Next year predictions

[2livewu]

I really hope the Valley returns to a multiple bid conference next season. If not then, I'm not sure when it will happen.

Creighton and WSU can only blame themselves if they don't have an at large resume come next March.

With Indiana State a lock, and the always dangerous Evansville, anything less than 2-4 bids will be very disappointing.


MSU, Drake, Illinois State, Bradley and UNI are all probably a year away from being at that level and SIU....well that's just sad.

[STL MVC]

I really hope the Valley returns to a multiple bid conference next season. If not then, I'm not sure when it will happen.

Creighton and WSU can only blame themselves if they don't have an at large resume come next March.

With Indiana State a lock, and the always dangerous Evansville, anything less than 2-4 bids will be very disappointing.


MSU, Drake, Illinois State, Bradley and UNI are all probably a year away from being at that level and SIU....well that's just sad.

Agree. The league's downturn needs to end this year. And I'm not sure why Indiana State shouldn't be considered an at-large possibility. That team that looked like crap in November was a different team by the end of the season, especially by the first weekend in March. Why should that progression stop? We expect Creighton's returners to excel with another year of experience, so why can't ISU?

[2livewu]

We expect Creighton's returners to excel with another year of experience, so why can't ISU?

Why? Well Creighton has 2 legitimate big men that are better than anything ISUB rolled out last year and anyone that thinks Odum is vastly superior to Young is on drugs. Really good D1 basketball is won by teams with superior big men 9 times out of 10.

Now, perhaps ISUB has the conference's best big men on redshirt and incoming freshmen. If so, then they'll probably win the conference. Creighton is better at every position except the 2 where Lathan is superior to Manigaut, but that's closer than you might think. I don't think ISUB is going to be bad by any stretch of the imagination, but they just don't have the upside that a CU does.

[valleychamp]

We expect Creighton's returners to excel with another year of experience, so why can't ISU?

Why? Well Creighton has 2 legitimate big men that are better than anything ISUB rolled out last year and anyone that thinks Odum is vastly superior to Young is on drugs. Really good D1 basketball is won by teams with superior big men 9 times out of 10.

Now, perhaps ISUB has the conference's best big men on redshirt and incoming freshmen. If so, then they'll probably win the conference. Creighton is better at every position except the 2 where Lathan is superior to Manigaut, but that's closer than you might think. I don't think ISUB is going to be bad by any stretch of the imagination, but they just don't have the upside that a CU does.

With all that said, they were able to a) Finish higher than CU, b) split the season series with CU, and c) Go to the NCAA tournament while CU did not.

[carrcar]

The 2010-2011 season showed a maturity in the MVC's teams in their approach to the game. There was a definite increase in defensive tenacity and overall leveling of the field. Even tSIU with all its problems pulled a few upsets. All the games I watched showed teams that were well coached and players who were in sync with each other. Each team had stars, but no showboats. My prediction is that the Valley will be bunched even closer this year...hopefully the conference champion will be decided in the last games of the season.

[ictjay]

IMHO, Creighton improved tremendously in the postseason. Mac loosened things up and the players responded and grew individually. That is why they played in a 3rd level tourney. To prepare for the following year. Those who watched, GE, Dougie etc showed skills largely absent during the regular season. I agree, CU has the parts to make the show, they just need to take care of business.
Same goes for WSU, ISU Blue, etc. Last years nonconference results were dismal.

[Jays26]

We expect Creighton's returners to excel with another year of experience, so why can't ISU?

Why? Well Creighton has 2 legitimate big men that are better than anything ISUB rolled out last year and anyone that thinks Odum is vastly superior to Young is on drugs. Really good D1 basketball is won by teams with superior big men 9 times out of 10.

Now, perhaps ISUB has the conference's best big men on redshirt and incoming freshmen. If so, then they'll probably win the conference. Creighton is better at every position except the 2 where Lathan is superior to Manigaut, but that's closer than you might think. I don't think ISUB is going to be bad by any stretch of the imagination, but they just don't have the upside that a CU does.

With all that said, they were able to a) Finish higher than CU, b) split the season series with CU, and c) Go to the NCAA tournament while CU did not.

His point was that "this coming year" CU should be even better with the year under their belt with a new system and coach. And with the guys they have available at the 2 this coming year they should be vastly better there also. Not to mention getting Wragge back healthy.

[DoubleJayAlum]

We expect Creighton's returners to excel with another year of experience, so why can't ISU?

Why? Well Creighton has 2 legitimate big men that are better than anything ISUB rolled out last year and anyone that thinks Odum is vastly superior to Young is on drugs. Really good D1 basketball is won by teams with superior big men 9 times out of 10.

Now, perhaps ISUB has the conference's best big men on redshirt and incoming freshmen. If so, then they'll probably win the conference. Creighton is better at every position except the 2 where Lathan is superior to Manigaut, but that's closer than you might think. I don't think ISUB is going to be bad by any stretch of the imagination, but they just don't have the upside that a CU does.

I could make an argument that Odum is superior to Young as a PG, much to the chagrin of many of my Creighton counterparts..... I think that Odum is a very heady player and a tremendous table setting PG.

However, outside of Odum, I wouldn't take any other InSU player over their CU counterpart (well, maybe Lathan...). It took a miracle play for InSU to beat CU in Terre Haute and Creighton controlled the game in Omaha. A lack of supporting cast is going to make it even more difficult for Odum to stand out this coming season. Losing those outside shooters is really going to hurt them.

Honestly, I'm more concerned with WSU than I am am InSu next season.

[beatingrillz]

ISUb will take a big step back this year imo. Teams will not guard Odum like they did last year and the pop star wont be sitting in the corner waiting for the pass. Lathan has a btoke wing and will likely wear a brace most the season. UNI will be pretty bad with no post presence a repeat of their last 7 games is more likely than not.

[valleychamp]

His point was that "this coming year" CU should be even better with the year under their belt with a new system and coach. And with the guys they have available at the 2 this coming year they should be vastly better there also. Not to mention getting Wragge back healthy.

And ISU won't get better? They return just as many players, and they also now have a whole year under a new coach. And the fact is, they had a better year than Creighton last year.