agrinut wrote:If Loyola isn't a play on team them we are not who we thought we were.
I actually think the "middle" of the Valley is going to be as weak as it has been in many years next year which leaves a mid-pack or better finish for Loyola perfectly in play.
The reason I think the middle is weak is the following:
No Creighton (who was first place last year and probably would have been picked first again). WSU becomes unanimous #1 pick in pre-season and EVERYONE moves up one spot, therefore the 7th place teams (BU, MSU, and DU) all become 6th place teams and one of them moves out of Thursday.
Third place team UNI loses three key starters from an 11-7 team. They will likely still finish 11-7 or better because there is no CU to play.
Fourth place Evansville loses All-Conference stud Colt Ryan. Without Ryan, the Aces are likely to be below 500.
Sixth place ISUr lost their two studs and 7 of the top 10 players. If ISUr can repeat as a 6th place team, that is COY stuff right there.
Of the top 6 schools CU is gone and only Indiana State looks to be better than last year. WSU is likely to actually improve record wise in the Valley, but they aren't really a better team. That means three schools that were mid-pack last year aren't as good next. If Loyola is improved, with some luck, they could finish 7-11 with home wins over SIU, BU, Ill St, MSU, UE, DU and one road win at empty JQH arena or something. That would be good enough for a tie for 7th last year, and w/o CU, a 6th place finish.
Put me down for a 6th place finish for Loyola! The middle of the Valley can be exposed in 2013-14!