Official 2011-12 MVCfans.com Prediction - 6th Place

[2livewu]

This year we have more talent 1-10 but the rest is TBD.

Would it be fair to say that this team has less talent 2-6 than last year's?


If so, I think that's what most people are basing their predictions on. Depth is good, and very important, but more for consistency than top end results.

[valleychamp]

To me MSU and Northern Iowa are the 2 teams that will be the most unpredictable.

Definitely.

[BEARZ77]

This year we have more talent 1-10 but the rest is TBD.

Would it be fair to say that this team has less talent 2-6 than last year's?


If so, I think that's what most people are basing their predictions on. Depth is good, and very important, but more for consistency than top end results.

Actually I don't think so. People forget Mallett and Ricks were just 2 year guys and Leonard was a transfer from Eastern Kentucky and Creekmore from Boston University. No disrespect to them at all as they proved their worthiness at this level, but the guys taking their place are all bigger, more experienced and were more highly ranked in the recruiting process than they were coming in. As TN indicated, talent isn't the issue; chemistry, grittiness, coaching are the things that are uncertain in comparison to last year's team.

Again, I don't find fault with anyone picking us 6th or 7th; makes sense under most of the criteria people usually look at. We just think that the players returning added to the players recruited, when centered around the leagues best player will exceed those expectations.

[DUBulldog]

This year we have more talent 1-10 but the rest is TBD.

Would it be fair to say that this team has less talent 2-6 than last year's?


If so, I think that's what most people are basing their predictions on. Depth is good, and very important, but more for consistency than top end results.

Actually I don't think so. People forget Mallett and Ricks were just 2 year guys and Leonard was a transfer from Eastern Kentucky and Creekmore from Boston University. No disrespect to them at all as they proved their worthiness at this level, but the guys taking their place are all bigger, more experienced and were more highly ranked in the recruiting process than they were coming in. As TN indicated, talent isn't the issue; chemistry, grittiness, coaching are the things that are uncertain in comparison to last year's team.

Again, I don't find fault with anyone picking us 6th or 7th; makes sense under most of the criteria people usually look at. We just think that the players returning added to the players recruited, when centered around the leagues best player will exceed those expectations.

Doesn't mean a thing until those guys prove something on the court. With the exception of Josh Young, every player on the current Drake team was more highly recruited than every player on Drake's 2007-08 team that went 28-5. We see how that's worked out for the Bulldogs.

[TNMSUFAN]

This year we have more talent 1-10 but the rest is TBD.

Would it be fair to say that this team has less talent 2-6 than last year's?.

Honestly I don't think so based on watching some pick up and summer league but again talent isn't the end all and they have to prove it on the court. Downing, Gulley and Thomas are very good juco players but you never know what you get with jucos until the lights come on. Mallett adjusted quickly and helped from day 1 while Ricks took a little while. These three can play and we need them to be ready from day 1...we will find out in a few months.

[MVCfans]

This is the closest vote to date. I'll end the voting around 5pm on Labor Day.

[MoValley John]

This has been very, very close, and it has been interesting as well. Maybe I'm more in tune with the thoughts of the posters on this site than I like to admit, but with the exception of 10th place, I have hit every single one. That is, unless Missouri State fans do a good job of 11th hour ballot box stuffing. I guess I shouldn't count them out yet, though, haven't the politicians in the state of Missouri been successful in obtaining injunctions to keep polling places open past the deadline?

Anyway, if MVCFans is diligent to running his site and keeping his obligation to closing the polls at 5:00 PM, Missouri State should finish the fan poll at sixth. I'm like Dan Rather, I'm calling it eary!!!

I will go on the record and state that when the fifth place poll comes out later today or tomorrow, I will probably have my string of right picks broken. Barring a late hour drive by Missouri State, I will overlook what appears to be the fan's choice of Evansville in fifth. If things don't change in the next hour and a half, I am on the record as picking UNI for fifth.

[MVCfans]

The official MVCfans.com prediction for 6th place during the 2011-12 mens Missouri Valley Conference basketball season - Missouri State Bears.

Thanks to everyone who voted.