Low Major At Large Hopes

Toledo – it wasn’t that long ago that the MAC was a multiple bid league. Of course that was back in the Antonio Gates Kent State days. As for now Toledo looks like best bet among the low majors to be able to secure an at large bid. Currently they have an RPI of 39 with their two losses being at Western Michigan and at Kansas. Outside of Kansas they have not played any top 100 games. That may come back to haunt them come March. If they win out, and they don’t have the second place team in the MAC on the schedule (Akron), they would be 32-2 going into their championship game. Would a loss in that game relegate them to the NIT? With an easy schedule and no top 100 wins I could easily see their RPI falling from 39 to the mid-60’s and with that profile I’m not sure it’s going to happen.

Indiana State – Ah, the Missouri Valley, another old time multiple bid conference that has fallen on hard times. At this point Wichita State is a 1 seed but will the Valley get a second team? The most likely at this point are the Sycamores. At 15-4 most of their losses are against bid worthy teams, Wichita State, Belmont, and St. Louis however they don’t boast a top 50 win. 3-1 against 51-100 is a solid mark but a NCSOS of 231 is damaging. With 11 games left they have ample opportunities to build their resume. 4 games are against top 100 RPI teams with a visit from Wichita State on February 5 a must win. If they can spring the upset and avoid any bad losses they may be able to propel themselves into the discussion before the Valley Conference Tournament.