MVC Bids

[Heinro]

After a shaky and disappointing start to the season the Valley has seemed to rebound a bit. Most brackets, http://bracketproject.50webs.com/matrix.htm, have 3 teams getting in from the Valley. CU seems almost locked at this point; WSU is locked if we can survive the next month with injuries. ISUr despite some missed opportunities that would have them in lock position is once again in decent shape. ISUb will need an excellent conference season but the last week kept their hopes alive. If 3 of those 4 can run away with it and another win in the Valley tourney we may sneak into 4 bids. Thoughts?

:Valley:

[musiccitybulldog]

It will be interesting to see how drastic standings will change with as little as 3 conference games.

[WuShockNation]

they are in good shape until we all beat each other up in conference play, which seems to happen every year

[isumvc1]

seems the MVC will have a better chance to get 3-4 teams in IF the top 3-4 teams can separate from the other 6 teams. If we get a bunch of 9-9 teams like last season that will minimize bids. So here's to hoping the top 3-4 teams can all get 12 wins in MVC play.

[Khan4Cats]

seems the MVC will have a better chance to get 3-4 teams in IF the top 3-4 teams can separate from the other 6 teams. If we get a bunch of 9-9 teams like last season that will minimize bids. So here's to hoping the top 3-4 teams can all get 12 wins in MVC play.

Agree. There needs to be a separation of 2-3 three teams at the top to garner soldi at-large chances (locks) for those teams. If it is only 2 teams that break away like last year, then it will be only two. I am not sure that 4 can break away and still garner that strong of an at-large chance. A 4th bid is possible if someone other than the breakaways win in STL, but that 4th bid would be take away from a 4th team in a 4-team breakaway.

Most likely 2 bids with a good outside chance at a 3rd (say 65/35). Unlikely only 1 bid or 4 bids.

[Wufan]

Best bet for three bids is for CU, Ill St, and WSU to each go 14-0 against the field and then have either UNI or Ind St to go 12-0 against the field to get one more team in the top 100 RPI. Then, a 4th or lower team wins in St. Louis. That would get us to 4 teams. I don't think more than one team will go 14-0 against the 4th through 10th place teams however. The MVC will get the auto bid and one or two at-large teams this year.

[saluki762]

Best bet for three bids is for CU, Ill St, and WSU to each go 14-0 against the field and then have either UNI or Ind St to go 12-0 against the field to get one more team in the top 100 RPI. Then, a 4th or lower team wins in St. Louis. That would get us to 4 teams. I don't think more than one team will go 14-0 against the 4th through 10th place teams however. The MVC will get the auto bid and one or two at-large teams this year.

Valley history would suggest that no team will run the table against the field. Every top 4 team will have at least 1 bad loss this year. That is simply how the Valley works.

[musiccitybulldog]

I agree with Khan. The trick is going to be keeping teams in the ratings even though some intra-conferences losses happen, if that is possible.
My hope is overall conference respect has grown.
I beleive the conference is so competitive, the beating up on each other will happen like never before. I think it could easily be one of those years when the perceived conference leaders changes drastically through the year.

If Creighton has a great year and the rest beat up on each other as I suspect, its possible for a 2 bid, if there is a different tourney winner. No doubt Creighton has the edge, can they always win on the road and not allow upsets at home?

[Jet915]

The trick is for the top 4 teams to avoid losing to MSU, that will crater your RPI.

[bleach]

The trick is for the top 4 teams to avoid losing to MSU, that will crater your RPI.

Simply playing MSU will crater your RPI! A loss costs the same whether it's against CU or MSU except you should beat MSU.