No respect for the Valley

[electricmayhem]

Josh Herwitt from Fox Sports wrote an article about the Top-10 conferences this season, and the Valley wasn't included.

Here's my response:

http://www.examiner.com/x-7020-Bradley-Braves-Examiner~y2009m8d22-No-respect-for-the-Missouri-Valley

[kcshocker11]

Nice job sticking up for MVC, but were used to np respect! That being said lets kick some butt!

[MikeShox]

Re: No respect for the Valley

Josh Herwitt from Fox Sports wrote an article about the Top-10 conferences this season, and the Valley wasn't included.

Here's my response:

http://www.examiner.com/x-7020-Bradl...issouri-Valley

Excellent response. Hope Herwitt sees it and hope he's reminded of it in March.

[SB Shock]

To cry about lack of respect after the way the MVC was last year kind of rings hollow. The respect will come if the MVC takes care of business year in and year out.

[RoyalShock]

I think I get what the Herwitt is saying. If you look only at the teams that are a factor on the national scene (the top of the leagues) the MVC probably doesn't look like a top-10 league. The MVC has usually been strong from top-to-bottom but most college b-ball fans couldn't care less if the top teams aren't getting to the NCAAs.

Bookmark that story and revisit it after the season.
We'll see if the MVC's standard bearers this year outperform those in the 7-10 leagues.

[SubGod22]

We're not falling outside the Top 10 conferences.

[electricmayhem]

To cry about lack of respect after the way the MVC was last year kind of rings hollow. The respect will come if the MVC takes care of business year in and year out.

Like I said, even in an "off" year, the league still ranked 9th, and was basically tied with the A-10. I think everyone would agree we are stronger this year.

To have C-USA ahead of us was a slap.

[Maggie]

To cry about lack of respect after the way the MVC was last year kind of rings hollow. The respect will come if the MVC takes care of business year in and year out.

Like I said, even in an "off" year, the league still ranked 9th, and was basically tied with the A-10. I think everyone would agree we are stronger this year.

To have C-USA ahead of us was a slap.

I agree with electricmayhem (now change that picture). The MVC has collectively performed well over the past several years and should have earned a little consideration, a little respect.

I am afraid Mr. Herwitt’s article will seem rather foolish at the end of the season and beyond.

[SB Shock]

To cry about lack of respect after the way the MVC was last year kind of rings hollow. The respect will come if the MVC takes care of business year in and year out.

Like I said, even in an "off" year, the league still ranked 9th, and was basically tied with the A-10. I think everyone would agree we are stronger this year.

To have C-USA ahead of us was a slap.

No it not. If you look at from the top to bottom both league are about mirror of each other.

Difference becomes CUSA best team went to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA. MVC best team was one and done. In other post season tournaments CUSA team did more with their opportunities than MVC team.

The fact is the the supposed top teams in the MVC last year didn't carry the league water in non-conference play (CU, SIU, UNI) and Illinois State put a schedule out to try create a illusion of being good.

[Ashockalypse]

It is always a matter of degree with these people. The Valley may have significantly underperformed last year but that sure as hell didn't take it below 10. So yeah we can complain. You have to fight for everything.

[Snapshot9]

To combat this article, I think that 20 year stats should be presented of how many MVC teams made the big dance, and how many advanced through each round of the big dance.

A point value would be assigned for making the big dance.
A point value would be assigned for making each additional round of the big dance.

This way, you could determine the performance of the MVC on a yearly basis and compare it to performance of other leagues.

If this was done across the board for each league, the leagues could be rated according the point averages, and it would show leagues performance (under or over) on a yearly basis, or for a 5, 10, 15, or 20 year basis.

[electricmayhem]

To cry about lack of respect after the way the MVC was last year kind of rings hollow. The respect will come if the MVC takes care of business year in and year out.

Like I said, even in an "off" year, the league still ranked 9th, and was basically tied with the A-10. I think everyone would agree we are stronger this year.

To have C-USA ahead of us was a slap.

No it not. If you look at from the top to bottom both league are about mirror of each other.

Difference becomes CUSA best team went to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA. MVC best team was one and done. In other post season tournaments CUSA team did more with their opportunities than MVC team.

