At Large Mid Majors in NCAA Tourney

[TrueRU]

Was just reading an article on Murray State and how they should be in the dance (they had a 25 game winning streak this year) but likely won't because they didn't win the OVC Tourney. Personally, I would love to see teams like this get in, and in this case I think Murray could do some damage if they got in. Good team, well coached, and they have a future star in Cam Payne. I just re-watched their game against Belmont and it may have been the best game I've seen this year.



This post was edited on 3/13 12:22 AM by TrueRU

 

[bac2therac]

my problem with them getting in is that they beat no one, have bad losses, did poorly when they did face solid teams, have a poor strength of schedule and that their conference is weak...ranked 23rd out of 32. Their best win is only Illinois State...only one top 100 rpi win...They lost to Xavier and Valpo by 25-30 points. Also bad losses to Portland, Belmont, and Houston who is worst team in the AAC. Not sure that should be rewarded

 

[TonyLieske]

There will be plenty of at large mid-majors in the tourney.

But I think Murray State qualifies as a "low major." These are the conferences that play in D1, but normally just get the one team in each. I think they will rightfully left out. There are much better teams that will be just outside the tourney in both P5 and true mid-major conferences.

 

[TrueRU]

Agree that there are better mid major conferences than others, but Murray State won 25 in a row this year. I know they don't play a B1G or an ACC schedule, but that is still a hell of an accomplishment. Their resume doesn't necessarily stack up in terms of who they played, but I'd like to see them in. It makes it easier to root for a Murray State/Valpo type team in the tourney than the 7th or 8th team in a power conference that backed their way in.

 

[TrueRU]

Here is the article I referenced in my initial post.

Murray State

 

[BoroKnight]

Parrish is dead wrong. Murray State beat nobody, was hammered by almost nobody and has zero quality wins. Zero. Murray State is 62 in the RPI; the Ohio Valley is 24th among conferences.

You know how many top-100 RPI teams Murray State has played? THREE. And they are 1-2, beating Illinois State and losing to Xavier (by 27) and Valparaiso (by 35). Their other losses are to Portland (147), Houston (237) and Belmont (107) in the OVC final.

Anybody who seriously advocates for their inclusion is a damned fool. But teams like this are why the NIT gives auto bids to conference regular-season champions who don't win their league tournaments. The NIT, now that it is seeded and bracketed and actually takes quality into consideration and not ticket-selling (although that sure did benefit us a few times) is a pretty good consolation prize and not the nonsense of a few years ago. Let the Racers play in that.

It will be some of the best competition they have faced all year.,

 

[G- RUnit]

Major conferences refuse to play mid majors home and home. Faulting schedule is simply silly.

 

[bac2therac]

Home and homes..lol....no...but they can play on the road if they choose to