Drake projected #3 seed-ESPN

**aeroclone08** · 02-13-2008, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by CTTB78

With the RPI wins that they have had, a #5 seed would be generous.

They're #8 in the RPI, how is a 5 seed generous?

**ahaselhu** · 02-13-2008, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by Oldgeezer

Drake is not out of the woods yet. They will get their first loss in MV tonight. Going undefeated in conference is a great accomplishment, but the MV is way down this year compared to the past 3 years. Look for Drake to be 20-5 on selection Sunday, and a 6-7 seed. I'm still a skeptic, even though they were 35 points better than my favorite team for one game.

Since Drake is currently 22-1, I don't think they're going to finish 20-5. In any case, they've already beat Illinois State and Creighton on the road (2nd and 3rd in the MVC). I'll give you a loss @Butler, but losing 3 of @SIU, @INU, Bradley, @MOS, and Wichita, seems pretty unlikely to me, given what they've already accomplished.

If they win out, I think a 3 seed will likely be warranted. However, if they even lose one, they'll probably drop to a 5 or 6. Lose more than one and they may end up as low as a 7 or 8.

**ahaselhu** · 02-13-2008, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by mjones34

I don't think the MVC is as weak as people think. Just different teams are good.

Similar to how a lot of the national types thought that BigXII football wasn't very good this year because Texas and Oklahoma weren't doing as well as usual. The league was more balanced, and Missouri and Kansas ended up being top caliber teams.

I don't think the MVC is as strong as its been, but not as weak as people are making it out to be.

**The_Architect** · 02-13-2008, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by dornstar44

St. Joseph's was a 1 seed a couple years ago, weren't they?

I think you're right. If I remember correctly, they went undefeated until the tourney and lost in the sweet 16. Jameer Nelson was amazing.

**wonkadog** · 02-13-2008, 03:50 PM

Would those of you who think the Valley is as good as usual please tell those of us who think it is dog poop where the good teams are hiding at? In the past few years there have been at least 3 teams close to being ranked in the top 25 (usually a combo of UNI, Creighton, So. Illinois, Bradley). This year there is a large gap between Drake and the rest.

**isuno1fan** · 02-13-2008, 04:04 PM

God knows ISU hasn't figured out how to beat a MVC team over the last couple years.

**wonkadog** · 02-13-2008, 04:13 PM

I almost put a disclaimer in my earlier post stating that this has nothing to do with ISU and now it looks like I should have. Your act has gone on long enough isuno1fan, you can just come out and tell us that you are a Hawk through and through. And no, this isn't a kneejerk reaction, this is my conclusion based on many, many posts of yours, always ripping on ISU for what they haven't done when it has no relevance to the conversation.

**cybsball20** · 02-13-2008, 04:16 PM

The real support for Drake as a #3 seed comes when you compare them to the other teams they would be competing with. The experts I have heard compare them alot to Indiana. When you break down their resumes, Drake's is stronger...

**wonkadog** · 02-13-2008, 04:19 PM

I'd agree that they compare to Indiana, however I also think that the Hoosiers are vastly overrated.

**Wesley** · 02-13-2008, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by Oldgeezer

Drake is not out of the woods yet. They will get their first loss in MV tonight. Going undefeated in conference is a great accomplishment, but the MV is way down this year compared to the past 3 years. Look for Drake to be 20-5 on selection Sunday, and a 6-7 seed. I'm still a skeptic, even though they were 35 points better than my favorite team for one game.

They are 22-1 right now.

**CrossCyed** · 02-13-2008, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

The real support for Drake as a #3 seed comes when you compare them to the other teams they would be competing with. The experts I have heard compare them alot to Indiana. When you break down their resumes, Drake's is stronger...

There's a lot of teams with stronger resume's than Indiana.

**cyismydog** · 02-13-2008, 04:26 PM

St. Joes was a 1. seed I think.

**cybsball20** · 02-13-2008, 04:26 PM

Let's hear them then? If you think they are a 7, tell me the 24 teams who should be ahead of Drake?

**Iastfan112** · 02-13-2008, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by wonkadog

Would those of you who think the Valley is as good as usual please tell those of us who think it is dog poop where the good teams are hiding at? In the past few years there have been at least 3 teams close to being ranked in the top 25 (usually a combo of UNI, Creighton, So. Illinois, Bradley). This year there is a large gap between Drake and the rest.

Parity kills top 25 rankings and is not necessairly an indicator of weakness.

**ahaselhu** · 02-13-2008, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by wonkadog

Would those of you who think the Valley is as good as usual please tell those of us who think it is dog poop where the good teams are hiding at? In the past few years there have been at least 3 teams close to being ranked in the top 25 (usually a combo of UNI, Creighton, So. Illinois, Bradley). This year there is a large gap between Drake and the rest.

I certainly don't think they're as good as usual, but I also wouldn't call them "dog poop". Their conference RPI is currently #8 ahead of the Mountain West, C-USA, and the WCC. The only "mid-major" conference they're trailing is the Atlantic 10.

The MVC basically has a clear best (Drake), clear worst (Evansville), and everyone else are somewhat above average teams, with Creighton (16-6) and Illinois State (16-7) being borderline good teams.