Jsnhbe1Birds wrote:I differ from most opinions in this thread. Right now I'm going 2. Each team will be officially eliminated from an at-large at 7 games because even if they ran the table and lost in the tournament final that would leave them with 8 losses. If they run the table with 6 losses and lose in the MVC final then they will be 26-7. If the non-con schedule is strong enough they could sneak in. ISU missed out last year at 27-6 but had no good wins except WSU. They also had a bunch of bad losses. This season they do have one bad loss but have wins vs South Carolina and Ole Miss. The conference is also better. If UNI or ISU run the table from here on out and lose the MVC tourney final to get to 26-7 they'll be in the at-large conversation. MSU will also be. Probably a couple of other teams too. These probably wont happen but until they have enough losses I'm saying two.
I agree with you on that teams still can make the tourney if they win all or most of their games minus the championship game. Will it actually happen is the tough question. In some years I would say yes but I don't think that there are not as many lower tier teams this year. With more competition I don't think a team is going to run the table. Selection committee already makes 20 excuses to keep mid majors out. I hope that someone makes a run like this but how awful would it be if one team does great and gets upset in the MVC tournament by 4th place? Then, only 4th place would be probable.
Too much speculation this far out from the tournament. I'm just excited for a competitive Valley season!