UEACES80 wrote:Cunliffe got on board the McCarty Train.
IMO - UE will struggle early this year but will be better by year end but most likely a PIG team this season.
2019-2020 season should see a big bounce up in the MVC (at this point if all the pieces stay in place anything below 4th would likely be disappointing).
So proud of Coach McCarty trying to make UE a relevant player in the MVC. UE may not simply be a small school in a Mid_Major if Coach McCarty stays in Eville.
Love the enthusiasm being generated by new coaches in the league, and as always during recruiting periods, hope springs eternal across most programs. Unfortunately by midway thru year two , reality will set in for a number of programs as someone always has to be in the bottom half of the league. Believe me , i know this is as true for MSU as any other program, so i'm not singling out any new staffs or existing ones per se. But when you look at the next couple years i think movement up the ladder into the top 3-4 teams in the league will be difficult . I think LOC and ISUr are gonna be there for awhile; they have solid rosters with enough young players to maintain momentum, proven coaches, and will continue to be able to recruit well as a result. i think Bradley is established enough that while I don't know if they will contend for a title, I think they will be around that 3-5 range at least. SIU would look to be the most precarious as to being able to stay at their level past this year, but Barry's history is to consistently find ways to surprise either up or down the ladder.
So just to get to a top 5 spot will be no easy situation. UNI expects to based on Jake's past history of success and Valpo expects to based on recent success in other leagues, despite a last place finish in their first MVC season. Teams like MSU and UE will have their work cut out for them, but that's the beauty of college basketball. predictable in many ways, but always there are those teams and coaches that get something going when you don't really think they will. The parity in the Valley can be brutal on teams trying to rise because you can really be much improved and still find your way to a 7-11 to 9-9 record and PIG for several years running.
The Bear is the largest carnivore on the North American continent; beware the Bear!