Too early 2018-19 predictions

[WSpringsBird]

Something tells me they may have been considerably higher prior to the Clarence and N'Diaye news.

I completely agree with this. I'm still optimistic about this year's team, but I hated to see Clarance leave. We don't get very many players with that sort of freaky athleticism. He had a rough first year, but I think his injuries contributed to that--and similar to Keyshawn Evans, who also was injured during a chunk of his freshman year, he had the potential to improve a lot in his second year.


There will be at least a few games next year when we'll wish we had both those guys.

[hot nuts]

Is it time to change the name on this thread? Is it still 'too early?' College football's here...basketball is right around the corner!

[BCPanther]

Milik Yarbrough suspended from all team activities per twitter.

I'm sure he'll miss the first 30 seconds of the first practice. I'm sure somebody touched his phone and deserved what they had coming. Weird that he didn't learn any lessons from absolutely no consequences for prior behavior.

What a joke of an athletic department.

[VUGrad1314]

How far does Illinois State tumble down the standings if Yarbrough can't go? Are they still even a top 4 team in the MVC?

[goramblers2011]

How far does Illinois State tumble down the standings if Yarbrough can't go? Are they still even a top 4 team in the MVC?

I think they are still top 4...but I think the order shifts to Loyola - SIU - Bradley/ISU - Valpo

[Adunk33]

How far does Illinois State tumble down the standings if Yarbrough can't go? Are they still even a top 4 team in the MVC?

I'd still put them in the top 5. There are a lot of unproven parts outside of the top 4. Losing 15 points, 7 boards, and 5 assists per game would do some damage for sure. Many Redbird fans, present company included, think Milik has had enough chances. Not worth continuing to drag the program through the mud to lose on Sunday in STL.

[BCPanther]

How far does Illinois State tumble down the standings if Yarbrough can't go? Are they still even a top 4 team in the MVC?

Acting like he's going to be dismissed is a fool's errand. This is going to be 'handled internally' and he's not going to miss any more than an exhibition game, if that.

That said, if by some sudden moment of moral clarity, he is released, I'd move them to 5th from 2nd.

Loyola
Southern Illinois
Bradley (still not 100% sold)
UNI
Illinois State
Valpo
Indiana State
Missouri State
Evansville
Drake

[Rambler63]

I think Valpo is going to compete seriously this year. They've got a lot of talent, and they've recruited some very good players who are going to grow through the season. Last year, they had a setback (eligibility of a key player) just before conference play, and it appeared to carry over.

I also thought they took the transition from the Horizon (where they had nothing but success from the moment they joined from the old Mid-Con) to the MVC. It's a big jump in quality, and the style is very different from the HL. They were unprepared for it last year, this year they'll (probably) be ready.

Without Yarbrough, there's a decent chance Valpo could pass up the Redbirds for 4th. I'm more worried about what it does to the strength of the league, becuase losing Yarbrough likely makes the ISU games a Q2 instead of a Q1, unless someone else steps up. They have one of the best non-con schedules in the league, and they had a chance to get an at large if they didn't win in St. Louis.

[BCPanther]

UNI was informed this week that transfer Trae Berhow will be eligible immediately got this year.

He was a 10 point, 6 board guy as a true freshman at Pepperdine last year and was on the all freshman team in the WCC.

That gives UNI another long, skilled wing that's a plus defender

UNI will start 6-4, 6-5, 6-7, 6-10, 6-9 with 6-5, 6-3, 6-10 and 7-1 coming off the bench.

[BEARZ77]

UNI was informed this week that transfer Trae Berhow will be eligible immediately got this year.

He was a 10 point, 6 board guy as a true freshman at Pepperdine last year and was on the all freshman team in the WCC.

That gives UNI another long, skilled wing that's a plus defender

UNI will start 6-4, 6-5, 6-7, 6-10, 6-9 with 6-5, 6-3, 6-10 and 7-1 coming off the bench.

So you're saying Halderman 6'1, Croft 6'1, and Lohaus 6'2, aren't in the top 10 rotation.