ESPN on State's Tourney Chances

Sycamore624 · Jan 28, 2013

ESPN's Myron Medcalf lists Indiana State as one of his teams that could/should crack the polls in the near future. Here's Medcalf's breakdown of the Sycamores.

"The Sycamores have held Missouri Valley foes to a 41.2 percent clip in league play, second only to Wichita State's 39.4 percent mark. They've defeated Miami and Ole Miss. … And they've lost to Morehead State and Southern Illinois. Confusing, right? Well, Indiana State can end the mystery by beating the Shockers on the road when the two teams meet Tuesday. Voters will definitely pay attention if the Sycamores secure the win and prove that the MVC is more than a two-team race between Creighton and WSU."

IndyTreeFan · Jan 28, 2013

Boy, he's an optimist...

But he's right. I don't see it happening, but he's right. We win tonight and a lot of eyebrows get raised. Tough draw, though...

region rat · Jan 28, 2013

Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.--Darrel Royal

Again I am optimistic and we win this one.

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SycamoreStateofMind · Jan 28, 2013

ESPN on State's Tourny Chances

IndyTreeFan said:
Boy, he's an optimist...

But he's right. I don't see it happening, but he's right. We win tonight and a lot of eyebrows get raised. Tough draw, though...

Tomorrow night

Jason Svoboda · Jan 28, 2013

Unless we find a way to start fast and end those 3+ minute scoring droughts, this will be a loss. Wichita State is unlike any team we've played this year because they do most of their damage at the rim. If you're not hitting against a team like this... well, just look what happened to Bradley this weekend.

TreeTop · Jan 28, 2013

Hey I just like that we're still in the conversation. Raise your hand if, prior to the season, you thought ESPN.com would be mentioning ISU in at-large tourney talk in late January.

Jason Svoboda · Jan 28, 2013

Quabachi said:
Hey I just like that we're still in the conversation. Raise your hand if, prior to the season, you thought ESPN.com would be mentioning ISU in at-large tourney talk in late January.

If Ole Miss and Miami run the table as well as San Diego State, we'll be in it until the end. Did you see the SDSU-New Mexico score? Makes those close losses give you some major "what if" thoughts. If we serve court and only lose to Creighton/Wichita State, we're going to get considered.

region rat · Jan 28, 2013

Quabachi said:
Hey I just like that we're still in the conversation. Raise your hand if, prior to the season, you thought ESPN.com would be mentioning ISU in at-large tourney talk in late January.

I did not think we would, too many unknowns.

BlueBleeder · Jan 28, 2013

It is nice to be in these conversations, but if we want any chance to get an at-large bid we HAVE to win both Creighton and Wichita State games at home. Those will give us 2 more top 50 wins and and we have to win all other remaining games on the schedule. If we can get that win tomorrow night it would give us a little extra wiggle room for a fault somewhere else on the road, but in a perfect world it would be best to just win all other games on the road. This team is capable of playing with anyone, as we have seen this season, but we are just a likely to come out flat and play very poorly on the offensive side. I hope the coaching staff comes up with some ideas to right the ship when we hit those funks during games.

SycamoreStateofMind · Jan 28, 2013

Jason Svoboda said:
If Ole Miss and Miami run the table as well as San Diego State, we'll be in it until the end. Did you see the SDSU-New Mexico score? Makes those close losses give you some major "what if" thoughts. If we serve court and only lose to Creighton/Wichita State, we're going to get considered.

After tomorrow we will have played 6 teams in the currenty top 25 and UCLA being #7 just outside the top 25.

This is a mid-major dream season. Thanks to not good, but great non-conference scheduling.

I agree on the what-if, you've got 4 games Morehead State, New Mexico, Southern and Illinois State. You just win 2 of these games and we are probably a ranked team right now or damn close.

We are one shooter getting hot away from being pretty damn good. Gotta hope guys stay healthy and someone like RJ, Eitel or Cummings gets hot this last month of the season. You got to get something outside of Odum, Gant and Arop.

I don't think we will win tomorrow - but I don't think it's a must win. I think if we can split this road trip Creighton becomes a must win and then your home game vs. WSU becomes a must win on Feb. 19 win both of those games and you've beat 4 ranked teams - you will stay in the conversation.

Bottom line! Get buckets, get stops and win basketball games! Long way to go still - anything can happen!

Bluesier · Jan 28, 2013

Today's ESPN polls show: #14 Miami (FL), #15 Wichita St., #16 Ole Miss, #20 New Mexico, #21 Creighton, #22 San Diego St.

Holy crap that is one hell of a schedule. Since we play WSU and CU each twice, those six teams make up 8 games out of our regular season schedule. I doubt any other "mid-major" team's schedule looks anywhere close to that. Not to mention, UCLA is ranked 29th in the same poll.

If we beat WSU and CU each once, we would have four wins vs. the current top 25. That is real solid folks, win two of those three games and finish the season strong, we will be in serious consideration. Honestly, I didn't think we had a chance at this point but seriously look at those ranking!!
Kinda weird how the schools are ranked three in a row. lol.

SycamoreStateofMind · Jan 28, 2013

Kentucky will be looking to get back into the conversation with a win over Ole Miss. Kentucky doesn't currently have a top 50 RPI but I wouldn't imagine they are far off.

SycamoreStateofMind · Jan 28, 2013

Bluesier said:
Today's ESPN polls show: #14 Miami (FL), #15 Wichita St., #16 Ole Miss, #20 New Mexico, #21 Creighton, #22 San Diego St.

