2015-2016 Men's Basketball Thread

[bonarae]

Uh oh... Oklahoma holds on against Hawaii, winning 84-81. They're #3 but can they be too strong for us?

[Laker]

Uh oh... Oklahoma holds on against Hawaii, winning 84-81. They're #3 but can they be too strong for us?

Hawaii had their chances but played especially stupid down the stretch. 3 point attempt from Guam by their big guy, no block out on the missed free throw. Close but no cigar.

[bonarae]

Harvard couldn't cling to their halftime lead as Oklahoma exploded right after the start of the second half. Score was 83-71. Next up: Wofford at Lavietes, New Year's Eve.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Temple opens AAC play at #22 Cincinnati tomorrow afternoon. The game is on ESPN2 at 3 pm. We're likely to get slaughtered....

[LeadBolt]

CAA finishes its OOC schedule as the 8th ranked conference, behind the A-10 and ahead of the AAC. Conference play is cued up to start and I'm hoping that the conference doesn't beat it self up and fall in ranking. It would be great to get back to being a multiple bid conference.

[Ivytalk]

Temple opens AAC play at #22 Cincinnati tomorrow afternoon. The game is on ESPN2 at 3 pm. We're likely to get slaughtered....

Well, the Owls pulled off the upset!xthumbsupx

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Well, the Owls pulled off the upset!xthumbsupx

Yeah we did! That win came out of no where! We lost by 31 the last time we played Cincinnati at 5/3 Arena.

We're now 6-5, 1-0 in the AAC. Another tough game is on tap on Saturday as Houston makes a visit to Philly...

[skinny_uncle]

Southern Illinois - is/was a complete dumpster fire. Barry Hinson can get them turned back on the right path, but I don't see them ever pushing for anything above middle of the pack any time soon. I also think they are still bottom 3 right now.

SIU is 12-2. You will see them soon enough. Let's see if you think they are still bottom 3 after this weekend.

[bonarae]

Harvard pushed Wofford further down the brink with a 77-57 win at home. Vermont next on Sunday.

[Ivytalk]

Harvard pushed Wofford further down the brink with a 77-57 win at home. Vermont next on Sunday.
I'm guessing that it was a rather sparse crowd.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Since the bowl games have generally sucked bring on college hoops!!

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Well Temple backed up their road win at Cincinnati with 27 point loss at home to Houston.

6-6 Overall, 1-1 in AAC play...just yuck.....

[centennial]

BTW holy ****. Summit is 10th RPI AHEAD of MVC at 13th. All the NDSU fans jumping up and down to go to the MVC will hopefully simmer down. Big Sky comes in at 26th, Horizon at 15th. Glad we are in the summit even though we probably don't make the dance this year.

[bonarae]

BTW holy ****. Summit is 10th RPI AHEAD of MVC at 13th. All the NDSU fans jumping up and down to go to the MVC will hopefully simmer down. Big Sky comes in at 26th, Horizon at 15th. Glad we are in the summit even though we probably don't make the dance this year.

Which RPI source did you quote? I think that is from http://warrennolan.com/basketball/2016/conferencerpi?

The Ivies check in at #19, not that bad. But expect a tougher-than-normal 14-game tournament this year, with Columbia, Princeton and Yale the front-runners for the Dance bid. Harvard, barring a lucky streak in the "tournament", will more than likely be staying home this March.

[centennial]

Which RPI source did you quote? I think that is from http://warrennolan.com/basketball/2016/conferencerpi?

The Ivies check in at #19, not that bad. But expect a tougher-than-normal 14-game tournament this year, with Columbia, Princeton and Yale the front-runners for the Dance bid. Harvard, barring a lucky streak in the "tournament", will more than likely be staying home this March.
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/bracketology/conference
For the summit the RPI is important because we aren't stable. Denver, and a couple of other have been looking to escape. The high RPI helps us not lose teams to WCC, Horizon etc.

[clenz]

SIU is 12-2. You will see them soon enough. Let's see if you think they are still bottom 3 after this weekend.

We'll see

SIU does have 7 of its 12 eons vs 200+ RPI teams

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

BTW holy ****. Summit is 10th RPI AHEAD of MVC at 13th. All the NDSU fans jumping up and down to go to the MVC will hopefully simmer down. Big Sky comes in at 26th, Horizon at 15th. Glad we are in the summit even though we probably don't make the dance this year.

Now that college football is basically over my college hoops intake will go up. I find some myself watching MVC, Horizon and Summit League games on ESPN3. I think quality of play in those 3 leagues is still well above average.

[bonarae]

Meanwhile, Harvard is back to its losing ways again. We lost to Vermont at Lavietes 65-62. We'll open Ivy play this Saturday with Dartmouth.

[Laker]

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/bracketology/conference
For the summit the RPI is important because we aren't stable. Denver, and a couple of other have been looking to escape. The high RPI helps us not lose teams to WCC, Horizon etc.

Where would Denver go- back to the WAC? I know that Oral Roberts was out for awhile but came back. Who else is thinking of leaving?

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

#1/#2 Kansas 109 #2/#1 Oklahoma 106 Final/3OT

Definitely one of the better regular season bball games I've seen in the last 2-3 years!

[BisonFan02]

BTW holy ****. Summit is 10th RPI AHEAD of MVC at 13th. All the NDSU fans jumping up and down to go to the MVC will hopefully simmer down. Big Sky comes in at 26th, Horizon at 15th. Glad we are in the summit even though we probably don't make the dance this year.

*cough* *cough*....not I. Right Clenzy? xlolx

[BisonFan02]

Also...hey UND...quit sucking so bad. It makes NDSU look bad when we get confused for you guys. xlolx

From a NBC station in KC....

http://i.imgur.com/WDKiV3Y.jpg

[Laker]

#1/#2 Kansas 109 #2/#1 Oklahoma 106 Final/3OT

Definitely one of the better regular season bball games I've seen in the last 2-3 years!

Great game! That is the way that college basketball should be. Those teams were sure tired during the OTs.

[smilo]

Yet the MVC, down as it is with terrible cellar teams, remains more likely to get an at-large bid with 4 solid teams. Odds are that neither will, but if I were NDSU, I'd be looking into getting into the MVC still.

[BisonFan02]

Yet the MVC, down as it is with terrible cellar teams, remains more likely to get an at-large bid with 4 solid teams. Odds are that neither will, but if I were NDSU, I'd be looking into getting into the MVC still.

.........why? I will post a longer diatribe later (on cell now).

[smilo]

You probably know the issues NDSU faces much better than myself, but the MVC is still an extremely prestigious conference in spite of a blip this year. If Wichita leaves, maybe things change a bit, but those are more admirable athletic peers. UNI and SIU competing with the Dakota States in basketball too? That sounds fun. Also, the staying power of a relatively young 8 team conference is a bit questionable with Denver thrown in there. I look forward to your rationale though.

[BisonFan02]

You probably know the issues NDSU faces much better than myself, but the MVC is still an extremely prestigious conference in spite of a blip this year. If Wichita leaves, maybe things change a bit, but those are more admirable athletic peers. UNI and SIU competing with the Dakota States in basketball too? That sounds fun. Also, the staying power of a relatively young 8 team conference is a bit questionable with Denver thrown in there. I look forward to your rationale though.

Ok....lets try this now.

First, in the bold...the MVC "as is" isn't adding NDSU...or anyone including SDSU and USD for that matter...and I'm not so sure losing the Shockers would move them to add the Bison either. That being said, it would take a catastrophic change in the MVC for them to pursue anyone in the Dakotas...and at that point, what are you really getting?

Now...here's my "pie in the sky" scenarios to chew on (cue Clenzy having a hernia):

1) Gimme the current MVFC...tell YSU to get lost...add UND and make it an all sports conference. This assumes the Shockers take that last foot out the door as well.

Meet your new "MVC"

1) UNI
2) SIU
3) ISUr
4) WIU
5) MSU
6) NDSU
7) UND
8) SDSU
9) USD
10) ISUb

ISUb is the wild card...I could see them dropping football and staying as a non-football school...leaving a balanced "MVFC" schedule..but no matter.

What do you do with current MVC schools Bradley, Drake, Evansville, Loyola-Chicago, and for argument sake WSU? Enjoy your bus trips to current Summit schools IUPUI, IPFW, Nebraska-Omaha, and maybe even Oral Roberts...Denver on an island.

2) Build the Summit....**** the MVC

Same deal...get more MVFC football members as solid Summit Schools (looking at you UND). There are other targets as well...

That being said, with the 4 core "Dakota" schools, you have a solid base to build on. All 4 schools are committed to spending money on athletics....including 3 currently committed to going full FCOA on all sports...SDSU to soon follow after the stadium completion. All 4 are undertaking major facility updates as well...Give it time....those core of 4 schools, with less local DI competition, will pass whatever shell is left of the MVC...just gotta wait it out.

[citdog]

http://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/story/the-citadel-bulldogs-basketball-duggar-baucom-top-scoring-team-122215




Last season, the men’s basketball team at The Citadel averaged 64 points per game, which ranked 264th in the country.
On its surface, this is a completely inconsequential fact about some anonymous 11-19 team from the Southern Conference.
That is, until you consider that this season The Citadel ranks first in the nation in scoring, its 93.1 points per game three points ahead of the second-ranked team and up nearly 30 points from a year ago. It has attempted more 3-pointers than any team in college hoops; more than half its shots are threes. The Bulldogs (http://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/citadel-bulldogs-team) constantly press on defense, too, which is why their lightning-fast games average more possessions than any other team’s games in college hoops.
This can all be traced to The Citadel’s new head coach, 55-year-old Duggar Baucom, whose former team, Virginia Military Institute, led college basketball in scoring six times in his nine years as head coach.

[clenz]

Ok....lets try this now.

First, in the bold...the MVC "as is" isn't adding NDSU...or anyone including SDSU and USD for that matter...and I'm not so sure losing the Shockers would move them to add the Bison either. That being said, it would take a catastrophic change in the MVC for them to pursue anyone in the Dakotas...and at that point, what are you really getting?

Isn't this EXACTLY what I've been saying for years?




Now...here's my "pie in the sky" scenarios to chew on (cue Clenzy having a hernia):

1) Gimme the current MVFC...tell YSU to get lost...add UND and make it an all sports conference. This assumes the Shockers take that last foot out the door as well.

Meet your new "MVC"

1) UNI
2) SIU
3) ISUr
4) WIU
5) MSU
6) NDSU
7) UND
8) SDSU
9) USD
10) ISUb

ISUb is the wild card...I could see them dropping football and staying as a non-football school...leaving a balanced "MVFC" schedule..but no matter.

What do you do with current MVC schools Bradley, Drake, Evansville, Loyola-Chicago, and for argument sake WSU? Enjoy your bus trips to current Summit schools IUPUI, IPFW, Nebraska-Omaha, and maybe even Oral Roberts...Denver on an island.Drop USD, UND and WIU and you have the potential sapling of a top flight mid-major league....assuming the mandates of the MVC circa 2005-2011 are in place. I don't see the commitment from those three to even get to remotely close to MVC, even "shell of the MVC" level. Look what UNI has done to UND the 6 or 7 times they've played the last 7 years. The average score has UNI winning by about 30. I'm not sure ISUb is willing to actually commit to adequate funding when trying to keep up with the privates is no longer involved.

