Five things we learned from BracketBusters Weekend

	MAILBAG Have questions or feedback? E-mail Bill Trocchi. Your name: Your e-mail address: Your home town: Enter your question:

Rick Majerus has been analyzing basketball games at ESPN for three seasons. On Saturday, he found himself at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for the first BracketBusters matchup between two ranked teams.

"I don't want this one to end," Majerus said in the final minute of Southern Illinois' 68-64 win over Butler. "I've enjoyed this game as much as any I've ever done."

If you like tough defense, bodies flying and an intense atmosphere with both fan bases represented, then the Butler-Southern Illinois war was one to savor. The marquee game of the BracketBusters slate lived up to its billing and gave a glimpse of what two NCAA tournament teams will have to deal with in March against these two mid-majors.

Here are five things we learned from the two-day affair that will likely be referred to by the NCAA Selection Committee in the weeks to come.

The Valley might not be all that

The Big Six in the Missouri Valley -- Southern Illinois, Creighton, Missouri State, Bradley, Northern Iowa and Wichita State -- went an underwhelming 2-4 over the weekend, with three of those losses coming at home. Southern Illinois squeezed out the aforementioned win at Butler, but Creighton, Missouri State and Wichita State were all upset in the land of the Valley, and Northern Iowa did not appear to be in the same class as Nevada. Southern Illinois and Creighton can feel comfortable about their NCAA chances, but there is some work to do in the best mid-major league in the country to get more invitations than that. Missouri State did not need a home loss to Winthrop on its resume, and Bradley has seven league losses already and a 2-7 Top 50 record. Northern Iowa and Wichita State are out of consideration for an at-large, leaving the possibility that the MVC may come away with just two teams on Selection Sunday.

Winthrop belongs in the NCAA tournament

The Eagles were very impressive Friday during their 77-66 win over Missouri State. Michael Jenkins was on fire from the perimeter and Torrell Martin looks like he is getting back into game shape after missing time with a foot injury. Winthrop is an athletic team that has proven it can match up with major conference teams despite its Big South blood. Winthrop should not have a problem winning the Big South tourney, but if they are upset, they definitely deserve an at-large bid despite its weak RPI rating. The Eagles have played seven top 100 teams, all away from home, and are 4-3, with an overtime loss to Wisconsin (a probable No. 1 seed) and a seven-point loss to North Carolina (another No. 1) as two of the losses. Winthrop's RPI steadily dropped from No. 44 entering conference play to 83 even though the Eagles went 12-0. If they lose in the Big South tourney, the committee must ignore the RPI and invite Greg Marshall's team.