Bracketology 2024: Drake, Grand Canyon among mid-majors under at-large consideration

Indiana State Sycamores - 17-3, 8-1 in the Missouri Valley

Drake is not at the top of the Valley however, that distinction belongs to the Indiana State Sycamores have bested the Bulldogs by one game to this point in the season. After beating Illinois-Chicago they have a 17-3 record and are 8-1 in league play. The only difference is that the loss for Josh Schertz's team came at the hands of those Bulldogs.

Their two non-conference losses were to Alabama and Michigan State, two likely tournament teams as things stand right now. Their best win so far is their neutral-site win over Toledo before Thanksgiving. The margin of error for the Sycamores to be in the at-large conversation in March is pretty thin. All eyes will be on that return bout with Drake on February 3rd in Terre Haute.

Not only are the Sycamores the conference leader in NET ranking at 24, but they also have the best strength of schedule of anyone else in the conference with a ranking of 133. Despite the 1-3 in the first quad, that’s where all of their losses sit and the average NET of the losses is just 26. Their metrics average of 40 puts them squarely among teams that should be under consideration for an at-large bid.

The key to the Sycamores’ chances will boil down to three things. First, they have to continue to march through MVC play, the home tilt with Drake should now be seen as a must-win and lastly, they need to avoid being upset by anyone before the MVC title game.