[bonarae]

http://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/story/the-citadel-bulldogs-basketball-duggar-baucom-top-scoring-team-122215




Last season, the men’s basketball team at The Citadel averaged 64 points per game, which ranked 264th in the country.
On its surface, this is a completely inconsequential fact about some anonymous 11-19 team from the Southern Conference.
That is, until you consider that this season The Citadel ranks first in the nation in scoring, its 93.1 points per game three points ahead of the second-ranked team and up nearly 30 points from a year ago. It has attempted more 3-pointers than any team in college hoops; more than half its shots are threes. The Bulldogs (http://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/citadel-bulldogs-team) constantly press on defense, too, which is why their lightning-fast games average more possessions than any other team’s games in college hoops.
This can all be traced to The Citadel’s new head coach, 55-year-old Duggar Baucom, whose former team, Virginia Military Institute, led college basketball in scoring six times in his nine years as head coach.

Meanwhile...

Can The Citadel no longer become part of the "Forlorn Five" this March? Northwestern may join them, but a tough conference schedule may keep them from no longer becoming part. Is the Bulldogs' defense still weak at this point?

[BisonFan02]

Isn't this EXACTLY what I've been saying for years?

Drop USD, UND and WIU and you have the potential sapling of a top flight mid-major league....assuming the mandates of the MVC circa 2005-2011 are in place

I'd rather see UNI, NDSU, SDSU and SIU get together for a push at some sort of MWC frankenstein than see that listed conference though

Ditto.....go find a post somewhere that I was pushing for a NDSU inclusion into the MVC. I'll wait. :D

Who do you include in your MWC frankenstein? What happens with football in that frankenstein?

[clenz]

You could sell me on that league if the following criteria are met by every school....no questions

1. Bare minimum 6.5k arena capacity
2. Coaching salary minimum for the head coach of $500k with a pool of $500Kish for assistants
3. Minimum spending of $2.0m on men's basketball - not including travel budget and I'd be tempted to take half of the assistant pay out of that requirement.
4. OOC scheduling mandate. OOC SOS must stay in the top 150. I don't remember the exact details of the MVC mandate BUT I'd propose if your OOC SOS isn't in the top 150 you're cut of the NCAA shares gets diminished, depending on the conference tournament set up you lose seeding spots, you lose a share of whatever revenue you'd have otherwise gotten. If you can't schedule tough you shouldn't be in the league.
5. If you play in the CIT/CBI you will bid to host. You will NOT travel to Podunk **** schools for these events. You will host and you will put a real effort into winning the damn thing.
6. You will meet current MVC standards for the current ESPN3 deal. You will be able to broadcast every single home game in HD. You will have local TV deals that not only get your games on ESPN3, but on local TV. No questions asked. None.
7. The conference tournament will be neutral site. None of this bull**** play the games on a home court, or less than 3 hours from the 2 largest fan bases simply so we can have fans at the game. The conference tournament will be played in an arena that is NCAA host site quality (St Louis, Des Moines, or Kansas City).


That's the bare minimum standards. If a school cant commit to that then they don't belong. I don't give a damn what rivals they had historically or what conference they'd be merging from. Can't meet those? Tough ****. Can't win enough games with that scheduling mandate? Get better. Can't pay your coach enough? Get better donors.

This isn't a football league. It's, at the very minimum, a 50/50 split. FCS football isn't what brings NCAA money to the conference. NCAA tournament bids, TV contracts, sponsorship deals, etc... are what drive a "real" conference.

[clenz]

Ditto.....go find a post somewhere that I was pushing for a NDSU inclusion into the MVC. I'll wait. :D

Who do you include in your MWC frankenstein? What happens with football in that frankenstein?
It involves a pretty major collapse of the NCAA football structure.

Realistically I'd much rather see a MAC push from UNI, as it's more reasonable, and the MAC would be better than your proposed conference - UNLESS my posted criteria is met.

[BisonFan02]

You could sell me on that league if the following criteria are met by every school....no questions

1. Bare minimum 6.5k arena capacity

Blah blah blah...clenzy hernia. xlolx

Bruh...wake me up when your current MVC can hit that mandate again. :D Back to my post including the "pie in the sky" ideas, my pick is #2 if you couldn't tell. I genuinely think the Dakota schools are going to have the MVFC by the balls...especially if you were to add a 4th in UND as a new Summit member.

[BisonFan02]

It involves a pretty major collapse of the NCAA football structure.

Realistically I'd much rather see a MAC push from UNI, as it's more reasonable, and the MAC would be better than your proposed conference - UNLESS my posted criteria is met.

Don't disagree...send UNI to the MAC...Wichita State leaves...how does the MVC look then?

[clenz]

Only 1 doesn't meet it, and it's not in your new conference and it's an add that no one was happy about.

[clenz]

Just because your conference mates can't meet it doesn't mean it's not a solid requirement to push the conference forward. Facilities help recruiting

Also, the dakotadome is not a basketball arena. Add not playing in a non basketball facility to the mandate

You either want a good league or you don't and are happy being a one bid league and hoping for a CIT bid come March

If you don't want a top 10 league stay with the current set ups. Neither of our conferences appear to have he ability to maintain a top 10 conference moving forward

[BisonFan02]

Yet the MVC, down as it is with terrible cellar teams, remains more likely to get an at-large bid with 4 solid teams. Odds are that neither will, but if I were NDSU, I'd be looking into getting into the MVC still.


You probably know the issues NDSU faces much better than myself, but the MVC is still an extremely prestigious conference in spite of a blip this year. If Wichita leaves, maybe things change a bit, but those are more admirable athletic peers. UNI and SIU competing with the Dakota States in basketball too? That sounds fun. Also, the staying power of a relatively young 8 team conference is a bit questionable with Denver thrown in there. I look forward to your rationale though.

Alright Clenzy...lemme bring this back for you. I'm trying at least to answer for our Villanova friend :D why NDSU isn't a fit in the current MVC...or would they be a fit if the times got SOOO desperate for the almighty MVC to slum to the level of a NDSU. xlolx .....because it just isn't going to happen...nor would it make sense for the Bison.

There is really nothing wrong with what the Bison have now in the Summit. Could it be better? **** yeah it could....but what it is now fits. The Summit championship between NDSU/SDSU in Sioux Falls is a fun time...

[BisonFan02]

Just because your conference mates can't meet it doesn't mean it's not a solid requirement to push the conference forward. Facilities help recruiting

Also, the dakotadome is not a basketball arena. Add not playing in a non basketball facility to the mandate

You either want a good league or you don't and are happy being a one bid league and hoping for a CIT bid come March

If you don't want a top 10 league stay with the current set ups. Neither of our conferences appear to have he ability to maintain a top 10 conference moving forward

http://spec.usd.edu/

http://spec.usd.edu/portals/2/Images/Construction/Banners/USD_final_bowl_cam.jpg

[BisonFan02]

Both SD schools:

http://www.argusleader.com/story/news/2015/09/19/sdsu-usd-spend-millions-elevate-athletic-facilities-programs/72487640/

SDSU:

http://danajdykhousestadium.com/project-details/

NDSU:

http://www.gobison.com/index.aspx?path=facilities&tab=projectinfo

http://image.cdnllnwnl.xosnetwork.com/pics32/800/UQ/UQJKHZLVFMILRVU.20101217190204.jpg

UND:

http://www.undsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205670444

http://image.cdnllnwnl.xosnetwork.com/pics33/640/CU/CURADBTSMCZNZMN.20140702182653.jpg

[clenz]

Capacity of those basketball arenas?
What are you willing to pay for a coaching staff?
Head coach?
Total basketball budget?

Willingness to play a top 150 schedule? SDSU is currently 134...NDSU is 314...South Dakota is 201...UND 187
Now, willingness to do that every single season?

The MVC, when it was good, had that mandate. Then it gave in to schools like Illinois State and Indiana State. I'm not willing to be in a conference like that anymore. Lack of strict mandates to maintain, and improve, quality has taken this league from top 7 to ****ing 15th.

UNI also isn't willing to join a league, at the FCS level, that isn't a step up from what is has been.

None of this matters because the reality is I think WSU publicly stating they aren't happy with where the MVC has been is likely to be enough to kick the leadership back into a "oh **** we should do something" mode.

[BisonFan02]

Capacity of those basketball arenas? not 6.5k
What are you willing to pay for a coaching staff? Not what you are looking for
Head coach? See above
Total basketball budget? See above

Willingness to play a top 150 schedule? SDSU is currently 134...NDSU is 314...South Dakota is 201...UND 187
Now, willingness to do that every single season?

The MVC, when it was good, had that mandate. Then it gave in to schools like Illinois State and Indiana State. I'm not willing to be in a conference like that anymore. Lack of strict mandates to maintain, and improve, quality has taken this league from top 7 to ****ing 15th.

UNI also isn't willing to join a league, at the FCS level, that isn't a step up from what is has been.

None of this matters because the reality is I think WSU publicly stating they aren't happy with where the MVC has been is likely to be enough to kick the leadership back into a "oh **** we should do something" mode.

Comments in bold and the other bold is a typo correct? If not, I didn't realize our SOS was THAT bad. xlolx I think the Dakota schools are doing this the right way...they are going to spend monies on full FCOA...update facilities...and gradually raise the program (which would include coaching salaries...).

[BisonFan02]

Slight correction to before...Frost for SDSU holds exactly 6,500...The updated SHAC for NDSU will hold 5,700...The "Betty" for UND holds a paltry 3,300...xlolx

The new USD court will hold 6k allegedly.

[clenz]

You probably know the issues NDSU faces much better than myself, but the MVC is still an extremely prestigious conference in spite of a blip this year. If Wichita leaves, maybe things change a bit, but those are more admirable athletic peers. UNI and SIU competing with the Dakota States in basketball too? That sounds fun. Also, the staying power of a relatively young 8 team conference is a bit questionable with Denver thrown in there. I look forward to your rationale though.
Here's the most simple way to describe the MVC in a way you'd understand, and why the Dakota schools haven't ever been a true option.

The MVC is, for all intents and purposes, the old Big East but on a smaller scale. It's a mix of private/non-football schools and football schools that are strongly engaged in basketball (dare I say basketball first at most/all). Much like the Big East was, it's a delicate balance to keep the traditional names of the non-football schools happy (WSU, Bradley and Drake mostly...used to be Creighton). WSU is clearly pretty good. Compare them to Georgetown - really, really, good a while back, fell off a bit but WSU has made the resurgence Georgetown hasn't. Bradley has all the resources to be WSU if they could find a coach/admin that wasn't half stupid (think Marquette). Drake likely would never be that level, but they are a true basketball school that could be very good if they'd get the consistent commitment from it (think Providence). There is also Evansville and Loyola (formerly Creighton). Think of them like Seton Hall and DePaul.

You have schools like UNI, Illinois State and SIU that are, without a doubt (at this point), basketball schools but want to maintain a high level of football. Compare them to a situation like Louisiville, Pitt, and Cinci type situations. Missouri State is a bit like UCONN, minus the success, in that the potential resources would be limitless for that program if they'd dump the idea of having football...but both are WAY too deep into the sport to get rid of it.

It's a giant game of let's find a way to keep everyone happy. Well, before 2012 that wasn't too hard. There was plenty of mandates in order to maintain, and improve, the conference. Then programs like Indiana State (think of them like USF or Rutgers in that there isn't real support from anywhere and they are just kind of there), Illinois State (we'll pin them down as Cinci) and MSU get upset about how they aren't competing for post season bids because they can't win enough in conference and a tough schedule doesn't let them pad wins OOC.

Is this sounding familiar yet?

The giant game of keep everyone happy was working. Then the mandates went away. Creighton, UNI and WSU continued to be/became even more the dominate force of the league. Getting rid of the mandates didn't actually help those schools get better. They actually got worse, and were able to spend less and try less.

Still sounding mostly familiar?

Creighton took off and the MVC was put at a cross roads of who it was going to be. In an effort to keep it the way it had always been Loyola was added. Football focused schools like NDSU, SDSU, WIU, USD, UND, etc... have/had no appeal to the existing members because to our conference football has never been the driving force. It's always been basketball....still sound familiar?

