MTSU predicted to be the "auto bid" CUSA lone entry.
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Bracket Projections - Dance card as of February 13th
- Thread starter MARSHALL77
- Start date
In other news, water is wet, fire is hot, and it is usually cold in Canada.
I think if Middle loses in the CUSA championship that they still get in the tourny along with the CUSA tournament winner. Assuming that Middle finished the season with 26 or 27 wins. Im just basing that on seeing them consistently as 11 or 12 seat in most brackets.
I believe MTSU should get an at large bid. They have a very strong team/argument regardless if they lose a couple conference games. The last two years a lightly regarded, low seeded CUSA team(UAB and MTSU) has "upset" highly seeded teams in the first round. The better teams in this conference can play with anybody. I'm not smart enough to argue the #s, but have read articles referring to the nonlevel playing field for mid majors and RPI, tourney invites etc.
Not surprised about anything regarding CUSA - might be nice however if there were a couple of teams with top flight records that could pull an at large bid. MTSU might make it if they are upset in the conference tournament then again if you look at others that will be eligible for an at large , SOS , quality of OOC wins there may not be room for more than one from CUSA.
Put it this way I think when the at large slots are looked at , CUSA will be way down the list.
Put it this way I think when the at large slots are looked at , CUSA will be way down the list.
It would depend on how many upsets occur in other conferences but if you're going to take 9 or 10 ACC teams, there would be no room for an extra CUSA squad.
Exactly, jocktalker. And every tv broadcast of a "major" game, both the play by play guy and analyst spend at least HALF of their time NOT describing the game, but discussing the bottom feeders in said "major" conferences and why they (a) either should be one of the last teams in the Dance, or (b) why said teams may/may not be "on the bubble". Just listen to ACC shills like Jay BileAsss constantly rationalize why all the powers should get 8, 9 10 teams in the tourney. NO DISCUSSION WHATSOEVER of any MID MAJOR TEAMS who may be potentially "dancing", or "on the bubble", or who are having a breakout year, etc., etc. Then you have all those bracketology gurus, Joe Lunardi and the ilk, who constantly blab their predictions, boosting this major or that major school, blah, blah, blah. Whole damn thing is "rigged" and essentially orchestrated by the "ESPN family" who are lining up, bolstering their post season tourney broadcasts, and trying to maximize their audiences. Look at LA TECH, now 18-8. What if they win their last 5 games, end up in the conference finals and lose, which means they'll be something like 25-9. How many potential at large slots will they be considered for? And for said slots, they'll be quickly eliminated for some power schools who are 18-15, 17-16, etc., and whose conference records were something like 7-11, 6-12, etc.
See a good column on this subject by Doug Spock in Wednesday's (2/15) Charleston Gazette in which he says that so called power schools with losing conference records should hardly be given such at large slots in the Dance. We all know that most of these schools usually end up with 8, 9 even 10 HOME games in their non conference schedules? And how many "Major" teams from the "Power" Conferences play ANY mid major teams on the mid majors' home floors? They may play such teams once or twice, maybe at a neutral site, or in a holiday (November-Dec) tournament, also at a neutral site. In the last 4 seasons, MU has managed to get exactly TWO home and home deals with "Major" opponents: the deals that Herrion and Cline got with South Carolina and Penn State starting in Tom's last season and with both teams appearing at the Cam in Danny's first season!!! For a good laugh, ask Mark Cline how many major schools he has try to persuade to give the Herd a home and home deal, or even a return game, maybe, at the Charleston Civic Center (CCC). Hell, now we can't even get the "ChickenEERS" to play us on a "neutral" floor in Charleston, even though according to most posters on here they would beat us by 40 points. As Bobby P. would say, "Huggs, get a Dog". And, coincidentally, that's the same kind of "bow wow" opponent that Thuggy Bear Is NOW playing at the CCC!!
Yeah, the Herd can play Tennessee, UK, Louisville, Vandy, Pitt, Cincy, Maryland, Ohio State, etc., etc., every year, as long as we agree to play them "AWAY FROM HOME".
Olde - playing any of the teams you note at the end of your post would do wonders for the SOS overall , not to mention the OOC potential win or lose ( as long as its not a blowout like at OSU).
