Rex Hudler

Southern Illinois "handling" SMS right now, 42-20 with 4 minutes left in the first half. Also, I had not heard this, but apparently SMS will be no more beginning next year. They will officially be called Missouri State University. Just what we needed, another freakin MSU!

QUOTE(YASNY @ Mar 6, 2005 -> 09:12 PM) OK guys, I got another question for you? If UNC beats Duke does Illinois lose it's overall number 1 seed. Will they still get to do they Indy, Chicago, StL trifecta? I think so for sure. Even if UNC became the "#1 overall" I don't think that would affect Illinois because of geography. If Kentucky would have been in that position, then they could have thrown a wrinkle into the Illini's travel plans. Maybe even Kansas.

I think the losses of teams right now really won't affect the seeding a whole lot. If everyone was losing and just one team lost, then it might. Since after Illinois and North Carolina, teams seem to be somewhat jumbled up, they will just ignore recent results and look at their complete season and make the call from there.

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Mar 6, 2005 -> 08:45 PM) GT will make it based on the committees belief that with Elder back, they will be a tough team to contend with. Will they be right? Probably not, GT has struggled all year long, with or without Elder. They made their run throught he tourney last year without Elder, and have looked like crap alot even with him in the lineup. Basically its Jarret Jack and 4 bystanders on the floor. Schenser is extremely soft, Muhammed can't shoot, Elder is still inconsistent, Bynum is an enigma, and you never know what you are going to get from the bench. I have no doubt GT will make the tourney almost solely on reputation from last year and the image that GT is much better off with Elder back. I do think they have to win atleast 1 game in the tourney to deserve an invitation. Same thing with Maryland and Virginia Tech. I agree that GT is likely in, but I just wanted to point out that their resume is pretty damned weak, Elder or no Elder. It wasn't like when they were winning with him early, they were doing it against teams that were worth a damn. (see previous list)... Maryland, on the other hand, I am not so sure about. Is a win against Virginia or whatever bottom team they play enough? They are 16-11 and 7-9 right now. Can beating Duke twice be enough? Probably so, but I am not holding my breath. Losing to VA Tech yesterday and 4 out of their last 5 going into the tourney isn't the way to impress.

I am going to go eat some Dreamland...... I'll be back in a while to break down every single bubble team with you guys if anyone is game. This is my fun time of year. lol

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Mar 6, 2005 -> 08:31 PM) Well, thats true too. Any team on the bubble obviously has flaws. One team you got to look at is Georgia Tech who has as much talent in the country but for whatever reason has failed to flourish. Don't they have like pretty much there entire team from last year back? The team that went to the Final 4 IIRC. I know one thing, this is gonna be one fun month Georgia Tech's wins.... do you put them in based on one win??? Alabama State Illinois - Chicago Arkansas - Little Rock Michigan Georgia Air Force James Madison Charleston Southern Lafayette Miami (twice) Virginia Wake Forest Florida State (twice) Clemson (twice) That's it! Two wins against bubble team Miami help and Wake Forest was big.. But where is one other even decent win???

Ok, Mr. Bracketologist, who would you put in the tourney instead? While the resumes of Indiana, Minnesota and Iowa aren't without flaws, what other teams would you put in? Make a case for somebody else, rather than just a blanket "I agree and don't think any should get in."

QUOTE(He_Gawn @ Mar 6, 2005 -> 08:22 PM) Theres no way Iowa gets in with Pierce. They stand no chance of making any noise. If they get two wins, that would include one against Michigan State. At that point, I could see Iowa getting consideration. It's kind of funny, because most years I am looking for mid-major upsets because I am wanting the Missouri Valley to do well and I like seeing the mid-major teams get a shot over a mediocre big conference team. But this year, I am rooting for no upsets because my team is one of these mediocre big conference teams. LOL I think a lack of upsets in mid-major tournaments will help the Big Ten's cause. The ACC's as well.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Mar 6, 2005 -> 08:02 PM) Ok, lets look at Iowa's schedule. They also loss to NU, in OT in Evaston. There badloss was definately when they lost to Purdue on the road but that was just following the whole Pierce incident. Lose @ Wisconsin by 3 Beat Indiana @ Iowa Beat Minn @ Home Beat OSU @ Home Beat Iowa State (albeit ISU is much improved since then) Wins against Texas/Louisville Hell more I look at it, minus the poor stretch I think they deserve it as much as anyone else. Plus 19-10 and if they take at least one in BTT they are bubble, two and they are in. From what I can tell Iowa has only won two games on the road this year. Minnesota just four. So none of the Big 10 bubble teams have impressed on the road. Edit: Let me take that back. I didn't catch the win at powerhouse Drake early in the year, so make that three road wins for Iowa.

