Who will be the preseason favorite in 2011-12?

[CaseyGarrisonforPrez]

I realize I am going against the grain by putting SIU higher than most and Indiana State somewhat lower than most, but that is why they play the games. I just don't see the Trees in the top half of the league next year. They return most of their team, but I just don't see them having the same chemistry next year. I give them props for riding the wave of momentum this year though.

[Heinro]

Earlier in the thread I saw "Odum and Kelly return" is Kelly only a junior?

I do think the Valley will be much better nex year then it has been this year.

[St. Sebastian]

1. Creighton: Pains me to say it but McD can coach
2. Missouri State: If Weems comes back, put them #4 if he stays in the Draft
3. Wichita State: If Marshall stays, put them #1 or #2 if they hire random coach
4. SIU: Just a hunch, but I think C-Lo gets a 4th place finish and shows everyone why he is worth every penny.
5. Bradley: Depends on them hiring a quality coach, but I like their talent when healthy.
6. Illinois State: I don't know, seems about right for a Jankovich team
7. Drake: I really like their coach and I hope to see the exceed this.
8. UNI: Magic from somewhat flukey run wearing off quickly for Jacobson.
9. Indiana State: I just don't feel these guys. They pull a rabbit out of their hat when everyone thinks they stink. They'll play closer to their real talent in 11-12. And hopefully no BCS school needs an assistant coach either.
10. Evansville: Man, I hate to see these guys here but that is what I prognosticate.

Slowly step back from the meth ...

[Shox21]

It's all about money. A team like CU or WSU could take a buy game from a top BCS school, but in all likelyhood they will make more money playing a cupcake at home. I think that is one of the things schools complained about and why Elgin took the 150RPI rule away.

The non-con RPI tiebreaker I think is a step in the right direction (and a shot directly at my school). With this, hopefully teams will schedule a little better.

I understand the money part, I really do, and I didn't say EVERY school should do this. But the ones that complain the longest and loudest should be willing to either put up or shut up. Hoping that a team will schedule better is not going to get it done. If Elgin doesn't mandate the 150 RPI rule again, we are going to be facing this problem for years. I wish WSU would just take the bull by the horns and cut a couple of these gimme games and go on the road. If, over the course of three or four years, we can prove it can be done, maybe some of the other Valley schools will man up. I don't have any real hope that WSU will do this, but it's nice to think about.

[BirdmanBB]

It might take a couple more years of being a 1 bid league before fans and the press start turning up the pressure to reinstate it.

Eventually the fans will stop showing up and then there will be every reason to take that buy game. I am hoping that after seeing the sttendance drop at ISU, they might consider taking on nore challenging road games.

[Drake2010]

1) Indiana State
2) Creighton
3) Drake
4) Wichita State
5) Northern Iowa
6) Evansville
7) Missouri State
8) Illinois State
9) Bradley
10) Southern Illinois

[TylerDurden]

1) Indiana State
2) Creighton
3) Drake
4) Wichita State
5) Northern Iowa
6) Evansville
7) Missouri State
8) Illinois State
9) Bradley
10) Southern Illinois

Thats a big jump for a team that got routed twice by the last place team this year.

[Drake2010]

Well obviously I'm a fan so there's some bias at work (as always with subjective matters involving personal interests and preferences) but I see a much better season in general next year for the Bulldogs. As someone already stated, four starters are returning and we should be healthier. Coaching remains problematic, but I can see Rice as a first teamer and I believe Van Deest and Simons could have extremely solid years, as well. There's certainly talent enough on the roster to end up third - but admittedly, certain things have to align (stronger coaching, the emergence of a true starting PG, off season maturation) for this prediction to come true. I don't see how it could be seen as an absurd notion that a young, talented squad that's growing together could jump four places in a years time in an entirely different conference environment. I certainly don't see the Bulldogs finishing any worse than seventh given the state of other squads in the Valley next year.

[dgreenwell3]

Ok gonna toot the trees horn in a way here...does anyone think this ISU Blue team is very comparable skill set wise to that UNI team? Both of those teams were very defensively oriented and really didnt get tons of respect when it came to the "eye test"

[BirdmanBB]

Ok gonna toot the trees horn in a way here...does anyone think this ISU Blue team is very comparable skill set wise to that UNI team? Both of those teams were very defensively oriented and really didnt get tons of respect when it came to the "eye test"

no. UNI had a way better defense which kept them close with anyone they played. They had enough offense and enough clutch scoring to put them over the top. Neither of which I think this ISUb team has to the same degree.

Here's the deal though. If I am a lower seed in the first round, I am upset if I draw ISUb. Traditionally MVC teams will get a lower seeding that pin them up against another mid major in the first round. Usually the lower seeded power teams will see a lot of tournament winners from lower conferences (who for the most part don't belong at all).