Well, the MVC is really starting to hit it's breaking point - think Big East about 2011-2012ish. Something is going too/needs to happen. The private/non-football schools either need to **** or get off the pot when it comes to creating a winning program. Drake, Bradley and Evansville have all drug their feet long enough. Loyola was a desparation add in an attempt to keep the broke Illinois schools happy with travel costs.

That really rubbed many Dakota school fans wrong. They are dumping a lot of money into facilities and they think having a nice arena that seats about 4 or 5 thousand people puts them on par with what the standard of the MVC has been. Notice I said, has been. I'm not so sure I like the MVC anymore.

All it's going to take for "the split" to happen with the MVC is Wichita State getting an invite elsewhere. UNI has pledged committment to making the MVC as good as it can, unless something were to change in it's membership. Should something happen to change that (WSU leaving and leaving the MVC with no other program willing to commit like UNI/WSU do) UNI is more than willing to look and push every possible button to make something happen.

That's where this all comes in. For years, MVC fans have said that NDSU/SDSU stand zero chance to get into the MVC barring some major shift that would leave the MVC looking nothing like it currently does/did with membership. Essentially, we are getting to the point where the Big East/AAC split is going to happen or the teams that would leave for the "Big East" realize the AAC schools are what's carrying the conference and step their game up to make changes.




That ended up being not as simple as I wanted, but as a Nova fan I think you'd get the idea of it because of what the Big East did.

[BisonFan02]

http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_basketball_RB/Reports/attend/2014.pdf

If you build it, they will come?

MVC average...5,599

Wichita St - 10,732
Bradley - 6,608
Indiana St. - 5,946
SIU - 5,223
Missouri St. - 5,217
UNI - 4,693
Illinois St. - 4,842
Evansville - 4,546
Drake - 3,726
NDSU - 3,308 (in a ****ty building off campus temporarily...)
SDSU - 2,661
LoyolaChicago - 1,928
UND - 1,839
USD - 1,796

I can't speak for the entire rationale...but NDSU will be in the hunt post renovation (sans Wichita St.)....

[clenz]

Comments in bold and the other bold is a typo correct? If not, I didn't realize our SOS was THAT bad. xlolx I think the Dakota schools are doing this the right way...they are going to spend monies on full FCOA...update facilities...and gradually raise the program (which would include coaching salaries...).
Not a typo.



Men's Basketball - N. Dakota St. Bison (2015-2016)

RPI Rank: 141 SOS Rank: 314 Record: 9-4 (1-0)
Conference: Summit (http://realtimerpi.com/rpi_summit_Men.html)





The issue with not meeting criteria like I listed, I'd be willing to move on the capacity some...but watching UNI play at Loyola is embarrassing, and that arena holds just under 5K.

When it comes to budget and committing to the program I'm not. If you don't you're getting a new coach every time you are good. You're losing assistants. You're pushing reset. You're hoping the 5 kids that redshirted 5 years ago can lead you to a NCAA bid, and that the 5 kids you're redshirting that year are good enough to get back to the NCAAs in 4 years.

That can lead to some up years in conference RPI (see this year for the Summit), but it's not a way to build the programs into teams that are fighting for multiple bids every year. f

I can see why NDSU/SDSU love the set up right now though. Look at who you're with. It will come down to NDSU/SDSU 99% of the time because the rest of the conference is...well...not going to be consistently fighting for a top spot...especially when the conference is willing to put the conference title game less than an hour from it's second largest fan base (4 hours from it's largest) simply so it would draw more than 300 people.

[clenz]

http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_basketball_RB/Reports/attend/2014.pdf

If you build it, they will come?

MVC average...5,599

Wichita St - 10,732
Bradley - 6,608
Indiana St. - 5,946
SIU - 5,223
Missouri St. - 5,217
UNI - 4,693
Illinois St. - 4,842
Evansville - 4,546
Drake - 3,726
NDSU - 3,308 (in a ****ty building off campus temporarily...)
SDSU - 2,661
LoyolaChicago - 1,928
UND - 1,839
USD - 1,796

I can't speak for the entire rationale...but NDSU will be in the hunt post renovation (sans Wichita St.)....
So in the MVC's worst year, where fans are embarrassed by what is happening and not showing up, the only school that isn't above the highest Summit member is a school that should have never been added?

[BisonFan02]

Here's the most simple way to describe the MVC in a way you'd understand, and why the Dakota schools haven't ever been a true option.

The MVC is, for all intents and purposes, the old Big East but on a smaller scale. It's a mix of private/non-football schools and football schools that are strongly engaged in basketball (dare I say basketball first at most/all). Much like the Big East was, it's a delicate balance to keep the traditional names of the non-football schools happy (WSU, Bradley and Drake mostly...used to be Creighton). WSU is clearly pretty good. Compare them to Georgetown - really, really, good a while back, fell off a bit but WSU has made the resurgence Georgetown hasn't. Bradley has all the resources to be WSU if they could find a coach/admin that wasn't half stupid (think Marquette). Drake likely would never be that level, but they are a true basketball school that could be very good if they'd get the consistent commitment from it (think Providence). There is also Evansville and Loyola (formerly Creighton). Think of them like Seton Hall and DePaul.

You have schools like UNI, Illinois State and SIU that are, without a doubt (at this point), basketball schools but want to maintain a high level of football. Compare them to a situation like Louisiville, Pitt, and Cinci type situations. Missouri State is a bit like UCONN, minus the success, in that the potential resources would be limitless for that program if they'd dump the idea of having football...but both are WAY too deep into the sport to get rid of it.

It's a giant game of let's find a way to keep everyone happy. Well, before 2012 that wasn't too hard. There was plenty of mandates in order to maintain, and improve, the conference. Then programs like Indiana State (think of them like USF or Rutgers in that there isn't real support from anywhere and they are just kind of there), Illinois State (we'll pin them down as Cinci) and MSU get upset about how they aren't competing for post season bids because they can't win enough in conference and a tough schedule doesn't let them pad wins OOC.

Is this sounding familiar yet?

The giant game of keep everyone happy was working. Then the mandates went away. Creighton, UNI and WSU continued to be/became even more the dominate force of the league. Getting rid of the mandates didn't actually help those schools get better. They actually got worse, and were able to spend less and try less.

Still sounding mostly familiar?

Creighton took off and the MVC was put at a cross roads of who it was going to be. In an effort to keep it the way it had always been Loyola was added. Football focused schools like NDSU, SDSU, WIU, USD, UND, etc... have/had no appeal to the existing members because to our conference football has never been the driving force. It's always been basketball....still sound familiar?

Well, the MVC is really starting to hit it's breaking point - think Big East about 2011-2012ish. Something is going too/needs to happen. The private/non-football schools either need to **** or get off the pot when it comes to creating a winning program. Drake, Bradley and Evansville have all drug their feet long enough. Loyola was a desparation add in an attempt to keep the broke Illinois schools happy with travel costs.

That really rubbed many Dakota school fans wrong. They are dumping a lot of money into facilities and they think having a nice arena that seats about 4 or 5 thousand people puts them on par with what the standard of the MVC has been. Notice I said, has been. I'm not so sure I like the MVC anymore.

All it's going to take for "the split" to happen with the MVC is Wichita State getting an invite elsewhere. UNI has pledged committment to making the MVC as good as it can, unless something were to change in it's membership. Should something happen to change that (WSU leaving and leaving the MVC with no other program willing to commit like UNI/WSU do) UNI is more than willing to look and push every possible button to make something happen.

That's where this all comes in. For years, MVC fans have said that NDSU/SDSU stand zero chance to get into the MVC barring some major shift that would leave the MVC looking nothing like it currently does/did with membership. Essentially, we are getting to the point where the Big East/AAC split is going to happen or the teams that would leave for the "Big East" realize the AAC schools are what's carrying the conference and step their game up to make changes.




That ended up being not as simple as I wanted, but as a Nova fan I think you'd get the idea of it because of what the Big East did.

Now....that being said...when Wichita State leaves...who are on the short list for the MVC to add?

[clenz]

Now....that being said...when Wichita State leaves...who are on the short list for the MVC to add?
Hell if I know.

I have zero faith in the leadership of the MVC right now.

I would guess UMKC or UIC...probably UIC because it's in Illinois and the broke ass Illinois schools would have another bus game. We could move the conference tournament to Chicago at that point and brag about having it in the second or third largest market in the nation...while playing it in DePaul's arena.

[BisonFan02]

Hell if I know.

I have zero faith in the leadership of the MVC right now.

I would guess UMKC or UIC...probably UIC because it's in Illinois and the broke ass Illinois schools would have another bus game. We could move the conference tournament to Chicago at that point and brag about having it in the second or third largest market in the nation...while playing it in DePaul's arena.

..............and the defense rests xlolx Might as well add Nebraska-Omaha on there too....or UAB for that real long "bus trip". You can post all of the requirements you want. It is media market...and a lack of football.

[clenz]

..............and the defense rests xlolx Might as well add Nebraska-Omaha on there too....or UAB for that real long "bus trip". You can post all of the requirements you want. It is media market...and a lack of football.
It's why UNI's conference alignment radar is up and "pinging". Not as vocal as WSU, but it's happening.

[BisonFan02]

It's why UNI's conference alignment radar is up and "pinging". Not as vocal as WSU, but it's happening.

and I don't blame you. The MAC would take you if you dangled your men's bball in front of them and promised to still compete at a FBS level in football. The football part might be a deal breaker...amongst other things.

[clenz]

and I don't blame you. The MAC would take you if you dangled your men's bball in front of them and promised to still compete at a FBS level in football. The football part might be a deal breaker...amongst other things.

MAC is most likely, biggest hurdle is not fitting the eastern foot print and balancing the conference out

UNIs stance has long been committed to the FCS in much the same way as the MVC. If things with the MVC change then look for everything to change. It's a large part of the reason wrestling went MAC

[BisonFan02]

MAC is most likely, biggest hurdle is not fitting the eastern foot print and balancing the conference out

UNIs stance has long been committed to the FCS in much the same way as the MVC. If things with the MVC change then look for everything to change. It's a large part of the reason wrestling went MAC

Your 16k-ish capacity UNI-Dome isn't going to work either...NDSU is in the same boat with the Fargodome. Yes...I know the Kibbie Dome is small...and CCU...but the MAC isn't the Sunbelt. 15k ave attendance is a farce too, but you have to know that the facility would be a red flag by them regardless.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Temple beat UConn 55-53 in Hartford last night! We're the definition of erratic... 7-6 overall, 2-1 in the AAC

I was at the Carrier Dome last night to see Clemson beat the Orange 74-73 in OT. The 'Cuse are 0-3 in the ACC and figure to fall to 0-4 on Saturday as UNC visits the dome. Boeheim returns from his 9 game suspension but it won't matter....

[Ivytalk]

Harvard topped Dartmouth 77-70 in the Ivy opener.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Temple easily beats ECU 78-60 tonight! Up next is a tough roadie at Memphis. The Owls are 8-6 overall, 3-1 in AAC play...

[bonarae]

Harvard ran past Canadian program Ryerson 73-57.

[BEAR]

Well, UCA finally got a quality win...over Lamar. Who wasn't playing that bad.

Next up was SFA...and talk about progress. Last year the NCAA bound team beat us silly by 50. This year...21 if I recall.

But now the NCAA has said we are no longer banned from post season play watch the talent get better for a once proud program.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Temple lost to Memphis the other night 65-63 after leading all but the final 10 seconds. We're now 8-7 over, 3-2 in AAC play. Cincinnati visits Philadelphia in Saturday.

