The Big Dance

[Brick]

Weak MVC? The two teams that got in were terrific!

 

[Manchester Matt]

Porter DePaul? They can pay a lot more. When Collins gets canned next season he could go to Northwestern, too. He's from Naperville so I could see him wanting to stay. Greg McDermott somehow savwd his job so his alma mater Creighton is a no go.

I’d think Marquette would make a big offer as well.

 

[WoodlandWarrior]

I think he will stay at Loyola.

 

[bombay]

Moser really went to school during his time with Majerus.

 

[cubird]

All those teams mentioned can probably triple Porter's salary. Don't think he is motivated by $. The real question is do any of these venues give him professionally a better opportunity to reach his dream. Recruiting has changed a lot from the old Al and Ray days.

 

[DougSutton]

Very happy for Porter! I always thought he was a good coach and didn't feel what happened here was completely his fault. The 8/5 ruling was devastating to the program during his time here because of some turnover we had of kids and I fully supported him being at ISU. I don't believe Porter is motivated by money and it will be interesting to see what unfolds. Part of me feels he could take the path of Mark Few, recognizing he can build a program at Loyola without the pressure or stress of being in a Power 5 conference. If he were to go to DePaul or Marquette, it would be starting over completely. If he continues at Loyola (assuming they find money to make sense for him to stay even if not near the level of larger programs), he knows that Loyola will be an annual participant in March Madness with a genuine chance of making a run.

He even knows the pressure of not winning at Illinois State and having people wanting him fired. Of the opportunities available, one of the most intriguing would be Indiana because it's truly a blue blood program and that might be enticing, just not sure if he would want the pressure that goes along with it. I'm sure the Indiana boosters were incredibly jealous of Illinois all year, feeling they were more entitled to have that type of recognition, ranking and success and the fact that Porter beat them would make him an ideal candidate in the minds of many Indiana boosters. If he could bring them back to prominence it would be an incredible accomplishment. Either way, I'm really happy for Porter and wish him the best. It'll be interesting to see what unfolds....

 

[TBS_20]

Will someone please explain how Syracuse barely makes the tournament every year and then seems to make the sweet 16 more often than not. Every damn year they're on the bubble. Didn't they even set the record for most loses by an at large team several years ago? And, yet, here we are again with them about to be in the sweet 16 after barely making into the tournament.

 

[Redbird Alum 2004]

Will someone please explain how Syracuse barely makes the tournament every year and then seems to make the sweet 16 more often than not. Every damn year they're on the bubble. Didn't they even set the record for most loses by an at large team several years ago? And, yet, here we are again with them about to be in the sweet 16 after barely making into the tournament.

Gotta be the zone. Teams freak out against it.

 

[redbirds2000]

Will someone please explain how Syracuse barely makes the tournament every year and then seems to make the sweet 16 more often than not. Every damn year they're on the bubble. Didn't they even set the record for most loses by an at large team several years ago? And, yet, here we are again with them about to be in the sweet 16 after barely making into the tournament.

The Zone.

 

[TBS_20]

But the zone doesn't work on January 6th or February 3rd? Just from March 10-30

 

[Rollbirds5]

But the zone doesn't work on January 6th or February 3rd? Just from March 10-30

Tough to prepare for it in one day, if they win the first game it's almost a guarantee they win the 2nd of the weekend. Also ACC teams/coaches see it every year so easier to gameplan from year to year

 

[Bird Friend]

I've never been a fan of Boeheim. But I respect his results. His teams are never afraid of the big stage and always come to the dance prepared to win.

 

[ISU86]

The committee was trying to get the Brad Underwood game (Oklahoma State vs Illinois), Porter and his boys threw a wrench into that plan.

 

[Redbird222]

The committee was trying to get the Brad Underwood game (Oklahoma State vs Illinois), Porter and his boys threw a wrench into that plan.

Oregon St may throw another wrench in it too

 

[Redbird222]

But the zone doesn't work on January 6th or February 3rd? Just from March 10-30

When you see the zone twice a year it's easier to prepare for it than when you have two days. They also have been red hot from threes. His son has been impressive.

 

[Redbird222]

If Prem from MSU, Drakes and Loyola seniors come back to top of the MVC should be very strong.

SIU is getting back Domask

The difference between the top tier and bottom tier teams will be dramatic

 

[ISU86]

Oregon St may throw another wrench in it too

To think the Midwest regional final four was twenty seconds away from being Oregon State, Syracuse, Rutgers and Loyola-Chicago.

 

[ISU86]

Oregon St may throw another wrench in it too

To think the Midwest regional final four was twenty seconds away from being Oregon State, Syracuse, Rutgers and Loyola-Chicago.

 

[Adunk33]

All last week I told anyone who would listen that the Blers would give Illannoy fits. Most of them scoffed with a "yeah right" attitude and asked "Have you seen Illannoy play?" I answered asking them if they have seen Loyola play. Many responded by ignoring the question and said, "Illinois plays top 25 teams every week and dominates them." I responded by saying Loyola plays college basketball.

Loyola plays college basketball. So, what does that mean? They play together, there is no ego on that team. On defense, they are going to make to run your stuff for 25-30 seconds. When the Blers on on O, the opposition better be ready to play D for 30 seconds. Some teams are disciplined enough to handle it, others are not. Illannoy relies on a handful of NBA guys who think you can just outscore your opponent. That doesn't work in March.

A couple points on Illannoy: Kofi is really lazy on the defensive side of the ball. There were a number of wide open layups that the Blers got due to his inability to get into correct position on the help side. The other thing is that Illannoy chased on every screen which again lead to open layups and jumpers.

Unfortunately, we don't get to see much of the Birds in March, but watching a lowly MVC team take it to the "Crown Jewel" of Illinois basketball was a wonderful way to spend part of a Sunday afternoon.

Nine Big 10 teams made the tournament, Only 2 remain. Could very well be zero at the end of the day with none in the S16.

 

[CaliRdBrd]

And to think almost everyone on this site was laughing at Loyola thinking they could compete in the Valley.