afan - message board posters and bloggers all over cyberspace are doing everything they can to call out ISU, and
I see that it's working.... now many of the Valley beat writers and even some in the national press are also
pointing to the charade they call a non-conference schedule, and calling them out on it
Here's the Missouri State writer--
"Illinois State. A soft schedule has helped the Redbirds to a shiny record"
http://www.news-leader.com/article/...ssouri-Valley-Conference-picture-taking-shape
The Wichita beat writer also just highlighted the farse of a non-con they have...
Thank you for the additional information, pero, que lastima! (but, what a shame)
And -- Just today this story appears...
"MVC Basketball: League Depth Could Hurt/Help Multiple Bid Aspirations"
"The Redbirds have not endured a tough schedule like their conference-mates"
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...depth-could-hurthelp-multiple-bid-aspirations
and this blog.........
"Illinois State, 4th Weakest OOC Schedule (in the entirety of Division I)
??“ The Redbirds play potential Top 50 Niagara, a good Utah squad, and decent teams in Central Michigan, Ohio,
and their projected BracketBuster matchup. However, their rest of their opponents are terrible. I predict Illinois
State will win 23+ games in ??™09-??™10, but will have little chance at an at-large bid or a good seed should they win
the Valley. Despite playing in a strong conference Illinois State??™s non-conference schedule virtually prevents them
from having a top 60 RPI ranking even if they go 26-7."
http://futurerpi.blogspot.com/2009/11/ten-softest-non-conference-schedules.html