Tourney quality teams

H

HawksMN

Well-Known Member
How many does the BIG get in?

Right now I would say only 5. MSU, Iowa, UM, OSU, WI. IU talented but too inconsistent on the road. Minn record isn't that good, bad losses, and probably add another one for them at WI this week. The rest are out.
 
If I was to release a Tournament Watch right now, my version would look like this for the Big Ten:

Locks: MSU, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, OSU
Bubble: Minnesota

And that would be it.

If I added a "Work to do" section, meaning teams that might be able to play their way onto the bubble, I might list Indiana, Nebraska & Illinois, since both teams are inside the RPI Top 70. But those teams are all firmly OUT at this point.
 
Minnesota still looks pretty solid at this point despite their three ugly losses in a row. Indiana should be pretty close with their wins over Wisconsin and Michigan, but they're still out at this point. Maybe the rest theoretically have a chance as well but have a really long way to go.
 
volhawk50 said:
Minnesota still looks pretty solid at this point despite their three ugly losses in a row. Indiana should be pretty close with their wins over Wisconsin and Michigan, but they're still out at this point. Maybe the rest theoretically have a chance as well but have a really long way to go.
Click to expand...

I think Minnesota will right the ship. They definitely struggled without Hollins and he's clearly not 100% yet. If he can get back on track quickly, I think they'll get in. A win at Wisconsin this week would solidify that.
 
IU and Minnesota still could put themselves in. Nebraska, Illinois and maybe Northwestern could probably technically play themselves in but they'd pretty much have to win out and maybe one or two in the BIG tourney (Northwestern would have to do this I would think)

Out of those three Illinois probably has the best chance to find a way but none will come close. Why am I even talking about those three?
 
I hope Indiana doesn't make it though just because they pretty much have to beat us to do so.
 
The problem for Minny and IU is that Iowa comes to their gym soon, and for them to make it, they probably have to win that game. I hope they fall short. Now, they could win it, and that helps their cases immeasurably.

I think Minny slips in, and IU just misses. Big Ten gets a solid 6 teams in...and should have a decent shot at 4 making the Sweet Sixteen....MSU,Mich,Iowa,OSU.
 
bcl20 said:
IU and Minnesota still could put themselves in. Nebraska, Illinois and maybe Northwestern could probably technically play themselves in but they'd pretty much have to win out and maybe one or two in the BIG tourney (Northwestern would have to do this I would think)

Out of those three Illinois probably has the best chance to find a way but none will come close. Why am I even talking about those three?
Click to expand...

I think Northwestern is toast. Their ESPN RPI is 97, and you can't lose to Nebraska on your home court if you're an NCAA team. They HAD to have that game if they were even going to think of making a run at getting on the bubble.

Indiana, Illinois and Nebraska are all Top 70-75, so it's maybe a little too early to stick a fork in them, but those teams each have a lot of work to do if they're going to get in the conversation. At this point, there's really nothing to talk about IMO.

Gut feeling says Minnesota will find a way to get in. Their RPI is still reasonable, 38 I believe, and they were without their top player for a while.
 
Northwestern isn't getting in. Too bad for Crawford; I like watching him play and was kind of hoping he'd get a shot in the Dance. Collins definitely has good things in motion over there, though. They'll reach their first dance within three years, IMO.
 
You guys who think that IL or NW has any shot are crazy. IL is in the cellar. They will be lucky to sniff the NIT. NW same. Nebby no shot. Did Iowa have a shot when they were in the cellar with Lick or 1st Fran year? Heck no...same goes to these teams.

I think you guys are overselling the Goofers. Unlike Iowa they have bad losses on their resume. They play at WI this week and I am guessing they will lose. They have not won a single road game to note. Their position is very, solid, BUBBLE. And Hawk fans know where that gets you come March.....
 
We all agree 5 make it for sure...even though there was an Iowa on the bubble thread very recently. LOL

Minnesota and Indiana are on the bubble with Minnesota barely in and Indiana out IMO. Both could make it and neither could make it. They have to win some games and the BTT could be very important as well...another chance at a quality win.
 
Not sure a magic number of 6 is the ticket. If you aint good enough you aint good enough. And as of right now Minney and IU aint good enough. That could change.
 
HawksMN said:
Not sure a magic number of 6 is the ticket. If you aint good enough you aint good enough. And as of right now Minney and IU aint good enough. That could change.
Click to expand...

Minnesota is currently 42nd in the Massey Composite Rankings. They would certainly be in the tournament if it began today, they stack up just fine compared to the BYU, Providence, St. John's, Missouri type of teams they will be competing with for the final at large spots.
 
Minnesota is still solidly in at this point. Indiana, Nebraska, and Illinois still have a high enough RPI that they could play their way into consideration. Penn State, Purdue, and Northwestern are to far out to even be in discussion.
 
HawksMN said:
You guys who think that IL or NW has any shot are crazy. IL is in the cellar. They will be lucky to sniff the NIT. NW same. Nebby no shot. Did Iowa have a shot when they were in the cellar with Lick or 1st Fran year? Heck no...same goes to these teams.

I think you guys are overselling the Goofers. Unlike Iowa they have bad losses on their resume. They play at WI this week and I am guessing they will lose. They have not won a single road game to note. Their position is very, solid, BUBBLE. And Hawk fans know where that gets you come March.....
Click to expand...

Hawk fans know what it's like to be on the bubble with a crazy weak schedule and no big wins to brag about. Minnesota has one of the strongest schedules in the nation and has beaten Wisconsin and Indiana, and how about a road win to note, against #43 Richmond. I think you are overselling the importance of conference standings. Illinois is top 70 in the RPI, and their seven remaining games are against 66 (twice), 11, 15, 17, 31, and 38. If they manage to win five of those, they will be 19-12 with a top 50 RPI and a multitude of quality wins entering the BTT (That is just a hypothetical situation, and I would actually be surprised if they won more than one of those seven games). That resume would get some consideration.
 
May get some consideration, but if Minney is on the bubble on selection Sunday, they will be OUT.
I am sorry, if you have a losing record in the conf, the odds are squarely against you getting in.
 
I love this discussion of others being in and not have to worry about IA for a change, just like the sound of the ocean as a background noise while laying down for a tan (this year), ahhhhh
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Share this page

Top