Missouri Valley Hype

The year of the Valley. With many of the traditional BCS conferences considerably weaker this year, the MVC has sought to make a statement this year...and has. A list of quality wins over larger programs in non-conference play, as well as a cut-throat year within conference play produced one of the greatest seasons in the history of the Valley. So now, the weekend of the conference tournament in St. Louis, the Valley is the darling of the media.

Of course the big question is how many teams should the MVC get into the Dance? 4? 5? Some say they deserve even 6! This from a league that has only sent 3 twice (1999 and 2005). In 2002, my Southern Illinois Salukis were the Cinderella team that made the Sweet Sixteen before bowing out to UConn.

I personally would love to see them get as many in as possible. That would increase the percentages for one of them to get hot and maybe make the Sweet Sixteen, or, dream of dreams, the Elite Eight (there are no Final Four teams in this conference).

As for how many they probably deserve, I'd say four. Which four? Wichita State, Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, and the surging Bradley. Creighton and Missouri State should get high NIT bids.

If two of them can advance past the first round, then this year will be considered a true success. As conference commissioner Elgin has repeatedly said, there are no great teams in this conference, but there are six very good teams.

OK, MVC...go get them. Give us 2 teams standing among the final 32 and you are truly shedding the mid-major image. Give us another Sweet Sixteen team and you've lived up to the hype!