Good to see the Braves get some national face-time on ESPN2, but not so great to see announcer Doug Gottlieb spin the Valley as a lower level conference.
Gottlieb belittled UNI's Brooks McKowen, made fun of the Panthers haircuts, talked about how none of the UNI players could even start on the U of Iowa team, and he constantly pushed the midmajor branding label on the Valley.
He said there is NO shame in being midmajor. Well, if there is no shame, then why is that label being applied? Gottlieb said it was all a matter of funding. The BCS schools just have more funds. Well, then if that's the case, then someone should be ashamed. It should be the well-funded BCS schools. With all their money, how could they lose on a fairly consistent basis to MVC schools. His arguement is a joke.
What matters is how sucessful a conference's teams are on the b-ball court. And Valley schools are VERY sucessful and have proven that by having a winning record against those well-funded power schools. MVC schools are sucessful on a national basis and that should carry alot more weight in determining whether it's TOP level college b-ball. It shouldn't be about how much money is thrown into a program.
Jesus, why are even MEDIOCRE BCS schools considered top flight, when non-BCS programs (that are clearly better overall) considered to be second string? Because those mediocre BCS schools are well funded? That's an announcer who's spinning (to a national TV audience) absolute BS! :evil:
Once again great to have the national TV exposure, but most uninformed b-ball fans that tuned in tonight's BU/UNI tilt will probably buy into Gottlieb's constant assertions that the Valley is a lower brand of basketball. Pretty damn sad.
