Which team(s) do you trust?

[goramblers2011]

If ISUr, Loyola or Drake win Arch Madness, and assuming they finish the season strong, the seed will not be lower than 14.

[BCPanther]

Imagine if Loyola got a 16 seed against Virginia and Virginia lost again.

I absolutely pity the poor 15 or 16 seed that gets Virginia this year. That's going to get ugly and get ugly fast.

[IllinoisState]

If ISUr, Loyola or Drake win Arch Madness, and assuming they finish the season strong, the seed will not be lower than 14.

Anything less than 12 is insulting.

[TheAsianSensation]

We're not getting the 12 line unless Loyola goes on a massive heater. No one's resume is good enough and there's some strong mid-majors who should claim that line.

We're borderline between 13 line and 14 line. I don't see us reaching the 15 line unless we have a wonky winner.

Right now I have Loyola as the final 14 seed. But teams in that range always rise up a few spots as upsets happen in conference tourneys and lesser teams enter the bracket below the 14 line, replacing teams above the 14 line. So a tossup between 13 and 14 sounds about right to me.

[Salukimadness86]

If ISUr, Loyola or Drake win Arch Madness, and assuming they finish the season strong, the seed will not be lower than 14.

Anything less than 12 is insulting.

Agree !

[purple&orange]

If I have to pick someone I pick Loyola with Drake and Illinois State being the closest challengers.

With the league being far more balanced than it has been in some time those are the only 3 schools I really trust to put it all together on back to back nights or be able to win games with their offense or defense. It will also help that at this point being Top 3 in the league should give them a little easier Friday game, especially the Top 2.

Now that I'm on record for saying that I fully expect one to not get to the weekend.

[goramblers2011]

If Williamson is back and healthy before Arch Madness, Loyola has to be the most trustworthy. They will have five players with significant experience on a Final 4 team (three starters in Custer/Townes/Krut and then Williamson/Bruno).

But like many MVC teams this season, they aren't very deep. Kaifes has been strong off the bench at times and is one of the best 3 point shooters in the MVC, but he is inconsistent. Negron/Big Frank both are OK in short spurts to give Krut a rest, but their inexperience shows. Uguak has played much better in MVC play than in non-conf and seems to be finding his stride. His athleticism is like nothing Loyola has had in a while and he is great on defense and grabbing boards. But he is not trustworthy on the offensive end yet. Bujdoso has solid defense and can give Custer short rests but again, hasn't shown anything on offense.

[SanityLost17]

Agreed that if Williamson is back and healthy Loyola still has the most top end talent and would be the favorite.

But here is the thing, almost every team has had some injury problems at some point during the conference season. Some players are out for the year and some players are expected to return or have already returned and are working their way back into form.

So who wins Arch Madness may come down to who gets players back with enough time to round into mid-season form. Timing will be everything. Who will be fully healthy and peaking at the right time?

[Blers]

Agreed that if Williamson is back and healthy Loyola still has the most top end talent and would be the favorite.

But here is the thing, almost every team has had some injury problems at some point during the conference season. Some players are out for the year and some players are expected to return or have already returned and are working their way back into form.

So who wins Arch Madness may come down to who gets players back with enough time to round into mid-season form. Timing will be everything. Who will be fully healthy and peaking at the right time?

This is true, if Williamson can play the last week of the regular season to shake off rust (especially shooting after a broken hand) I'll be far more comfortable. If his first game back isn't until the first game of Arch Madness it's hard to say how well he'll be able to go.

[Bradleyfan1]

If and its a big IF we win our next 3 starting tonight. I will trust the Braves and believe we are who we thought we are. #arrivealready i will hold my breathe until then but if we do win the next 3. That will be the sweetest exhale since 2005. Go Braves. #WhatcanBrowndoforyou.