Great for the MAC overall -- 4 teams in, but tough pill to swallow for OU.  23-10 and 13-3 in the conference (2nd overall) and left out for the first time in a long time.  Of note, Ball St lost 4 of their final 7 matches (Eastern MI (0-2 in MAC play), Western MI, NIU and Cental) and Western MI lost 3 of their final 6 (NIU, Miami (yes, really) and Central) -- yet both get in over the Bobcats.  Of course, the Bobcats lost to both Ball St and Western MI (on the road) during the MAC season.  Regardless, with a road win at Cincy (no. 18 RPI) late and a solid season overall, hard to imagine OU being left out.  Not sure about some other at-large bids, though did notice Witchita St (20-10) and the Buckeyes (similar RPI before the Bobcats beat Cincy) both in.  While the future looks bright, still a tough pill to swallow for the 3-time defending MAC champs and an 8-time consecutive NCAA tournament team. 

In reality, and because the East was much weaker this year, the Bobcats were only able to play the West power teams one time each -- That said, they beat/swept Eastern MI on the road (a quality MAC team) and lost to both NIU and Western ... would have liked to have seen OU play those teams twice -- from an RPI standpoint, could have helped.  Also, I did confirm Ohio St had a final RPI of 48 w/a 9-11 Big Ten record (I get that the Big Ten is really good, but under .500 in your league is not good).  As well, Michigan finished 8-12 in the Big Ten and they get in the tournament easily.  Finally, Cincy drops only ONE spot in the final RPI (from 18 to 19) and OU climbs only six spots ... from 57 to 51.  Hard to figure the RPI formula;  obviously did not (the loss to OU) seem to impact Cincy's final RPI.

While I partly agree with your assessment re: OU playing better over the course of the season, don't forget that OU did not drop a set to Miami (9-0 in 3 matches), beat Central MI in a wonderful match in Athens and short of beating Central MI a second time, (Western MI and NIU were in the same position in Geneva), won 8 of 9 matches down the stretch.  During that same time, Ball St was losing to Eastern MI at home and Western MI lost in Oxford to a very average Miami team.  In the end, the Bobcats lost out in the numbers game, eg. 64 team field, and one can only hope the sour taste will make them better next year.  With 4 new starters at the onset, they did not disappoint and seemed to get better as the season progressed -- evidenced by the outstanding win at Cincy ... a 48 match home win streak is no small accomplishment ... and neither is being the team to end it.

It appears OU was the last team out (RPI review) as Ohio St and Arizona (48 and 49 in RPI standings) both got in.  UW-Milwaukee (Horizon League champ) was no. 50.  Very interesting.  The Bobcats were no. 51.  Of note, Marquette got in out of the Big East with a no. 40 RPI -- having lost to Cincinnati TWICE (common opponent), NIU TWICE (MAC team) and Western Michigan.  Interesting ... At a minimum, one could argue against Marquette vs. Ohio (common foes).  In fact, NIU beat Marquette 3-0 on Friday evening -- while OU was beating Cincy.  Makes one wonder.  It appears some BCS conference lobbying may have carried the day.

Didn't ya just know he would bring OSU back though? Oh well-there's next year, and I'm looking forward to it. It's a shame how the bracket works. For example, if you look at Samford's record, we probably would've dusted a team like that easily no?

The Buckeyes were below .500 (9-11) during Big Ten play.  Let's not get carried away ... OSU played against the teams they are competitively aligned with (school size, resources, etc.) and failed to win half their matches. 

If it was only as simple at OU beating Central Michigan in the MAC Tourney.  Central beat Western in the Quarters (Western gets in) and Northern (they get in) in the finals.  I would argue that both Western and Northern could have helped by beating Central, but would not have improved OU's RPI. Though you may be right (OU appearance in the MAC tourney final match) , I am not convinced the committee would have taken a 4th MAC team (assuming an OU loss to Northern).  Anyhow, still a lot to put on the Bobcats in the end.  They had a solid season and beat some very good teams along the way.  The irony of 4 MAC teams in the national tournament, without the Bobcats being one of them, is pretty thick.  As I posted before, I don't think Ball St or Western did enough down the stretch to (RPI aside) put them in over the Bobcats.  BSU at 3-4 and Western at .500 does not impress.

Yes, MAC teams fail to win a match in NCAA tourney.  Obviously, not great for the conference.  Yes, the Bobcats were 2-2 the prior two tournaments and nearly reached the Sweet 16 each year (lost 2-3 both years).  Admittedly, the MAC teams did not earn any favors in the draw -- some pretty tough competition.  Regardless, you have to wonder what the Bobcats might have done coming off the Cincy road win.  Fear the Cat' in '12 and beyond!