Smart move for scheduling would be to attempt to schedule games with the AAC as the SEC ( sans the trip South Carolina made) ACC , Big East , Big 10 , Big 12 are not going to go for a home and home situation...want any of those then we go on the road. Barring more blowouts like OSU going on the road to play any team from any of the aforementioned conferences would be a step in the right direction regarding our SOS as the in conference games drag it down. Any chance of going to post season (the dance) in a one bid league would depend on the SOS as well as quality of the play in OOC games.
We have no history - a few shots at The Dance , a few shots at the NIT , then the pay to play tournaments , that is not a history by any means. Someone ( the brilliant AD if a light were to go on) needs to recognize that fact and start scheduling teams that might give us a chance to strengthen our OOC SOS
On the other hand , DON'T hold your breath waiting for the light to go on.
Smart move for scheduling would be to attempt to schedule games with the AAC as the SEC ( sans the trip South Carolina made) ACC , Big East , Big 10 , Big 12 are not going to go for a home and home situation...want any of those then we go on the road. Barring more blowouts like OSU going on the road to play any team from any of the aforementioned conferences would be a step in the right direction regarding our SOS as the in conference games drag it down. Any chance of going to post season (the dance) in a one bid league would depend on the SOS as well as quality of the play in OOC games.
We have no history - a few shots at The Dance , a few shots at the NIT , then the pay to play tournaments , that is not a history by any means. Someone ( the brilliant AD if a light were to go on) needs to recognize that fact and start scheduling teams that might give us a chance to strengthen our OOC SOS
On the other hand , DON'T hold your breath waiting for the light to go on.
Our OOC SOS isn't a problem. According to ESPN, it's ranked 79th out of 351 teams.
Yep. Some people just want to bash MH, and some have an unrealistic idea of our SOS. We played a solid OOC slate this year. Big 10 team, generally in the top 3 or 4 of that league in NCAAs every year since 09; AAC team generally in the top 3 or 4 of that league in the NCAAs every year since 11; ACC (ex Big East) team that has made the NCAAs every year but one this century; 2 reasonabably solid MACers; best team in several one-bid leagues. The only mistake was playing a Div II team, which was a SNAFU and will not be repeated. The issue is not who we play, it is that we lose.
We have to keep the lights on. You cannot just play AT big teams with no return games. You have to play lesser schools (some of which we lost to) to get home games.
We have to keep the lights on. You cannot just play AT big teams with no return games. You have to play lesser schools (some of which we lost to) to get home games.
And ah , how many teams go to The Dance - so far its not made it to 80 , lol.
Still say we would do better trying to lasso some from the AAC , at least with them you have a chance of obtaining a home and home vs going to OSU and its a one and done. While playing the power schools is one way to boost the SOS in the end winning conference games would be nice , winning CUSA would be nice , being in a league that is not a one bid league would be nice , winning 24-25 games would be nice vs wondering if we can somehow make it to 20 wins. Having an AD that appears to be in the drivers seat vs commanding the back seat would be nice as well and you guys have got to admit we are sorely lacking with regards to being proactive.
Sure the IPF is great , but the stadium and Henderson Center seriously need some work especially the Henderson Center when you look around the nation at many of the arenas that teams we or some seem to feel we are on a the same level with.
All I know is this - both major programs are not hitting anything close to the expectations of the fan base and add to that the baseball team will once again travel approx 120 miles to play a home game...that is just not acceptable.
Soooo, first you post how weak or SOS is, then somebody points out that that is dead wrong, and now you put us down for "only" being 80th (out of 351). Exactly how high do you honestly expect a SOS to be at our level?
Please outline, with particularity, your plan for playing particular teams in the mighty AAC. And, just to be clear, this would LOWER our SOS, which you previously said was low.
Please outline, with particularity, what steps you belive need to be taken that are not being taken currently.
That is a bit like saying "sure Ike won the war, built the interstates, and presided over 8 straight years of peace, progress, and prosperity but what else did he do? "
Please outline, with particularity, covering fully the fact that the city and the state are dead broke and the absolute fact that the WVU wants to crush our university out of existance and that the legislature is WVU dominated, your plans for the stadium, arena, and baseball park, funding.
Sam - Cincy and SMU being ranked in the Top 20 would lower the SOS? Playing Houston and Memphis would lower the SOS?
And just how many teams in CUSA are ranked inside the Top 20 - NONE thats how many
MTSU has won 23 games , not in the top even 25 , La Tech with 19 wins , not in the Top 25..so when you look at the AAC and CUSA I am lost as to how you think playing AAC teams would lower the SOS.
