NIT Hopes

[TIMMY]

Big time disappointment. UNC Asheville and Hampton - wow
That loss to Charleston Southern was a f'ing killer

That was a choose to lose game where Muller was building culture. Can’t afford to give away games if we are going to play postseason games.

Or if he hadn't done what he did, MY keeps playing like it's AAU and we're a Thursday night team that gets bounce by Valpo. Guess we'll never know.

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

Big time disappointment. UNC Asheville and Hampton - wow
That loss to Charleston Southern was a f'ing killer


That was a choose to lose game where
Muller was building culture. Can’t afford
to give away games if we are going to play postseason games.

Or if he hadn't done what he did, MY keeps playing like it's AAU and we're a Thursday night team that gets bounce by Valpo. Guess we'll never know.


:text-+1: :text-+1: :text-+1:

 

[Michigan Red]

Might have done it wrong, but ran RPI wizard changing Charleston and SIU to wins, RPI was 50. Kinda defeats the argument only St. Louis matters at least with regard to NIT. Don’t know what it would take for the NCAA since St Bonaventure is in first 4 with a 24 RPI

Ran it the same way, came up the same, RPI of 50. Gotta play every game to win. MY was very good this year, the issues should have been addressed/resolved prior to the start of the season.

Hindsight’s 20/20, finished a bit better than I expected, didn’t have high expectations this year. Last year the NIT was a disappointment, this year it would have been a gift and make one question the validity of the selection process.

Onward to next year. Recruit, square the roster and make sure whatever is needed to improve the returnees is done. Solid Non-Con schedule next year, I believe it was set up that way.

 

[ISU FAN 1]

Big time disappointment. UNC Asheville and Hampton - wow
That loss to Charleston Southern was a f'ing killer

That was a choose to lose game where Muller was building culture. Can’t afford to give away games if we are going to play postseason games.

Or if he hadn't done what he did, MY keeps playing like it's AAU and we're a Thursday night team that gets bounce by Valpo. Guess we'll never know.

We are a mid major. We can’t tank games. Dan has other ways to send messages. Of course, Middle Tenn didn’t make it, so maybe nothing but the autobid game is all that ever matters moving forward.

 

[TIMMY]

That was a choose to lose game where Muller was building culture. Can’t afford to give away games if we are going to play postseason games.

Or if he hadn't done what he did, MY keeps playing like it's AAU and we're a Thursday night team that gets bounce by Valpo. Guess we'll never know.

We are a mid major. We can’t tank games. Dan has other ways to send messages. Of course, Middle Tenn didn’t make it, so maybe nothing but the autobid game is all that ever matters moving forward.

Playing time. He's got 12 other sets of eyes watching. Playing time is his only real leverage and it worked.

 

[Manchester Matt]

Big time disappointment. UNC Asheville and Hampton - wow
That loss to Charleston Southern was a f'ing killer

Asheville and Hampton are automatic selections in the NIT based on winning their league during the regular season.

 

[ISU FAN 1]

Or if he hadn't done what he did, MY keeps playing like it's AAU and we're a Thursday night team that gets bounce by Valpo. Guess we'll never know.

We are a mid major. We can’t tank games. Dan has other ways to send messages. Of course, Middle Tenn didn’t make it, so maybe nothing but the autobid game is all that ever matters moving forward.

Playing time. He's got 12 other sets of eyes watching. Playing time is his only real leverage and it worked.

No postseason. Yes, it worked great. If only your lips on Dan’s ass could get ISU to an NCAA tournament, then we would be fine.

I couldn’t care less about the NIT. Now when Dan cultures us out of an NCAA bid, I’m gonna be pissed.

 

[DWRedbird]

We are a mid major. We can’t tank games. Dan has other ways to send messages. Of course, Middle Tenn didn’t make it, so maybe nothing but the autobid game is all that ever matters moving forward.

Playing time. He's got 12 other sets of eyes watching. Playing time is his only real leverage and it worked.