The fact is the the supposed top teams in the MVC last year didn't carry the league water in non-conference play (CU, SIU, UNI) and Illinois State put a schedule out to try create a illusion of being good.

SB - I have to respectfully disagree with you. The fact that nine of the 10 teams in the Valley won 7 or more league games last years shows (at least to me) depth. Anyone can beat anyone else on any given night. MSU was the worst team in the league last season, but they will be improved. Even they beat a few good Valley teams and were close in several other games.

C-USA had just six of its 12 teams finish above .500, and without taking a look at everyone's individual SOS, I'm going to assume they played roughly the same level of opponents. I just believe that our bottom five is better than C-USA, and other than Memphis last season, our top five could hang with anyone else in the conference.

[ShockerFever]

I too agree with electricmayhem. There is NO way C-USA is better overall than the Valley. C-USA has essentially been Memphis and the rest for the entire decade. Even in a down year for us, we still finished better than C-USA in conference standing.. and that's after Memphis reached a NC game and a Sweet 16.

It's really not that close. The Valley will be much improved, while C-USA's stronghold, Memphis, is starting its fall from grace.

[SB Shock]

SB - I have to respectfully disagree with you.

That's fine. I'm offering a different perspective.

The fact that nine of the 10 teams in the Valley won 7 or more league games last years shows (at least to me) depth.

To me that is a sign of mediocrity. There are certain schools in the league who do not put their resources into being a great basketball school. When those schools leading or in the middle of pack of the conference then there is something wrong with the conference.

Anyone can beat anyone else on any given night. MSU was the worst team in the league last season, but they will be improved.

I'm not arguing whether the MVC will be improved - they have to be because I don't think it can get any worse.

C-USA had just six of its 12 teams finish above .500, and without taking a look at everyone's individual SOS, I'm going to assume they played roughly the same level of opponents. I just believe that our bottom five is better than C-USA,

To me this is a loser's argument. Who cares if a conference worst 5 is better than another conference worst 5. That's like kissing your sister. What matters is getting to the dance and making the most of it.

If the conference wants to be respected then they need to do what they did in 2006.

and other than Memphis last season, our top five could hang with anyone else in the conference.

again, it is about winning not hanging. The facts are the MVC was:

MVC was 5-17 vs BCS
MVC was 9-25 on the road

These IMO are not good numbers. These are not numbers that bring respect. These are not numbers that bring multiple NCAA bids.

[ShockerFever]

C-USA had just six of its 12 teams finish above .500, and without taking a look at everyone's individual SOS, I'm going to assume they played roughly the same level of opponents. I just believe that our bottom five is better than C-USA,

To me this is a loser's argument. Who cares if a conference worst 5 is better than another conference worst 5. That's like kissing your sister. What matters is getting to the dance and making the most of it.

If the conference wants to be respected then they need to do what they did in 2006.

No, you see that IS the argument. If you're arguing which conference is better, you stack up teams from one conference to teams of another and look at the overall picture. When this happens, your argument ends, so that's why you don't like it. There is no doubt that the worst 5 in the Valley are better overall than the worst 5 in the C-USA. There's a little bit more wiggle room with the best 5 in each conference. C-USA clearly has the best team than any Valley team, but one team doesn't make a conference. Memphis is essentially in a league of their own.

It's gonna be hard to do things in 2006 when the NCAA continues to squeeze mid-majors out of at-larges every year. Did we deserve two teams last year? Maybe. sCUm was extremely close.

and other than Memphis last season, our top five could hang with anyone else in the conference.

again, it is about winning not hanging. The facts are the MVC was:

MVC was 5-17 vs BCS
MVC was 9-25 on the road

These IMO are not good numbers. These are not numbers that bring respect. These are not numbers that bring multiple NCAA bids.

Wait, what are you arguing? I thought we were arguing if the Valley was better than the C-USA. Those numbers are pretty much meaningless, unless you compare the same stats with teams from C-USA, which won't be better.

I agree we sucked it up last year. I don't think anyone can deny that the last two years have been bad for the conference and has led to a downward trend. But again, the point is, even in our "bad" years, we still hold our own and we're still one of the Top 10 conference in the nation, better than the C-USA.