NCAA or NIT

[IlliBraves]

Maybe. Louisville has padded their record against teams like Hartford, Jackson St, Marshall, New Mexico St, Morehead St, Iona, and Rutgers (twice). They also lost at home to a terrible Cincinnati team. It's a slippery slope you're talking about 2006. If we start saying that the numbers don't matter, we're going down the Jay Bilas 'eye test' theory, and we all know how that goes. I think the rankings are somewhat biased, but I think over the course of 30 games or so they do mean a little bit.

Well you also have to take into consideration what a huge blow to the team it was to have David Padgett sitting on the bench, not to mention the suspension of Derrick Caracter that didn't help things much either. The Cards will make a run in the tourney, you watch. Plus, I don't think Cincy is that bad, ever since they lost to ISU they've started to look better and better.

[BradleyBrave]

Well obviously not, I am a big fan of the Cards, and I think they are way underrated. But Drake is still a top 25 team. Let's say that Drake didn't lose to SIU, then you'd probably see them as the 16th best team. But they did. I still think Drake is among the best teams in the country. Top 25 at least. Plus, they have a very high RPI, can't argue there.

Is there anyone you aren't a big fan of? Illinois, Bradley, Louisville...

[MacabreMob]

Well obviously not, I am a big fan of the Cards, and I think they are way underrated. But Drake is still a top 25 team. Let's say that Drake didn't lose to SIU, then you'd probably see them as the 16th best team. But they did. I still think Drake is among the best teams in the country. Top 25 at least. Plus, they have a very high RPI, can't argue there.

Is there anyone you aren't a big fan of? Illinois, Bradley, Louisville...

LOL!

[IlliBraves]

Is there anyone you aren't a big fan of? Illinois, Bradley, Louisville...

Alright, let me rephrase, I LIKE Louisville, I'm not a die hard like I am with Illinois and Bradley. I'm sure you all have teams that you like to see win, not necessarily favorite teams, but teams you like to see win. As I remember, MM LIKES Xavier.

[BradleyBrave]

Alright, let me rephrase, I LIKE Louisville, I'm not a die hard like I am with Illinois and Bradley. I'm sure you all have teams that you like to see win, not necessarily favorite teams, but teams you like to see win. As I remember, MM LIKES Xavier.

Eh, I guess. There are certain teams that I enjoy watching from time to time, and maybe pull for in the tournament if my team is out. But there aren't any other teams outside of BU (undisputed champion) and the Illini (only if BU isn't playing) that I would consider myself a fan of or buy merchandise of. I think you have one team and stick to 'em!

[RaiderOfBradley]

Hello all,

The NCAA is out of the question, barring a run to the MVC title in St. Louis. The NIT and all road games was looking like the option before the win over Drake and our end of season surge (8-2 over our last ten games). Now we might be able to work into one home game.

With a deep run in the MVC tournament and some upsets in the NIT, we could work into two home games in my opinion.

This "third" tournament is beginning to sound like the college football bowl system to me. There's no reason for more than a third of the teams in D-1 basketball to be playing in a post-season tournament (the 65 for the NCAA, the 32 (I think) for the NIT and another 32 (again, not positive) for the "CBI"), such as the bowl system does (over half of the 113 teams get to go to bowl game, which is ridiculous).

And what teams are going to make up this third tournament? Those that eked out a 15-14 record (or worse) and were at or below .500 in their respective conferences? Come on, no one wants to see that!

[Big Mike]

THERE IS ONLY 1 TEAM.......THE BRAVES......PERIOD!

[Scouter]

We have as good as a chance as anyone else to win it and head to the Big Dance.

Every team has a 1 in 10 chance of winning the tournament.

[SFP]

Every team has a 1 in 10 chance of winning the tournament.

I disagree, those that play on Thursday do not! When you have to play more games your chance of making the final and winning dramatically changes. Statistically speaking what is the odd of a play in team to win the Valley Tourney? I can say a lot less chance than the rest.

[Bravesfan]

CBI official site:

http://www.gazellegroup.com/cbi/index_splash.htm

They also include a mock bracket for last year.

Uhhh, I hate to burst your bubble regarding your theory of postseason home games squirrel, but if you look at this mock bracket you will see that every, and I do mean EVERY mid-major team got stuck with a road game in the first round.

Not saying that would necessarily happen this year, but if the CBI holds mid-majors in this "esteemed" regard, then I want no part of this tourney!

[Chico]

Bradley didn't rank Drake, they just played them. Be happy that the Braves made every newspaper in the country and even got a shot from ESPN.

[squirrel]

Uhhh, I hate to burst your bubble regarding your theory of postseason home games squirrel, but if you look at this mock bracket you will see that every, and I do mean EVERY mid-major team got stuck with a road game in the first round.

Not saying that would necessarily happen this year, but if the CBI holds mid-majors in this "esteemed" regard, then I want no part of this tourney!

A "mock" bracket is just that. I doubt they put much work into preparing it.

My whole point is shop around and take the best offer. That is all.

[Beninator]

This "third" tournament is beginning to sound like the college football bowl system to me. There's no reason for more than a third of the teams in D-1 basketball to be playing in a post-season tournament (the 65 for the NCAA, the 32 (I think) for the NIT and another 32 (again, not positive) for the "CBI"), such as the bowl system does (over half of the 113 teams get to go to bowl game, which is ridiculous).

And what teams are going to make up this third tournament? Those that eked out a 15-14 record (or worse) and were at or below .500 in their respective conferences? Come on, no one wants to see that!

I agree Raider... CBI=who cares

[BradleyBrave]

I wouldn't dismiss the CBI, especially if it can get some TV deals. I find it hard to believe that you guys who are against the CBI would be in favor of turning down a BCS team coming into Carver Arena if that was their offer. Plus, unlike the NIT which is now run by the NCAA, we would be able to consume 'beverages' at a CBI game.

It's sounding a little better now isn't it...hmmm....hmmm....Mr. Scholarship winner....hmmm.....hmmm....gambling is illegal at Bushwood sir and I never slice....D@MN!

[IlliBraves]

I wouldn't dismiss the CBI, especially if it can get some TV deals. I find it hard to believe that you guys who are against the CBI would be in favor of turning down a BCS team coming into Carver Arena if that was their offer. Plus, unlike the NIT which is now run by the NCAA, we would be able to consume 'beverages' at a CBI game.

It's sounding a little better now isn't it...hmmm....hmmm....Mr. Scholarship winner....hmmm.....hmmm....gambling is illegal at Bushwood sir and I never slice....D@MN!

I suppose that's possible, but I just don't see many people watching it at all, no matter who's playing. When you consider the CBI will be teams that were not only leftovers from the NCAA, but leftovers from the NIT, a tournament already lacking a whole lot of attention, I just don't see anybody taking it too seriously.