No postseason. Yes, it worked great. If only your lips on Dan’s ass could get ISU to an NCAA tournament, then we would be fine.

I couldn’t care less about the NIT. Now when Dan cultures us out of an NCAA bid, I’m gonna be pissed.

Timmy is right, you have to send a message the only way that works, and that is playing time. MY got the message.

That said, us losing the Charleston Southern game probably isn't what kept us from the NIT it was probably the 20pt loss to Nevada, the 18pt loss to Boise St, the 25pt loss to Drake and the 30pt loss to the Sycamores that probably did us in....

 

[TIMMY]

We are a mid major. We can’t tank games. Dan has other ways to send messages. Of course, Middle Tenn didn’t make it, so maybe nothing but the autobid game is all that ever matters moving forward.

Playing time. He's got 12 other sets of eyes watching. Playing time is his only real leverage and it worked.

No postseason. Yes, it worked great. If only your lips on Dan’s ass could get ISU to an NCAA tournament, then we would be fine.

I couldn’t care less about the NIT. Now when Dan cultures us out of an NCAA bid, I’m gonna be pissed.

You're really great at whining about what others do wrong. You're not so hot at saying what you would do. How would you have handled it? Stay after school? Run laps? Clean the chalkboards? Come on Coach. Spell it out.

 

[Adunk33]

Of course, Middle Tenn didn’t make it, so maybe nothing but the autobid game is all that ever matters moving forward.

I was reminded today of a Tweet I put after last year's loss to Wichita in the MVC Final. It simply read, "NIT." I am a firm believer that, for the most part, you are control of your own destiny. Why introduce external opportunities to jack everything up? The only 100% way in is to win the conference tournament. Simple as that. Do that, and you do not have to worry about the bubble or getting snubbed. 9.99999 times out of 10, the NCAA Selection Committee will look for ways to leave out teams like Midd Tenn, ISU, and hell, even St. Mary's now.

I love that Muller has made our non-conference schedule that much more difficult. It tests our guys early and often. Unfortunately though, we are not better off than when Jank was giving us 25+ win seasons and regular NIT berths. Same result. A few MVC Championship losses and to the NIT we go. Don't get me wrong. I am much more proud of what Muller is doing than what Jank did. Muller is TRYING to take the program up a level. Jank was TRYING to inflate his W/L record and move on. One was successful at what they were trying to do, jury is still out on the other.

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

Of course, Middle Tenn didn’t make it, so maybe nothing but the autobid game is all that ever matters moving forward.

I was reminded today of a Tweet I put after last year's loss to Wichita in the MVC Final. It simply read, "NIT." I am a firm believer that, for the most part, you are control of your own destiny. Why introduce external opportunities to jack everything up? The only 100% way in is to win the conference tournament. Simple as that. Do that, and you do not have to worry about the bubble or getting snubbed. 9.99999 times out of 10, the NCAA Selection Committee will look for ways to leave out teams like Midd Tenn, ISU, and hell, even St. Mary's now.

I love that Muller has made our non-conference schedule that much more difficult. It tests our guys early and often. Unfortunately though, we are not better off than when Jank was giving us 25+ win seasons and regular NIT berths. Same result. A few MVC Championship losses and to the NIT we go. Don't get me wrong. I am much more proud of what Muller is doing than what Jank did. Muller is TRYING to take the program up a level. Jank was TRYING to inflate his W/L record and move on. One was successful at what they were trying to do, jury is still out on the other.

Middle Tennessee State University was left out of the Tournament because they lost in the quarter-finals against Southern Mississippi who owns an RPI in the 200's Their fault, not the NCAA Tournament Committee's.

