Big Sky basketball getting no respect from Lunardi
If the Big Sky Conference is going to do better than a 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament, Eastern Washington had better win the conference tournament.
For the second week in a row, Big Sky leader Sacramento State is ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi's choice for the bottom of the barrel: a play-in game against someone called North Florida, for the right to face No. 1 Kentucky in the second round.
Two weeks ago, Eastern merited a 13 seed, but that was before forward Venky Jois went down to an ankle injury and the Eagles went down 90-77 at Sac State on Jan. 17. The Hornets lead the Sky with a 7-1 record, just ahead of EWU and Montana, both at 6-1.
Eastern still has a chance to set things right; then Eagles have three meetings with Sac and UM. Of course, winning the regular-season title doesn't put you in the NCAAs. Stay tuned...
Eastern continues to get respect from the Rating Percentage Index, weighing in at 71st this week.
