The MWC is the #1 RPI conference for the past few weeks running. Yet, ESPN only has 4 MWC schools (UNM, CSU, UNLV and SDSU) making the Tournament, while CBSSportsline has 5 (Boise St included.) We still get little respect while the Big 10 and Big East will send 7-8 schools.

Teamrankings.com analyzes and projects out the 2013 field. Here's a short list of MWC schools and other western schools (targets.) The metrics I am writing about are the projected seed, the estimated final record, and the % possibility to receive a bid. The MWC is as follows:

UNM projected 2 seed, finishing 25-5 with 100% bid, UNLV #5 seed, 23-8 99%, CSU #6 seed, 24-7 99%, SDSU 22-8 #11 seed 22-8 and Boise State 20-10 and 25% chance of a bid. Wyoming is projected with 19-11 and 1% chance and Air Force 17-12 with a 2% chance.

2013 MWC new comers Utah State 22-8 (WAC)and only a 12% chance. SJSU 10-19 0% is about the same as Nevada 13-17 and Fresno St 10-19 all 0%.

They also project the following# of bids from the top 10 conferences: Big East 7.6 teams, Big 10 6.9, Big 12 4.9, Pac12 4.9, ACC 4.5, MWC 4.2, A-10 3.7, SEC 3.5, WCC 2.1 and CUSA and MVC 2.0 all other AQs will be between 1.0 and 1.8.

Should the MWC earn 5 bids? Does Boise St deserve to go? Are other conferences overrated? Should the MWC look at the following targets for MWC Basketball expansion? WCC schools: Gonzaga 29-2 100%, St. Mary's 26-5 96%, BYU and Santa Clara 21-10 2% or even Denver (WAC) 21-10 48%, UTEP (CUSA) 16-14 and NMSU (WAC) 21-10.