Last year Illinois State was left out because they blew a big lead at Murray State with less than a minute to go in the game.They blew a lead at Tulsa in a game that they should have won, and they lost to a lousy San Francisco (RPI in the 200's)

The BIG SECRET to getting an at large bid into the NCAA Tournament for a Mid-Major:
Schedule good teams:
South Carolina, Mississippi, Nevada, BYU, Tulsa, Boise St, Murray State:
Beat some of the good teams you schedule:
South Carolina, OLE MISS, Tulsa (twice)
Don't schedule teams with RPI's over 200
UIC RPI 236
Charleston Southern RPI 261
If you schedule teams with an RPI over 200, DON"T LOSE THE DAMN GAME!!!
Charleston Southern

Illinois State did not get into the NCAA or NIT this year because of the:
Home loss to Charleston Southern
Home loss to Murray State (would have won had Phil Fayne played)
Home loss to Loyola (cost ISU the #2 seed & possibly winning the Tournament)
Needed at least one more win against either Nevada, BYU, or Boise State

None of these were the fault of the NCAA committee.

2018-19 Win all home games;
Make it to the Cayman Island Shootout Championship game;
Do not lose games you are supposed to win;

Illinois State, Not the NCAA Committee, will determine it's destiny.

 

[Birdman]

The valley as a collective needs to start scheduling better. We were guilty of not doing it during the Jank years, but the more opportunities we have to get good wins in the non-conference, the better off everyone will be. If we as a collective start pulling off some big wins, the conference season will mean that much more towards getting at-large bids. It’s up to the schools at this point what they collectively would like the fate of the valley to be. Do we want to be relegated to a one bid league? Do we care that only a few teams are scheduling up so when you get those 1-2 upset losses in conference it completely takes your school out of the conversation? No one wants to take buy games on the road, but guess what......it’s how you command respect. Ask Gonzaga. You want our conference to start getting a fair shake when it comes to scheduling? The reality is that we have to prove it, otherwise no one cares and they will continue not to care. The mentality of the valley needs to change from the “woe is me” attitude to really looking into and proactively solving the problem.

 

[WoodlandWarrior]

Right on!

 

[Adunk33]

Of course, Middle Tenn didn’t make it, so maybe nothing but the autobid game is all that ever matters moving forward.

I was reminded today of a Tweet I put after last year's loss to Wichita in the MVC Final. It simply read, "NIT." I am a firm believer that, for the most part, you are control of your own destiny. Why introduce external opportunities to jack everything up? The only 100% way in is to win the conference tournament. Simple as that. Do that, and you do not have to worry about the bubble or getting snubbed. 9.99999 times out of 10, the NCAA Selection Committee will look for ways to leave out teams like Midd Tenn, ISU, and hell, even St. Mary's now.

I love that Muller has made our non-conference schedule that much more difficult. It tests our guys early and often. Unfortunately though, we are not better off than when Jank was giving us 25+ win seasons and regular NIT berths. Same result. A few MVC Championship losses and to the NIT we go. Don't get me wrong. I am much more proud of what Muller is doing than what Jank did. Muller is TRYING to take the program up a level. Jank was TRYING to inflate his W/L record and move on. One was successful at what they were trying to do, jury is still out on the other.

Middle Tennessee State University was left out of the Tournament because they lost in the quarter-finals against Southern Mississippi who owns an RPI in the 200's Their fault, not the NCAA Tournament Committee's.

Last year Illinois State was left out because they blew a big lead at Murray State with less than a minute to go in the game.They blew a lead at Tulsa in a game that they should have won, and they lost to a lousy San Francisco (RPI in the 200's)

The BIG SECRET to getting an at large bid into the NCAA Tournament for a Mid-Major:
Schedule good teams:
South Carolina, Mississippi, Nevada, BYU, Tulsa, Boise St, Murray State:
Beat some of the good teams you schedule:
South Carolina, OLE MISS, Tulsa (twice)
Don't schedule teams with RPI's over 200
UIC RPI 236
Charleston Southern RPI 261
If you schedule teams with an RPI over 200, DON"T LOSE THE DAMN GAME!!!
Charleston Southern

Illinois State did not get into the NCAA or NIT this year because of the:
Home loss to Charleston Southern
Home loss to Murray State (would have won had Phil Fayne played)
Home loss to Loyola (cost ISU the #2 seed & possibly winning the Tournament)
Needed at least one more win against either Nevada, BYU, or Boise State

None of these were the fault of the NCAA committee.

