(01-08-2018 12:42 PM)solohawks Wrote: The MVC has a higher conference RPI then the A10 so far
Which merely means they are both headed toward being single bid conferences.
The only thing that matters is having multiple schools in the top 50. The WCC has 3 and the AAC has 4, so I am predicting 2 WCC and 3 AAC bids. The MWC has a very highly rated school, and a bunch just beyond 50. If that school (Nevada) gets more than one round deep in the Conference Tournament but doesn't get the auto-bid, then that is probably your 4th non-major invite. On the flip side the P12 really has only 3 schools with the ranking, but they are a major so they will get 4. The MVC has good depth schools, but lacks that school rated high.
Getting caught up in which conference is 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, etc overall is not very instructive. The reality is this:
Major six get 32 at-large (+/- 1)
Mid-Majors get 4 at-large (+/- 1)
6 Majors get auto-bids, 26 Mid-Majors get auto-bids
Typically 12-13 Majors get NIT, meaning 50-51 get a post season berth, and 24-25 stay home (most losing records). 19-20 NIT slots go to Mid-Majors, typically 6-9 will be reserved for Mid-Majors who win (or ted) for their regular season but not their tournament. The last 12-13 for Mid-Majors, like the passed over majors, who are typically in that 50-100 RPI range (So a couple A10, AAC, and MWC schools, plus an MVC, maybe WCC thrown in, and some other "snubs").
The reality is the NCAA controlling the NIT allows a safety valve for the 8-10 not quite NCAA at-large mid-majors. All this jockeying for next highest RPI is in reality more about getting another of the bakers dozen available NIT slots more than an NCAA slot.
Fair or not, you will see 9 ACC, 7 B12, and 7 Big East schools in the tourney, 20 at-large. The P12, B1G and SEC will split the other dozen at-large. Adding Wichita State probably assures the AAC 2 of the remaining 4 at-large for the next few years, while Gonzaga gives the WCC an almost lock on the 3rd one. Everyone else is chasing 1 at-large.