Field set for MAC tourney

[Jacobs4Heisman]

http://mac-sports.collegesports.com/spo ... 06aag.html



BG plays the winner of NIU and Miami. I would rather it be Miami but NIU is pretty bad also. We would play either WMU, Buffalo, Or Toledo (most likely WMU) in the Semi's and then probably Kent or Eastern in the finals if everything shakes out the way it should. I have a really hard time seing any of the five teams we could play before the finals beating us. Of course anything's possible, but I feel pretty safe penciling us in to the finals.

[bgsufalcon24]

http://mac-sports.collegesports.com/spo ... 06aag.html



BG plays the winner of NIU and Miami. I would rather it be Miami but NIU is pretty bad also. We would play either WMU, Buffalo, Or Toledo (most likely WMU) in the Semi's and then probably Kent or Eastern in the finals if everything shakes out the way it should. I have a really hard time seing any of the five teams we could play before the finals beating us. Of course anything's possible, but I feel pretty safe penciling us in to the finals.

Really I think there's only one team in the MAC with a chance at beating us, and that is Eastern Michigan. Nothing against Kent State, but they couldn't keep with us at AA, and they lost to us on their floor, so I don't see them beating us now. With EMU, I have to wonder how much home court advantage helped us there, and if we would have gone to Ypsilanti, would we have won? I'm not sure, because they gave us a battle, and if we face them again in the finals it'll be another great fight, this time with the automatic bid on the line.

Playing devil's advocate for a bit, it would actually be better for the conference if Eastern Michigan beats us in the final. By then, we'll have already clinched for all intents and purposes, so an EMU win puts two MAC teams in the NCAA tournament. The only way I see us not going to NC's now is if we lose to somebody like Akron in round 1, and then that's a big maybe. Losing to another team in the RPI top 60 wouldn't mean anything at this point.

But, I don't see that scenario coming into play, because this team just doesn't lose, and we won't. We'll take those 3 games inside the Q and trot right on into NC's with the best record and most wins in school history.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

http://mac-sports.collegesports.com/spo ... 06aag.html



BG plays the winner of NIU and Miami. I would rather it be Miami but NIU is pretty bad also. We would play either WMU, Buffalo, Or Toledo (most likely WMU) in the Semi's and then probably Kent or Eastern in the finals if everything shakes out the way it should. I have a really hard time seing any of the five teams we could play before the finals beating us. Of course anything's possible, but I feel pretty safe penciling us in to the finals.

Really I think there's only one team in the MAC with a chance at beating us, and that is Eastern Michigan. Nothing against Kent State, but they couldn't keep with us at AA, and they lost to us on their floor, so I don't see them beating us now. With EMU, I have to wonder how much home court advantage helped us there, and if we would have gone to Ypsilanti, would we have won? I'm not sure, because they gave us a battle, and if we face them again in the finals it'll be another great fight, this time with the automatic bid on the line.

Playing devil's advocate for a bit, it would actually be better for the conference if Eastern Michigan beats us in the final. By then, we'll have already clinched for all intents and purposes, so an EMU win puts two MAC teams in the NCAA tournament. The only way I see us not going to NC's now is if we lose to somebody like Akron in round 1, and then that's a big maybe. Losing to another team in the RPI top 60 wouldn't mean anything at this point.

But, I don't see that scenario coming into play, because this team just doesn't lose, and we won't. We'll take those 3 games inside the Q and trot right on into NC's with the best record and most wins in school history.

To the Kent State point -- I see what you're saying, but as long as KSU has Shearer, they are very capable of beating us. I'd say that EMU, KSU, and us are all the top tier, but there is a clear seperation between us and EMU, and then between EMU and KSU. After KSU there is a large dropoff in talent.

As far as losing to EMU, I do think that would be better for the conference as a whole. EMU would probably go in as a 13 seed, and they are capable of beating any 4 seed they come up against. We would probably end up a 12, which is the easiest path to the sweet 16 for us. Obviously none of us want this to happen, but it wouldn't be the end of the world as far as the MAC in the NCAA tourney is concerned.



All that aside -- I want that 28-2 record real bad. The words best ever don't get tossed around very often.

[transfer2BGSU]

Playing devil's advocate for a bit, it would actually be better for the conference if Eastern Michigan beats us in the final. By then, we'll have already clinched for all intents and purposes, so an EMU win puts two MAC teams in the NCAA tournament. The only way I see us not going to NC's now is if we lose to somebody like Akron in round 1, and then that's a big maybe. Losing to another team in the RPI top 60 wouldn't mean anything at this point.

You can foolishly believe this if you want to, but you need to remember one thing - We are in the Mid-American Conference. I don't want us having to hope the selection committee will choose us. We just need to go out there and take care of business and earn it the old fashioned way - just win baby! (Kudos to Al Davis)

[bgsufalcon24]

Playing devil's advocate for a bit, it would actually be better for the conference if Eastern Michigan beats us in the final. By then, we'll have already clinched for all intents and purposes, so an EMU win puts two MAC teams in the NCAA tournament. The only way I see us not going to NC's now is if we lose to somebody like Akron in round 1, and then that's a big maybe. Losing to another team in the RPI top 60 wouldn't mean anything at this point.