Man, this time of year is fun!

Let's take a look at this from another angle and compare ONLY Indiana and Minnesota, who most experts feel is in already. Minnesota is 20-9 and Indiana is 15-12. Both have the same Big 10 record and split their two games, both winning at home. Minnesota beat the following non-conference teams.... Lipscomb Furman - common opponent with IU Holy Cross - solid team that should be in the Big Dance Nebraska Central Michigan Chicago State St. Francis PA NC Greensboro Coppin State Loyola Marymount Combined record of 144-133 IU beat.... Indiana State Western Illinois Ball State Oral Roberts - compare to Holy Cross Furman Combined record 77-68 Their non-conference wins are pretty similar. The biggest two differences between the two are: 1. Minnesota played two extra games (and against easy competition) 2. Minnesota played and lost to Alabama and Oklahoma who are both very good teams. They lost to Florida State who is 11-18. Indiana played two less games than Minnesota. They lost to UNC, UConn, Kentucky, Notre Dame, Charlotte and Missouri. I can't for the life of me compare those two schedules and figure how Minnesota has a "better resume" other than the fact they have more wins by playing lesser competition and two extra games. I can't see a team being rewarded for beating Chicago St, Lipscomb and Coppin St over a team that played Charlotte, Kentucky, Notre Dame, UConn and UNC. Is beating Coppin State better than losing by six at UCONN? I certainly don't think so. In fact, I would consider both teams to be about as even as they can be, considering they had different types of schedules.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Mar 6, 2005 -> 08:01 PM) I believe Indiana's 10 Big Ten wins and their recovery from the 5 or 6 game losing streak will get them over the hump. When IU lost all those games early, I thought you could stick a fork in them, but they've recovered nicely and are on the upswing. I believe they'll get in. I agree, IF they beat Minnesota.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Mar 6, 2005 -> 07:55 PM) Ya, but Iowa seems to have rebounded from the Pierce lost. They did take out OSU the other day. Albeit it, it was a very close game as was the Michigan one. All I'm saying is IU has a worse RPI and not that great of a resume. Hell, I think the better odds are that neither Iowa or IU gets in, but if one of them does, I'm gonna bet that its the one that plays better in the BTT. I think you will find that RPI will play less a role this year than it has in a long time.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Mar 6, 2005 -> 07:53 PM) I agree that it won't be the only thing. But its gonna be hard for them to let in a team with as poor of a record, especially since they had a few rough losses to pretty poor schools. Same can be said for Iowa so to speak. Hell, I think Iowa and IU are complete opposites. Iowa started the years as one of the better teams in the country and then sputtered in big ten play. However, they have came on again with there 3 game win streak and have some big wins. In my opinion, if the Big Ten gets in an extra team it will be one of Iowa or IU and it will be the one that plays best in the tourney. And if you want to talk close games, Iowa did send the Illini into OT on the road, which helps as well. Its gonna be an interesting Big Ten tourney. You also have to think about who goes out if one of Iowa/IU gets in the tourney. IU lost to Northwestern and has gone 10-5 since. Missouri is the only other "pretty poor school" they lost to and they did so on the road, without Bracey Wright for 3/4 of the game because he got his nose broken by an elbow. Missouri is also beating up on Kansas pretty good right now, (but it is early) for what that is worth. They should have beaten Charlotte and that loss hurts, but only because of the clock situation, not because Charlotte is a bad loss. They are 21-6 and a lock for the tourney. IU's other non-conference losses came to North Carolina, UConn, Kentucky, and Notre Dame.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Mar 6, 2005 -> 07:48 PM) If you look at RPI, which I think we all know the selection team does, you'll notice that Iowa's RPI is pretty good. I'm looking at a few sites and some have them in the 30 range, which is odd. I know they had some huge wins early in the year and with Louisville and Texas (2 teams they beat) playing well it bodes well for them if they can come up with, like I say, 2 wins in the tourney. Same goes for IU, imo, who in my mind gets hammered for the way they started the year. If I am looking at Iowa and Indiana and consider them to be close, there is no way in hell I would take Iowa. Sure they had big wins early, but they also had them with Pierce in the lineup. Without him they are a different team. IU lost a lot early, but they did so against cream of the crop competition and with youth. They have done nothing but improve since. I think the committee would take a team on the upswing more so than a team that did their best work in December. Yes, they have to look at a teams complete body of work, but they don't ignore how they are playing now.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Mar 6, 2005 -> 07:35 PM) I can't see you guys getting in with such a lousy non-conference record. I realize you've played good basketball but you can't look past that awful start. As a Hawkeye fan I will say don't count the Hawks out. They've won 3 in a row and there RPI is at 51, which is pretty bad, but two good wins in the tourney and that RPI takes off and they show they have recovered from the removal of Pierre Pierce. However, if they don't make it, Alfords oustered and that may be the best thing of all. Jason, I don't think you can or the committee will focus solely on that part of the season. Granted the early part of the season won't help IU a ton, but at the same time, I don't think it will hurt as much as you might think. Beating Minnesota will be a must. Staying competitive against Illinois in the semis is important as well. The committee looks beyond won-loss record. They look at how they finished the season. I do think the Charlotte game will at least be discussed. The fact they have consistently improved since December will help. IU's resume is not without flaws, so nothing is set in stone, but I don't think you can just look at the obvious and assume they won't get in. Alabama from last year is a perfect example. They got in at 16-13.