And just how many teams in CUSA are ranked inside the Top 20 - NONE thats how many
MTSU has won 23 games , not in the top even 25 , La Tech with 19 wins , not in the Top 25..so when you look at the AAC and CUSA I am lost as to how you think playing AAC teams would lower the SOS.
Stadium - dont build it if you can not afford to maintain and repair it - kinda like the guy who purchases a Mercedes , warranty expires and he can not afford the $4000-$8000 to replace the transmission.
Sure when the stadium was built we had a program on the move and one that became a powerhouse , Boise took a look down the road , patterned their advance to 1A after us , Bosie road off into the sunset and we after leaving the MAC have done very little outside of going 3-9 in a 1-AA conference basicially.
So , now we have this facility , built more boxes but can not come close to filling the place on a given Saturday , have no TV package to speak of ( loss of $$$) not going to any seriously high paying bowl games , and what..we do not have the $$ for the cosmetic issues that would make the place look much better - same deal with the Henderson Center - thing should be raised and a new arena built ...but ...broke ass Marshall can not do that so we play in a less than stellar facility.
Baseball - that has been ongoing since Coach Jack Cook was initially hired - stadium and now 40+ years later we travel 120 miles basically ( up and back) to play a "home" game.Name one other D1 program that does that..can't , hell even little ol Coastal Carolina has a dynamite facility.
The AD - for one the football program - train wreck to the max and he allows Holliday to maintain the same staff sans those that have split on their own..it should have been asst coaches and or coordinators or Holliday. Second - make an effort to at least appear you are not satisfied with where the program is today and let that be known , lay down the law regarding next season and the expectations , scream bloody murder to the conference about the horrible TV deal or lack of a deal on something that is actually more than what we have and work to have the next deal better than the current one..make waves , act like an AD. An AD is supposed to do any and everything possible to move the programs forward and both major programs are less than stellar however he sees no issue...the guy has failed miserably ( ECU , Vegas ) but yet Marshall seems to see him as the next coming..go figure. The guy is cruising just like the hoops coach.
Hoops - old enough to retire and should have , obviously does not like the rigors of NBA travel so to Marshall we go after the AD wasted a ton of time recruiting MD who was no where near a point in coaching that he was going to leave the NBA. Recruiting is not what is needed to put the program in a position to win CUSA , go to the dance and stay for more than one game...just languishing at best. Apparently the failure to travel has a major effect on hoops recruiting. If people are satisfied with what they are watching then a whole lot of folks need to turn the tv on and watch major level hoops , damn just watch WVU and that will tell you a lot. Instead of hiring a young turk we go after and bring in a guy who I really question has the interest as well as strength to do what it takes today to have a strong and solid program. But no we bring in a guy who could pull his SS check ( not that he would need it) age wise.
Legislature - cant help the fact its pro WVU and you ( Sam) are correct , if WVU could pull it off they would love to see Marshall lock the doors and pitch the key into the Ohio River. Another issue regarding the AD - would camp out in the chambers when the legislature is in session.
End fact - you are what you are not what you think you are or wish to be , Marshall is a nice small school that could make waves if only it realized its never going to be WVU or Kentucky or Ohio State or any of the majors. Would like to see football go back to 1-AA and the So.Con then dump a ton of $$ into hoops and do something vs wishing for what will never take place or happen.
Sure when the stadium was built we had a program on the move and one that became a powerhouse , Boise took a look down the road , patterned their advance to 1A after us , Bosie road off into the sunset and we after leaving the MAC have done very little outside of going 3-9 in a 1-AA conference basicially.
So , now we have this facility , built more boxes but can not come close to filling the place on a given Saturday , have no TV package to speak of ( loss of $$$) not going to any seriously high paying bowl games , and what..we do not have the $$ for the cosmetic issues that would make the place look much better - same deal with the Henderson Center - thing should be raised and a new arena built ...but ...broke ass Marshall can not do that so we play in a less than stellar facility.
Baseball - that has been ongoing since Coach Jack Cook was initially hired - stadium and now 40+ years later we travel 120 miles basically ( up and back) to play a "home" game.Name one other D1 program that does that..can't , hell even little ol Coastal Carolina has a dynamite facility.
