MVC preseason media day /polls

[Blers]

I'm in the vast minority, but I would be shocked if Drake didn't play on Thursday. They lose 2 all conference players (3 if you count Norton), plus who knows what will happen with Murphy. I do love Wilkins but I think Thomas is "okay" and I have no faith in Liam Robbins unless he takes a big step from last year. I've go them playing on thursday with Valpo, Illinois State and Southern.

Totally fair take! The reason i like their back court is mainly the combination of youth and experience. I just think they'll both take steps forward. The lack of proven size does concern me though.

What are the thoughts on Bradleys depth? Kennel, Childs, Brown, and Henry are a good core 4, but what are expectations beyond that?

[DUBulldog]

I'm in the vast minority, but I would be shocked if Drake didn't play on Thursday. They lose 2 all conference players (3 if you count Norton), plus who knows what will happen with Murphy. I do love Wilkins but I think Thomas is "okay" and I have no faith in Liam Robbins unless he takes a big step from last year. I've go them playing on thursday with Valpo, Illinois State and Southern.

Drake played ok without McGlynn in the MVC tournament...blew out Illinois State (yeah, I know McGlynn played the beginning of that game) and Bulldogs were also without DJ Wilkins in those games. This season's team will be much deeper than last season's.

Noah Thomas was the starting point guard for the league champs last season, and might only be the 3rd best point guard on the team this year.

And, don't sleep on Anthony Murphy....he finished last season real strong with three straight double-doubles

[musiccitybulldog]

Drake will win both games against Mo State and Bradley this year, just like last year.
My take on the top four will be Loyola, Drake, Illinois State and Evansville. Will be a big jumble in the middle like last year.
Mid-major management and coaching is the key.

[Mikovio]

What are the thoughts on Bradleys depth? Kennel, Childs, Brown, and Henry are a good core 4, but what are expectations beyond that?

Starting 5 should look like this:
G Danya Kingsby
G Darrell Brown
G Nate Kennell
F Elijah Childs
C Koch Bar

Bench:
F Ja'shon Henry
C Ari Boya
F Stephan Gabriel
G Antonio Thomas
G Ville Tahvanainen
F Rienk Mast

Kingsby is expected to step right in and take over the point from Lundy. He was the #26 rated JUCO in 2018 and sat out last year at LSU with a medical condition but he's a 100% now and will be starting. Henry has a lot of versatility as a 6th man but I'd like to see him in the paint. He's just tough. Boya underwent a leg procedure and is missing practice (starting next week) but should be 100% by December. We're just hoping one among Gabriel, Thomas, Ville and Mast can be a regular rotation player and that they all are capable of contributing minutes. Mast was a high level international recruit but tore his ACL in June and best case scenario is he comes back sometime in January.

[BEARZ77]

Drake will win both games against Mo State and Bradley this year, just like last year.
My take on the top four will be Loyola, Drake, Illinois State and Evansville. Will be a big jumble in the middle like last year.
Mid-major management and coaching is the key.

I like Drake, but I don't see that happening . I doubt Bradley has as bad a start as last year, and I don't see many teams winning in Springfield. Coaching is a major factor, but talent and depth aren't insignificant. But hey, that's what the season is for.

[BCPanther]

UNI is going to look a lot more like vintage UNI this year as well. AJ Green has put on 20 pounds and is going to get to play off the ball some this year with another point guard on the roster in Antwan Kimmons.

TyWhon Pickford is healthy after not having an off-season last year and missing most of November and December. Austin Phyfe's medical condition is under control and he'll move McDonnell into a part time role which is a better fit for him.

Starters-
PG- AJ Green
SG- Trae Berhow
WG- TyWhon Pickford
WG- Isaiah Brown
C- Austin Phyfe

Bench-
Spencer Haldeman
Antwan Kimmons
Luke McDonnell
Justin Dahl
Noah Carter
Biggie Goldman

Personally, I think UNI, Bradley and Loyola battle it out for the title. Love Missouri State's talent but year 2 is always harder than year one. Same reason I'm not as high on Drake as others.

[VUGrad1314]

I hope you're right but I'll believe that UNI is back to their old selves as a program when I see it. I think they'll finish 4-6 in the conference with some potential for more but I think calling them "vintage UNI" is probably a bit optimistic.

[siudawgs]

Southern deserves to be picked near the bottom based on losing so many seniors and not a bunch of proven offensive firepower. The best chance to exceed expectations would be embracing a defensive identity (Cook and McGill are athletic ball-hawking guards and Benson should be a nice defensive presence in the paint), and if a few of the many newcomers add some instant punch. Hoping for some of that first-year coaching mojo that other MVC teams benefited from last year. The fans will certainly rally around Mullins.

[tribecalledquest]

Drake will win both games against Mo State and Bradley this year, just like last year.
My take on the top four will be Loyola, Drake, Illinois State and Evansville. Will be a big jumble in the middle like last year.
Mid-major management and coaching is the key.

I will bet you a beverage in STL at Arch Madness that Drake doesn't sweep Bradley and MSU and that Drake won't finish second. So, really, it's three beverages.

Drake fans are the leaders in the clubhouse for the "our guys get worse the minute they leave campus" award.

[DUBulldog]

Drake fans are the leaders in the clubhouse for the "our guys get worse the minute they leave campus" award.

I don't think any Drake fan on here has said anything remotely like that.