Holy crap that is one hell of a schedule. Since we play WSU and CU each twice, those six teams make up 8 games out of our regular season schedule. I doubt any other "mid-major" team's schedule looks anywhere close to that. Not to mention, UCLA is ranked 29th in the same poll.

If we beat WSU and CU each once, we would have four wins vs. the current top 25. That is real solid folks, win two of those three games and finish the season strong, we will be in serious consideration. Honestly, I didn't think we had a chance at this point but seriously look at those ranking!!
Kinda weird how the schools are ranked three in a row. lol.

Agree - but you gotta also hope New Mexico, Miami, Ole Miss, San Diego State and UCLA continue solid league play - if any of them falter it hurts us. Especially if Ole Miss or Miami falters. Gotta focus on us - but that's a hell of a non conference

IndyTreeFan · Jan 28, 2013

SycamoreStateofMind said:
Tomorrow night

See how much I want to see this game??? :angel:

Valleylurker · Jan 28, 2013

Just as much as you look at great wins for positives, you still have to look at bad losses for negatives. That's the one big negative with ISU right now. While they have some incredible wins and have played a very challenging schedule, they also have dropped a few turds. The Morehead State loss is not that great but even worse is the SIU loss, which is a 200+ RPI loss. That's a killer. The committee will look at everything from top to bottom. Wipe those 2 losses from the crate and the Sycamores are an easy at-large team right now.

SycamoreStateofMind · Jan 28, 2013

Valleylurker said:
Just as much as you look at great wins for positives, you still have to look at bad losses for negatives. That's the one big negative with ISU right now. While they have some incredible wins and have played a very challenging schedule, they also have dropped a few turds. The Morehead State loss is not that great but even worse is the SIU loss, which is a 200+ RPI loss. That's a killer. The committee will look at everything from top to bottom. Wipe those 2 losses from the crate and the Sycamores are an easy at-large team right now.

I think you cluld say that about most bubble teams. It's what seperates the Locks from the bubble.

Fact is, this team was picked to finish 7th in the Valley and even though we continue to lose games we shouldn't we remain in the conversation. What's that tell you?!? Lol

Jason Svoboda · Jan 28, 2013

SycamoreStateofMind said:
I think you cluld say that about most bubble teams. It's what seperates the Locks from the bubble.

Fact is, this team was picked to finish 7th in the Valley and even though we continue to lose games we shouldn't we remain in the conversation. What's that tell you?!? Lol

That those doing preseason picks are terrible at their job?

hans1950 · Jan 28, 2013

As with the football team the opportunity to be special has presented itself to the Sycamores.With our preseason expectations being a good bit lower than our teams' play so far you can't help but wonder when the bubble will burst.Here's hoping for more consistent play and success for this hard working team.Go get um guys!

Bluethunder · Jan 28, 2013

Valleylurker said:
Just as much as you look at great wins for positives, you still have to look at bad losses for negatives. That's the one big negative with ISU right now. While they have some incredible wins and have played a very challenging schedule, they also have dropped a few turds. The Morehead State loss is not that great but even worse is the SIU loss, which is a 200+ RPI loss. That's a killer. The committee will look at everything from top to bottom. Wipe those 2 losses from the crate and the Sycamores are an easy at-large team right now.

Over the course of the season, every team will lose games they shouldn't lose, thats just the nature of the sport. The season is a grind, and sometimes you have guys hurt, sick, come out flat, cold shooting, etc, etc. by the time we get to March, every "mid major" looking to get an at large will have bad losses. The difference between a bubble school in the MVC and a bubble school in the Big Ten is the chance at quality wins. A team like Purdue will have just as many losses and will have some "bad" ones (Bucknell at home) but they have so many chances at signature wins. So much more pressure on us. Purdue goes .500 in the conference, they're in. We have to go at least 12-6, probably more like 13-5.

That is why I love listening to teams in the bigger conferences cry about getting left out after they go 8-10 or 9-9 in their conference and someone else gets in from a smaller conference going 16-2 in the conference.

Valleylurker · Jan 28, 2013

Bluethunder said:
Over the course of the season, every team will lose games they shouldn't lose, thats just the nature of the sport. The season is a grind, and sometimes you have guys hurt, sick, come out flat, cold shooting, etc, etc. by the time we get to March, every "mid major" looking to get an at large will have bad losses. The difference between a bubble school in the MVC and a bubble school in the Big Ten is the chance at quality wins. A team like Purdue will have just as many losses and will have some "bad" ones (Bucknell at home) but they have so many chances at signature wins. So much more pressure on us. Purdue goes .500 in the conference, they're in. We have to go at least 12-6, probably more like 13-5.

That is why I love listening to teams in the bigger conferences cry about getting left out after they go 8-10 or 9-9 in their conference and someone else gets in from a smaller conference going 16-2 in the conference.

Oh I totally agree the big boys get treated differently than the mids. Fair or not, that's why I brought up the bad losses because they seem to get scrutinized more for mids than for the big honks. Most of the big boy's bad losses don't come to 200+ RPI teams. Those are the types of losses that keep teams out of the at-large pool. It sucks, but it's the cold, hard truth.

I think the wins over Miami and Ole Miss have neutralized the Morehead and SIU losses. So basically, ISU is even right now. They need another win or two and no more bad losses to send them back on the right side of the bubble IMO.

ESPN on State's Tourney Chances

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