Comments on: Watch Out, SEC. The Mountain West is Breathing Down Your Neck.

By: MJ Go Gaels

MJ Go Gaels — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 00:52:14 +0000

JC, thanks for cluing me in on Butler as an away team for a potential match up with Saint Mary’s in an ESPN Bracket Buster. I’ll be watching even closer for the top 2 or 3 for the potential opponent. The Gaels have San Diego St., Oregon, So. Illinois and U. of Pacific before a couple sub 100 RPI’s, but we also have Gonzaga and the opportunity to play them at least twice, in addition to hosting the Bracket Buster.

Post up your chat board as we like playing Bulldoggies.

By: rtmsf

rtmsf — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 22:59:10 +0000

JC – if all those things go right for Butler, then they’d have a strong case for an at-large. But with a team like St. Mary’s also out there, and the relative strength of the Mtn West, MVC, A10 and CUSA this year, we’re not sure they will want to take that chance (esp. if they have a late-season dropoff).

By: JC

JC — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 21:22:01 +0000

You mentioned that the Horizon league would be hard pressed to get a second bid. Butler (8-0) has games with Ohio State, UAB, Xavier, and an Away Bracketbuster (with Davidson if the matchups were picked today). If they can go 2-2 or 3-1 in these games would it be enough for an at-large bid if they don’t win the Horizon Tourney? I think that’s a pretty good resume’ as long as Butler only has a few conference loses (likely this season).

By: David

David — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 02:23:26 +0000

The SEC is horrible this year, I think it’ll be a three-bid league this season. Tennessee has been the only team that has racked up impressive wins. A couple SEC teams lost to Mercer if I’m not mistaken… if you’re a high-major league, none of your teams should lose to Mercer.