MVC team standing prediction

[achrist70]

To me actually predicting the finish is harder then ever, just because I don't think we know what we are going to get out of any team, other then maybe UNI, and that doesn't mean that they are the best or are going to win the league but we know that they will be well coached play defense and if they make shot they will be tough to beat. Other than that it is a toss up. Missouri is the team that combines talent with experience but they are always inconsistent and I think we all have the same opinion about Lusk. Illinois State appears to have talent but are young and are either very good or bad there doesn't seem to be an in between. Loyola would probably be the team that I would consider the 2nd most consistent. After that Valpo appears to be showing their true colors after a cupcake start. Bradley as mentioned may have the 2nd best coach in the league and are starting to gather pieces, but I think people are hesitant since they haven't been good since Jim Les was their coach and even then it wasn't great. SIU doesn't appear to have the horses to compete at the top of the conference but will steal a few games. Drake appears to possibly have found their coach but it will be a couple of years. Finally, I see a long year of basketball for ISU blue and Evansville. Both of them like SIU will steal a few games but in the long run I don't see more than 6 wins from either. If I were to guess it would be.

1. UNI
2. Loyola
3. Missouri State
4. Illinois State
5. Bradley
6. Valpo
7. SIU
8. Indiana State
9. Drake
10. Evansville

[BradleyFan71]

But Mediocre play is acceptable?

Where exactly did you hear this from a Bradley fan?

[SalukiHoops]

Bradley will surprise a lot of people this year. Two Freshmen in Childs and Stipanovich give the team a lot of balance, and guys that got a lot of minutes their Freshman and Sophomore years like Van Bree and DLO have been nice surprises this year.

Loyola
UNI
Bradley
Missouri State
Illinois State
Valpo
SIU
Evansville
Drake
Indiana State

I dont see how Bradley can make that large of a leap. I see them improving quite a bit but not to the three spot.

[SalukiHoops]

Personally I don't care where people picked BU, the play will speak for itself. But there is talent. Brown and Bar were on the MVC all freshman team last year, and freshman Childs is even better than Bar averaging 17/13 per 40. We've got 3 of the top 6 3 point shooters in the MVC, including another freshman Stipanovich. Thomas's stats don't jump out at you but he'd be a double double machine with more minutes. It's a well rounded team without a clear stud which some people complain about but I personally think is an advantage because it makes scouting more difficult for opposing defenses.

I feel the same way. These predictions amount to absolutely nothing at the end of the day besides good conversation. The conference games will speak for themselves.

[BirdsEyeView]

Posted on RedbirdFan by ADunk..

RealTime RPI update:
UNI- 23rd RPI, 5th SOS
ILST- 76 RPI, 16th SOS
UE- 106 RPI, 260 SOS
Valpo- 111 RPI, 256 SOS
LUC- 120 RPI, 315 SOS
MoState- 131 RPI, 261 SOS
BU- 158 RPI, 323 SOS **Worst SOS in the MVC**
SIU- 193 RPI, 252 SOS
INST- 219 RPI, 123 SOS
DU- 221 RPI, 209 SOS


Bradley can call this a great rebuild all they want when you are playing the 323rd best SOS in the country.
Loyola not any better at 315.

Really only UNI and ISUr are trying with elite SOS to attain at large contention. Obviously, ISUr has no shot of that regardless playing with 8 scholarship players (sometimes 7) in out of conference.

[bleach]

I don't think any Valley fan base is in position to feel much superiority right now; it's going to be a very competitive year and I won't be surprised if Bradley is in the thick of it. I think they're better coached than any team outside of UNI, and they've got size and depth to compete for the long haul. Winning close games consistently ultimately will determine this years race; I don't see anyone having a series of blowout wins like WSU had the last few years. There might be a few, but most nights it's gonna be dogfight games played out in the 50's and 60's and good coaching win those games as much as anything.

Doesn't bode well for the Bears then.

[BradleyFan71]

Bradley will surprise a lot of people this year. Two Freshmen in Childs and Stipanovich give the team a lot of balance, and guys that got a lot of minutes their Freshman and Sophomore years like Van Bree and DLO have been nice surprises this year.

Loyola
UNI
Bradley
Missouri State
Illinois State
Valpo
SIU
Evansville
Drake
Indiana State

I dont see how Bradley can make that large of a leap. I see them improving quite a bit but not to the three spot.

And yet that didn't stop most from moving Missouri State from 6th to 1st....

[BradleyFan71]

Posted on RedbirdFan by ADunk..

RealTime RPI update:
UNI- 23rd RPI, 5th SOS
ILST- 76 RPI, 16th SOS
UE- 106 RPI, 260 SOS
Valpo- 111 RPI, 256 SOS
LUC- 120 RPI, 315 SOS
MoState- 131 RPI, 261 SOS
BU- 158 RPI, 323 SOS **Worst SOS in the MVC**
SIU- 193 RPI, 252 SOS
INST- 219 RPI, 123 SOS
DU- 221 RPI, 209 SOS


Bradley can call this a great rebuild all they want when you are playing the 323rd best SOS in the country.
Loyola not any better at 315.

Really only UNI and ISUr are trying with elite SOS to attain at large contention. Obviously, ISUr has no shot of that regardless playing with 8 scholarship players (sometimes 7) in out of conference.

Please tell me why Bradley should be scheduling for at-large contention in year three of a complete overhaul. As bad as the schedule has been to this point, Bradley is somehow ahead of three other Valley teams in that list you referenced. How bad are those teams???

[BradleyFan71]

It sure looks like that tough schedule prepared the Redbirds for #313 UIC. What an ugly game!

[freddycat68]

Anyone picking UE, Drake, ISUb, or SIU above BU is delusional .

Apparently those who vote in the Mid Major Poll are "delusional"

I'm used to watching BU games, where that kind of nonsense would be completely unacceptable.

But Mediocre play is acceptable? I think most Bradley fans would trade your average team for any of Loyola, MSU or ISUr squads. You might have a few head aches, and attitudes that need adjusted, but at least have the talent that can win games. But congrats to you on your high moral values!

Your first sentence is correct. The rest of your rant is a nonresponsive rejoinder against a strawman. If you want to argue with the wind, knock yourself out.