The only thing that is going to determine how many bids the BE gets is who ends up winning 4-5 conference tournaments. If the right teams win (Murray ST, Creighton, Wichita St, Long Beach) then there will be more spots for at large teams. It all will come down to how many spots are available. If there are 4-5 "extra spots" because there are no bid stealers then yes I think the BE will get 8-10 teams. If there are 4-5 bid stealers then they probably get 7-8 max.
Really has little to do with who is most deserving. That all is decided IF there are spots. If there are no spots then these teams are SOL regardless of what happens.
I pretty much agree with that. I would add Iona and VCU as possibilities to that list. I also tend to think that some of the other power conference bubble teams will edge out the BE bubble teams. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.