I watched Evansville beat Illinois State in Normal on ESPN2. Evansville has a great inside/outside combo with Balentine and Mockevicius. The Purple Aces are 16-3 overall and 4-1 in the MVC. Despite being somewhat down, the MVC is going to be at least a 2 bid league imo...

[Ivytalk]

Harvard ran past Canadian program Ryerson 73-57.
That shouldn't count as a win.

[LeadBolt]

It should be a good game today @ 2PM as W&M travels to UNCW. UNCW is favored by 5.

[bonarae]

Harvard closes out its OOC on a good note as it beat Howard on the road, 69-61.

[Twentysix]

NDSU once again beats SDSU in another sport. :D 68-57 http://gobison.com/news/2016/1/16/MBB_0116163238.aspx

Apparently NDSU is 16-5 against SDSU in the last 21 men's basketball games, and 10-1 against SDSU in football in the last 11 games.

[SFA 93]

SFA (11-5; 4-0) shoots 72.2% for the game (single best % in Division I this season) as they defeat ACU 97-62 winning their 4th in a row and 22nd straight at home.

9 players in double digits for the Jacks hitting 12-15 (80%) from 3 points out (best % in Division I this season). The team almost shot 80% for the second half.

In this, his 3rd season at SFA Brad Underwood is 72-13 overall with an amazing 39-1 record in conference play with two Conference Championships and two trips to the NCAA Tournament.

https://twitter.com/SFA_AllAccess/status/688555040106086400

#4 Ty Charles has a career night going 11 for 12 (25 points 5 assists 2 steals and 8 boards.)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CY41-oiUoAIYAUz.jpg

[BluBengal07]

Harvard closes out its OOC on a good note as it beat Howard on the road, 69-61.

read the back story on that game. great stuff on both programs.

[BisonFan02]

NDSU once again beats SDSU in another sport. :D 68-57 http://gobison.com/news/2016/1/16/MBB_0116163238.aspx

Apparently NDSU is 16-5 against SDSU in the last 21 men's basketball games, and 10-1 against SDSU in football in the last 11 games.

Its good to be king...... :D

[Laker]

Interesting article about the Original Five- those teams that have been in the NCAA D1 from the beginning but have never made the Big Dance.

Army, Citadel, Northwestern, St. Francis of Brooklyn and William & Mary.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/20/sports/ncaabasketball/five-teams-seek-to-end-ncaa-tournament-wait.html?_r=0

[smilo]

Interesting article about the Original Five- those teams that have been in the NCAA D1 from the beginning but have never made the Big Dance.

Army, Citadel, Northwestern, St. Francis of Brooklyn and William & Mary.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/20/sports/ncaabasketball/five-teams-seek-to-end-ncaa-tournament-wait.html?_r=0

I might be a homer, but St. Francis has a really good chance this year with two very good returning starters and a real good freshman (relative to the NEC). They'd be 5-1 if they hadn't blown seemingly insurmountable leads against The Mount and Bryant on the road late. They even had a solid lead vs. FDU with 6-8 minutes to go. I think the Mount is far and away the best team in spite of needing OT to beat SFBK at home, but with a lot of road games coming up against the worst teams in the conference, I believe St. Francis is very much poised to make a run up the standings.

Robert Morris and LIU are seriously underperforming and Bryant hasn't looked great, so a 2nd place finish could position them well. IMO, they've surpassed Army as the 2nd most likely team to break the streak this year.

[bonarae]

Interesting article about the Original Five- those teams that have been in the NCAA D1 from the beginning but have never made the Big Dance.

Army, Citadel, Northwestern, St. Francis of Brooklyn and William & Mary.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/20/sports/ncaabasketball/five-teams-seek-to-end-ncaa-tournament-wait.html?_r=0

Meanwhile... when will this list become zero at all?

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Temple got a 62-49 win over Big 5 rival La Salle tonight at the Palestra. We're suppose to play undefeated SMU on Saturday but the game is likely to be postponed due to the Blizzard of '16.

[Laker]

Meanwhile... when will this list become zero at all?

The sooner the better. Bob Knight could have gotten Army off the list but he took them to the NIT instead. W&M and St. Francis have both had close calls.

[bonarae]

read the back story on that game. great stuff on both programs.

This is the link if you didn't notice it: https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/higher-learning-is-why-harvard-traveled-to-play-basketball-at-howard/2016/01/16/7f6dfb7a-bbd6-11e5-b682-4bb4dd403c7d_story.html

[TheRevSFA]

SFA vs Sam in Nac on Saturday. SFA is on an 11 game win streak vs Sam

[LeadBolt]

The sooner the better. Bob Knight could have gotten Army off the list but he took them to the NIT instead. W&M and St. Francis have both had close calls.

Correct. W&M is 0-10 in conference finals since the tourney began, including 0-2 in the last 2 seasons and losing the old Southern Conference title to West Virginia the year that Jerry West led them to the national championship. Winning any one of those games would have gotten them off the list.

Currently 13-5 / 5-2 and in a 4 way tie in the Colonial. The team is on a bus trip to Hofstra (one of the others teams currently tied for the conference lead) as we speak up the east coast (rescheduled for Sunday 2PM). GO TRIBE!

[Laker]

Correct. W&M is 0-10 in conference finals since the tourney began, including 0-2 in the last 2 seasons and losing the old Southern Conference title to West Virginia the year that Jerry West led them to the national championship. Winning any one of those games would get them off the list.

Currently 13-5 / 5-2 and in a 4 way tie in the Colonial. The team is on a bus trip to Hofstra (one of the others teams currently tied for the conference lead) as we speak up the east coast to play Hofstra (rescheduled for Sunday 2PM). GO TRIBE!

LB I am pulling for you and the Tribe. It is WAY overdue.

[LeadBolt]

LB I am pulling for you and the Tribe. It is WAY overdue.

Thanks, Laker! I'm so tired of being a part of the answer to this trivia question.


You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Laker again.

[SFA 93]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CZVqwmPUkAEr6Dy.jpg

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Temple's game against SMU has been pushed back until noon Sunday. There figures to be numerous logistical hurdles on Sunday in Philly given the amount of snow the city is expected to receive. This game might get cancelled all together.....xsmhx

[Laker]

Tonight I drove to Marshall to watch Minnesota State take on the Southwest State Mustangs. As I walked in the mother of one of the Mustang's women's players gave me a free ticket. This by itself isn't notable but this is the seventh straight college game that I have gone to buy a ticket and someone gave me one for free. Four times at South Dakota State, at St. Cloud for both basketball and hockey, and tonight. If anyone can top that- good for you! Some of my luck must have rubbed off on her daughter as she had 23 points. It didn't work for the Mav men as they lost to Southwest.

[SFA 93]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CZammodVIAAd9B_.jpg:large

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

What in the world is wrong with UNI?!?! 10-11 overall, 2-6 in the MVC and currently on a 4 game losing streak.....

[BEAR]

UCA won again! Gotta enjoy these wins....its been tough the last few years! Nicholls State was our victim tonight.

[bonarae]

Dartmouth withstood a Harvard rally in the second half and rallied on their own... they beat us at their court 63-50. Ugh. xsmhx

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

So who are the FCS programs that might be able to do some damage in the tournament. The Big East schools and Dayton seem to be the most likely candidates. SIU and Valpo seem pretty capable too. Who else? Chattanooga? Monmouth? Stony Brook? Weber State? It seems like a "weak" year for the low majors....

[SFA 93]

SFA defeats SHSU (76-64) for the 12th straight time in MBB in front of a sellout crowd (7,200 plus 3rd time) and extends the nation's eighth-longest winning streak at 23 games.

This was the 196th meeting in the series.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CZclUPAVAAAGB-D.jpg:large

The Jacks improve to 13-5; 6-0

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CZc5zqaUcAAMD0r.jpg
Senior forward Clide Geffrard lead all scorers with 22 points.

Thomas Walkup in beast mode.
https://twitter.com/SFA_Athletics/status/691101785612689409

[Twentysix]

So who are the FCS programs that might be able to do some damage in the tournament. The Big East schools and Dayton seem to be the most likely candidates. SIU and Valpo seem pretty capable too. Who else? Chattanooga? Monmouth? Stony Brook? Weber State? It seems like a "weak" year for the low majors....

NDSU is down, should be pretty good next year though.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Temple ended SMU's undefeated season on Sunday!! This was a huge win for the Owls! It got us into the bubble talk as January comes to a close.....

[eiu1999]

EIU 7-13, 3-4 in the OVC..........

[bonarae]

So who are the FCS programs that might be able to do some damage in the tournament. The Big East schools and Dayton seem to be the most likely candidates. SIU and Valpo seem pretty capable too. Who else? Chattanooga? Monmouth? Stony Brook? Weber State? It seems like a "weak" year for the low majors....

The Ivies are weak this year, with the majority of the OOC wins over low-RPI and non-D-I teams. So far, it's anyone's game between Columbia, Yale and Princeton. (Most bracketologies I've come across have Yale.) Harvard may still be staying home this March, as I expected.

[Laker]

The Ivies are weak this year, with the majority of the OOC wins over low-RPI and non-D-I teams. So far, it's anyone's game between Columbia, Yale and Princeton. (Most bracketologies I've come across have Yale.) Harvard may still be staying home this March, as I expected.

When is the last time that Columbia won the Ivy? 1963?

[SFA 93]

SLC Showdown for first place

Coach Underwood's only conference loss in his 3 seasons at SFA was at A&M - C.C. last season

SFA (14-5; 7-0) vs. Texas A&M - C.C. (16-3; 7-0)

Jan. 30; 2:00 P.M. in Corpus Christi

ESPN3

[smilo]

LOL Temple. I feel so bad for you guys as I always try to root for 'em.

[Thumper 76]

So who are the FCS programs that might be able to do some damage in the tournament. The Big East schools and Dayton seem to be the most likely candidates. SIU and Valpo seem pretty capable too. Who else? Chattanooga? Monmouth? Stony Brook? Weber State? It seems like a "weak" year for the low majors....

If SDSU finally gets fully healthy and starts to play like they did earlier in the year they could be dangerous, especially with Freshman Daum getting better and better. Big if though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Thumper 76]

NDSU once again beats SDSU in another sport. :D 68-57 http://gobison.com/news/2016/1/16/MBB_0116163238.aspx

Apparently NDSU is 16-5 against SDSU in the last 21 men's basketball games, and 10-1 against SDSU in football in the last 11 games.

Yeah, it's pretty brutal right now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

LOL Temple. I feel so bad for you guys as I always try to root for 'em.

Brutal loss. This one falls squarely on Dunphy. We beat SMU then back it up with a loss to an ECU team ranked 200+ in the RPI? Totally unacceptable!!

[BEAR]

Ugh my Bears are finally coming on strong but still lose games. Last week they hit 13 three pointers in one game and lost by 10. It seems like if they focus on defense their offense sucks and vice versa. Gotta find that balance.

[bonarae]

When is the last time that Columbia won the Ivy? 1963?

1968.

http://issuu.com/columbiaathletics/docs/2015-16_mbb_record?DB_OEM_ID=9600

[bulldog10jw]

http://www.anygivensaturday.com/images/SeamusLight/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by Laker http://www.anygivensaturday.com/images/SeamusLight/buttons/viewpost-right.png (http://www.anygivensaturday.com/showthread.php?p=2320575#post2320575)

When is the last time that Columbia won the Ivy? 1963?



1968.

http://issuu.com/columbiaathletics/docs/2015-16_mbb_record?DB_OEM_ID=9600

Better than football (1961)

[SFA 93]

Top 25 Defensive Head Coaches in basketball

http://www.coachstat.net/

[Laker]

Game of the Year in the NSIC.

MSU-Mankato 119- Northern State 115 in double OT.

