Big Ten Daily (March 19): Matt Painter Says Indiana State 'Deserved' NCAA Tournament Bid

Purdue coach Matt Painter said he "felt bad" for Indiana State, which was left out of the NCAA Tournament this year. The leader of the Boilermakers believes the Sycamores "deserved" a bid in the March Madness field.

Matt Painter is sticking up for Indiana State. Shortly after Purdue was named a No. 1 seed in this year's NCAA Tournament, the longtime coach of the Boilermakers said the Sycamores "deserved" a bid in March Madness. 

On Sunday, Indiana State did not hear its name called during the Selection Show, though many felt it had done enough to earn a spot in the field. The Sycamores ended the year with a 28-6, won the Missouri Valley regular season title and reached the championship game of Arch Madness. 

What was most surprising? The Sycamores finished 29th in the NET rankings. They became the highest-ranked team in the NET to miss the Field of 68.

Painter, who spent six seasons at Southern Illinois (five as an assistant, one as coach), says teams like Indiana State are in a tough position. 

"I do feel bad for Indiana State. Like, I think they deserved to be in the tournament," Painter said. "I don't think it's fair. I scheduled at that level and it's very difficult to schedule, it's very difficult to get people to come to your place and play you — teams that are consistently be in the NCAA Tournament. 

"I think one of the things they've picked up is the intent to schedule. ... It's really hard for teams, period. But it's really hard for low- to mid-majors."

The Sycamores didn't have a grueling nonconference schedule, but they did play two high-major programs. Indiana State lost a 102-80 decision to No. 24 Alabama and dropped an 87-75 contest to Michigan State.

Had Indiana State won won of those games, it might be a different story. Instead, the Sycamores were left on the outside looking in of the NCAA Tournament. 

Rhule frustrated over Nebraska-A&M matchups

The NCAA decided to push a very specific storyline during both the men's and women's basketball tournaments this year. Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule wasn't too pleased with it, either.

You may have noticed that, in both brackets, Nebraska and Texas A&M will be squaring off in the opening round. That's not an accident.

Last week, Trev Alberts left his position as Nebraska's athletic director for the same role at Texas A&M. Apparently, the NCAA current resist the urge to stir up some Big Ten-SEC drama during March Madness.

"I can say this because I'm the football coach, I'm mad we're playing Texas A&M in both games because now the games are about the AD leaving," Rhule said. "It's not about our players. Our players deserve the games to be about us."

After the men's matchup was announced, Alberts fired off a tweet that drew plenty of attention.

"Well this will be fun," he wrote. "Congratulations Coach (Fred) Hoiberg and Coach (Buzz) Williams!"

He sent out another message after the women's matchup was announced, writing, "You can't make this up! Congratulations to Coach (Joni) Taylor and Coach (Amy) Williams."

No. 8 seed Nebraska will play No. 9 seed Texas A&M in the men's tournament on Friday, March 22 at 6:50 p.m. ET (TV: TNT). In the women's bracket, the No. 6-seeded Huskers will take on the No. 11-seeded Aggies at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday, March 22 (TV: ESPN U). 

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