The AD - for one the football program - train wreck to the max and he allows Holliday to maintain the same staff sans those that have split on their own..it should have been asst coaches and or coordinators or Holliday. Second - make an effort to at least appear you are not satisfied with where the program is today and let that be known , lay down the law regarding next season and the expectations , scream bloody murder to the conference about the horrible TV deal or lack of a deal on something that is actually more than what we have and work to have the next deal better than the current one..make waves , act like an AD. An AD is supposed to do any and everything possible to move the programs forward and both major programs are less than stellar however he sees no issue...the guy has failed miserably ( ECU , Vegas ) but yet Marshall seems to see him as the next coming..go figure. The guy is cruising just like the hoops coach.
Hoops - old enough to retire and should have , obviously does not like the rigors of NBA travel so to Marshall we go after the AD wasted a ton of time recruiting MD who was no where near a point in coaching that he was going to leave the NBA. Recruiting is not what is needed to put the program in a position to win CUSA , go to the dance and stay for more than one game...just languishing at best. Apparently the failure to travel has a major effect on hoops recruiting. If people are satisfied with what they are watching then a whole lot of folks need to turn the tv on and watch major level hoops , damn just watch WVU and that will tell you a lot. Instead of hiring a young turk we go after and bring in a guy who I really question has the interest as well as strength to do what it takes today to have a strong and solid program. But no we bring in a guy who could pull his SS check ( not that he would need it) age wise.
Legislature - cant help the fact its pro WVU and you ( Sam) are correct , if WVU could pull it off they would love to see Marshall lock the doors and pitch the key into the Ohio River. Another issue regarding the AD - would camp out in the chambers when the legislature is in session.
End fact - you are what you are not what you think you are or wish to be , Marshall is a nice small school that could make waves if only it realized its never going to be WVU or Kentucky or Ohio State or any of the majors. Would like to see football go back to 1-AA and the So.Con then dump a ton of $$ into hoops and do something vs wishing for what will never take place or happen.
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MARSHALL77, don't disagree entirely. However, one reason our conference SOS is a drag is simple: Every other CUSA team is in the same boat, scheduling wise, as the HERD- - -NO Power School is likely to give UTSA, UAB, So. Miss, MTSU, Charlotte, etc., home and home deals any sooner than they would give them to MU. None of the 4 ACC schools are chomping at the bit in North Carolina eager to give the UNCC 49ers home and home deals, I'm sure. Same with Auburn and Bama with UAB and Ole Miss and State with So Miss, and on and on. How many D1 Mid Major MAC schools have the OSU Suckeyes played home and home over the decades?
So MU has little choice other than go on the road 2 or 3 times for a $$$ game against a major. Next year, we go to Illinois as part of that annual "tourney" we're in that gives us 3 "dog" opponents at the CAM. Sure there'll be another buy game or so.
Our only "CHOICE" otherwise is to strengthen, as much as possible, our non-Major OOC opponents. I can see Danny D.'s point that since the conference schedule requires a lot of travel, he's looking for opponents a little closer to Huntington for OOC games. Find no fault with some traditional MAC opponents, OU, Toledo, Akron, who are usually in the upper tier of the MAC and have been quality teams over the years. Same with the UTC game, Mocs are usually near the top of the Southern Con. year in and year out. Morehead and EKU are both close, traditional regional opponents, and certainly easily reached with little travel. Problem there is, from strength of schedule, RPI issues, YOU HAD BETTER NOT LOSE to said schools, especially if they are having a bad, down year, like EKU this season.
Personally, I would like MU to try and obtain home and home deals with some of the stronger, and/or traditionally established programs in other MId Major Leagues, AAC, A-10, Horizon, etc. Approach schools like Richmond, VCU, George Mason, not that far away in Central and Northern Virginia, a fertile recruiting area (Metro DC), or even Temple. How about schools like Butler, Valpo in Indiana; not that far away as people who made the trip to Purdue for the Herd football game can attest.
Such games can accomplish the following: help coach D get his team ready for conference action; give us quality opponents, increase our national visibility and, hopefully, our strength of schedule and RPI figures; and, finally, given us a better chance overall for quality win(s), home and away, than would a schedule of 6 or 7 away $$$$ games against "MAJOR/POWER" opponents every season!!
Something to ponder - ( regarding the state of the football program).
We were supposed to be Boise.
We were supposed to be Boise.
MTSU IS at worst a top 30 team. They are solid. They flat get screwed if the dont make the tourney.
