SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Missouri State is talk of college basketball. It's just not the conversation the Bears wanted.
Again, Missouri State is on the NCAA Tournament "bubble," having to wait a week before its fate is decided on "Selection Sunday." In-or-out, the loss in the Missouri Valley Tournament championship game to Indiana State has college basketball analysts talking about the Bears post-season future.
Jerry Palm of CollegeRPI.com: "At the risk of repeating myself, Missouri St has almost zero chance as an at-large."
ESPN's Bracketologist Joe Lunardi: "Last four out. I don't think so for the Bears, despite 25 wins. Both the Bears and the Missouri Valley, not so much out of conference this year."
ESPN's Pat Forde: "No, we're not giving the Bears the benefit of the bubble doubt."
Kansas City's Star Sam Mellinger: "Missouri State’s best wins are against RPI No. 59 Wichita State, and with a resume that weak, the only way to the NCAA Tournament is through an automatic bid. College basketball already has the most inclusive championship format in major sports. Missouri State’s heartbreak is more compelling than most, but the Bears also had their chance."
