CSNbbs

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bubblewatch

Not even with only two losses.

Just keep winning. Our name will eventually pop up.

I doubt it. Just not enough schedule to get the attention. Hope I am wrong.

I think we are one of the midmajors they are "keeping their eye on".
We don't have the "name" that St. Mary's and obviously Gonzaga do, but our RPI is comparable to St. Mary's and better than Gonzaga. While I think we are on the bubble now, to stay there we would probably have to win out, which appears quite unlikely with trips to ULM, ULL, and GaSt still ahead of us. Losing on the road, to an AppSt or GaSouthern is not beyond the realm of possibility either. Even a home loss to TxSt or UTA could happen. So, I believe we are not presently on the bubble now because they have some doubt about are staying power, rather than our body of work up to this point.

That's a good point. The Wichita State fan who has posted on our board told how they had to win for about four years before they started gaining nationwide recognition. That's what it will take here. When Little Rock starts winning championships and NCAA games, that's when we'll get recognized. Until then, it's just an uphill battle. Will we make it this time, like we didn't when Newell was here, and left, who knows. But it's fun right now.

(02-02-2016 01:54 PM)outsideualr Wrote: [ -> ]That's a good point. The Wichita State fan who has posted on our board told how they had to win for about four years before they started gaining nationwide recognition. That's what it will take here. When Little Rock starts winning championships and NCAA games, that's when we'll get recognized. Until then, it's just an uphill battle. Will we make it this time, like we didn't when Newell was here, and left, who knows. But it's fun right now.

If we keep Coach Beard here I think the sky is the limit. If not, we'll roll the dice again and there is no predicting what will happen after that. I guess we should enjoy the ride while we can.

(02-02-2016 02:56 PM)mjs Wrote: [ -> ]I guess we should enjoy the ride while we can.

Sure. Too many uncertainties. This year is a good year. Who knows about next?

Assuming the players return that we are expecting and stay healthy, we'll be very good next year also. Maybe even better than this year, which will be difficult to achieve. But after that, at least at this time, it's a crap shoot. If Chasse and Coach Beard stay around, I think we'll be solid. But if we have to hire another coach in the immediate future, then you just don't know what will occur.

Just did some research on this this week. We are actually projected at around a 46% chance to earn an at large bid based on the projected record (4 loses) at the end of the season. At basically 50% that is the definition of a bubble team honestly.

If you're returning most of your talent next year, definitely need to try and schedule up. Teams that are expected to be in the Top 100 can go a long way to boosting your resume. Take a buy game against a beatable, mid-tier, P5 team and shove it down their throat if you must.

As for this year, it's frustrating I know. We missed out on a couple of NCAAs where we thought we belonged. One of those years we won the NIT in convincing fashion. It's all been trending up since. If you do end up missing out, the team needs to dedicate themselves to winning the NIT. It may not be the NCAA, but a good showing there can help as well and set the stage for the following year.

Where's your conference tournament held? Do you guys do a neutral site or does someone host? It sucks if it comes down to all or nothing there, but it does remove all doubt of what tournament you'll be in.

(02-05-2016 08:52 AM)SubGod22 Wrote: [ -> ]If you're returning most of your talent next year, definitely need to try and schedule up. Teams that are expected to be in the Top 100 can go a long way to boosting your resume. Take a buy game against a beatable, mid-tier, P5 team and shove it down their throat if you must.

As for this year, it's frustrating I know. We missed out on a couple of NCAAs where we thought we belonged. One of those years we won the NIT in convincing fashion. It's all been trending up since. If you do end up missing out, the team needs to dedicate themselves to winning the NIT. It may not be the NCAA, but a good showing there can help as well and set the stage for the following year.

Where's your conference tournament held? Do you guys do a neutral site or does someone host? It sucks if it comes down to all or nothing there, but it does remove all doubt of what tournament you'll be in.

Sun Belt Tournament is held in New Orleans on a neutral court. Top 2 teams get a double bye to the semis.

Still not there, although we did get mentioned as close. Which means one loss and we are gone.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bubblewatch

(02-05-2016 08:52 AM)SubGod22 Wrote: [ -> ]definitely need to try and schedule up.

Here's hoping we do. But it will be difficult after this year, I am guessing.

(02-05-2016 10:54 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote: [ -> ]

(02-05-2016 08:52 AM)SubGod22 Wrote: [ -> ]definitely need to try and schedule up.

Here's hoping we do. But it will be difficult after this year, I am guessing.

You are correct but it can be done. In some ways it will be a double edged sword. Teams won't want to schedule us because they figure we'll be good, but good teams might not mind scheduling us because they figure they will get something out of it with a victory. Scheduling is a very difficult and intricate art.

Scheduling is complex but games can be found with hard work.

Play several tournaments.

(02-05-2016 12:48 PM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote: [ -> ]Play several tournaments.

Next year's preseason NIT would be a natural. Not sure how they pick teams, but we haven't been for a long time (if ever, although I think we were included once). They always try to get some really good midmajor teams and I think we definitely qualify.

Getting into decent MTEs go a long way in getting you games you may not normally get. I don't know but right now I'd think you guys might be able to work your way into Cancun, Paradise Jam (V.I.), Alaska. Although Alaska isn't what it used to be. Maybe the Diamondhead Classic in Hawaii. I know there are a number of others but these and a few more are what I'd call maybe the 2nd tier MTEs. Not quite the Maui or Atlantis level tournaments, but usually decently solid with some good RPI opportunities. I know we used to do Cancun and Paradise when we started our movement. There's also a Vegas tournament that's usually not bad. I believe one in L.A. as well.

Not gonna lie though, having a decent following willing to travel over Thanksgiving/Christmas helps get into the better ones as there's money to be made. But winning can help that. So can desirable destinations. I believe Wichita is going to Atlantis next year and back to Maui the year after. I haven't heard about '18 but I'm guessing we'll be back in KC for the CBE Classic. We went to Orlando this year. Marshall likes beaches.

Hey, I'm all in for Hawaii. Never been there but we would go for a Thanksgiving or Christmas Tournament

I consider Madison Square Garden a home court advantage. If we end up in the NIT...win it all.