QUOTE(He_Gawn @ Mar 6, 2005 -> 07:34 PM) IF we win on Friday, I actually think we have one helluva shot to take out the ILLINI with Bracey. We lost by 12 last time without him and he brings us about 20 points to the table. We shall see. I wouldn't go quite that far. Illinois losing today doesn't help anybody's chances of beating them on Saturday.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Mar 6, 2005 -> 07:31 PM) Dam i know Iowa is outside bubble and Iu ain't going so I wanted to see another b-10 team get in. Don't count IU out so soon.........

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Mar 6, 2005 -> 07:05 PM) Cal State Fullerton clinched the 3rd seed in the Big West Tourney. They play this upcoming Thursday against the worse of the seeded teams. Hopefully they'll be able to win Do they have a shot at the NIT?

Hey Brian, are you familiar with the bar in Chicago named Salukis?? It is a small little dive somewhere near Pizzeria Uno and everything in the place is SIU stuff. I believe the owner's daughters went there. He may have too, I can't recall. I found it several years ago and enjoyed a few beers and a cigar there, and never could remember where it was. Last year when I went to Uno after a Sox game, I saw it from the parking garage as we were walking to eat. I think it is on Ohio or Wells St. It was a neat little place.

QUOTE(danman31 @ Mar 6, 2005 -> 07:19 PM) Also, I think Illinois didn't need to lose, but get tested. OSU would have given them the test if Illinois was able to pull this one off today. So I don't think the fact that they lost is beneficial, just the fact that they had a close game down the stretch. Agreed 100%. I'm sure Illinois would have preferred to pass this test with flying colors, but the fact that they were tested in a hostile environment should help them next time they are in a similar situation.

Illinois will still be a #1 seed without a doubt. They have proven to be over the long haul of the season. From an Illini perspective, I was a little disappointed today that they didn't react better in the last 3 minutes or so of the game when OSU had climbed back in it. I thought that this would be a good test and a way for them to show how really good they are by staying cool and still getting it done. Sylvester hit a tough shot and Illinois couldn't get it done. Hopefully they will learn from what they didn't do this time and be ready next time they are down to the wire in a hostile environment.

Illini and OSU about to tip off...... Great games on today.... Kentucky/Florida next, then Duke/UNC, plus I can pick up the Missouri Valley semifinals starting at 2:30 on on of the Fox Sports channels.

Greg Oden and Lawrence North beat Indianapolis Arlington in Sectonals this weekend. Arlington was undefeated and ranked #3 in the country. In Alabama, Mobile LeFlore was undefeated and ranked #2 in the country until last night's state championship game, losing big to Auburn HS. In 5A, Butler from Huntsville beat Mobile Shaw (which beat Richard Hendrix team in the semis). Butler was led by a 6-10 freshman who scored 14 points, had 12 rebounds and 9 blocked shots. His name...... Ralph Sampson III. Apparently the young Sampson has 2 inches and about 35 pounds on his dad at the same age.

QUOTE(AssHatSoxFan @ Mar 6, 2005 -> 06:54 AM) i can explain why... road wins are more valuable this year which even at a crappy team can make all the difference...although let it be known the RPI of team is merely used to categorize teams based on who other teams have beaten not really as a tool to see if a tem should get in as far as i know For the past 10 years or so, RPI has definitely been one of the tools the Selection Committee uses. In fact, they seem to weigh it relatively heavily.