Which team(s) do you trust?

by **achrist70** » February 3rd, 2019, 6:31 pm

Just about every year the are between 1-3 teams in the league that you can trust to play consistent and be there in St. Louis with a good chance to win Arch Madness. My question is who is that team?

Loyola should be that team but they haven’t been consistent and Custer is playing no where close to the level he did last year, yes Krutwig has been great but I wonder if last years run was more of a combination of a very bad Valley and a very manageable path to the final four.

Illinois State is the othe team that should be looked at as one of these teams but to me they always are the bridesmaid and not the bride. Can Mueller do something that he has never been able to do.

Drake has had success this year and does have experience but losing there best player and being down to 7 scholarship players makes me wonder if they’ll fall off down the stretch.

Southern has maybe found their stride a bit? But when they lose it they fall farther then anyone.

Valpo started hot but I don’t see them being there in the end I just don’t see enough pieces but with the size they have inside they can be a tough out.

UNI seems to play every game close and find a way to lose on the road and win at home but like Drake injuries and depth could play a role.

Missouri State is really similar with the fact you don’t know who will show up but to me they aren’t going to factor this year, but hopefully they found their coach.

Finally Evansville, Indiana State and Bradley have matchup challenges and to me can beat anyone anytime if they are on.

Overall I see a wild last four weeks and entertaining time in St Louis but I do wonder what this means for the league in the coming years.

**Sponsor**

by **MissouriValleyUnite** » February 3rd, 2019, 6:55 pm

The team I trusted was Drake. They exited non-con with a 29 RPI and 2 losses to Iowa St and Colorado. Bulldogs would be riding high at 18-4 (8-2) and IMO on the way to a 12/5 upset in March. But in a split second the league’s best player went down and Drake’s dream season combusted into a pile of dust.

The league then hit the reset button and it was slim pickings. Statistically, the trustworthy teams excel in experience, FG% defense, 3-PT shooting, & double digit scorers. Southern hits the most notes and are my pick to cut down the nets in STL. Leading Kentucky by 7 when Fletcher fouled out demonstrates they’re capable.

by **Drakey** » February 3rd, 2019, 7:41 pm

I'm not sure Drake's season has fallen apart as much as you suggest.Third place now.Ran into Loyola playing out of their heads, and with two more baskets could be alone in first place.Illinois State certainly looks to have the most talent of any team in the Valley. I'm not sure how they lost the games they did.

by **ISUSOX13** » February 3rd, 2019, 10:35 pm

Illinois State has been in complete control of its last three games. I'd have been happy with a 2-2 mark in the four game stretch at Drake, Loyola, Valpo and at MSU. Now I smell blood. If Yarbrough keeps playing like he is and Evans has indeed found his stroke, the damn drought is finally OVA in five weeks.

As currently constructed, I'd rank the teams in my trust rankings:

1. Redbirds
2. Ramblers (They have no depth without Williamson and Custer is a shell of himself right now).
3. Salukis
4. Bulldogs
5. Bears
6. Panthers
7. Crusaders
8. Trees
9. Aces
10. Bradley

by **IllinoisState** » February 4th, 2019, 12:06 am

Right now I only trust ISU and Loyola. Both teams can prove me wrong as well as the other 8. We have a lot of basketball left.

by **musiccitybulldog** » February 4th, 2019, 7:59 am

Half the conference season left. I'd believe anything. It is wide open.

by **PurpleRedbird** » February 4th, 2019, 8:01 am

They only two answers I have are almost everybody and nobody.

I trust that 7 out of 10 have a chance to win at Arch Madness.
I trust that those 7 out of 10 could also lose in the quarterfinals.

by **musiccitybulldog** » February 4th, 2019, 8:08 am

I actually think this could be the first year a Thursday night team could win. Not saying anyone in particular, but if someone could get hot Thursday and shoot the lights out and not spend too much energy, based on a lot of conference games, there is a lot of parity and upsets.

by **hot nuts** » February 4th, 2019, 8:32 am

I just hope whichever team represents The Valley in the NCAA tournament is much stronger from conference play than they were at the end of December and can make a little post season noise (and maybe some $$$).

by **Go4Valley** » February 4th, 2019, 9:09 am

It is wide open.....call me crazy but the seedings will not matter in STL. In this season's conference tourney the 6th seed and 1 seed wont be that big of a difference