2018-19 Win all home games;
Make it to the Cayman Island Shootout Championship game;
Do not lose games you are supposed to win;

Illinois State, Not the NCAA Committee, will determine it's destiny.

Replace Illinois State with Alabama or Oklahoma.....is the result the same?

I agree with you completely, Illinois State gave the committee reasons to leave them out. What I'm saying is; why even put the committee in the place to make the decision? With the conference tournament and we have nothing to worry about. Ever.

I am curious how being the #2 seed in STL would have made it more likely for us to beat Loyola? We would have played the same teams except Friday.

 

[isuquinndog]

Schedule UIC, don't schedule UIC. Which is it? Everyone bitched we don't play in Chicago, now we do and now they bitch that they suck and it brought us down. Can this board pick a position please?

 

[Adunk33]

Schedule UIC, don't schedule UIC. Which is it? Everyone bitched we don't play in Chicago, now we do and now they bitch that they suck and it brought us down. Can this board pick a position please?

This is tough because Muller obviously wants to keep a presence in Chicago and respects UIC enough to do a H/H or 2 for 1. However, the teams we would like to play in Chicago, we have already beaten (Northwestern, and Depaul) and they want nothing to do with us now.

Maybe the best way to keep the Chicago is to get someone to play us at at neutral site in the city. Others more familiar with the city could suggest a location. We could try and talk a team like Iowa State, Wisconsin, or Michigan in playing in that game. After all.... Michigan still owes us for taking two of our guys. I know it'd be a stretch getting a team to agree to that. But it's a thought.

The other way to keep that Chicago presence is to go up and beat Loyola every year. Since they were relevant this year (they could be a one hit wonder, losing a lot of seniors: Richardson, Ingram, Jackson) that could help build a little rivalry.

 

[SgtHulka]

Can this board pick a position please?

:laughing-rofl:

 

[FriscoBird90]

There is another way to improve the odds of getting a spot in the NCAA tournament: Be invited to join a "Power 5" conference and finish seventh or eighth by going only 2-7 against the teams that finish ahead of you and 7-2 against the teams that finish beneath you in the conference. That way you'll have two "quality wins," which are probably at least one game more than you'll even schedule against any team from one of the better "mid-major" conferences.

 

[PubIIDreaming]

Can this board pick a position please?

:laughing-rofl:

 

[Redbirdwarrior]

Again, (for the 90th time) WE LOST 6 KEY PLAYERS IN THE LAST YEAR including the Larry Bird POY. Illinois State probably should have won less than 10 games this year. We had a TON of players who had less than 250 total minutes of D1 ball on their resume. They played out of control and often times looked like a team that simply didn't have a full season together under their belts- which makes sense, because they didn't.

Then they won 18 games and made it to Sunday of Arch Madness AGAIN after being underdogs twice on the way there.

"Grrrr, we didn't make the NCAA or the NIT!"

Well, no- but did you really think you should have? Did you really think, after MM, Hawkins, Lee, Wills and Clayton all left, Copeland was ruled ineligible, Clarance and David were injured ALL off season and all 3 members of the "big three" battled injuries all season that this team was going to win 12 games, much less 18, MUCH MUCH less the conference?

You guys have to get real and look back with realist glasses on. This season was a HUGE success in many ways. Next year, we have 4 seniors in the starting lineup (Key, MY, Fayne, David) with Copeland at the 2. You have Tinsley (Sr), Chastain, MW, Clarance, Hein, Bruninga, Gassman and two new bigs from HS on the bench.

Yes, you will lose probably 2-3 of those (I suspect none of them will be starters), but you will still be experienced and DEEP at nearly all positions on the floor. It will be SHOCKING to me if ISU isn't the consensus Valley Pre-Season Champ next season and I honestly expect this team to sweep both the regular season and the tourney title.

Be excited, guys. And STOP SAYING this season is someone's "Fault". If overachieving by 40% is a fault, then what was last year? The expectation? Get serious.