Interesting coversation on the general MAC board about how Dambrodt will offer the NCAA that Akron go on the road to play a "quality team" for BB.
MAC has turned into a 1 bid league. Akron is no certainity to run the the conference table or if they do win in Cleveland.
They have wiffed poorly on the road with zero quality wins. Dambrodt showing both wisdom and hutzpah.

If WMU runs the balance of the conference slate and gets to the MACC finals and loses to Akron would WMU be considered as an at large, assuming Dambrodt's overture and plan is accepted and plays out?

I don't think so.

So what is the end game for WMU?

Look good trying to eek out a possible run and falling to the Buttons in the final and be a NIT pick or does all this MVP/POY/COY talk have legs and WMU is willing to take the necessary chance to prove they are worthy?

Gotta strive for a #2 seed in Cleveland. Hope Akron wins at Ohio, and the bobcats blow at least one other game. All while we take care of business against teams we will be favored against. Set up a rematch with Ohio in the semis. I like our chances against them much better. We've played them tough the last two years and came up short. And, I have a hunch they will be looking ahead to Akron.

After that, gotta hope for an upset. Akron is better than us....we just need to be better on one night in Cleveland is we see them again.

Even if we win out and maybe win a game in Cleveland, I don't see the NIT calling. Our best non conference win is against South Florida, who is subsequently 1-7 in the BE right now.

A good seed in one of the lessor tourneys is doable....maybe a couple home games in march.

(02-03-2013 09:36 AM)EA3 Wrote:  Gotta strive for a #2 seed in Cleveland. Hope Akron wins at Ohio, and the bobcats blow at least one other game. All while we take care of business against teams we will be favored against. Set up a rematch with Ohio in the semis. I like our chances against them much better. We've played them tough the last two years and came up short. And, I have a hunch they will be looking ahead to Akron.

After that, gotta hope for an upset. Akron is better than us....we just need to be better on one night in Cleveland is we see them again.

Even if we win out and maybe win a game in Cleveland, I don't see the NIT calling. Our best non conference win is against South Florida, who is subsequently 1-7 in the BE right now.

A good seed in one of the lessor tourneys is doable....maybe a couple home games in march.

So in a sense WMU is in the same boat as Akron. USF blows so that won't help.

So what is the end goal for this program? Look good and then "go away" because others who have a say dont share that view?

Should Hawk petition the NCAA or ESPN or whoever controls this thing and state "We will go to Witchita State or to any bigger opp"?

If WMU doesnt roll the dice then they are completely subject to others accidently aligning themselves for WMU's sake.

If you do ask, it's accepted and you play at Wichita or Creighton and it falls flat, what have you lost? IMO, nothing. In fact, you shown some stones and WMU is viewed more positively.

I say strike while the iron is hot. Next year, if that is what folks are hanging their hat on is no guarantee. David Brown should be the poster child for that sentiment.

The program needs to start thinking out of the box. "Big" games in the past were looked at as $ games. Make this a statement game. Sched up out of bed and get moving.

We had a crap non-conference home schedule and as a season ticket holder I have NO INTEREST in giving up our home BracketBuster game.

Don't get too big for our britches.

Just stick with the freshman-still-learning-and-improving track, keep with the work hard and win the effort parts of the game shtick, keep playing one game at a time, hope for a miracle in Cleveland, play up the Cinderella thing, and hope for the best.

This year is playing out better than anybody expected, but realistically, we are not really ready for prime time yet, IMO.

Rowing.

(02-03-2013 11:24 AM)Dirty Ernie Wrote:  Don't get too big for our britches.

Just stick with the freshman-still-learning-and-improving track, keep with the work hard and win the effort parts of the game shtick, keep playing one game at a time, hope for a miracle in Cleveland, play up the Cinderella thing, and hope for the best.

This year is playing out better than anybody expected, but realistically, we are not really ready for prime time yet, IMO.

Rowing.

:boat:

Lets keep the bracket buster a home game - or I want a refund!

We need to stay home and focus on winning our MAC games.

(02-03-2013 11:32 AM)Broncobelt Wrote:  Lets keep the bracket buster a home game - or I want a refund!

We need to stay home and focus on winning our MAC games.

this. i don't think an at-large is realistic. we'd need wins against Ohio AND Akron, which we'd likely win the tournament by doing anyway. We're better off trying to take care of business at home and make a run in cleveland

Pacific

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketba...fic-tigers

How cool..
Pacific Tigers
13-8, 2nd in Big West Conference
vs our Broncos

Quote:ESPN3 2 pm ET Pacific @ Western Michigan

On TV too (sort of) http://www.mac-sports.com/tabid/969/Arti...Games.aspx

Some of you out-a-towners should make it a weekend as Hockey has Notre Dame at home that night.

(02-04-2013 07:27 PM)okgc Wrote:  Some of you out-a-towners should make it a weekend as Hockey has Notre Dame at home that night.

:cough: General :cough:

Suppose by now hockey only has standing room & student tickets left. ??

So the top 3 MAC teams get the video broadcasts. Not exactly elite company, but nice to be included.

(02-04-2013 07:59 PM)Broncobelt Wrote:  So the top 3 MAC teams get the video broadcasts. Not exactly elite company, but nice to be included.

Two games are ESPN2 which is REAL tv.

WMU is internet ESPN3

By the way, does anybody have a link to Dambrot allegedly wanting to take Akron's game on the road?

I was talking to Jeremy Guy (MAC Director of Communications) earlier today and he hadn't heard a thing about it. Additionally, he just now tweeted this:

Quote:Jeremy Guy ‏@JGuyMAC
FYI: The MAC office was never asked to support (or push) for a schedule change for any of our programs regarding the BracketBusters event