ESPN bracketology

[covufan]

And yeah, this year, I hope we can stay out of the 14.

I would only like the 14 if we were to get Maryland in Columbus or Louisville.  Maryland is a good match for us, but they do seem to win many of the close (less than 3 points) games.

[agibson]

I would only like the 14 if we were to get Maryland in Columbus or Louisville.  Maryland is a good match for us, but they do seem to win many of the close (less than 3 points) games.

I would love to see Seth Davis' twitter feed if we managed to beat Maryland in a 14-3 game.  (Thinking back to the week, or several weeks?, when he ranked us in preference to them in the top 25.)

[wh]

Newest Update - Jerry Palm/CBS Bracketology:

Butler (5) vs. Valparaiso (12) in Charlotte                     

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/bracketology

[vu72]

I just wonder how Butler, who lost in their quarter-finals, makes it to a 5.  I'd love it but I do wonder... 

[VULB#62]

And no one on this team, except Vashil I believe, has ever taken the floor against a Butler team and has zero personal context.  So it would be great for us veteran fans, but the kids in school today and the players won't get the same flow of adrenaline as us -- that is....... if it comes to be.

[ValpoHoops]

We played Butler three times in 2011-2012. The only current player on the roster then was, indeed, Vashil. He did not, however, see any playing time in the three games.

[FWalum]

And no one on this team, except Vashil I believe, has ever taken the floor against a Butler team and has zero personal context.  So it would be great for us veteran fans, but the kids in school today and the players won't get the same flow of adrenaline as us -- that is....... if it comes to be.

I think you are really underselling what this matchup would mean to the team and at least every fan in the senior class.  The defection of Butler from the HL was a HUGE deal and I guarantee that every player on the team is aware of the recent history between VU and Butler. I think the adrenaline will be flowing a plenty..... if it comes to be. 

[wh]

I'm sure Alec would love to play Butler. Alec was heavily recruited by Butler. They offered him a scholarship and then lost interest in him later in favor of Chrabascz. Some of their message board fans continue to compare the 2 ( more so last year than this), and have questioned the decision. Now that they're winning and Chrabascz is a solid contributor, they've moved on. I'm guessing Alec would like to see if he could score a hoop or 2 against them. 

Aside from that I'm not sure what the point is about the players not being personally excited or intrigued or whatever by playing Butler. Even if true, so what?  Fans on both sides would be greatly interested in it. There are a lot of great story lines, e.g., our 4 game winning streak, Butlers refusal to play us despite "repeated attempts" by ml to schedule them, etc. Lastly, compare this year's Valpo team not to the Broekhoff 12-13 team, but the Broekhoff 11-12 team that lost to Detroit in the HL tourney championship game. That's how much better we are now than the last time we played and swept them.

Or, we could play Utah or someone else we have absolutely zero connection to...

[VULB#62]

Geez you guys!  Yes,  Alex will be motivated, and, if you had really read my initial post on this, I did not say they won't be excited. The kids on this team will be thrilled to play wherever they land in the bracket and Butler being an in-state team will make for an intriguing matchup because we recruit against them.  And the adrenaline will flow.  My point was about us -- the vets, the old-timers, the old farts.  Us old-timers have much bigger chips on our shoulders based on a deep, deep history.  The adrenaline I was referring to is different. I know my adrenaline will have at least 20% bile as a component -- that's where the context comes in. 

[wh]

Look at what Lunardi now has:

Baylor (4) vs. Valpo (13) in Jacksonville (East Regional)

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology/_/iteration/257

Palm now has:

Arkansas (5) vs. Valpo (12) in Pittsburgh (East Regional)

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/bracketology

[a3uge]

Lunardi has St Francis (PA) as a 9 seed at-large!

[valpopal]

Lunardi has St Francis (PA) as a 9 seed at-large!

He also still has Valpo (13) playing Baylor (4) in Jacksonville!

[LaPorteAveApostle]

Lunardi has St Francis (PA) as a 9 seed at-large!

[talksalot]

Just replaced with "Saint Johns"... the next school alphabetically on the list...  Whooops !

[agibson]

Just replaced with "Saint Johns"... the next school alphabetically on the list...  Whooops !

Intern getting a talking to?

[wh]

The logic and rationale used by the selection committee of clustering teams by geographic proximity and using the "eye test" renders Bracketology prognostication of very limited value. Personally, I will be paying far less attention to "Bracketology speak" next year.

[FWalum]

The logic and rationale used by the selection committee of clustering teams by geographic proximity and using the "eye test" renders Bracketology prognostication of very limited value. Personally, I will be paying far less attention to "Bracketology speak" next year.

Agreed, I think it is a travesty when someone like a Colorado State does not get in the tournament with 27 wins and a 30 RPI.  It makes a mockery of the whole process. 

[a3uge]

The logic and rationale used by the selection committee of clustering teams by geographic proximity and using the "eye test" renders Bracketology prognostication of very limited value. Personally, I will be paying far less attention to "Bracketology speak" next year.

I've been trying to tell you all that they just get really drunk and hand out certain seeds at random.

[justducky]

I've been trying to tell you all that they just get really drunk and hand out certain seeds at random.

Yup. Then they draw straws and the loser has to coffee up and rationalize the process to the media. I could do that job too except I've never been a big fan of coffee!

[covufan]

I've been trying to tell you all that they just get really drunk and hand out certain seeds at random.

Where can I sign up or send my resume to be on the committee?!!?!?!

[oklahomamick]

A bracketology for next year.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology

A #13 seed vs. #4 Wisconsin. 

[talksalot]

I think I'd rather play them in December at the United Center...

[a3uge]

Lundardi probably doesn't even know Payne declared for the NBA. He's clueless. Can't even pronounce our school name correctly, I wouldn't put any weight into what he says this early.

[valpo84]

At this way too early juncture, the key is that he has us slated to win our conference. Pronunciations, places and opponents are for another day.

[vu72]

A bracketology for next year.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology

A #13 seed vs. #4 Wisconsin. 

Not sure how a top 25 team gets a 13.