The MVC in 2019-2020

[tribecalledquest]

Not sure what point you're trying to make. As I've said, Bonner would have provided a very valuable experienced proven perimeter shooter, but at the same time , let's be real, he was just a part time starter on a mediocre Colorado State team last year. For two of the higher ranked freshmen coming into the league to have pushed him for playing time isn't that big of a stretch. He wasn't a point guard which Ford is, although he could play it some, so Ford getting minutes there is understandable. And at shooting guard, Cook and Mosley both go 6'5 to his 6'2 . Cook averaged 13 ppg last year and Mosley is just really versatile and efficient
offensively. I don't think any of that makes us a top 25 team, but it does suggest minutes were going to be a competitive situation . Both Cook and Mosley can play on the wing as well, but there you have West, Hall and Ridder all competing as well. Again, doesn't say anything other than none of those guys including Bonner has a sure grip on their spot in the rotation. Grad transfers are usually looking for a level of certainty; not easily had on this roster this year.

Being an impact freshman on a championship caliber team is very hard to do. So what if Colorado State was mediocre? So was the entire MVC. If the Bears have two freshmen guards that were going to bump a 10+ PPG D1 scorer to a reserve role then look out MVC.

[BEARZ77]

Being an impact freshman on a championship caliber team is very hard to do. So what if Colorado State was mediocre? So was the entire MVC. If the Bears have two freshmen guards that were going to bump a 10+ PPG D1 scorer to a reserve role then look out MVC.

I think you missed the point; he was going to be in a reserve role not because of freshmen, but because Dixon, Cook, West and Hall were probably all ahead of him. The two freshmen simply would compete for those minutes available after that. They don't either one have to be impact freshmen, and they don't even have to be in the top 7-8 to play and get some of the minutes going to the bench guys, which Bonner was going to be . If Cooper is ready he'll play because there's minutes available behind Dixon, especially with Bonner gone. How much Mosley plays will be first determined by if he's eligible, but if so, then he'll play as much as his talent dictates because there is ample depth ahead of him . I'm not one of those who thinks MSU is the favorite in this league, but it's not because we don't have depth. What separates our depth a bit is not the quality of our freshmen [ who are good] but that most of our transfers are already proven as Hall, West, and Dixon have all started at least part time on NCAA tourney teams. Like Bonner, 1-2 of them won't start on this team . But again, I don't see us as the favorite, and probably only one of at least 6 teams that I see as viable to win this year. Anyway, jmho.

[tribecalledquest]

Being an impact freshman on a championship caliber team is very hard to do. So what if Colorado State was mediocre? So was the entire MVC. If the Bears have two freshmen guards that were going to bump a 10+ PPG D1 scorer to a reserve role then look out MVC.

I think you missed the point; he was going to be in a reserve role not because of freshmen, but because Dixon, Cook, West and Hall were probably all ahead of him. The two freshmen simply would compete for those minutes available after that. They don't either one have to be impact freshmen, and they don't even have to be in the top 7-8 to play and get some of the minutes going to the bench guys, which Bonner was going to be . If Cooper is ready he'll play because there's minutes available behind Dixon, especially with Bonner gone. How much Mosley plays will be first determined by if he's eligible, but if so, then he'll play as much as his talent dictates because there is ample depth ahead of him . I'm not one of those who thinks MSU is the favorite in this league, but it's not because we don't have depth. What separates our depth a bit is not the quality of our freshmen [ who are good] but that most of our transfers are already proven as Hall, West, and Dixon have all started at least part time on NCAA tourney teams. Like Bonner, 1-2 of them won't start on this team . But again, I don't see us as the favorite, and probably only one of at least 6 teams that I see as viable to win this year. Anyway, jmho.

I too would pick the Bears first as well.

[BEARZ77]

Seems a popular pick, but for me a coach has to show he can do that first before I feel comfortable projecting them to win . This league has 3-4 coaches with good enough talent who have already won before, so I just can't go there yet . I think we [MSU] can win it, but we have a lot to prove just to be in the hunt. I think the league is improved this year, but I still see a lot of parity and a tight race.

[glm38]

Not sure what point you're trying to make. As I've said, Bonner would have provided a very valuable experienced proven perimeter shooter, but at the same time , let's be real, he was just a part time starter on a mediocre Colorado State team last year. For two of the higher ranked freshmen coming into the league to have pushed him for playing time isn't that big of a stretch. He wasn't a point guard which Ford is, although he could play it some, so Ford getting minutes there is understandable. And at shooting guard, Cook and Mosley both go 6'5 to his 6'2 . Cook averaged 13 ppg last year and Mosley is just really versatile and efficient
offensively. I don't think any of that makes us a top 25 team, but it does suggest minutes were going to be a competitive situation . Both Cook and Mosley can play on the wing as well, but there you have West, Hall and Ridder all competing as well. Again, doesn't say anything other than none of those guys including Bonner has a sure grip on their spot in the rotation. Grad transfers are usually looking for a level of certainty; not easily had on this roster this year.

Being an impact freshman on a championship caliber team is very hard to do. So what if Colorado State was mediocre? So was the entire MVC. If the Bears have two freshmen guards that were going to bump a 10+ PPG D1 scorer to a reserve role then look out MVC.

I think it could actually be a case of "lookout MVC" . The talent is there. But a LOT of things still have to fall in place for that to be the case. Prim looks like a beast but he's never played D1. Mosely hasn't qualified. Our best player from last year Da Silva will be transitioning to a new position (PF). Will be be as effective there? Without Bonner do we have enough 3 point shooting to keep the defense honest?

And to me to me the most important unknown is Ford himself. He's already proven he can recruit at a very high level. But can be mesh all that talent into a consistent winner? And just how good of an in game coach is he? So far I love the guy as our HC. But he's still very unproven.