Next Year Predictions

[rlh04d]

It looks like Deontae Hawkins who originally committed to WSU has decided to follow Dana Ford to the Redbird program.

Interesting. Hadn't heard that.

I'd assumed his scholarship offer from WSU was already gone after he had to go to prep school. Hadn't heard him talked about in a long time.

[Aargh]

It looks like Deontae Hawkins who originally committed to WSU has decided to follow Dana Ford to the Redbird program.

Interesting. Hadn't heard that.

I'd assumed his scholarship offer from WSU was already gone after he had to go to prep school. Hadn't heard him talked about in a long time.

I can only wish the best of luck to a head coach fairly new to his position working with Hawkins. WSU fans followed him pretty closely for several years. The guy is a flake and a prima donna.

When he was committed to WSU, he still had CU logos all over his Facebook page. If he's headed for IlSU, I think that's probably about the 4th school he's committed to.

When he went to prep school, he renewed his commitment to WSU, then he bagged on that to "reopen" his recruitment. When he reopened his recruitment, supposedly to get an offer from Ohio State or maybe Dayton, there was no longer an offer from WSU.

Pardon me, but truthfully, IlSU is not at the level of the original group recruiting him, which was still below the level where he thought he belonged. If he's now considering IlSU, then a lot of higher profile schools have backed off.

[Ricardo del Rio]

It looks like Deontae Hawkins who originally committed to WSU has decided to follow Dana Ford to the Redbird program.

Interesting. Hadn't heard that.

I'd assumed his scholarship offer from WSU was already gone after he had to go to prep school. Hadn't heard him talked about in a long time.

I can only wish the best of luck to a head coach fairly new to his position working with Hawkins. WSU fans followed him pretty closely for several years. The guy is a flake and a prima donna.

When he was committed to WSU, he still had CU logos all over his Facebook page. If he's headed for IlSU, I think that's probably about the 4th school he's committed to.

When he went to prep school, he renewed his commitment to WSU, then he bagged on that to "reopen" his recruitment. When he reopened his recruitment, supposedly to get an offer from Ohio State or maybe Dayton, there was no longer an offer from WSU.

Pardon me, but truthfully, IlSU is not at the level of the original group recruiting him, which was still below the level where he thought he belonged. If he's now considering IlSU, then a lot of higher profile schools have backed off.

Depth of character.

[Wufan]

I'm thrilled to see Ill St signing high profile players and hope they have tremendous success! I am sure that Hawkins is a talent that will help the redbirds and hopefully Dana Ford is the right guy for the situation. I look forward to seeing him and the rest of the redbirds play.

Below is the most interesting quote from your post:

Everyone talks about how grossly they underacheived, but the year before they were only one game better in conference at 9-9 and lost star point guard Nic Moore and had a new coach.

I stated this exact same thing in the fall in regards to Ill St. I picked CU first, WSU second, UNI third, and Ill St fourth. (I think I had Ind. St 9th btw). I'm pretty sure that when I said the above, a lot of Ill St fans were ticked, but the truth is that two years ago WSU was 16-2 and CU was 14-4. Third place was 9-9. There was an enormous gap between 2nd and 3rd that was not going to be filled. Last year, the gap was much lower, however so many teams have graduated so much talent, that I see a two or possibly three team race next year.

Good luck to Muller and the redbirds, and if Ill St and WSU can get good at the same time, I think we can have a really great rivalry! Plenty of bad blood between the coaches!

[BradleyBrave]

Agree with those who have us slotted anywhere 3-6. Arrow is pointing up, but still work to be done.

My view as of today, a lot can change between now and next March. Obviously a little biased towards my alma mater.

WSU
UNI
BU
MSU
INSU
UE
ISU
SIU
DU

[BEARZ77]

Bears are looking solid in every aspect except an experienced low post presence. We are in great shape 1-3 with returners Marcus Marshall 6'3, Jarmar Gulley 6'5, Dorrian Williams 6'2, Nate Scheer 6'5, and Michael Simpson 6'5, being supplemented by frosh Devon Thomas 6'0, Austin Ruder 6'2, Manuele Watkins 6'3, and juco 6'5 Ronito Mvouika. All 4 of the additions will push for time immediately with perhaps one becoming a rs possibility.Thomas is a blurr and the true pg we haven't had, Ruder is rated one of top 15 prep 3pt shooters, Watkins is a BCS level athlete with a D-1 coach for a father, and Ronito is a very versatile wing with size and scoring ability. At the 4 spot we're solid with a pair of vets in Soph Gavin Thurman 6'6 and Christain Kirk 6'7. What we are waiting on is one more addition at the post of either an eligible veteran transfer or a solid juco to give our pair of 6'10 youngsters Bruce Marshall/ Tyler McCullough time to develop while playing a year behind them.