Leading scorer for MSU- 42, for Northern 37. Have you ever been to a college game where the second scorer for a team had 29 and the other team 28 and they weren't even close to being the leading scorers? Heck of a game, glad that I was there.

[bonarae]

Meanwhile...

Harvard was stomped by Cornell at home, 77-65.

[bonarae]

Harvard lost a heartbreaker to Columbia via a buzzer-beater, 55-54.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Temple beat South Florida 70-63 yesterday in Tampa. Temple's 12-8 overall, 6-3 in the AAC. We play Tulsa Thursday night at home...

I'll be at the Carrier Dome tomorrow night for Syracuse-Virginia Tech.

[TheRevSFA]

SFA ranked 21 in the mid major poll and again rolling through conference play

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Temple beat Tulsa 83-79 tonight in OT. With the win the Owls move to 13-8 overall, 7-3 in the AAC....

[BEAR]

I'm calling my Bears the vacuums from now on...because we suck. xlolx

[Laker]

Louisville self imposes post season ban:

http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball-news/4693920-louisville-basketball-latest-ncaa-investigation-strippers-prostitutes-rick-pitino

[bonarae]

Ugh. Two ranked teams staying home no matter what this year xsmhx

With a weak mid and low major season, this dilutes this year's Big Dance... xchinscratchx

[Laker]

On a lighter note, Arizona State's Curtain of Distraction seems to be working.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/14/upshot/how-arizona-state-reinvented-free-throw-distraction.html?_r=0

[Laker]

Ugh. Two ranked teams staying home no matter what this year xsmhx

With a weak mid and low major season, this dilutes this year's Big Dance... xchinscratchx

With the Gopher's not able to win a Big Ten game- meaning even the NIT is out of the question- my interest is as diluted as a watered down drink at a topless bar. Yet when it comes to the Big Dance I'll get excited again.

[bonarae]

With the Gopher's not able to win a Big Ten game- meaning even the NIT is out of the question- my interest is as diluted as a watered down drink at a topless bar. Yet when it comes to the Big Dance I'll get excited again.

I'm all in for a different Ivy champ to appear in the Big Dance, especially when two of the three contenders haven't even been there since the 1960's. Harvard's out of its previous contender form for quite some time already, especially when Chambers took a leave of absence due to his ACL injury.

Meanwhile, my Chicago Maroons, although they have lost their last two and tumbled 10 spots in the D3 poll as a result, appear to be in form to return to their division's tournament after an absence of 8 years.

[Laker]

I'm all in for a different Ivy champ to appear in the Big Dance, especially when two of the three contenders haven't even been there since the 1960's. Harvard's out of its previous contender form for quite some time already, especially when Chambers took a leave of absence due to his ACL injury.

Meanwhile, my Chicago Maroons, although they have lost their last two and tumbled 10 spots in the D3 poll as a result, appear to be in form to return to their division's tournament after an absence of 8 years.

A couple of years ago when MSU-Mankato played on a Friday night, I drove to St. Paul to watch Bethel beat an undefeated Chicago team in football. I had to watch the former Big Ten team play to add to my list of teams seen in person.

[bonarae]

Harvard was plucked down by Princeton 83-62. 1-4 in the 14-Game Tournament now, we're staying home too in March. xbawlingx

[bonarae]

Meanwhile, Brandon Sherrod of Yale set a Division I record with 30 consecutive field goals made over 5 games. (He finally missed at 4:49 of the 1st half.) The Elis beat Columbia 86-72 to gain solo lead in the 14-Game Tournament.

[bonarae]

Harvard is now 1-5 in the 14-Game Tournament, and on a 4 game losing streak. We lost to the Quackers 67-57. Meanwhile, Yale is now on a 10-game winning streak, and looks like they will finally get the Dance ticket they should've deserved last year.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Temple beat UCF 62-60 today. The win sets up a huge game with UConn in Philly Thursday night. The winner will have the inside track to the AAC regular season.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Illinois State just got a huge win over #21 Wichita State. The Shockers had been killing teams in the MVC prior to tonight....

[Laker]

Illinois State just got a huge win over #21 Wichita State. The Shockers had been killing teams in the MVC prior to tonight....

I went to bed after watching the game for awhile with the Shockers ahead. I guess I should have toughed it out. Saturday had a lot of upsets. Oklahoma, North Carolina, Indiana all got beat.

[bonarae]

Meanwhile, Pitino blames the broken NCAA punishment system...

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/14726943/rick-pitino-backs-embattled-louisville-cardinals-president-blames-broken-system-punishing-programs

[Laker]

Meanwhile, Pitino blames the broken NCAA punishment system...

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/14726943/rick-pitino-backs-embattled-louisville-cardinals-president-blames-broken-system-punishing-programs

Yep. It should be legal to pay for whores for recruits, recruits father's, and players. And what the heck, for the coach too so he doesn't have to force sex on anyone.

Pitino is right- hit him in the pocket book. Don't penalize the players. Make him forfeit his entire salary. You can't tell me that he doesn't have the final say in his program.

[Nova09]

Will Nova or Maryland get their first #1 AP ranking EVER today? Or does Oklahoma hang on despite the loss due to the beatdown they put on Nova in December?

[BEAR]

UCA men with another one! Woot! Now we have DOUBLED our wins from last year!

[bonarae]

'Nova did get their first ever #1 ranking. They are now school #57 to have occupied the #1 in the AP Division I men's basketball poll.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

'Nova did get their first ever #1 ranking. They are now school #57 to have occupied the #1 in the AP Division I men's basketball poll.

Temple beat them by 27 years xnodx....that's about all I can gloat about now given the so-so nature of Owl bball recently...

Hopefully the Wildcats don't stumble this week against St. John's and DePaul. Temple needs them to come to North Broad ranked #1 next week. We desperately need another (already beat SMU) head turning win to get back on the right side of the bubble. First, we have a big game with UConn on Thursday!

[Nova09]

Temple beat them by 27 years xnodx....that's about all I can gloat about now given the so-so nature of Owl bball recently...

Hopefully the Wildcats don't stumble this week against St. John's and DePaul. Temple needs them to come to North Broad ranked #1 next week. We desperately need another (already beat SMU) head turning win to get back on the right side of the bubble. First, we have a big game with UConn on Thursday!

Strangely rooting for you and the hawks to be the jewels of our non-conference slate after failing to get a top 25 win

[eiu1999]

Ohio Valley Standings


WEST
CONF
OVERALL


Eastern Illinois (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2197/eastern-illinois-panthers)
7-4
11-13


Murray State (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/93/murray-state-racers)
6-5
12-12


Tennessee-Martin (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2630/tennessee-martin-skyhawks)
5-5
13-12


Austin Peay (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2046/austin-peay-governors)
4-7
11-15


Southeast Missouri State (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2546/southeast-missouri-state-redhawks)
2-9
5-19


SIU Edwardsville (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2565/siu-edwardsville-cougars)
1-10
4-19


EAST
CONF
OVERALL


Tennessee Tech (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2635/tennessee-tech-golden-eagles)
9-2
17-7


Belmont (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2057/belmont-bruins)
9-2
17-8


Tennessee State (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2634/tennessee-state-tigers)
7-3
16-7


Morehead State (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2413/morehead-state-eagles)
6-5
12-11


Eastern Kentucky (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2198/eastern-kentucky-colonels)
5-6
14-12


Jacksonville State (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/55/jacksonville-state-gamecocks)
4-7
8-18








2/10/2016
Austin Peay
Lantz Arena
8 pm
American Sports Network (ASN)
Live Stats (http://sidearmstats.com/eiu/mbball/)
Details


2/13/2016
SIU Edwardsville
Lantz Arena
7 pm
OVC Digital Network
Live Stats (http://sidearmstats.com/eiu/mbball/)
Details


2/18/2016
UT Martin
Martin, Tenn.
6 pm
OVC Digital Network

Details


2/20/2016
Southeast Missouri
Cape Girardeau, Mo.
4 pm
OVC Digital Network

Details


2/25/2016
Murray State
Lantz Arena



With 5 games remaining and a 2-3 finish, EIU could finish with a 10-6 conference record.

[bonarae]

Unbalanced OVC right now, from the looks of it?

In the Ivies, a playoff between Yale and either Columbia or Princeton may be the worst case scenario if Yale doesn't run the table (they have beaten both the first time out.)

[eiu1999]

EIU had a great chance against Austin Peay but committed 22 fouls to APs 11.

[SFA 93]

https://twitter.com/SFA_Athletics/status/697867562474864641

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Temple got a HUGE 63-58 win over UConn tonight! We have swept UConn in consecutive years which is awesome! The wins puts in "safely" in the tournament for now imo. If we beat USF on Saturday, I'll be in Philly for it, the stage will be set for #1 Villanova next week! Should be a fun week!

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Congrats to Delaware for getting their first CAA win tonight! 1-12 certainly looks better than 0-13...xembarrassedx

Honestly, why is UD not better? Great proximity to a ton of recruits, nice facility, respectable league and quality school. What am I missing?

[eiu1999]

Thru 13 home games EIU is averaging 1022 fans. xeyebrowx

[bonarae]

Harvard ends its losing streak with a 79-73 victory over cellar-dweller Brown.

[Laker]

Northern Iowa ends the longest home winning streak in the nation at Wichita State 53-50.

[clenz]

Health is finally coming around for UNI.

Healthy UNI beat UNC and Iowa State and got to the top 25. Went to Hawaii, had a kid that was playing 14 mpg leave the team because he was t starting. Starting PG went down and cause some damage to his back in Hawaii. Starting 3 position suffers a a wrist injury that, by many accounts should have ended his season but has played through it, had the starting 2 and 4 positions battle the flu for 3 weeks and end up in the hospital for 8 hours on a game day for IV. That all happened between Christmas break and mid Jan. Team finally for coming together.

2nd place might be a stretch but 3rd place is now well within UNIs reach

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

UNI's defense was awesome all game. They really pushed Wichita State off the 3 point line. The Shockers have lost two straight and slip a little closer to the bubble. Their resume is pretty so-so...

[bonarae]

Meanwhile, Yale finished off Harvard to have the Elis complete the 1st half of the 14 Game Tournament undefeated, 67-55. I'm conceding right now.

Sent from my KNIGHT X using Tapatalk

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Temple got a workman like 77-65 win over USF today in Philly. The win sets up a Big 5 Showdown against, #1 Villanova, on Wednesday at the Liacouras Center on ESPN2. It's going to be intense!!

Temple vs #1 'Nova at 7 pm then Duke vs UNC at 9 pm...great night of hoops!!!

[eiu1999]

EIU loses 79-70 at home against SIU_-Edward.....xconfusedx

[TheRevSFA]

SFA sitting at 18-5 and steamrolling through conference

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

SFA sitting at 18-5 and steamrolling through conference

Memphis fans seem to think Underwood is a serious candidate to replace Pasnter after this year.

[TheRevSFA]

Memphis fans seem to think Underwood is a serious candidate to replace Pasnter after this year.

I think this is our last year with him. I hope I'm wrong

[BEAR]

UCA men are now 6-16. 5-7 in conference. All you SLC fans know how much of an improvement that is over the Corliss Williamson coached teams he ran into the ground. :(

[bonarae]

Yale was recently featured in an SI article...

http://www.si.com/college-basketball/2016/02/16/yale-bulldogs-ivy-league-2016-ncaa-tournament

[Laker]

Classy move by the NDSU Bison to honor the fallen Officer Moszer.

