The debate for third place is open.

by **Aargh** » August 28th, 2011, 11:25 pm

I'm not going to do a poll because MVCFans already has that coming up in few weeks.

The debate for which team is the best contender for 3rd seems like one of the better summertime discussions this year. The contenders seem to be InSU, UE, and MSU. If UNI has something in the tank to indicate they can do anything without O'Rear (they couldn't last year) could they move into the discussion?

I think UE has a team that could take 3rd, but InSU seems to have about the same chance for 3rd. MSU has Weems, so they've got to be in the discussion, but they don't have much other than Weems and they have a coaching change.

Jacobsen always seems to do something with whatever he has, but when O'Rear got hurt in the latter part of last season, UNI looked like a bottom-feeder. Can Jacobsen pull another contender out of his hat by waving his magic wand coaching over the UNI lineup?

Putting 4 teams into the discussion for 3rd, leaves Bradley, SIU, IlSU, and Drake as the play-in teams in St. Louis. Is there any chance one of those teams could make a run for 3rd or maybe just the top half of the league?

BU seems to have a really strong recruiting class. Can they do something with a lot of new players that would get them into this discussion?

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by **45otseoj** » August 28th, 2011, 11:47 pm

The Redbirds should have a top half team if they get All-Frosh production from Nic Moore and All-Newcomer production from Tyler Brown.

by **BirdmanBB** » August 29th, 2011, 12:01 am

MSU should not even be close to being included in the discussion in my opinion (too much lost from last year). I have them as a potential Thursday team. UNI might be closely behind them.

I think it's clearly between In St. and Evansville and my money would be on evansville.

As for your thoughts on BU. They do have potential to claim a higher spot, but they also have a lot of questions still. No post play and their best player is coming back after being cleared to play because of a heart issue. Had to take time away from the court so it could be a while before he gets back into it.

by **FeartheQ** » August 29th, 2011, 4:34 am

BirdmanBB wrote:MSU should not even be close to being included in the discussion in my opinion (too much lost from last year). I have them as a potential Thursday team. UNI might be closely behind them.

I think it's clearly between In St. and Evansville and my money would be on evansville.

As for your thoughts on BU. They do have potential to claim a higher spot, but they also have a lot of questions still. No post play and their best player is coming back after being cleared to play because of a heart issue. Had to take time away from the court so it could be a while before he gets back into it.

I don't see the PIG for the Bears this year. Yes we lost pretty much 80% of our scoring, but that's the circle of life. Got some new kids that looked really good this summer. As far as the question, I say Evansville could turn some heads and have a top 3 year.

by **MSUDuo** » August 29th, 2011, 7:45 am

No point getting into all this again. Some will continue to see MSU as a play-in game team and that's fine. It's an opinion. But if you take a look at who we lost and who we have coming back, which really only MSU fans will care about, it isn't hard to reason that we can challenge for 3rd, 2nd, or 1st. Can't wait for November!

by **unipanther99** » August 29th, 2011, 8:10 am

O'Rear is gone, but unlike his going down late last season there will be more bodies to help out and a new game plan that doesn't involve him. I won't predict that UNI will finish 3rd (or better), but I certainly don't think it's out of the question. I loved O'Rear's passion, but I think Kwadzo will be far more difficult to replace.

by **hot nuts** » August 29th, 2011, 8:25 am

I'm not making a prediction, but I'd love to see Evansville make the top three. I find it easy to pull for Marty Simmons.

by **SubGod22** » August 29th, 2011, 9:33 am

unipanther99 wrote:O'Rear is gone, but unlike his going down late last season there will be more bodies to help out and a new game plan that doesn't involve him. I won't predict that UNI will finish 3rd (or better), but I certainly don't think it's out of the question. I loved O'Rear's passion, but I think Kwadzo will be far more difficult to replace.

The O'Rear injury and UNI falling apart has no effect on this season. I've said elsewhere that Ben will play accordingly and they'll be a solid team this year. I do think they have a better shot at 3rd than MSU. I'm still not convinced that there's enough talent around Weems to make up for what they lost. Put that with a new coach and I think they struggle a bit this season.

by **Khan4Cats** » August 29th, 2011, 9:39 am

I think this whole year will be an interesting race. I am not convinced that WSU and CU will run away at the top and I am not sure that they won't. They seem to be the most balanced inside and out whereas every other team seesm to have questions of some sort.

The contenders for the '3':

Indiana State: Should have good guard play and a starting physical prescence in Walker underneath, but who backs him up? Mahurin and Richard will be solid as the hybrid 4's. But depth in the post will be a question.

Evansville: They have some interesting G/F combo players that will cause issues but likewise are lacking a physical inside prescense. Kenneth Harris is their best inside returner but he can't do it all himself and at 6-6, 185, it is asking a lot of him to hold his own inside against the Echenique, Stutz, Patterson's on the blocks. Last year he at least had von Tongeron and Hopf to eat space and let him operate from the 4 more, don't see who will do that for him this year.

Missouri State: Have a good combo of two posts in Patterson and Rhine to work with and Weems at the 4. Kind of opposite of the Trees and Aces in that the questions are in what kind of production they can get from the guards. How well Pickens has recovered and whether Scheer can produce in a full-time role will be keys.

Northern Iowa: I am obviously a homer in my hopes that the incoming class will live up to the hype as the best class we have ever brought in (topping the class of Ahelegbe, Koch, Eglseder and Dunham). There are plenty of questions for the Panthers but for me it is how quickly will everyone adapt to tehir roles within Jacobson's system. If they do, UNI has proven to be greater than the sum of its parts, if they don't we could be looking for a bumpy ride. I am confident in the guard court to be able to hold their own and produce well with Moran, James, Sonnen all being experienced enough to not have to lean on youngsters. Look for the key to be developing a low-post prescence to allow Jake Koch to stay at the 4 and work outside-in where he is more comfortable. Whether that be the freshman, moving Rank there, an emergence of Pehl as a factor or some combination, that will be the biggest key for UNI's season-who takes up the 5 spot.

Right now I don't know which way I'd go.

by **valleychamp** » August 29th, 2011, 9:40 am

SubGod22 wrote:
unipanther99 wrote:O'Rear is gone, but unlike his going down late last season there will be more bodies to help out and a new game plan that doesn't involve him. I won't predict that UNI will finish 3rd (or better), but I certainly don't think it's out of the question. I loved O'Rear's passion, but I think Kwadzo will be far more difficult to replace.
The O'Rear injury and UNI falling apart has no effect on this season. I've said elsewhere that Ben will play accordingly and they'll be a solid team this year. I do think they have a better shot at 3rd than MSU. I'm still not convinced that there's enough talent around Weems to make up for what they lost. Put that with a new coach and I think they struggle a bit this season.

exactly right about UNI.