You can foolishly believe this if you want to, but you need to remember one thing - We are in the Mid-American Conference. I don't want us having to hope the selection committee will choose us. We just need to go out there and take care of business and earn it the old fashioned way - just win baby! (Kudos to Al Davis)

Trust me, I know all about what happened to Gonzaga last season, going 27-3 and not going in. But look at these comparison facts.

1.BG's RPI (40th) this year is better than Gonzaga's a year ago, and the RPI composite for the MAC is better than that of the WCC of a year ago.

2.2 of Gonzaga's losses came by at least double digits, one of which was in the semifinals of the WCC tournament. Bowling Green hasn't lost a game by more than 4 points all year, and one of those losses was in overtime. (it's too bad basketball isn't like hockey with overtime losses)

3.Bowling Green is ranked in the ESPN/USA today poll, something that Gonzaga I don't think ever achieved a year ago.

These things suggest that we are in a much better position if we are to lose in the MAC tournament.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

Gonzaga was ranked I believe, but other that that you're right. BG's profile is stronger than Gonzaga'a was last year.

Transfer's right too though, in that we should never ever ever ever trust the selection committee to give that at-large bid to a MAC school.

Even so, I think in the scenario you provided, in which we lose in the finals, we would get an at-large bid.

[svillefalcon]

Playing devil's advocate for a bit, it would actually be better for the conference if Eastern Michigan beats us in the final. By then, we'll have already clinched for all intents and purposes, so an EMU win puts two MAC teams in the NCAA tournament. The only way I see us not going to NC's now is if we lose to somebody like Akron in round 1, and then that's a big maybe. Losing to another team in the RPI top 60 wouldn't mean anything at this point.

You can foolishly believe this if you want to, but you need to remember one thing - We are in the Mid-American Conference. I don't want us having to hope the selection committee will choose us. We just need to go out there and take care of business and earn it the old fashioned way - just win baby! (Kudos to Al Davis)

Trust me, I know all about what happened to Gonzaga last season, going 27-3 and not going in. But look at these comparison facts.

1.BG's RPI (40th) this year is better than Gonzaga's a year ago, and the RPI composite for the MAC is better than that of the WCC of a year ago.

2.2 of Gonzaga's losses came by at least double digits, one of which was in the semifinals of the WCC tournament. Bowling Green hasn't lost a game by more than 4 points all year, and one of those losses was in overtime. (it's too bad basketball isn't like hockey with overtime losses)

3.Bowling Green is ranked in the ESPN/USA today poll, something that Gonzaga I don't think ever achieved a year ago.

These things suggest that we are in a much better position if we are to lose in the MAC tournament.

Never, ever, ever guarantee something taht you dont earn. You cant say that we "would" get an automatic bid if we dont win the conference. you can never trust the selection committee. Although i dont see us losing, if we did, it wouldnt suprise me in the bit if we got snubbed. We are from the MAC. Multiple teams dont get bids from MAC conferences, especially the women. Lets just win the friggin championship and not worry about scenarios.

LETS GO LADIES!!!!!!!!

[UK Peregrine]

Why don't we take a closer look at Gonzaga other than their obviously impressive 27-3 record coming into NCAA selection time last year, since we're making grandiose claim about how BG being lock if they get to the MAC championship.

1. BG's RPI (40th) this year is better than Gonzaga's a year ago, and the RPI composite for the MAC is better than that of the WCC of a year ago.

BG has an RPI has an RPI of 40th you say (I think we're actually 36th, but no matter). Well Gonzaga had a top 50 RPI as well, which is about where BG would be if the lost in the MAC championship. And as for the RPI composite for conferences, teams are not selected based upon the conference RPI. Plus, I'm not even sure if that claim about the MAC's RPI being better than the WCC's from last year is even accurate. Anyways, teams are selected more upon their records and S.O.S.

2. Two of Gonzaga's losses came by at least double digits, one of which was in the semifinals of the WCC tournament. Bowling Green hasn't lost a game by more than 4 points all year, and one of those losses was in overtime. (it's too bad basketball isn't like hockey with overtime losses).

I'm pretty sure this claim is erroneous. #1 seed Gonzaga lost to #3 seed Santa Clara (17-13) in the finals of the WCC 77-66. Sure, they had two poor losses, but again BG can't brag nor control their S.O.S. when schedule are weighted so heavily by in conference games.

3. Bowling Green is ranked in the ESPN/USA today poll, something that Gonzaga I don't think ever achieved a year ago.

BG is ranked 24th, I'm pretty sure Gonzaga was ranked at this time last season as well. Not to mention that the Zags had 23 straight wins compared to BG's 16 in a row. They were 14-0 in conference play, BG is 16-0. And as for S.O.S, I believe ours and Gonzaga's last year are and were considered less than stellar. Neither team has or had played a top 25 opponent, which I think is the sticking point here for selection committees.