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/12741951_10153974724199532_5723123464369130942_n.j pg?oh=4f522d54c66ab036a6b3876a84448250&oe=57616796

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Temple lost to #1 Villanova tonight 83-67. Villanova played well but Temple had a stretch in the first half where they had some horrific turnovers which allowed Villanova to build a double-digit lead before half. Villanova has a huge game next week in Cincinnati against Xavier. Temple needs to get back to piling up wins in the "meh" AAC...

[bonarae]

Meanwhile...

Princeton trounces Yale from the Ivy throne for now, 75-63. Harvard lost big to Columbia 90-76.

I will probably step away from even making a bracket come March. xchinscratchx

[TheRevSFA]

SFA has the longest winning streak in the nation

[bonarae]

Harvard used a strong second half to topple Cornell 76-74.

Sent from my KNIGHT X using Tapatalk

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Temple got a really big 69-66 road win over Houston tonight. The "W" means we're still alone in first place in the AAC with an 11-3 conference record. Up next is a huge road test against Tulsa. The Golden Hurricanes are also on the bubble.

AAC Standings
Temple 17-9 (11-3)
SMU 22-4 (10-4)
Cincinnati 20-8 (10-5)
Tulsa 18-9 (10-5)
UConn 19-8 (9-5)
Houston 19-8 (9-6)
Memphis 15-12 (6-8)
UCF 11-14 (5-9)
USF 7-21 (4-11)
Tulane 10-17 (3-11)
ECU 10-17 (2-12)

[superman7515]

Congrats to Delaware for getting their first CAA win tonight! 1-12 certainly looks better than 0-13...xembarrassedx

Honestly, why is UD not better? Great proximity to a ton of recruits, nice facility, respectable league and quality school. What am I missing?

They gave a three-year extension to the losingest coach in UD history because the newspapers cried racism if his contract wasn't renewed. There will be no joy in Mudville until Mighty Monte has struck out.

[bonarae]

A Harvard senior's final chance to shine... as a 6th man.

http://www.campusrush.com/harvard-crimson-basketball-ivy-league-patrick-steeves-1612504764.html

[bonarae]

Meanwhile...

Jack Montague of Yale unexpectedly leaves the team, in the crucial stages of the season. Will that move open the door for Princeton to steal the bid? xchinscratchx

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/14838911/jack-montague-leaves-yale-bulldogs

[TheRevSFA]

SFA about to win fourth conference championship in a row

[clenz]

After a confoundingly bad start to conference play UNI has won 9 of 10 after beating Indiana State tonight.

Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Tulsa crushed Temple last night. It was a big win for Tulsa who, like us, is squarely on the bubble. We're still alone in first place by ourselves in the AAC but our at large hopes certainly took a hit. I think Temple has to win their remaining 3 regular season games (UCF, Memphis @ Tulane) and one AAC tournament game to feel safe come Selection Sunday.

[Laker]

My Mavs won their first round of the NSIC playoffs in Mankato tonight, topping Bemidji State 81-71. The Beavers had won in OT by one in January. I brought some goodies from the Sweet Home Bakery in Buffalo Lake for the radio announcer and his wife.

On the top- peanut cakes- they melt in your mouth. Below are apple and blueberry turnovers. And the blueberry fritters which are HUGE. Stop in to see me and I'll take you there if they are open.

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpl1/v/t1.0-9/10370376_10208818736093598_4831031474353047396_n.j pg?oh=ce839341ef8ef8997929d7acc0bdb69a&oe=576293D3

[Bisonoline]

My Mavs won their first round of the NSIC playoffs in Mankato tonight, topping Bemidji State 81-71. The Beavers had won in OT by one in January. I brought some goodies from the Sweet Home Bakery in Buffalo Lake for the radio announcer and his wife.

On the top- peanut cakes- they melt in your mouth. Below are apple and blueberry turnovers. And the blueberry fritters which are HUGE. Stop in to see me and I'll take you there if they are open.

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpl1/v/t1.0-9/10370376_10208818736093598_4831031474353047396_n.j pg?oh=ce839341ef8ef8997929d7acc0bdb69a&oe=576293D3

Youre killing me.

[Laker]

Youre killing me.

Eating too many of these is probably killing me...............

and I have to go to the dentist for my six month checkup this morning...........

[superman7515]

They gave a three-year extension to the losingest coach in UD history because the newspapers cried racism if his contract wasn't renewed. There will be no joy in Mudville until Mighty Monte has struck out.

Piggybacking on what I said earlier, here's one of the articles from the News Journal on Monte Ross' contract issue...

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/sports/college/ud/2015/02/27/minority-groups-decry-monte-ross-contract-situation/24136427/


NEWARK – Several minority citizens groups have joined the chorus in support of Delaware men's basketball coach Monte Ross, whose contract runs out this season with no apparent renewal coming.

In a recent letter to UD president Patrick Harker, Ross was singled out as a "true role model to the school and state. He embodies all the characteristics that one would look for in a coach and leader."

It was jointly signed by the state's NAACP's chapter, UD's Black Student Union, the Delaware Black Caucus and Samuel Lathem, who is president of the AFL-CIO.

"We are perplexed as to why there would not be a desire by the university to keep such as great coach as one of its own," the letter said.

Keep in mind this is the losingest coach in the history of UD. The AD didn't extend the contract, but then was forced to do so by the BOT, and now that AD is gone (good riddance to bad rubbish) and the lousy coach is lousier than ever.

[Nova09]

Piggybacking on what I said earlier, here's one of the articles from the News Journal on Monte Ross' contract issue...

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/sports/college/ud/2015/02/27/minority-groups-decry-monte-ross-contract-situation/24136427/



Keep in mind this is the losingest coach in the history of UD. The AD didn't extend the contract, but then was forced to do so by the BOT, and now that AD is gone (good riddance to bad rubbish) and the lousy coach is lousier than ever.

From an outsider close enough to have a somewhat informed opinion, I saw valid reasons to extend him or cut ties--the real problem was taking so much time doing nothing. That made it definite the decision would be viewed poorly by a significant group of people. The time to decide was after the conclusion of 2014 season. With one year left on contract, an extension coming off a 20+ win NCAA appearance would have been no problem. Sure, some would have still pointed out all the losses on his resume, but they wouldn't be so vocal about it knowing he was the coach going forward. Or, the administration could have taken him into an office, behind closed doors, and said "we are very happy with the steps you have made, but you've been here a while and it's time for a change, your stock is high right now so find another job because we will not renew your contract if you stay."

[bonarae]

Meanwhile...

Yale wins despite the loss of its captain, 59-50 against us. Princeton wins against Columbia, 88-83. I think a playoff is still possible... xsmhx

[Laker]

Meanwhile...

Yale wins despite the loss of its captain, 59-50 against us. Princeton wins against Columbia, 88-83. I think a playoff is still possible... xsmhx

I watched most of the second half.

Why were the Yale subs wearing ELAY t-shirts. Was that to look in the mirror?

[Laker]

In a world where we discuss whether or not Grayson Allen should sit out due to tripping his opponents on purpose, here is a nice story about an Oakland U player and his dad who had cancer.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2...ramming-league (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2620149-oaklands-max-hooper-caps-off-senior-night-by-going-into-crowd-to-hug-ailing-dad?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-league)

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

In a world where we discuss whether or not Grayson Allen should sit out due to tripping his opponents on purpose, here is a nice story about an Oakland U player and his dad who had cancer.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2...ramming-league (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2620149-oaklands-max-hooper-caps-off-senior-night-by-going-into-crowd-to-hug-ailing-dad?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-league)

I saw the video last night! That was both a great and sad moment at the end of the game.

As for Grayson Allen, I think he should be suspended. But former Iowa player Adam Woodbury (aka "The Eye Poker") was not suspended for his actions even though they seemed either intentional or "well thought out accidents".

[Laker]

I saw the video last night! That was both a great and sad moment at the end of the game.

As for Grayson Allen, I think he should be suspended. But for Iowa player Adam Woodbury (aka "The Eye Poker") was not suspended for his actions even though they seemed either intentional or "well thought out accidents".

I think that both should have been suspended. We don't need to go back to the enforcer days of the NBA and NHL to take care of guys who do cheap shots. I don't know how they don't suspend them after looking at the replays.

[SFA 93]

Jacks (21-5; 14-0) can wrap up their 4th straight conference title tonight with a win over HBU.

6:00 P.M. in the Sawmill on ESPN 3

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CcOx3UDUUAAtZ4w.jpg

[smilo]

St. Francis Brooklyn managed to top Mount St. Mary's to finish in a 3-way tie for 2nd in the NEC. The bad news? We lose that 3-way tie and get the 4 seed, which is a rematch with Mount St. Mary's - in my opinion, the 2nd best team in the league. If we somehow beat them again, we likely have a road game vs. Wagner, the best team in the league - and unlike the other 2 teams we're tied with, we haven't beaten them.

Not too optimistic anymore about leaving the Forgotten Five. Was expecting a 3-seed and the ability to play St. Francis-PA, who we have beaten twice with relative ease.

[bonarae]

Harvard topped Brown 61-52. Last games of the season next weekend against the P's. Either Yale (pending Dartmouth game result) or Princeton (won big against Cornell at home) will be dancing. That's a sure thing regardless of playoff result (if there's any this season).

Sent from my KNIGHT X using Tapatalk

[SFA 93]

Amazing play right here...

https://twitter.com/SFA_Athletics/status/703793810447343616

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CcRaVt2UYAElOSN.jpg:large

[bulldog10jw]

Why were the Yale subs wearing ELAY t-shirts. Was that to look in the mirror?

It has something to do with the captain of the team, Jack Montague, who has mysteriously withdrawn from school.

Yale players are wearing gray #4 shirts with Yale spelled backwards to show solidarity with Montague.

Except no one knows why he withdrew or why spelling Yale backwards show solidarity.

http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2016/02/24/mens-basketball-captain-currently-withdrawn-from-yale/

[Laker]

It has something to do with the captain of the team, Jack Montague, who has mysteriously withdrawn from school.

Yale players are wearing gray #4 shirts with Yale spelled backwards to show solidarity with Montague.

Except no one knows why he withdrew or why spelling Yale backwards show solidarity.

http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2016/02/24/mens-basketball-captain-currently-withdrawn-from-yale/

That is weird. I watched part of the win over Dartmouth last night on TV.

[bonarae]

Meanwhile...

There is a two-sport star at Texas Southern (perennial SWAC leader in men's basketball) who also plays football.

http://rushthecourt.net/2016/02/26/texas-southerns-derrick-griffin-plays-2-sports-with-same-tenacity/

As for Montague, I'm speculating that he did a John Moffitt?

[eiu1999]

OVC Tournament starts tonight.

Game 1
#5 Tennessee Tech/ #8 Austin Peay

Game 2
#6 Murray St/ #7 EIU

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Hartford pulls a huge upset by beating Albany in the America East conference tournament! Hartford was 9-22 entering the game, Albany 22-7....

[bonarae]

Hartford pulls a huge upset by beating Albany in the America East conference tournament! Hartford was 9-22 entering the game, Albany 22-7....

So... can Stony Brook finally get in? Only the next few days will tell. xdontknowx

[bonarae]

Along the Forlorn Five:

St. Francis Brooklyn fans will have to wait for another year, as they were eliminated by Mount St. Mary's 60-51.
Army facing Colgate later today. (#4 seed in the PL tournament)
The Citadel facing Mercer tomorrow. (#10 seed in SoCon tournament)
Northwestern and William and Mary's hopes are still up in the air pending conference tournament seeding.

[Laker]

So... can Stony Brook finally get in? Only the next few days will tell. xdontknowx

I hope so. I like to see teams get there for the first time. Gives hope to others. :D

[clenz]

The best non p-5 conference tournament starts today

http://www.mvc-sports.com/media/2012-13/mbasketball/ArchMadness2012.jpg
http://files.streamlinetechnologies.com/mvc/7080496C-96B8-45F8-ADA9-C89F87AAF6DA/2231L.jpg

[bulldog10jw]

It has something to do with the captain of the team, Jack Montague, who has mysteriously withdrawn from school.

