Official 2011-12 MVCfans.com Prediction - 9th place

[DoubleJayAlum]

It was a toss-up between BU and SIU for last, SIU was picked last so just BU is left for ninth. I think they will turn things around, but not this year.

Frankly, I'm surprised that IlSU isn't getting more votes.

[Redbirdfan21]

It was a toss-up between BU and SIU for last, SIU was picked last so just BU is left for ninth. I think they will turn things around, but not this year.

Frankly, I'm surprised that IlSU isn't getting more votes.

Honestly, I am too

[TylerDurden]

I voted for ISU red for ninth.

They and BU had the same league record last year (4-14) and didn't have two all-league players miss the season.

BU returns a very good player in Taylor Brown and Simms-Edwards. I don't see two players on ISU red that are as good (unless Carmichael turns it around).

Add in the "new coach bump" and BU seems likely to pick up a spot or two in the standings. They could sneak hire if things fall right.

I still think BU is a Thursday night team (I'm picking them 8th) but I'm wondering why it's a runaway in this poll.

[RoyalShock]

I am not a Wichita State fan but still can't imagine why people would have voted for them for 9th place. That is just not going to happen.

It was probably two certain WSU fans, who I won't mention. Every year they pick WSU 9th to remind the MVC basketball world about the year we were picked 9th and finished much higher.

[BirdmanBB]

I voted for ISU red for ninth.

They and BU had the same league record last year (4-14) and didn't have two all-league players miss the season.

BU returns a very good player in Taylor Brown and Simms-Edwards. I don't see two players on ISU red that are as good (unless Carmichael turns it around).

Add in the "new coach bump" and BU seems likely to pick up a spot or two in the standings. They could sneak hire if things fall right.

I still think BU is a Thursday night team (I'm picking them 8th) but I'm wondering why it's a runaway in this poll.

Probably because we beat you twice last year. I am not predicting the future for ISU, but I know we will be improved in some capacity or another. Can't get much worse than last season for us as we were and somewhat still are a young team (no seniors). I think my case for our team is addition by subtraction and sprinkle in a pretty good recruiting class. We shed off some bad weight for starters. We have three guys who should improve with age (Carmichael, Ekey and Wilkins). Keep in mind, 2 years ago Carmichael broke our freshman block record and then the following Ekey broke Carmichael's record. We picked up a Juco SG that chose us over WSU. John Jones is a big man that has supposed potential NBA talent. Jordan Threloff was a redshirt freshman big man from last year that will be in the mix this year. A much needed PG in Nic Moore that many thought should have been Indiana Mr. Basketball. Finally a player named Johnny Hill who is said to be our best pickup in Illinois since Osiris.

Tons of options and potential next year. We should be a bit tighter defensively. We picked up a couple guys that can give us much needed scoring that we were missing last year and a freshman pg who should be able to dish it out.

Personally I got us either just missing or just making Thursday in the Lou. We should hopefully be back to being in contention in 2012-13, but I hope these new guys surprise us this year.

[Khan4Cats]

I would put Bradley here as much due to the transition and the questions about Egolf's availability. Thompson does not impress as a post prescence and I don't expect much out of Prosser and Knezevic. Wells is a project. New coach might give some surprise edge but the grind of the Valley is different than that of the MAC. BUt don't worry Braves fans, I think you still get a crack at the Redbirds in the 8-9 game.

As for the WSU votes, who knows. Even in the collapse of 06-07 they finished in 6th. Different coach and different league so I don't see that coming as an issue.

[MVCfans]

The official MVCfans.com prediction for 9th place during the 2011-12 mens Missouri Valley Conference basketball season - Bradley.

Thanks to everyone who voted.