Many of the "bubble" watches claimed the Redbirds either needed 1 or 2 wins in the Valley tournament.

after watching ISU complete their second straight shutdown defensive performance, it appears the updated bubble watches are going to have to move ISU into a much better position or maybe even the precious "lock" column.

Now, if they take care of Drake on Sunday, all the bubble talk and experts, etc.  can shut up until Selection Sunday because ISU will be in on the automatic bid. 

now, I have more to say about that in a moment..   but first, let's hear it for Sampay who stepped up on Friday when ISU needed him with other key players in foul trouble and Missouri State taking advantage of having the rust knocked off the previous day to lead for part of the game and hang tough for all of the game.

Foul shooting worries me since it seems likely that in the NCAA, someone will be in a position to make ISU pay for missing them, especially in the end-game.

now,  as for tommorrow and bubble talk and all of that junk...      I am going to take the bubble experts at their word and put ISU in the NCAA field either way tommorrow goes.   The thing I wonder about is this..    since matchups and who you draw is just as important if not MORE important than your seed,  I am somewhat torn..

I think ISU has a good chance at a #10 seed right now..   I like ISU as a #10 seed since 10's beat 7's fairly often and the 10 over 2 upset is not unheard of at all..  and I think ISU's tough defense grinding style could give an athletic young team some real problems in the 2nd game of a weekend.

However, I am NOT so convinced that ISU beating Drake would move ISU into a #7 seed..  which means a loss tommorrow in theory puts them in a decent 1st weekend situation while a win could put them into a 8-9 game with a #1 seed lurking in the next game..

Regardless, I will be rooting for ISU on Sunday and let the chips fall where they may.   But I do believe that a #10 seed would better for the Redbirds than a 8 or 9 seed would be.

But what the heck--  let's go out with everything ISU has and go for the title...  besides, they owe Drake a defeat as payback for the 2 earlier defeats.