SLU is looking at NIT and CBI in postseason
SLU’s NCAA hopes are, obviously, a longshot. I haven’t looked today, but their RPI has been in the 150s and short of winning the A-10 tournament or winning their remaining conference games and getting to the A-10 final, an NCAA bid isn’t happening. SLU has, however, reserved dates at Chaifetz for possible NIT or CBI games and have submitted bids to host postseason games at Chaifetz. (Season ticket holders should be getting something in the mail soon.)
At 15-9, SLU will finish the regular season no worse than 15-15, and a loss in the first round of the conference tournament would make them 15-16. I think the NIT requires a winning record, but the CBI doesn’t. But in any case, SLU’s probably going to win one of these last six, so they should be eligible for either tournament. Could they make the more preferable NIT? If they finish fourth or fifth in the league, I’d think they have a shot. With the NIT, a lot depends on how many conference regular season champs don’t win their tournament, since they get into the NIT automatically. If too many of those teams gobble up spots, it gets harder.
And I always look forward to an NIT watch on Selection Sunday.
SLU’s RPI moved up to 130 today according to RealtimeRPI.com The Bills have a real shot to shoot up the RPI rankings over the next three games against RI(70), St. Joe(68), and Dayton(25). Win all three or two out of three and the RPI should will rise dramatically along with the the Billikens post season chances.
The remaining regular season games are against teams with better RPIs, except St. Bonaventure, so the Bills have a real opportunity to improve thier own RPI.
But if they have any hope of a post-season bid the game at St Bonaventure (RPI199), on the road, is an absolute must win. And in case anyone has forgotten they have lost to the Bonnies the last two years including at home last year.
The Bonnies had a 15- or 20-point lead AT Rhode Island last night until Jimmy Baron went nuts in the second half. Duquesne beat Xavier at home. Rhodey will be tough. Can’t wait to see what the #1 3-pt. FG defense in the country can do against Jimmy Baron. La Salle has looked tough at times. Nivins is a beast for the Hawks but the supporting cast is suspect. Dayton is Dayton and beats us more times than not, even at home. Its still a long, tough hall to the post-season.
Usually I say “nay-nay” to anything short of the Dance. But with so many freshmen, I say all games would be beneficial to this group. Bring it on.
Have we beaten Dayton since we joined the A-10? I’m thinking we haven’t. These remaining games are going to be the true test of this team. Let’s hope they can keep this winning streak going - it’s going to be difficult though.
Playing in the NIT, CBI or that mysterious fourth tournament is not anyone’s dream scenario, but it would be great for Kevin and Tommie to experience the postseason in their final years, and it would also be a great experience for the freshmen to build on.
SLU has one win over Dayton since entering the A-10, a 66-56 win over the Flyers at Scottrade Center on Feb. 21, 2007. Lisch had 22 points. It’s SLU’s only win over Dayton since 2003. From my game story:
“Vouyoukas, playing as aggressively as he had in a while, was there against Dayton, scoring 12 points and pulling in seven rebounds as SLU defeated Dayton 66-56. Kevin Lisch had 22 points, his second straight 20-point game, and Lisch and Dwayne Polk teamed up to shut down Dayton’s leading scorer, Brian Roberts. Roberts came in averaging 18.8 points per game and finished with 13, but he got five of them in the closing minutes after SLU had taken control of the game.”