The point being, BG needs to win the MAC tournament to be guaranteed anything. After all, the 04-05 Gonzaga looks eerily similar to BG at this point, I for one wouldn't want to rely on a selection committee to put us in with their collective track records.

[brewer]

I truly do love the enthusiasm and optimism of most people here. But the comparison to last year's Gonzaga team is just frighteningly similar.

To expand on UK's post...

Gonzaga was 23rd in the coaches poll, and 24th in the AP poll.

BG's RPI is currently projected at 43. Gonzaga's final RPI (after the loss in the conference tournament finals) was 48. I don't know what it was prior to that loss, but one would definitely assume it was better just as BG's will fall should they lose in Cleveland.

BG's regular season losses were indeed by considerably closer scores (most of their wins are by closer scores too though), but against somewhat softer oponents. They lost at Kentucky (current RPI of 23) and vs. Delaware on a neutral court (current RPI of 65). Gonzaga lost at Arizona State (final RPI of 22) and at New Mexico (final RPI of 28 ).

Gonzaga's winning streak going into their tourney finals was the longest winning streak in the country.

Gonzaga's conference was actually rated as the 13th strongest conference by the RPI. The MAC is currently rated 16th.

I also think a healthy (which apparently they are again) WMU team in the semis would be a scarier game than many realize.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

When healthy, WMU is the fourth best team in the conference talent-wise, just ahead of Ball State. They will give us a run if we meet them in the semis. WMU can not beat us if we play well though IMO. Eastern and Kent can.


I'm not meaning to sound overconfident or saying we're a lock by any means. I'm just discussing possibilities that are brought up.

[bgsufalcon24]

I truly do love the enthusiasm and optimism of most people here. But the comparison to last year's Gonzaga team is just frighteningly similar.

To expand on UK's post...

Gonzaga was 23rd in the coaches poll, and 24th in the AP poll.

BG's RPI is currently projected at 43. Gonzaga's final RPI (after the loss in the conference tournament finals) was 48. I don't know what it was prior to that loss, but one would definitely assume it was better just as BG's will fall should they lose in Cleveland.

BG's regular season losses were indeed by considerably closer scores (most of their wins are by closer scores too though), but against somewhat softer oponents. They lost at Kentucky (current RPI of 23) and vs. Delaware on a neutral court (current RPI of 65). Gonzaga lost at Arizona State (final RPI of 22) and at New Mexico (final RPI of 28 ).

Gonzaga's winning streak going into their tourney finals was the longest winning streak in the country.

Gonzaga's conference was actually rated as the 13th strongest conference by the RPI. The MAC is currently rated 16th.

I also think a healthy (which apparently they are again) WMU team in the semis would be a scarier game than many realize.

If Western Michigan were to beat us in the semifinals and knock us out of the NCAA tournament, my hatred of that school would boil to the point of fanaticism.

[Falconfreak90]

Just win the dang tourney and everything will be fine.

Besides, I want to see back to back MAC Tourney titles as well as regular season titles. More stuff to hang on the banners in AA!

GO FALCONS!!!

[brewer]

When healthy, WMU is the fourth best team in the conference talent-wise, just ahead of Ball State. They will give us a run if we meet them in the semis. WMU can not beat us if we play well though IMO. Eastern and Kent can.

I actually think WMU is a flat better team than Kent. They went 11-5 in the MAC to Kent's 12-4 despite several key injuries. They beat Kent head to head. Quite honestly, the West was the tougher overall division with 4 of the 5 worst teams in the conference being in the East. And they have 3 arguably 4 serious scoring threats vs. really just 1 for Kent.

That said, while Jilian is indeed back they are actually still without Lindsey Brown apparently for the season. That's still a significant loss. That team has just been absolutely hammered by injuries that last couple of years. It's a shame, because in terms of "talent" on their roster they truly have as much as ANY team in the MAC.

[bgsufalcon24]

When healthy, WMU is the fourth best team in the conference talent-wise, just ahead of Ball State. They will give us a run if we meet them in the semis. WMU can not beat us if we play well though IMO. Eastern and Kent can.

I actually think WMU is a flat better team than Kent. They went 11-5 in the MAC to Kent's 12-4 despite several key injuries. They beat Kent head to head. Quite honestly, the West was the tougher overall division with 4 of the 5 worst teams in the conference being in the East. And they have 3 arguably 4 serious scoring threats vs. really just 1 for Kent.

That said, while Jilian is indeed back they are actually still without Lindsey Brown apparently for the season. That's still a significant loss. That team has just been absolutely hammered by injuries that last couple of years. It's a shame, because in terms of "talent" on their roster they truly have as much as ANY team in the MAC.

Not that I would wish anything like injuries against the people playing for WMU, but any way they don't win is good enough for me. Here's to hoping their teams go winless every year.