I'm optimistic for a top half finish and if we get the right last post piece, something better than that.

[KC MVC FAN]

Bears are looking solid in every aspect except an experienced low post presence. We are in great shape 1-3 with returners Marcus Marshall 6'3, Jarmar Gulley 6'5, Dorrian Williams 6'2, Nate Scheer 6'5, and Michael Simpson 6'5, being supplemented by frosh Devon Thomas 6'0, Austin Ruder 6'2, Manuele Watkins 6'3, and juco 6'5 Ronito Mvouika. All 4 of the additions will push for time immediately with perhaps one becoming a rs possibility.Thomas is a blurr and the true pg we haven't had, Ruder is rated one of top 15 prep 3pt shooters, Watkins is a BCS level athlete with a D-1 coach for a father, and Ronito is a very versatile wing with size and scoring ability. At the 4 spot we're solid with a pair of vets in Soph Gavin Thurman 6'6 and Christain Kirk 6'7. What we are waiting on is one more addition at the post of either an eligible veteran transfer or a solid juco to give our pair of 6'10 youngsters Bruce Marshall/ Tyler McCullough time to develop while playing a year behind them.

I'm optimistic for a top half finish and if we get the right last post piece, something better than that.

.

The average heigth oh those 9 listed BEARS is 6' 2.8"---thats Spoon Ball from when he started a 5'5'' guard 15 or so years ago. MSU can't be a competitive D1 BB team with a bunch of midgets. As I have said before, MSU (SMS) has not had a really good big guy since the NAIA championship teams of the very early 50s---I think he was only 6'8" or so, but that was pretty big back then. Had some wicked elbows he could swing to protect the ball----legal then, would be a flagrant foul today.

If a transfer or Juco does not at show at MSU they need to shanghai/kidnap a big guy off the street

SMS 1965 on the BEAR Nation Board

[BradleyBrave]

Bears are looking solid in every aspect except an experienced low post presence. We are in great shape 1-3 with returners Marcus Marshall 6'3, Jarmar Gulley 6'5, Dorrian Williams 6'2, Nate Scheer 6'5, and Michael Simpson 6'5, being supplemented by frosh Devon Thomas 6'0, Austin Ruder 6'2, Manuele Watkins 6'3, and juco 6'5 Ronito Mvouika. All 4 of the additions will push for time immediately with perhaps one becoming a rs possibility.Thomas is a blurr and the true pg we haven't had, Ruder is rated one of top 15 prep 3pt shooters, Watkins is a BCS level athlete with a D-1 coach for a father, and Ronito is a very versatile wing with size and scoring ability. At the 4 spot we're solid with a pair of vets in Soph Gavin Thurman 6'6 and Christain Kirk 6'7. What we are waiting on is one more addition at the post of either an eligible veteran transfer or a solid juco to give our pair of 6'10 youngsters Bruce Marshall/ Tyler McCullough time to develop while playing a year behind them.

I'm optimistic for a top half finish and if we get the right last post piece, something better than that.

.

The average heigth oh those 9 listed BEARS is 6' 2.8"---thats Spoon Ball from when he started a 5'5'' guard 15 or so years ago. MSU can't be a competitive D1 BB team with a bunch of midgets. As I have said before, MSU (SMS) has not had a really good big guy since the NAIA championship teams of the very early 50s---I think he was only 6'8" or so, but that was pretty big back then. Had some wicked elbows he could swing to protect the ball----legal then, would be a flagrant foul today.

If a transfer or Juco does not at show at MSU they need to shanghai/kidnap a big guy off the street

SMS 1965 on the BEAR Nation Board

I guess you forgot Danny Moore and that Sweet 16 team.

[Aargh]

It might be interesting to start picking Loyola in the predictions. That "rumor" is growing some very long legs.

Loyola had a pretty yound team last year. They should be a bit better this year.

[rlh04d]

It might be interesting to start picking Loyola in the predictions. That "rumor" is growing some very long legs.

Loyola had a pretty yound team last year. They should be a bit better this year.

Alright, I'll start:

10. Loyola

Anyone else?

14-16 with a 264 SOS. If they get 10 wins I'd be impressed.

Gotta give it to them, though ... at least they went 5-1 against 300+ RPI teams.