Too early 2018-19 predictions

[BEARZ77]

Yeah I think the fact Copeland was around last year makes him more like a transfer than a juco, although i assume he couldn't practice with the team being ineligible. Still, anytime you project big things for jucos like this article did, it overlooks many jucos take a half year at least to really get acclimated. I think ISUr is plenty talented w/o going overboard on unproven players. Where I voice caution however, is that while Copeland and Jefferson bring additional firepower, i don't think that's the area of concern. Some teams play above the sum of their parts, last year ISU played below the sum of theirs. Chemistry and smarter play are what will propel them to a Championship, too many guys all looking for theirs could spell a repeat.

[Adunk33]

Yeah I think the fact Copeland was around last year makes him more like a transfer than a juco, although i assume he couldn't practice with the team being ineligible.

He practiced after the fall semester ended.

[Blers]

I completely agree with Bearz when it comes to ISUr. From top to bottom they're stacked and have a lot of different lineups they can throw out. It's about getting them to gel together; and share the ball well.

I'm a bit biased, especially on Yarbrough because he never particularly played well (against Richardson/Williamson he committed 20 turnovers in 3 games); but from what I saw ISUr could turn into hero ball at times; and would make bad decisions. But if they can spread the ball around well though and cut down on turnovers there's so much scoring potential. Also love what Fayne brings as a senior.

[VUGrad1314]

Connor Hope's MVC Rankings:

https://twitter.com/CondorianFM/status/ ... 1919771648

Looks solid to me. Points of possible debate are 1-2 5-8 and 9-10.

[Birdfan2018]

There's no doubt ISUr will be a very talented and deep team this year, and obviously having the firepower of Evans, Fayne, and Malik back is huge. But i thought the article gave too much credit to the jucos as if getting a 42nd and 91st ranked juco is something extraordinary. Both may prove to be very good players, but there are higher ranked jucos across the board in the Valley. MSU alone has the 31st and 76th ranked jucos and Drake has the highest ranked of all. The forward at Indiana State who missed alot of time last year was highly ranked as well. UNI has the top scorer in D-2 juco ranks and a very good 6'9 forward as well. Again I'll probably pick ISUr to win the title , but they had a lot of talent last year and had trouble with chemistry and playing smart and unless they show progress in those areas, they may have problems with teams like LOC who play smart team oriented basketball.

I think that the difference here is that:
A) Zach Copeland has been on the team practicing (officially) since last December. That in itself gives him an advantage over the JUCO's just starting practice with their respective teams this summer, and
B) Josh Jefferson is not coming in expected to start or be a big scorer and impact player for Illinois State. Although he is probably talented enough to start on some of the MVC teams this year, he will likely be the 6 thru 9 man in the rotation with Matt Chastain & Taylor Bruninga, Rey Idowu (or Abdou Ndiaye if eligible).

[VUGrad1314]

A piece on Aher Uguak of Loyola who may well play a big role for the Ramblers starting this coming season.

https://www.portersjacket.com/single-po ... ept-Secret

[VUGrad1314]

I was reading the SIU board and I am absolutely shocked by how down their fans seem to be on their team compared to most outside observers. Why the pessimism? Your team looks really good on paper. Can some Saluki fans explain this, because I find it very hard to understand.

[jsaluki080]

I was reading the SIU board and I am absolutely shocked by how down their fans seem to be on their team compared to most outside observers. Why the pessimism? Your team looks really good on paper. Can some Saluki fans explain this, because I find it very hard to understand.

Throughout much of the 2000’s SIU was the premier MVC team along with Creighton. I think we had 6 NCAA appearances (including 2 sweet 16) in a row. I think our fanbase got accustomed to that being the norm.

Anyways, the shock of our initial collapse and years with potential only to lead to disappointment, has made our fanbase, at least those on our message boards, bitter and pessimistic. They still believe or want the standard to be making the NCAA tournament on a semi regular basis. Short of that is a failure.

I’m generalizing of course but there are enough of them and a portion of them are loud enogh on the message boards to cause the boards to be a real drag.

[jackwagon]

A piece on Aher Uguak of Loyola who may well play a big role for the Ramblers starting this coming season.

https://www.portersjacket.com/single-po ... ept-Secret

Should be a good player......but holy cow that article needed someone to proofread it.

[VUGrad1314]

I was reading the SIU board and I am absolutely shocked by how down their fans seem to be on their team compared to most outside observers. Why the pessimism? Your team looks really good on paper. Can some Saluki fans explain this, because I find it very hard to understand.

Throughout much of the 2000’s SIU was the premier MVC team along with Creighton. I think we had 6 NCAA appearances (including 2 sweet 16) in a row. I think our fanbase got accustomed to that being the norm.

Anyways, the shock of our initial collapse and years with potential only to lead to disappointment, has made our fanbase, at least those on our message boards, bitter and pessimistic. They still believe or want the standard to be making the NCAA tournament on a semi regular basis. Short of that is a failure.

I’m generalizing of course but there are enough of them and a portion of them are loud enogh on the message boards to cause the boards to be a real drag.

Yes, I remember those SIU teams well. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the MVC needs a strong SIU. Hopefully, this year will have those fans believing again. I'm excited by what I've seen of your schedule. The home fans should be very happy with Winthrop Murray State SLU and Buffalo coming in alongside some solid road\neutral tests. I think a lot will come down to Bol's health and how much he can give you. It may be too much to hope for at this late juncture but it would be nice to see them get some extra frontcourt depth. I think an at-large is possible if you win most of those nonconference games and do well in conference but I don't think an NIT berth would be too bad either and that looks very attainable.