Season Cap...and Looking Forward

by **Deanthonybowdenfan** » March 6th, 2011, 9:35 pm

Missouri State- They were the toughest team. Great season for their squad....unfortunately a worthy team will once again be left out of the dance..heartbreaking. Probably not as good next year.

Indiana St- Overachieved again. Hardest fighting team in league. Good chance they dancin again next year.

Wichita- Disapointing, thought theyd be better. That being said, they werent as talented as the hype. Next year probably in the middle of the pack.

Creighton- Equally disapointing, knew we wouldnt be great, but thought we would improve more as the season went on. Next year could be top 25 caliber if the chemistry is right. We dont lose anyone...and have an amazing shooter in Wragge who sat out all year, plus a couple recruits that can PASS!

Northern- Tough breaks all year. Cant expect em to do much better considering all. Very young next year but Jacobsen is a great coach, give em 2 years and they’ll be one of the top 4 teams in the league.

Bradley, illinois State, Evansville, Drake, and SIU- I didnt see them enough to have a worthwhile opinion.
Feel free to add your opinions.

**Sponsor**

by **Ace Dad** » March 6th, 2011, 9:48 pm

I guess the Aces out to be overlooked based on their performance Friday night, but not the Bears or the Shockers????????????????

The Sycamores played 3 teams this past weekend. Three. They beat Evansville on the last play of the game on a beautifully executed isolation jumper by a very fine Point Guard named Mr. Odom. The Sycs did not need the last shot of the game to beat the Shocks or the Bears. Granted, if we would have won Friday, we would not have had the depth and legs to withstand Saturday and Sunday due to our weaker post presence and Colt Ryan being slightly hobbled.

So you conviently leave the Aces out of the discussion. That is OK

by **cubsfan62395** » March 6th, 2011, 9:51 pm

Ace Dad wrote:I guess the Aces out to be overlooked based on their performance Friday night, but not the Bears or the Shockers????????????????

The Sycamores played 3 teams this past weekend. Three. They beat Evansville on the last play of the game on a beautifully executed isolation jumper by a very fine Point Guard named Mr. Odom. The Sycs did not need the last shot of the game to beat the Shocks or the Bears. Granted, if we would have won Friday, we would not have had the depth and legs to withstand Saturday and Sunday due to our weaker post presence and Colt Ryan being slightly hobbled.

So you conviently leave the Aces out of the discussion. That is OK

Read the bottom of the original post

by **Ace Dad** » March 6th, 2011, 9:55 pm

cubsfan62395 wrote:
Ace Dad wrote:I guess the Aces out to be overlooked based on their performance Friday night, but not the Bears or the Shockers????????????????

The Sycamores played 3 teams this past weekend. Three. They beat Evansville on the last play of the game on a beautifully executed isolation jumper by a very fine Point Guard named Mr. Odom. The Sycs did not need the last shot of the game to beat the Shocks or the Bears. Granted, if we would have won Friday, we would not have had the depth and legs to withstand Saturday and Sunday due to our weaker post presence and Colt Ryan being slightly hobbled.

So you conviently leave the Aces out of the discussion. That is OK

Read the bottom of the original post

I read the whole post and saw the disclaimer. I just spent five hours in the car with my wife on the drive back from St Louis and since I could not fight with her, needed someone to pick a fight with :roll:

by **dgreenwell3** » March 6th, 2011, 9:57 pm

Is it consensus that Indiana State will be a Valley Favorite next season? I just ask because I heard someone say that they think its just a stroke of luck and hoped it wasnt a consensus opinion lol... :offtopic:

by **cubsfan62395** » March 6th, 2011, 10:01 pm

Ace Dad wrote:
cubsfan62395 wrote:
Ace Dad wrote:I guess the Aces out to be overlooked based on their performance Friday night, but not the Bears or the Shockers????????????????

