourselves.

[dogsrus]

Anythings possible but I would like to see us concentrate on Ind. State wed. night as that is the most important game for us now; I also believe that there is not one team that is better then us if we continue to improve like we have and keep fighting for those rebounds. The Valley tour. is up for grabs more then it ever has been in the past and there are quite a no. of teams that have a chance to win it including ourselves.

As another poster stated and I agree with....of course the team is looking ONLY at InSU., but as fans thats no fun. We get the benefit of taking it two or more games at a time...of looking ahead....of looking past an opponent with no harm done.

With that said I think InSU showed today the TEAM shouldn't (and I'm confident are not) be taking them lightly.