From CNNSI

[Brock Landers]

This guy is FUCKING Crazy, no way <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1:State w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Illinois</st1lace></st1:State> doesn’t make the tournament! Purdue is in too for that matter. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
<o></o>
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/stewart_mandel/03/05/bubble.watch/1.html<o></o>
<o></o>
First Five Out:<o></o>
1) Purdue (20-10, 9-7 in the Big Ten, No. 45 RPI): A trio of wins over Northwestern (twice) and Minnesota last week padded the Boilers' record, but their most noteworthy victories (Michigan State, Indiana, Illinois and Virginia) have all come at home. Purdue went 2-8 on the road and may need to knock off top-seed <st1lace w:st="on"><st1laceName w:st="on">Ohio</st1laceName> <st1laceType w:st="on">State</st1laceType></st1lace> this week to secure a bid.<o></o>
2) <st1:State w:st="on">Illinois</st1:State> (21-10, 9-7 in the Big Ten, No. 35 RPI): The Illini's high RPI ranking is deceiving -- their only top-50 wins have come against <st1lace w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Michigan State</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Indiana</st1:State></st1lace> and Bradley (an NIT team). They also lost 64-47 to Purdue in the teams' only head-to-head matchup. <st1:State w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Illinois</st1lace></st1:State> doesn't have any truly bad losses, though, and two Big Ten tourney wins might do it.<o></o>

 

[MrCleo]

i wouldn't say Illinois is a lock to make the tournament

:think2:

espescially if teams like George Mason steal bids

 

[MistaFlava]

not at all...

 

[Brock Landers]

Are you guys high? Illinois and Purdue BOTH are cinch locks in. They play in a POWER conference where they play GOOD teams all the time, take the 3rd tier conferences and wipe your ass with them. George Mason was a total fluke last year.

 

[limestonesaint]

the big 10 is so top heavy...wisconsin, ohio state, then indiana the rest of the conference is average at best

 

[Kojak]

Brock Landers

You posted 3 choices in our challenge for tonight when only 2 plays are allowed. Please go to thread and post which 2 you want to count for this evening.

 

[MrCleo]

If they are a CINCH, give me 2-1 odds and I'll bet Illionis doesn't make it

 

[Brock Landers]

the big 10 is so top heavy...wisconsin, ohio state, then indiana the rest of the conference is average at best

Indiana has the same or WORSE record than Purdue and Illinois!!!!!

 

[Journeyman]

Hardly Locks...not Even Close To Being Locks.

 

[MrCleo]

If they are a CINCH, give me 2-1 odds and I'll bet Illionis doesn't make it

if its a cinch, should be easy money for you

 

[Brock Landers]

If they are a CINCH, give me 2-1 odds and I'll bet Illionis doesn't make it

you are on

50 bux if i am right and Illinois GETS IN to the NCAA Tournament.

100 bux to you if Illinois DOESN'T make the tournament.

I have no problem with that bet. You up for it?

 

[limestonesaint]

thats why I said THEN Indiana because that is a huge drop off from wisconsin and ohio state...Indiana has twice the potential than both Illinois and Purdue...purdue has what 1 road win against penn state...thats pretty good

 

[Brock Landers]

thats why I said THEN Indiana because that is a huge drop off from wisconsin and ohio state...Indiana has twice the potential than both Illinois and Purdue...purdue has what 1 road win against penn state...thats pretty good

indiana is nothing special, got smoked at Purdue, At Illinois, AT MSU, At just about any team they played on the road..

 

[limestonesaint]

ok then the big 10 only has 2 legit teams

 

[Brock Landers]

ok then the big 10 only has 2 legit teams

There is no conference that has any more than 2. The MVC, and every "mid major" has none..

 

[D2bets]

Illinois is in, though they can play their way out should they lost to PENN STATE in the opening round of the B10 tourney. If they win that game they are a LOCK to get in with 22 wins. If they don't beat Penn State then they deserve to stay home.

 

[MrCleo]

you are on

50 bux if i am right and Illinois GETS IN to the NCAA Tournament.

100 bux to you if Illinois DOESN'T make the tournament.

I have no problem with that bet. You up for it?

DEAL

 

[Brock Landers]

you are on

50 bux if i am right and Illinois GETS IN to the NCAA Tournament.

100 bux to you if Illinois DOESN'T make the tournament.

I have no problem with that bet. You up for it?

Excellent!

I will look forward to the 50 dollars in a little over a week.

 

[D2bets]

If Illinois beats Penn State, they will face Indiana straight up next round. That should be an excellent game. Think the teams are very comparable. Personally, I feel MSU is the 3rd best team right now in the B10. Then Illinois and Indiana, then Purdue and Iowa, but 4 thru 7 is virtually inseparable. I believe Iowa is going to face Purdue in their first tourney game. IMO the winner of that game goes to the NCAA's and the loser to the NIT. Big 10 gets 6 bids -- OSU, WI, MSU, IN, IL and PU/IA.

 

[MrCleo]

def. wont be a shock if Ill make it, but for 2-1 I'll take a shot