Yale players are wearing gray #4 shirts with Yale spelled backwards to show solidarity with Montague.

Except no one knows why he withdrew or why spelling Yale backwards show solidarity.

http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2016/02/24/mens-basketball-captain-currently-withdrawn-from-yale/

I almost hate to post this because we may never know the truth, but the story or rumor is now out there.

http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball-news/4697076-yale-basketball-sexual-assault-posters-jack-montague

[bonarae]

Meanwhile...

Yale plans to finish with a Dance bid, even overcoming the loss of Montague.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/14887652/yale-bulldogs-aim-end-ncaa-tournament-drought-winning-ivy-league-championship-holding-princeton-tigers

[bonarae]

Meanwhile...

Army's future to exit the Forlorn Five just got a bit brighter by facing Holy Cross. The Crusaders upended Bucknell 79-72, sending the Bison outright to the NIT.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Lehigh snuck past Navy 65-63 in one of the PL quarterfinals.

Temple got a huge win against Memphis. The "W" ensured us the #1 seed in the AAC Tournament. If we beat Tulane on Saturday the Owls will share the regular season title with SMU. It's been a crazy year but ultimately I think we're tourney bound.

[bonarae]

Princeton couldn't rally from a first-half Harvard surge, 73-71! Yale, meanwhile, won against Cornell 88-64. Barring a Yale loss and a Princeton win tomorrow, Yale will be dancing. I think the OVC champion will punch the first Dance ticket for 2016, as they have been the past few years...

see the times for proof:
OVC championship game - 6 PM EST
Yale at Columbia (possible clinching game) - 7 PM EST

[Ivytalk]

You're welcome, bulldog!xlolxxthumbsupx

[bonarae]

Forlorn Five update:
W&M will face JMU tomorrow, 2:30 PM.
The Citadel's hopes came to a crashing end at Mercer, which used a second-half surge to beat them 71-69.

[ngineer]

Holy Cross will travel to Army on Sunday with tip off at 12 noon on CBSSportsnet. Lehigh will host American at 2 p.m. at Stabler Arena. PL championship game will be at Lehigh on March 9 with a win over American. Mountain Hawks have won 11 straight. Coughed up a 19 point lead at the 16:30 mark in the second half to Navy with the game tied with a minute to go. Very entertaining and exciting game.

[bonarae]

Meanwhile... Austin Peay sends Belmont off to the NIT, 97-96 in OT! UT Martin sends Morehead State packing, 83-70.

OVC championship game (first Dance ticket for 2016 on the line): UT Martin vs. Austin Peay, today 5 PM CST/6 PM EST.

[bulldog10jw]

You're welcome, bulldog!xlolxxthumbsupx

Thanks to Harvard for the help, but Yale was in this exact same position last year and choked a 5 point last minute lead away against Dartmouth. Yale still has to beat a good Columbia team in New York. It won't be easy.

[bonarae]

Meanwhile...

Boston College has finished a winless conference season in BOTH football and men's basketball, the first time it has happened.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/14908227/boston-college-eagles-complete-winless-acc-season-men-basketball

[Hammersmith]

Clenz is a happy man right now.

UNI over WSU 57-52 in OT.

[bonarae]

Meanwhile...

Goodbye Shockers from the bubble. xlolx They fell at the hands of UNI... 57-52 OT

W&M is still alive in its chances of exiting the Forlorn Five, they beat JMU 79-64.

[clenz]

Clenz is a happy man right now.

UNI over WSU 57-52 in OT.
Check my twitter timeline for proof.

This team was dead and 99% buried 8 games into the conference season. They were 2-6 in conference play and 9-11 (I think) overall sitting in 8th place and had last 6 in a row.

This team has now won 11 of it's last 12, including WSU twice, (granted that one was loss was a completely inexcusable loss to Loyola that cost UNI the 2 seed and landed UNI the 4 seed and force fed WSU into us.

Bring on whatever Indiana school wins the next game, IDEGAF.

LET'S ****ING GO!

[clenz]

This was funny a few weeks ago when UNI beat WSU. It's funny again http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160305/b1daa93998e30cbbf3ee833cfa33c6d6.jpg

[Laker]

Meanwhile...

Boston College has finished a winless conference season in BOTH football and men's basketball, the first time it has happened.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/14908227/boston-college-eagles-complete-winless-acc-season-men-basketball

I just don't think of BC when I hear the letters ACC.

When I think of what a Big East conference COULD have been if Penn State had joined the mix.............

[bonarae]

First ticket for the Big Dance 2016 has been punched... by Austin Peay!

They took Tennessee-Martin down 83-73.

Meanwhile, Yale is up big against Columbia on the road.

[Laker]

First ticket for the Big Dance 2016 has been punched... by Austin Peay!

They took Tennessee-Martin down 83-73.

Meanwhile, Yale is up big against Columbia on the road.

I see that UT-Martin has never been there. Not for at least another year now.

How is the Yale game going? I've got North Carolina and Duke on. Never seen such a difference in rebounding totals, but Duke still has a chance in the last minute.

[bonarae]

Yale is finally dancing after 54 years! They shut Columbia down 70-56!

Harvard, meanwhile, finishes its season on a positive note by thumping the Quackers 74-56. Princeton may have to settle for the CBI... though they beat Dartmouth on the road 84-65.

[Laker]

Yale is finally dancing after 54 years! They shut Columbia down 70-56!

Harvard, meanwhile, finishes its season on a positive note by thumping the Quackers 74-56. Princeton may have to settle for the CBI... though they beat Dartmouth on the road 84-65.

I keep hearing that Yale had the second longest drought (of teams that had actually made the tournament), but who has the longest drought?

[bonarae]

I keep hearing that Yale had the second longest drought (of teams that had actually made the tournament), but who has the longest drought?

Dartmouth, since 1959. Don't forget the Forlorn Five (of which two still have fighting chances to exit it), and some other squads.

[Laker]

Dartmouth, since 1959. Don't forget the Forlorn Five (of which two still have fighting chances to exit it), and some other squads.

Oh yes. That is why I put that in about teams who had actually made the tourney.
50 men's teams and 78 women's teams have never made it.

Citadel and VMI don't have women's basketball so that would make 80 if you count them.

[TheRevSFA]

SFA beats Sam, goes 18-0 in conference and earns a double bye in the conference tourney. Two more wins and it's time to put on our dancing shoes

[bulldog10jw]

A great day for Yale basketball. First outright Ivy title and NCAA berth since 1962. I thought I would never see the day.

An NCAA hockey title in 2013 and now making the tournament in basketball after all these years. If they could only beat Harvard in football, life would be perfect.

[SFA 93]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cc1WIU2UcAEP1dY.jpg:large

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Check my twitter timeline for proof.

This team was dead and 99% buried 8 games into the conference season. They were 2-6 in conference play and 9-11 (I think) overall sitting in 8th place and had last 6 in a row.

This team has now won 11 of it's last 12, including WSU twice, (granted that one was loss was a completely inexcusable loss to Loyola that cost UNI the 2 seed and landed UNI the 4 seed and force fed WSU into us.

Bring on whatever Indiana school wins the next game, IDEGAF.

LET'S ****ING GO!

Helluva turnaround by UNI! I've kept tracked of them all season. If they win tomorrow their seeding will be very interesting given their early season wins over UNC and Iowa State. Perhaps a 10?

I'm glad to see Evansville have a good season. I know I called them out earlier in the year for being a little better than some think. They've been solid all year....

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Tomorrow is a great day for hoops. I know I'm going to be firmly planted in sport viewing position at 2 pm. Arch Madness final, Lehigh-American PL semifinal and Temple-Tulane all start then.

Plus, golf at Doral? Sprinkle in a little Nascar and it's going to be a great sports day!

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cc1WIU2UcAEP1dY.jpg:large

Congrats to SFA! You guys should throw Underwood a parade for all he's done! SFA has become a legit player in college hoops under him.

[Ivytalk]

A great day for Yale basketball. First outright Ivy title and NCAA berth since 1962. I thought I would never see the day.

An NCAA hockey title in 2013 and now making the tournament in basketball after all these years. If they could only beat Harvard in football, life would be perfect.

One step at a time, bulldog!xlolx

[clenz]

Helluva turnaround by UNI! I've kept tracked of them all season. If they win tomorrow their seeding will be very interesting given their early season wins over UNC and Iowa State. Perhaps a 10?

I'm glad to see Evansville have a good season. I know I called them out earlier in the year for being a little better than some think. They've been solid all year....
I'd rather see UNI a 10-12 than 8/9, though UNI tends to do pretty well there....xcoffeex

Evansville is a strange thing. I don't know how much you've followed them year after year, especially with Marty Simmons as coach. They tend to have real good records every year, will always have a guy score a ton of points (DJ Ballentine the last few years, Colt Ryan before, etc...) because Marty's entire offense is run one shooter off of 920 screens per possession and have him shoot 30 times per game and completely ignore all other talent on the team. This year he's smart enough to use the big Lithuanian but it's still a Marty Simmons coached team that can't close tight games and has little basketball IQ if it isn't force feeding one shooter. This year they played one of the worst OOC SOS in the nation. They had 3 or 4 SWAC teams on the OOC - equivalent to how Youngstown State schedules OOC games in football - because Marty knew this was a make or break year for him to remain head coach so he was going to pile as many wins as possible up. Remember, before this year Evansville had never finished better than 9-9 in conference play.

There is a term in the MVC known as "Evansvilled/Evansvilling", which is losing games that you should have no business losing night after night but then beating the top teams multiple times to ruin RPI and seedings.

This year Evansville beat up the bottom part of the MVC but went just 1-5 against Illinois State (3rd place), UNI (4th place) and Wichita State (1st place) and the only win was the second week of conference play against Illinois State.

Between Ballentine and Mock that talent is good, but after that there is a big drop and the coach is not really a D1 coach. He keeps his job because he's an Evansville alum and Evansville is broke and can't afford to pay anyone more than they are paying him, and the pool for assistant pay/basketball budget in general has been slashed every year for the past few years according to "those in the know" at Evansville.

They very well could end up beating UNI tomorrow, I won't pretend they can't/wouldn't/won't. HOWEVER, give me Ben Jacobson over Marty Simmons every day of the week and twice on Sunday (and thankfully the game is a Sunday). I'll also take the depth that UNI has over the 2 options that Evansville has. For WSU's sake they better pray UNI wins. Evansville beating UNI isn't going to help WSU's case for why they lost to UNI twice

[Laker]

SDSU comes from behind in the last minute to beat Oral Roberts 73-70.

Ft. Wayne beats USD 86-70 in the other Summit quarterfinal.

[Evolution Prime]

SDSU comes from behind in the last minute to beat Oral Roberts 73-70.

Ft. Wayne beats USD 86-70 in the other Summit quarterfinal.

One of the most frustrating games I've been to. Just didn't seem to care. The seniors didn't do a bunch so our RS freshman took it upon himself to dig us out of a 13 point deficit. Thank god for Sunday off.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

I'd rather see UNI a 10-12 than 8/9, though UNI tends to do pretty well there....xcoffeex

Evansville is a strange thing. I don't know how much you've followed them year after year, especially with Marty Simmons as coach. They tend to have real good records every year, will always have a guy score a ton of points (DJ Ballentine the last few years, Colt Ryan before, etc...) because Marty's entire offense is run one shooter off of 920 screens per possession and have him shoot 30 times per game and completely ignore all other talent on the team. This year he's smart enough to use the big Lithuanian but it's still a Marty Simmons coached team that can't close tight games and has little basketball IQ if it isn't force feeding one shooter. This year they played one of the worst OOC SOS in the nation. They had 3 or 4 SWAC teams on the OOC - equivalent to how Youngstown State schedules OOC games in football - because Marty knew this was a make or break year for him to remain head coach so he was going to pile as many wins as possible up. Remember, before this year Evansville had never finished better than 9-9 in conference play.

