The 20/50 Assessment

by **Chuck A** » January 7th, 2025, 11:20 am

A fifth of Conference is done. Couple that with the 10/11 games of non-con and half the season is in the books. I think rational opinions can now be drawn. The key word is opinions. This opinion is mine. Bradley and Drake are the hands down top dogs. UNI, Belmont, ISUr, ISUb and UIC will battle for the 3-7 spots while the rest will bring up the rear.

Even with the loss to Murray State, Drake will still be around the top. Much has been said about the minutes Stirtz, Mascari and the other guy are piling up. My feeling, and it was born out in that same game against the Racers, was that McCollum used and is using these guys to help him establish his philosophy and style of play amongst the rest of the Bulldogs. Case in point was the freshman Howard. I've watched most of Drake's games, but this was the first time I'd seen this guy! Obviously, McCollum thought he was able to now contribute. This bodes well for the guys who are pulling long minutes. Coah Mac and his staff will continue to develop the "others" and have them ready for service accordingly. I believe Drake will recover from this two-game spiral, right the ship and reel off another streak of 4-6 before losing another.

Like any other team or player, when Bradley is on, nobody's gonna beat 'em. With being good also comes some luck and winessed in game against the Trees when the guy made a horrible decision to throw an ill-advised pass that allowed Duke Deen to steal and then seal the sin.

Belmont is Belmont. I think a few of us are still highly respectful of what they've done in the OVC that we thought and still think they'll weave that magic here in the MVC. NIL shattered all of that! With the 3 guys they lost in the off season, the Bruins probably would've been the unanimous favorite to indeed show that old OVC magic. Coach Alexander should have them ready down the stretch.

I'm really not sold on Indiana State. That's only because of their Head Coach Matthew Graves. He took over a good South Alabama program and ran it into the ground. Under Coach Schertz, he obviously learned some things and is implementing them into his philosophy. Maybe that'll help, but you still need "end-of-game" strategic ability.

If Illinois State continues its steady growth, gelling and three point shooting, they could be the surprise of the "after Bradley and Drake group"! Big Man Chase Walker has made a big impact in the Redbirds' offensive attack. Couple that with vastly improved team shooting (overall at .498, 3-point at .408) and you've got yourself the makings of a team that could upset a favorite at Arch Madness.

Barring a total collapse or some type of spell being cast over them, UIC looks like it might get out of the grasp of the bottom four of the Conference. They seem to be buying into Coach Ehsan's style of play. Next season is the one I'm waiting for.

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by **racernation** » January 7th, 2025, 6:56 pm

If you're right and Murray finishes 8th or worse, torches and pitchforks are coming out in MKY.

by **just ducky** » January 7th, 2025, 7:44 pm

racernation wrote:If you're right and Murray finishes 8th or worse, torches and pitchforks are coming out in MKY.

Despite the Drake win I still have you as likely no better than 6th with a 7th place finish resting on very shaky ground. As a head start precaution you may want to start sharpening your pitchfork and gathering a couple cords of bonfire wood.

by **racernation** » January 7th, 2025, 7:48 pm

Oh I know, my friend. They are already out.

by **smidge34** » January 8th, 2025, 10:33 am

If we don’t finish top-4 Prohm will not return next season.

by **MovingScreenOfDeath** » January 8th, 2025, 11:46 am

Chuck A wrote:I'm really not sold on Indiana State. That's only because of their Head Coach Matthew Graves. He took over a good South Alabama program and ran it into the ground. Under Coach Schertz, he obviously learned some things and is implementing them into his philosophy.

You could apply all of those same points to Coach Ehsan. Took over a UAB program coming off a program record number of wins with a loaded pre-transfer portal roster and was barely over .500.

by **tribecalledquest** » January 8th, 2025, 12:53 pm

smidge34 wrote:If we don’t finish top-4 Prohm will not return next season.

Wow.

by **ReZyNeZy** » January 8th, 2025, 1:59 pm

Valpo, despite loosing to Drake and Bradley should be turning heads. This program has already taken a massive leap and will play competitively throughout the rest of Valley plan

by **smidge34** » January 8th, 2025, 3:33 pm

tribecalledquest wrote:
smidge34 wrote:If we don’t finish top-4 Prohm will not return next season.

Wow.

IKR? Our fans and particularly our NIL donors expect to win. Crazy, huh?

by **TylerDurden** » January 8th, 2025, 4:02 pm

smidge34 wrote:
tribecalledquest wrote:
smidge34 wrote:If we don’t finish top-4 Prohm will not return next season.

Wow.

IKR? Our fans and particularly our NIL donors expect to win. Crazy, huh?

I like it. It's much better than celebrating moral victories.