Who will be the preseason favorite in 2011-12?

[AndShock]

Creighton was never a bubble team. Actually finished 4th in the league this year so dont see how Creighton was a bubble team at any point. Maybe your thinking of Missouri state? I do like Creighton to be a bubble type team next year though if they get some wing players.

It was a prediction for next year.

[BirdmanBB]

My predictions will keep changing until the start of next season.....

1. CU (Father/Son COY-POY will be what we hear about in the media next March)
2. ISUb (great guard play, but could move down if the 3 isn't falling next year)
3. WSU (Marshall will still have them playing tough even with loss of players)
4. UNI (Jacobsons tough D will keep them in games always with enough talent to win)
5. MSU (I'm having a really hard time placing them. Could be a one man band. lose clutch shooting)
6. ISUr (We have the talent, but I guess we will see if we still have the coach. could move up/down 2 spots)
7. E-Ville (falls short of high expectations in new arena..not completely buying in yet)
8. Drake (one man show?)
9. BU (new coach, new system, lost players, lost recruits, no big man depth)
10. SIU (don't really think this needs an explanation)

[RoyalShock]

Sports Illustrated has an opinion:

http://tourney.si.com/2011/04/05/after- ... ?eref=sihp

The Next 16
17. Vanderbilt
18. Wichita State
19. Marquette
20. UCLA
21. Memphis
22. Temple
23. Florida State
24. Texas
25. Purdue
26. Missouri
27. Gonzaga
28. George Mason
29. Texas A&M
30. Xavier
31. Alabama
32. West Virginia

[BirdmanBB]

Sports Illustrated has an opinion:

http://tourney.si.com/2011/04/05/after- ... ?eref=sihp

The Next 16
17. Vanderbilt
18. Wichita State
19. Marquette
20. UCLA
21. Memphis
22. Temple
23. Florida State
24. Texas
25. Purdue
26. Missouri
27. Gonzaga
28. George Mason
29. Texas A&M
30. Xavier
31. Alabama
32. West Virginia

look what he posts on twitter before he loads his rankings.

Frantically ranking 2012 teams before I have to leave for the airport. This is such a silly process, but you know you're gonna read it. 5 hours ago

Sounds like he gave them some serious thought.....

I am not saying that WSU couldn't be a top 25 at some point next season, but this guy should have put a little more time and thought into his opinion piece. I mean come on, he looks like an 18 year old in his picture and he went a little overboard on the iphone photo app as a commentor posted.

Hope he right though, because then that might mean we will have 1-2 teams in the top 25 next year as most of us who actually watch the valley have some form of CU or ISUb at the top next year.

[Tom Servo]

I think Evansville could fall anywhere from 3 to 8. Even if the new guys fit right in we will still finish behind Creighton and Wichita State. I think we could push ISU for third place if turn out well and Colt really steps it up.
Now the bad, if the new guys can't adapt and we don't get some leadership from Colt, Denver, etc. we will really struggle. I just hope that doesn't happen.

[Shockerfan13]

Wichita State will suck, our recruits suck, the remaining players suck, Creighton is God and will roll over everyone winning by an average of 50 points. They are for sure a final 4 team.

All of that is a lock, outside of that I have no idea......

If you don't believe me just ask Matty P.

[Unsmooth Moment]

1. Creighton
2. Wichita St
3. Indiana St
4/5/6(any order) Evansville, Missouri St, UNI
7- Drake
8 Illinois St
9 SIU
10 Bradley

[Shockerfan13]

Wichita State will suck, our recruits suck, the remaining players suck, Creighton is God and will roll over everyone winning by an average of 50 points. They are for sure a final 4 team.

All of that is a lock, outside of that I have no idea......

If you don't believe me just ask Matty P.

My somewhat serious guess:

Creighton
Indiana St
Wichita St - I almost switched UNI and WSU...but nahhhhh
UNI
Evansville
Missouri St (I only do this because of what they losy and the new coach. Yes I know he is from the same "mold" but it still takes some time to adjust to the other Valley coaches and the officials. They do have the talent to finish a little higher)
Drake
Illinois St
SIU
Bradley

[Snapshot9]

It really means nothing to predict unless you go back and compare actuals vs predictions. Did anyone go back a year, and compare last year's prediction vs. conference standings at the end of the season?

[wheresbird]

I am pretty new here, and have a stupid question. Why is Indiana State referred to as "ISUb"? Is that some sort of word play on "I sub"? I don't get it. Please advise.