The debate for third place is open.

[Khan4Cats]

Any fan of UNI, Evansville, Indiana State or MSU (to say nothing of the projected bottom 4) that thinks they have any more than a fleeting chance at the Jays doesn't understand basketball or just has a really bad case of tunnel vision.

I have no problem with the belief that, based on players coming back, Wichita State and Creighton are the pre-season front-runners. BUt a little history lesson is needed. Two years ago UNI won the conference going away by three games and with only 3 losses: at the second-place Wichita State, at the tied for 5th place Bradley, and at LAST place Evansville (who only won two other conference games).

For anyone to say that nobody has anything more than a fleeting chance at Creighton this year other than Wichita State simply just doesn't understand basketball or the Valley.

[2livewu]

Any fan of UNI, Evansville, Indiana State or MSU (to say nothing of the projected bottom 4) that thinks they have any more than a fleeting chance at the Jays doesn't understand basketball or just has a really bad case of tunnel vision.

I have no problem with the belief that, based on players coming back, Wichita State and Creighton are the pre-season front-runners. BUt a little history lesson is needed. Two years ago UNI won the conference going away by three games and with only 3 losses: at the second-place Wichita State, at the tied for 5th place Bradley, and at LAST place Evansville (who only won two other conference games).

For anyone to say that nobody has anything more than a fleeting chance at Creighton this year other than Wichita State simply just doesn't understand basketball or the Valley.

You'd kill to know half of what I know. You actually helped me to make my point which was that the teams I mentioned have little to NO chance in the LEAGUE at CU. Could someone sneak up and get them 1 time? Of course. But those teams have next to ZERO chance of hanging with CU for 18 games.

Evansville caught UNI napping 1 time. They finished 15 games behind UNI. Evansville had no chance of catching UNI. Evansville has approximately the same chance of catching CU this season which is just a hair more of a chance than UNI has of catching CU.

Combined, UNI, ISUB, MSU and UE have 2 players, and MAYBE as many as 4 total that MIGHT start for CU. That kind of discrepancy is not going to make for a competitive season.

[DoubleJayAlum]

Combined, UNI, ISUB, MSU and UE have 2 players, and MAYBE as many as 4 total that MIGHT start for CU. That kind of discrepancy is not going to make for a competitive season.

Off of those teams, I'd say Weems (especially if he can play the three), Odum, Colt Ryan and Anthony James could compete for starting positions at Creighton. While I don't think anyone can touch our bigs, I think we have quite a few question marks at the guard/wing position.

I think we'll be good, but right now I don't see us being so skilled that the season won't be competitive. Then again, I'm not even picking us to win the conference title either.

[valleychamp]

2011-12, Creighton BlueGODJays??!?!?!

[DoubleJayAlum]

2011-12, Creighton BlueGODJays??!?!?!

Obviously, you didn't read the post immediately preceding yours.

[valleychamp]

2011-12, Creighton BlueGODJays??!?!?!

Obviously, you didn't read the post immediately preceding yours.

You're just a sandbagger.

[Aargh]

What has this message board become? WSU fans picking CU and making arguments why CU will win the Valley. CU fans picking WSU to win the Valley and giving reasons for that.

What kind of alternate universe have I wandered in to?

I think CU is strong at the guard positions with Young and Manigatt. Wragge at the wing and CU looks absolutely stacked.

[Khan4Cats]

Any fan of UNI, Evansville, Indiana State or MSU (to say nothing of the projected bottom 4) that thinks they have any more than a fleeting chance at the Jays doesn't understand basketball or just has a really bad case of tunnel vision.

I have no problem with the belief that, based on players coming back, Wichita State and Creighton are the pre-season front-runners. BUt a little history lesson is needed. Two years ago UNI won the conference going away by three games and with only 3 losses: at the second-place Wichita State, at the tied for 5th place Bradley, and at LAST place Evansville (who only won two other conference games).

For anyone to say that nobody has anything more than a fleeting chance at Creighton this year other than Wichita State simply just doesn't understand basketball or the Valley.

You'd kill to know half of what I know. You actually helped me to make my point which was that the teams I mentioned have little to NO chance in the LEAGUE at CU. Could someone sneak up and get them 1 time? Of course. But those teams have next to ZERO chance of hanging with CU for 18 games.

Evansville caught UNI napping 1 time. They finished 15 games behind UNI. Evansville had no chance of catching UNI. Evansville has approximately the same chance of catching CU this season which is just a hair more of a chance than UNI has of catching CU.

Combined, UNI, ISUB, MSU and UE have 2 players, and MAYBE as many as 4 total that MIGHT start for CU. That kind of discrepancy is not going to make for a competitive season.

First off, I wouldn't kill for anything you know or think you know because I don't need to. Maybe it's just a Wichita thing.

Second, no one knows what will take place over the course of a whole season but you were implying that only one team would have more than a fleeting chance at Creighton period. History has proven more often that the preseason favorite is not always the regular season champion, and there are plenty of recent examples to the contrary. I think UNI in 2010 may be the only one to hold up in the last 5 or 6 seasons.

This is probably the reason we're seeing CU and WSU fans picking the other for first. They don't want that target that seems to be too heavy for everyone.

[glm38]

How is that? How doesn't it translate? I don't remember if the fans on this site picked MSU 2nd or 3rd last year. There wasn't much argument. Fans picked a big jump based on who Missouri State had coming back and are now using similar criteria to what appears fans picking Creighton 1st or 2nd this year. There was little argument last year when fans picked a big jump in MSU, and the fans turned out to be correct. This year, however, when fans do similar prognosticating for Creighton, there is some flaw in our rationale???

You are misunderstanding me. I agree that with the players that CU has coming back they should be very good. I'd pick them #1 right now pre season without hesitation. I just don't see them as unbeatable/untouchable. Just like it wasn't a given that MSU could win the Valley last year (regular season) after a fair/mediocre conference season the year before - I'm just saying the same is true for CU this year.

[DoubleJayAlum]

This is probably the reason we're seeing CU and WSU fans picking the other for first. They don't want that target that seems to be too heavy for everyone.

Or, they see their team more than everyone else and therefore are better positioned to see the warts.