There is a term in the MVC known as "Evansvilled/Evansvilling", which is losing games that you should have no business losing night after night but then beating the top teams multiple times to ruin RPI and seedings.

This year Evansville beat up the bottom part of the MVC but went just 1-5 against Illinois State (3rd place), UNI (4th place) and Wichita State (1st place) and the only win was the second week of conference play against Illinois State.

Between Ballentine and Mock that talent is good, but after that there is a big drop and the coach is not really a D1 coach. He keeps his job because he's an Evansville alum and Evansville is broke and can't afford to pay anyone more than they are paying him, and the pool for assistant pay/basketball budget in general has been slashed every year for the past few years according to "those in the know" at Evansville.

They very well could end up beating UNI tomorrow, I won't pretend they can't/wouldn't/won't. HOWEVER, give me Ben Jacobson over Marty Simmons every day of the week and twice on Sunday (and thankfully the game is a Sunday). I'll also take the depth that UNI has over the 2 options that Evansville has. For WSU's sake they better pray UNI wins. Evansville beating UNI isn't going to help WSU's case for why they lost to UNI twice

Evansville to me has always been one of those programs that wins more than it loses but ultimately accomplishes very little.

I started to follow the MVC in the early 2000's when I was a student at Temple. I naturally really got into A10 hoops and branched out to some of our "smaller" but really good brethren. I think Indiana State was pretty good around then. Korver was at Creighton around that time too. I then got an appreciation for the smaller conferences. I also remember watching the old Metro and Great Midwest back in the day. The MVC reminds me a little of those days.

The MVC should be a multi bid league every year with some the 3 or 4 bid season here an there. I think it can be deeper than the WCC and similar to the A10.

[clenz]

The problem with the MVC is the bottom of the league is so incredibly bad, with little effort/money to get better, that there are 4 250+ RPI drags to hurt, and heaven forbid you lose to one of them

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

The problem with the MVC is the bottom of the league is so incredibly bad, with little effort/money to get better, that there are 4 250+ RPI drags to hurt, and heaven forbid you lose to one of them

It's not much different than the AAC right now. Tulane, USF, UCF and ECU are resume killers in our league. Temple already suffered a loss to ECU earlier in the year. A loss today against Tulane could easily put us on the wrong side of the bubble. Those teams combined with Memphis's fall under Pastner, UConn horrifically underachieving the last two years, Temple being Temple under Dunphy and Larry Brown being Larry Brown at SMU the league is a step or two behind the power conferences right now...

The dregs in the AAC have money but the coaching overall is horrible imo. The USF coach is especially horrible...

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

UNI's defense has been nasty to start the game...

[clenz]

UNI's defense has been nasty to start the game...

That's how UNI plays every game. They don't practice offense the first two weeks of camp every year because a good defense makes up for any offensive issues.

Evansville looks like a team that hasn't played in an important game since the 90s. Oh, wait. They're completely overwhelmed by the moment.

20 minutes, boys. 20 minutes. Win the first 4 and crush the fight they have left in them.

[bonarae]

Meanwhile...

Army comes up short against Holy Cross. xsmhx They must wait another year to exit...
So does W&M against ex-FCS Hofstra... but they fought 'til the end, just like 2011.

Do you think that we should wait until 2019 (NCAA Tournament's 80th anniversary) or 2020 to have the Forlorn Five's number reduced? xchinscratchx Or is it pure luck and skill that should be key to any of the Five exiting this bad reputation they're facing?

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Holy **** Clenz! What a finish! Arch Madness indeed!! What a great second half by Evansville only to come up short. They'll get over the hump one of these days!

Washpun was incredible!

[bonarae]

Temple keeps its at-large hopes alive after beating Tulane. And then...

UNI gets the MVC autobid! They survived Evansville 56-54.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Temple clinched the AAC regular season title outright with a 62-56 win over Tulane.

Lehigh is crushing American late in the second half. The Mountain Hawks will play Holy Cross in the PL Championship. The Crusaders destroyed Army 60-38.

[clenz]

Holy **** Clenz! What a finish! Arch Madness indeed!! What a great second half by Evansville only to come up short. They'll get over the hump one of these days!

Washpun was incredible!

I'm so ****ing jacked up right now

That shot went in and I woke my sleeping 5 month old up screaming like a little girl and started sprinting full speed around my house. Up and down all 3 levels of my house multiple times. Haven't moved that fast in years.

Stepped in 2 baby toys and 3 dog bones. I'm bleeding. Don't know when it happened. Couldn't feel anything by joy. Don't even care.

Wes ****ing Washpun.

He was recruited out of HS but went to TN. He couldn't play basketball just athletic as hell. He spent a year at TN and came back home to play college ball an hour up the road from his HS. He spent thousands of hours the last 4 years becoming a basketball player.

He's scores over 1000 career points in 3 years at UNI and only started this year. Near career assist record and I think got the season assist record today. Again, all I one year starting.


I'm shaking.

[clenz]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160306/faeeb553b301f53858398a010abfabd3.jpg

Also redid my kids little tikes basketball hoop for the weekend.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160306/ba0a4147db36cb76ba5340a0bf8a5c16.jpg

Who am I kidding? I use that thing eventybillion times more than my kids.

[clenz]

The game winning possession. Holy ****.


https://www.youtube.com/embed/URSbH9OsAIA

[grizband]

The game winning possession. Holy ****.


https://www.youtube.com/embed/URSbH9OsAIA
Holy crap, that's how UNI won the conference tourney? Congrats Clenz!

[clenz]

Holy crap, that's how UNI won the conference tourney? Congrats Clenz!

Yup. Up 17 and it came to that. Evansville had 3 great seniors that fought back. Thankfully UNIs three seniors got the last crack.

[grizband]

Yup. Up 17 and it came to that. Evansville had 3 great seniors that fought back. Thankfully UNIs three seniors got the last crack.
Really cool way to win the tournament!

[Laker]

I was watching the game- noticed the old Purple Aces orange jerseys- what a finish!

Congrats, Clenz.

[Twentysix]

Congrats Clenz! What a final shot to win it.

NDSU beat IUPUI today and will play #1 seed IPFW in the summit semis.

Looks like SDSU will play either Denver or Omaha on the otherside of the bracket.

Hopefully we get an NDSU SDSU final.

[clenz]

Some images of that final shot.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160307/1cc1d042ec87fd84d388367146999b1c.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160307/a6d17e187651be03bf2409b58ed4691d.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160307/c02612dfe3a61194a8595de58012f7d0.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160307/2a8ae5dc356fffc6c6adbdafb8d9af9c.jpg

Wide angle video
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=14915619&ex_cid=espntw



And best call of it all - Gary Rima of the Panther Sports Network.

https://www.spreaker.com/user/onpressrow/wes-washpuns-arch-madness-championship-g

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Florida Gulf Coast punched their ticket with a really exciting OT win over Stetson.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

I'm tossing around driving down to the Lehigh-Holy Cross game Thursday night. I feel the need to partake in championship week.

I wish the AAC Tournament was still in Hartford. Very few folks will be showing up for it in Orlando this year....

[TheRevSFA]

Florida Gulf Coast punched their ticket with a really exciting OT win over Stetson.

this game also shows why smaller conferences should have their tourney on campus sites. I hate having the southland one in Katy

[clenz]

this game also shows why smaller conferences should have their tourney on campus sites. I hate having the southland one in Katy

Why? I'd be curious to see what % of these tournaments are won by the hosting school, especially in years they aren't the regular season champ.

Seems ****ty to me.

Neutral site or bust.

[TheRevSFA]

Why? I'd be curious to see what % of these tournaments are won by the hosting school, especially in years they aren't the regular season champ.

Seems ****ty to me.

Neutral site or bust.

you say that as you play in Arch Madness. Watch some smaller tourneys done at neutral sites and see the ****ty attendance, especially in early round games

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

you say that as you play in Arch Madness. Watch some smaller tourneys done at neutral sites and see the ****ty attendance, especially in early round games

Even Arch Madness attendance was ho-hum today despite having one of the leagues premier programs in UNI and a solid one in Evansville.

I was surprised by the sparse crowd last night for the WCC quarterfinals. Although, I have to believe it will be sold out tomorrow night with Gonzaga and BYU playing.

The AAC Tournament attendance is going to be horrific. You can currently by an all session pass on Stubhub for $25. That's not good. The PL tournament would likely be a nightmare too with a neutral court set-up. They tried it once several years ago and it didn't work. Granted, the league was much inferior back then. That was before Bucknell got going in the mid 2000's. Still, as it is the on-campus tournament sites are a much better showcase for the league and the individual institutions imo.

[clenz]

Arch Madness still sold nearly 8K all session passes through the schools.

There was probably still 13-15K tickets sold by the conference for the final. Most just happened to be with the scampers across the street from the arena because WSU **** the bed again in St Louis

[JayJ79]

Why? I'd be curious to see what % of these tournaments are won by the hosting school, especially in years they aren't the regular season champ.

Seems ****ty to me.

Neutral site or bust.
Having it on the campus of the regular season conference champs would be a "fair" alternative if a neutral site wasn't feasible, as it would reward for regular season accomplishment. Of course, that could make for some logistical nightmares, possibly not knowing who would be hosting until a few days prior.

[clenz]

Most set it off of the year before.

FGCU hosted this year's tournament as the 4 seed

[TheRevSFA]

Most set it off of the year before.

FGCU hosted this year's tournament as the 4 seed

No they didn't. The highest seed hosted each round. FGCU beat UNF in Jacksonville two days ago in order to host the championship.

Stetson played at NJIT, then at Kennesaw State, then at FGCU

[BEAR]

I don't know what channel it is here in Conway but they play UNI games here weekly. xeyebrowx

[SFA 93]

Jacks clean up in the SLC awards as Underwood wins 3rd straight Coach of the Year Award and Thomas 2nd straight POY

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cc9d-Q8UYAEd1cx.jpg:large

[Catatonic]

Jacks clean up in the SLC awards as Underwood wins 3rd straight Coach of the Year Award and Thomas 2nd straight POY

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cc9d-Q8UYAEd1cx.jpg:large
Not a total clean up. No Freshman of the Year award.

[clenz]

Oh NDSU. Not a good start.

Down 20-4 8 min in against IPFW

[Thumper 76]

Oh NDSU. Not a good start.

Down 20-4 8 min in against IPFW

With Miller being suspended it certainly hasn't helped. IPFW up by 18 now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BisonFan02]

Oh NDSU. Not a good start.

Down 20-4 8 min in against IPFW


With Miller being suspended it certainly hasn't helped. IPFW up by 18 now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Score check? :D

[Thumper 76]

NDSU comes back to win it, I have no idea how


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Thumper 76]

Score check? :D

Lol AS I TYPE THAT. Swear to go NDSU as a university has a giant horseshoe up their asses, just insane. Congratulations


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Laker]

NDSU 69- Ft. Wayne 68 Bison came back from 18 down.

Could play the Jacks in the finals if they beat Denver.

[BisonFan02]

NDSU comes back to win it, I have no idea how


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I don't either.....but break out the sprinkles! Cuz we're winners! :D

- - - Updated - - -


NDSU 69- Ft. Wayne 68 Bison came back from 18 down.

Will play the Jacks in the finals.

They gotta win first.