16 seed. I guess we got pushed down a notch after Utah State got the automatic today. He also moved UNI down to the 8th team out. That's a big change from yesterday. I guess he just had a day to think about it. I would also now agree that there 21 point loss to the 8th seed is just too much to overcome. I think we'll like end up a 15 seed (small chance for a 14), but first we have to win the tournament.

I certainly like our chances of getting to The Garden in the NIT, if we do not win the SBC tournament. Baby steps.

(03-08-2020 12:22 PM)Robert C Wrote:  I certainly like our chances of getting to The Garden in the NIT, if we do not win the SBC tournament. Baby steps.

I would put are chances of getting to the Garden as close to zero. We would have to win 3 road games against power teams that were on the NCAA bubble. I just don't see us going into places like Indiana, Purdue, NCSt, Texas Tech and I have to admit, Arkansas, and winning 3 times. Don't remember if we were a 12 or 13, in the Beard year. But, I think we have a better shot at beating a 4 or 5 seed, on a truly neutral court, than winning a road game at a Power5 NIT team. I would agree we have a better shot at winning an NIT game, than winning a 16 vs 1 or 15 vs. 2 NCAA game. But, winning 3 road NIT games is not happening. Of course, if you somehow pull off the 15 vs 2 upset, which has happened a number of times, you then play a truly winnable game in the next round.

One factor, though, is that usually the bubble teams who get banished to the NIT are in a down cycle mentally and emotionally, and thus are sitting ducks for an upset. The opposite is true of whomever we might play in the NCAA.

And, of course, we would have two players and a coach who would be working for a chance to get to play in their home city.

(03-08-2020 01:34 PM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  And, of course, we would have two players and a coach who would be working for a chance to get to play in their home city.

I know chances are slim but there is an upside in striving to get to NYC. Good point.

I think there is a decent chance for our getting to a 14 seed. Any upsets at lower levels will tend to push higher if we win out.