The Sycamores played 3 teams this past weekend. Three. They beat Evansville on the last play of the game on a beautifully executed isolation jumper by a very fine Point Guard named Mr. Odom. The Sycs did not need the last shot of the game to beat the Shocks or the Bears. Granted, if we would have won Friday, we would not have had the depth and legs to withstand Saturday and Sunday due to our weaker post presence and Colt Ryan being slightly hobbled.

So you conviently leave the Aces out of the discussion. That is OK

Read the bottom of the original post

I read the whole post and saw the disclaimer. I just spent five hours in the car with my wife on the drive back from St Louis and since I could not fight with her, needed someone to pick a fight with

With the traffic in KC it took me almost 8 hours to get home. I know where you are coming from.

by **pafan** » March 7th, 2011, 7:03 am

dgreenwell3 wrote:Is it consensus that Indiana State will be a Valley Favorite next season? I just ask because I heard someone say that they think its just a stroke of luck and hoped it wasnt a consensus opinion lol...

I don't know if it's a consensus yet, but I only see two teams being better next year than this year: ISU-Blue and CU-Blue, based on what they already have personnel wise. New recruits and Jim Les's replacement could change things.
:bounce:

by **RoyalShock** » March 7th, 2011, 12:20 pm

I think next year we're looking at CU and ISU-blue being picked 1-2 (not necessarily in that order).

WSU a solid 3rd.

After that it's tough to say as there are many question marks.

MSU could be this year's Bradley, with Weems = Warren and then seeing who steps up to help.

UE should be better but isn't Van Tongeren a senior? Do they have any post help coming?

Illinois St should be somewhat better.

Can Drake find someone to replace Wedel's role/production?

UNI discovered that their young post players are questionable. I don't see recruits or returners replacing what O'Rear and Ahelegbe meant to the team.

Bradley needs post help and another guard or next year will look like this year.

SIU is a mess, particularly if Teague doesn't return. But Seck seems like a leader.

Here is my guess at the pre-season rankings next season, barring any significant transfers (which will probably happen):

1. Indiana St.
2. Creighton
3. Wichita St. (less depth could be a blessing, but we need a consistent perimeter threat)
------ Large Gap -----
4. Illinois St.
5. Drake
6. Evansville
----- Small Gap -----
7. No. Iowa
8. Missouri St. (I could see them as high as 6th, though)
----- Small Gap -----
9. Bradley
10. So. Illinois

by **getreal4** » March 7th, 2011, 12:59 pm

As of today, I would agree that Indiana St, Creighton & Wichita St should be the favorites for next season.

Evansville may be a factor, if pt guard and depth develop.

UNI is definitely rebuilding next season.

SIU, Ill St, Bradley, Mo St have too many player, possible coaching changes to predict good seasons next year at this time.

My bulldogs? Need pt guard first or absolutely no chance to avoid Drake day again next season.
And if pt guard is found, still must improve: defense, defensive rebounding, attacking the press, running an offense to match player skills to have a winning season.

Lots of time and possible changes before next fall.

by **BirdmanBB** » March 7th, 2011, 1:11 pm

I don't think the Redbirds finishing 9th is indictive of a similar result next season. I do think that we had quite a few games get away from us this year as well as some close ones that could have gone either way. For example, we played both games against MSU tough. It was a matter of a couple of possessions that really made the outcome of those games.

One thing that really killed us all year was turnovers. Once we have (hopefully) a good PG in place in Nic Moore, things should change. Less turnoves might not guarantee more buckets, but it will at least give us more attempts. Also, with less turnovers comes less points off turnovers which could very well make the difference in a lot of games for us defensively.

If we finish 4th next year as Royal Shock suggested, I would be happy with that sort of turnaround.

I think CU will be the favorite next year and do have the tools to be a potential top 25 team (potential being key). Then you have to give ISUb the preseason #2 out of respect from this season. Odum is going to be a force. After these two teams, I think it will be pretty much up for grabs.