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I was just wondering, how important is this game for us? I realize that our chances at victory (according to odds and experts) is virtually nil. But is it important? if so, then how? Suppose we'd beat this Kansas team, have a great season, and lose out in the conference tourney; would a victory over a team like Kansas (or heck, even NC State) be enough to get us an at-large bid?
God Bless.
No shot at an at-large bid with a road loss to Georgia State.
The Georgia State loss could really hurt us, but if we'd somehow manage to beat Kansas OR NC State and Vandy/Southern Illinois (basically, win two of those four games) and end up with around 15-20 wins on the season, I think it would be POSSIBLE that we'd get an at-large bid even if we lost in our tournament because of the quality of our pre-conference schedule, not to mention we've got a couple of pretty good basketball teams in the Sun Belt that we play. I still think we'll win our tournament, but if we don't, I think it could still be possible to make it to the dance.
It would be very hard to get an at large bid without winning our tournament. The only way possible would be to beat either Kansas or NC State and also produce a quality road win @ Vandy. If this can happen, which is a hard task to obtain. If we can prove to be stiff at home this year, by possibly going undefeated, that will loosen our chances at a bid. By doing the previous mentioned, we would be looking at a record of around 18 or so wins, hopefully we can get to 20. 20 wins with a flawless home record and 2 quality wins or the road against power house contenders/conferences we will have a better chance at an at large bid. But I wouldn't put all your eggs in one basket, there really is no love for the Sun Belt conference when drawing straws for the Big Dance. Hopefully we'll be hanging another banner next year......geaux cajuns!!!
Did yall see in this weeks polls that Southern Illinois got some votes for the top 25? I think that would be a nice win.
Other things would have to take place for UL to have a better chance to get an at large bid. For example, if a conference has a team in the top 30 ranking and they lose their conference turney then that conference would have two teams in the BIG DANCE. Other wise, if the conference turney winner would have been the top 30 team then that conference would have sent only one team to the BIG DANCE and leaving a spot open say for UL to fill.
Win the Western division of the Sunbelt, 20+ wins(several out of conference wins), Sunbelt finals and UL could get an at large bid!!
One loss to Georgia State is not the end of our at large chances, come on guys. Now we have to beat them on the return visit and beat maybe a Vanderbilt, Southern Illinois, McNeese and now we are talking!!! Who knows maybe a North Carolina State upset is in the making, if our guys decide to start playing some outside defense!
DaddyCajun!!!!1