Bracketbuster 2012

[valpopal]

I have seen other predictions online of a Valpo-Ohio bracketbuster match; however, I also have seen that the Ohio folks would not be very happy since there is such a disparity in the current RPI rankings of the two teams: according to Real Time RPI, Ohio is number 68 and Valparaiso is number 124.

[justducky]

Is there any stated or unstated rule that might prohibit a Missouri State-Valpo rematch? #10 home vs #10 road  Neither team with any hope for a NCAA at large, and Missouri State with only a slight NIT at large hope. Yes I think they might like a higher RPI opponent but the home teams are averageing about 15 points higher RPI than their road equivalents..

If it did happen then would there be any need for a home and away rematch series? A couple teams with a little history, a revenge motive (for them), why not? We could certainly do worse, and so could they.

[talksalot]

I think there is a written rule about not playing Missouri State again... since we have to play them next year down there as the return from last year as it is...

AND, In reviewing my selections... I see that I forgot to put Long Beach State in as a road team somewhere...but with any luck they'd put them at Weber State...or, maybe Cleveland State can have them... which would make for a nice road trip for them next year.

I see the Selection show is on ESPNU at 5:30 Central Time tonight....

Let's hope it's a nice short bus trip so we can get ready for the bug rematch with ...er uh... Loyola...on the 21st.

[historyman]

Let's hope it's a nice short bus trip so we can get ready for the bug rematch with ...er uh... Loyola...on the 21st.

Don't forget what happened last year against Loyola at home after the Green Bay game. It wasn't pretty at all.

[dylanrocks]

Sounds like it might be VCU in an actual BracketBusters (televised) home game.

Go represent the league with pride, Crusaders!

[vu72]

With the win over a very solid Milwaukee team, I'm hoping we are moved into a tv game.  Ohio would be a good matchup.  They lead or are near the lead in the MAC.  Ohio or VCU would be great home games for us next year but both will be very tough opponents.

Right now we are ranked #132 in the Sagarin's, while VCU is ranked 57 and Ohio 75.

[IndyValpo]

I am predicting that we get the 13th TV game, late night vs. New Mexico State...RPI 92.

[StlVUFan]

I think there is a written rule about not playing Missouri State again... since we have to play them next year down there as the return from last year as it is...

Plus it would defeat one of the side benefits of the bracketbuster, which sets in the year after your first year in: a 2nd quality non-conference opponent on your schedule.  The idea is we get to play Missouri State AND a new bracketbuster opponent.

Of course, that was supposed to be this year...

[valpopal]

This latest projection has Valpo playing Loyola (MD), which would be okay though it would mean some more travel. Also, the game is ranked as the tenth highest in seeding, which would mean some television coverage.

It has Cleveland State hosting Akron, which makes a lot of sense; but the site also has Butler hosting Wofford. I bet that wouldn't be the kind of exciting home game Bulldog fans might wish to have.

http://www.vcuramnation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7889

[valpo04]

This latest projection has Valpo playing Loyola (MD), which would be okay though it would mean some more travel. Also, the game is ranked as the tenth highest in seeding, which would mean some television coverage.

It has Cleveland State hosting Akron, which makes a lot of sense; but the site also has Butler hosting Wofford. I bet that wouldn't be the kind of exciting home game Bulldog fans might wish to have.

http://www.vcuramnation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7889

Yes please!!

I would love to go to that!

[talksalot]

Sorry, Cleveland State can't get Akron...that is a rule in the matchups...

12/10/11    vs. AKRON    Cleveland, Ohio    W, 69-66

as for VCU... we lost to the Rams, at their place 1/29/72 86-76 ... 40 years ago yesterday...

[talksalot]

ESPN-U 5:30pm (Central) is the Bracket Buster pairing show

I'm sticking with 

Ohio  (60%)
Kent State (20%)
Illinois State (10%)
VCU  (5%)
Davidson (4%)
something else  (1%)

HEY!  Don't be planning a road trip for Saturday the 18th.  The Crusader Women play at home against Loyola at 1:35! 

[Valpo2010]

Well...slowly but surely some matchups are beginning to leak out...Per an ISU assistant's twitter feed, Indiana State will play at Butler

[valpopal]

Valpo vs LMU on ESPNU!

[StlVUFan]

Valpo vs LMU on ESPNU!

And the prognosticators take a beating again.

Just sickens me seeing a cartoon character on the panel.  Has anyone ever gained more respect by doing less?

PantherU's retweet earlier today turned out to be mistaken as I thought it would be.  Had us matched up with Missouri State (He was just retweeting somebody else's "leak" -- the mistake wasn't PantherU's).

CSU vs. Drexel is second HL TV game

I wish they'd just get on with the list and skip all the commentary and all the cliched story lines, including host trying to start something between Murray State's coach and the Mr. Bracketology cartoon character.  Paradoxically, I'm also pissed that the only game so far that has not merited one syllable of commentary has been our game.

God, I hate ESPN.

[okinawatyphoon]

Valpo vs LMU on ESPNU!

LMU is who? loyola university Maryland?

[valpopal]

Valpo vs LMU on ESPNU!

LMU is who? loyola university Maryland?

Loyola Marymount University, which should please the players because they get to travel to Los Angeles. Hard to believe Butler got shut out of the television games.

[valpo04]

Valpo vs LMU on ESPNU!

LMU is who? loyola university Maryland?

Loyola Marymount... http://www.lmulions.com/

[valpotx]

Sweet!  One of my favorite sports memories as a kid (I was 9 in 1990) was the LMU story in the tournament that year.  Such a fun team to watch as a kid, as offense is all that matters to a child that age 

[vu72]

LMU will be a brutal test.  These guys have wins over UCLA and St. Louis, among others and close games against St. Mary's and Gonzaga.  If we can win this one on the road, then we will really ope some eyes bracket wise should we make the dance.

BTW, Adam Amin is doing the play-by-play right now on ESPNU.  Go Adam!

[crusaderjoe]

Sweet!  One of my favorite sports memories as a kid (I was 9 in 1990) was the LMU story in the tournament that year.  Such a fun team to watch as a kid, as offense is all that matters to a child that age 

That was the team that lost Hank Gathers during the season if I remember correctly.

[agibson]

I thought this was a typo, until I saw it repeated so many times.  Often, the Bracketbuster folks go pretty strictly by RPI.  Our inclusion makes sense, by that metric (and, indeed, the Milwaukee win might have just squeaked us in!).  But, by RPI, Loyola (MD) would make more sense than Loyola Marymount.  Marymount's RPI is still better than ours, but they're the #17 home team by RPI (to our #10): Home happens to be ~8 teams ahead of Away in the RPI rankings.

Anyhow, good to get a TV game!  Even on ESPNU.  Now I'll have to figure out where to watch it... (I guess these are usually simulcast on ESPN3?)

[agibson]

BTW, Adam Amin is doing the play-by-play right now on ESPNU.  Go Adam!

What's the game?

[sectionee]

This game stinks. Puts 3 games in 6 days to end the year plus its a lot of travel, not to mention there isn't much reward in winning this game.  I wish these could be played in December.

[Pgmado]

Much better travel than last season. Much Much better.