I figured Northern Iowa would have a great shot for an automatic bid if they got upset, by say Loyola, in the MVC tournament. They had a 25-5 record going in. I didn't expect them to lose their first game to Drake today by 21 points. I think their chances of stealing a bid from a major conference school is now pretty iffy. Their NET ranking was 36, before the loss, but I am sure it will drop quite a bit. I guess their coach and adminstration now have 9 days to do a lot of "lobbying". One argument, the worst team in their conference won at Rupp Arena.

Without studying their schedule and seeing how much their NET ranking drops, I think the committee usually does take a mid-major or 2 like UNI. If they get in, I see them in the play-in game, to "prove" they belong.

Lunardi just updated his bracket. He has UNI as the last team in, playing a play-in game in Dayton. Assuming his prediction is 100% right, at this moment, it is still quite likely they will be knocked out sometime before next Sunday by another tournament upset.

I thought UNI's loss was the opening #2 seed Loyola and Porter Moser needed to get an automatic NCAA bid. So instead #7 Valpo beats Loyola. Well those are 2 things that can't happen in the Sun Belt this year- i.e. the #1 and #2 seeds losing to the quarterfinals. Sure glad we have the current format for this season. Next season we go back to a more traditional tournament format. This first 4 teams get byes and seeds 5 through 12 have a "play-in" game.

(03-07-2020 12:13 AM)mjs Wrote:  I thought UNI's loss was the opening #2 seed Loyola and Porter Moser needed to get an automatic NCAA bid. So instead #7 Valpo beats Loyola. Well those are 2 things that can't happen in the Sun Belt this year- i.e. the #1 and #2 seeds losing to the quarterfinals. Sure glad we have the current format for this season. Next season we go back to a more traditional tournament format. This first 4 teams get byes and seeds 5 through 12 have a "play-in" game.

Speaking of next season’s SBC Tournament, what is the status on a possible move to Pensacola?

(03-07-2020 09:47 AM)PTJR Wrote:  

(03-07-2020 12:13 AM)mjs Wrote:  I thought UNI's loss was the opening #2 seed Loyola and Porter Moser needed to get an automatic NCAA bid. So instead #7 Valpo beats Loyola. Well those are 2 things that can't happen in the Sun Belt this year- i.e. the #1 and #2 seeds losing to the quarterfinals. Sure glad we have the current format for this season. Next season we go back to a more traditional tournament format. This first 4 teams get byes and seeds 5 through 12 have a "play-in" game.

Speaking of next season’s SBC Tournament, what is the status on a possible move to Pensacola?

It’s official. Next five years in Pensacola.

Well we can argue whether Utah State is a bid stealer, but the main bracket guys had them in the last 4 out before today's championship game with San Diego State. So I would vote yes. What an unbelievable game, as Utah State pulls it out with a late 3. So obviously, both get in. Only question is if SDS is still a one seed overall.