Illinois State lost their chance for a bid today, too?

[BU ICEMAN]

--that their quality win against Cincy was a win against a 100+ RPI team that's 13-17.

Dude, if that doesn't prove the fact that name means more than stats, I don't know what does......

[onetuffshot]

Post reply

Tornado or Coach, could you give us the Redbird fans board addy again?

[tornado]

redbirdfan.com


Here is a link directly to the basketball topic forum:

http://redbirdfan.com/msgforum/viewforum.php?f=2

[IheartBU]

You know, we can call the CBI crappy all we want, but after reading the St. Louis paper Saturday morning with JC's "I'd give anything to put on the jersey again" comment, if only for him, I hope he gets that chance.

[IlliBraves]

ISU is a longshot to get in I think. They blew every non-conference chance for a big win, and will be 0 for the top 50 by Selection Sunday as Creighton will drop as the major conferences play their tourneys this week. As someone else pointed out, Missouri State had a MUCH stronger case in 2006 than ISU does this season. The only glimmer of hope for ISU is that a few years back somehow UAB got in with 0 top 50 wins and a marginal RPI.

I don't understand what you're saying here. ISU lost a few games in the non-conference that they should have won, but there were no "big wins" that they missed out on. They played a relatively weak non-conference schedule, I'll give you that. They did beat Cincinnati, which is in a down year, but still has proven it can beat good teams. They did lose out on beating Kent State, but other than that, their losses in the non-conference have been to Indiana, which was a closer game than the score would indicate (a 13 point loss), Kent State, a 6 point loss, and Eastern Michigan, which is probably their worst loss on their resume. All of their other losses were to conference foes. The worst thing to me is the fact that they lost to Drake 3 times.

[BU ICEMAN]

IlliB-

Sorry, but I'm a bit lost with what you're saying, too. I think I understand you to mean that none of the non-con foes were impressive enough to be called "big wins," even if ISU did in fact win them? Wouldn't that make the losses that much worse?

I've said it before and I'll say it again, conference wins are "discounted" when compared to non-con wins.

[IlliBraves]

I'm just saying that ISU didn't miss out on any "big wins" as somebody brought up earlier. But yes, ISU did also play a weak schedule. They had a few bad losses, but didn't miss out on any big wins.

[Beninator]

I don't understand what you're saying here. ISU lost a few games in the non-conference that they should have won, but there were no "big wins" that they missed out on. They played a relatively weak non-conference schedule, I'll give you that. They did beat Cincinnati, which is in a down year, but still has proven it can beat good teams. They did lose out on beating Kent State, but other than that, their losses in the non-conference have been to Indiana, which was a closer game than the score would indicate (a 13 point loss), Kent State, a 6 point loss, and Eastern Michigan, which is probably their worst loss on their resume. All of their other losses were to conference foes. The worst thing to me is the fact that they lost to Drake 3 times.

4 strikes and you are out. (of the NCAA tournemanet).imo I think, and have stated on other threads that the selection committee will hammer ISU's non-conference schedule and lack of a quality non-conference win. Had ISU played Drake close yesterday, than I would say that they would have been a bubble team with a very good chance to get into the NCAA tournament. The fourth strike against ISU's chances is the 30 point whipping yesterday. IMO, the committee will remember this loss and give an at large bid to another school.

[IlliBraves]

You could be right, Beninator, but I just would hate to see a team from a good conference in the MVC, with this many wins and a great RPI get left out. But I could definitely see them being left home because of their schedule.

[Beninator]

You could be right, Beninator, but I just would hate to see a team from a good conference in the MVC, with this many wins and a great RPI get left out. But I could definitely see them being left home because of their schedule.

I know where you are coming from... From past instances, I dont think the selection committee grant too many favors to midmajor schools.

[MacabreMob]

You gotta compare ISU to teams around them who are up for consideration.

And we still don't know who they might be right now.

One example, tho, could be New Mexico.

Very similar resume.

ISU

RPI 34
SOS 69
record vs Top50 RPI 0-5
record vs top100 RPI 5-5
record vs 101-200 RPI 13-3
record vs beyond 200 RPI 5-1
worst loss @ 234 E Mich

UNM

RPI 54
SOS 150
record vs Top50 RPI 1-4
record vs Top100 RPI 4-5
record vs 101-200 RPI 8-1
record vs beyond 200 RPI 12-1
worst loss @ 204 TCU

Right now, Jerry Palm has UNM as one of the last 4 in and ISU amongst the next 4 left out.

[thefish7]

I have to say I don't think UNM and ISU have a very similar resume. ISU's is much stronger in terms of RPI, SOS, and record 0-200. I mean it's clear that UNM can destroy schools from weak conferences, but no real evidence there that they're any better than ISU at beating tougher opponents.

[BU ICEMAN]

Here's what Kyle Whelliston had to say in his ESPN chat today, and it was the first question:

Nick (Normal, IL): Hey Kyle, after yesterday's debacle on national tv will ISU still get an at large? How uncomfortable will this week be? They have been very strong all year and the RPI is still in the low 30's.

Kyle Whelliston: (12:01 PM ET ) To all Redbird fans, I'd say save yourselves the heartbreak and let go now. The committee won't find any big-time wins (unfortunately, the Wright State victory was downgraded a little over the weekend), and the team's achilles shoed up again last night: defense. Look, it's been a great breakthough year with much more to come. Lots of juniors look to step up next season.


The Redbirds might've just become the Deadbirds...

[BU ICEMAN]

An another page on ESPN doesn't even give you a chance for a Yea/Nay on ISU: http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/sports...?event_id=3371

[Bravesfan]

Here's what Kyle Whelliston had to say in his ESPN chat today, and it was the first question:

Nick (Normal, IL): Hey Kyle, after yesterday's debacle on national tv will ISU still get an at large? How uncomfortable will this week be? They have been very strong all year and the RPI is still in the low 30's.

Kyle Whelliston: (12:01 PM ET ) To all Redbird fans, I'd say save yourselves the heartbreak and let go now. The committee won't find any big-time wins (unfortunately, the Wright State victory was downgraded a little over the weekend), and the team's achilles shoed up again last night: defense. Look, it's been a great breakthough year with much more to come. Lots of juniors look to step up next season.


The Redbirds might've just become the Deadbirds...

Well I'm still waiting for Joe Lunardi to update his Bracketology page today. However, last night he did not have ISU as the "last four in" or the "last four out". This either means that ISU is completely out, or still safely in. We should where he stands regarding ISU a bit later this afternoon.