So, the irony is, if you want to improve you need to play the best. But once you DO improve, will "the best" play you? Said Middle Tennessee State University coach Insell:

"Some of the major programs had open dates. We walked up and signed up and they said, 'We're not going to play you.'"

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"So, they're not going to play us. They want to keep their jobs. But our whole philosophy is that we want our RPI at the end of the to give us a chance to get an at-large bid in case we don't win the tournament. It's frustrating."

"Fear the Loss" is not a new modus operandi, especially with the increased pressure to win and the impact of the RPI and such on the tournament selection committee.

In the next few years, expect scheduling to be even more of a challenge because of the economy. Not only do people "Fear the Wabbit," but it's a loooong trek out to South Dakota. How does a coach convince an Athletic Director to take such an expensive, "risky," trip?