Way too early 2020-21 preseason poll

[Tom Servo]

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

Honestly I have no clue who is even staying or going but this is my out of left field guess. I think UNI is the favorite and the Aces are the worst - the rest is anyone's guess.

[BirdsEyeView]

With great bias, I do think Illinois State gets off of Thursday. It's been a long time since the Redbirds have finished 7th or below in 3 consecutive years. Honestly, its been a while time since the Redbirds have gone more than three years without making it to Sunday at Arch Madness. Went to the title game in 08, 09, 12, 15, 17, and 18.

Anyway, how the Redbirds fill these final two scholarships are important. They, along with 25 other teams were listed as showing interest in Purdue's 7'2 Matt Haarms. Incredibly unlikely get but if they do land him, that'd be an amazing get as it would enable Fisher to move to the 4 and provide actual size in the post. They've also been connected with Iowa forward Cordell Pemsl 6'8 245(Drake has too, I'd expect him to be at Drake if he ends up in The Valley). Either player would satisfy the Birds' need for a big guy. I really like the guards on the team. Horne is going to be an elite player in The Valley. I think overall, this year's freshmen class is going to bring the MVC back into the national spotlight.*

*If they stay.

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

Love the koolaid. Can I have some?

[TheDrake]

I have absolutely no idea where Drake ends up next year. It will depend a lot on who they can bring in this spring. With Robbins' departure, they have virtually no interior presence so Devries will have to find some size. The good news is that assuming no one else transfers, they'll bring back an all-conference point guard in Roman Penn and our best player from the 2018-19 title team in Tremell Murphy.

[musiccitybulldog]

1 UNI
2 Loyola
3 Bradley
4 Drake
5 Southern Illinois
6 Mo State
7 Indiana State
8 Illinois State
9 Valpo
10 Evansville

[Blers]

I really don't know a ton yet about half the league but here's what i got so far. Also worth considering summer practice sessions may be limited given the state of things... I think experience matters more than ever this year.

1. Loyola- Senior starting 5 unless Uguak loses his spot to a newcomer, as of now we've lost no one but Skokna, Kaifes returns, add Norris and Hebb, Kennedy another year older. Krut should make another run at POY, especially with more outside shooters.
2. UNI- Green, Berhow, and Phyfe are a great trio... Really liked what I saw of Noah Carter and Kimmons. Green isn't going anywhere.
3. Bradley- If the UMass guard is eligible they could make a run. Curious if they can put together a full season; obviously they can get hot at the right time! Childs is a POY candiate
4. Valpo- If Freeman stays (which i think he will, I'd be surprised if he got much draft traction at this point) they can compete. Clay's a stud. Kiser's and Fazekas were real leaders, will need someone to step into that role. Good freshman coming in.
5. Indiana State- Key, Neese + the freshman they have returning make a rock solid group.
6. Drake- Losing Robbins absolutely sucks. But I have to think that Roman Penn's a top 3 point guard in the league next year which gave them an edge over the next 4.
7. Southern Illinois- Gonna have a lot of additions during a weird time for recruiting. Trust the coach, but it's a tough situation; Domask and Jones are a great duo to build on though.
8. Missouri State- As has been the case the last two years, could be a boom or bust type year. I think Ford would be a great P5 assistant, he can get top level talent. But I'm not sure he can balance personality/team make up yet.
9. Illinois State- I love Horne and Reeves moving forward... I don't have a ton of faith in the rest of the team yet, but again, i really don't know it at this point.
10. Evansville- Gonna take a ground up rebuild, do folks expect Lickliter to stick around or is he just someone to ground the program for the next guy?

[tribecalledquest]

I really don't know a ton yet about half the league but here's what i got so far. Also worth considering summer practice sessions may be limited given the state of things... I think experience matters more than ever this year.

1. Loyola- Senior starting 5 unless Uguak loses his spot to a newcomer, as of now we've lost no one but Skokna, Kaifes returns, add Norris and Hebb, Kennedy another year older. Krut should make another run at POY, especially with more outside shooters.
2. UNI- Green, Berhow, and Phyfe are a great trio... Really liked what I saw of Noah Carter and Kimmons. Green isn't going anywhere.
3. Bradley- If the UMass guard is eligible they could make a run. Curious if they can put together a full season; obviously they can get hot at the right time! Childs is a POY candiate
4. Valpo- If Freeman stays (which i think he will, I'd be surprised if he got much draft traction at this point) they can compete. Clay's a stud. Kiser's and Fazekas were real leaders, will need someone to step into that role. Good freshman coming in.
5. Indiana State- Key, Neese + the freshman they have returning make a rock solid group.
6. Drake- Losing Robbins absolutely sucks. But I have to think that Roman Penn's a top 3 point guard in the league next year which gave them an edge over the next 4.
7. Southern Illinois- Gonna have a lot of additions during a weird time for recruiting. Trust the coach, but it's a tough situation; Domask and Jones are a great duo to build on though.
8. Missouri State- As has been the case the last two years, could be a boom or bust type year. I think Ford would be a great P5 assistant, he can get top level talent. But I'm not sure he can balance personality/team make up yet.
9. Illinois State- I love Horne and Reeves moving forward... I don't have a ton of faith in the rest of the team yet, but again, i really don't know it at this point.
10. Evansville- Gonna take a ground up rebuild, do folks expect Lickliter to stick around or is he just someone to ground the program for the next guy?

I agree with this one but Indiana State ahead of Valpo.

[usmcsaluki]

1. UNI
2. Loyola
3. BU
4. IndyState
5. SIU
6. Valpo
7. MSU
8. The Drake
9. Redbirds
10. Evansville

With Kaifes back that puts Loyola in the same stratosphere with UNI as the clear top-two teams in the Valley at this point. Bradley could still be great if their backcourt can make up for Brown's departure, and I finally might start drinking some blue Kool-Aid with Key being a senior and the Trees finally having a really impressive front court; maybe Key can start to take over the offense without Barnes there, or maybe he'll have a down year since he'll always be double-teamed?

My Salukis, Valpo, and the Bears all could be dark horses with some really good returning pieces, but it really depends on who they end up filling in the roster since there are many holes to fill. The Robbins departure I feel will really hurt Drake, and the Redibrds and Purples Aces just have too much uncertainty to overcome at this point in the offseason for me to rank them any higher.

[isumvc1]

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

[Birdfan2018]

I really don't know a ton yet about half the league but here's what i got so far. Also worth considering summer practice sessions may be limited given the state of things... I think experience matters more than ever this year.

1. Loyola- Senior starting 5 unless Uguak loses his spot to a newcomer, as of now we've lost no one but Skokna, Kaifes returns, add Norris and Hebb, Kennedy another year older. Krut should make another run at POY, especially with more outside shooters.
2. UNI- Green, Berhow, and Phyfe are a great trio... Really liked what I saw of Noah Carter and Kimmons. Green isn't going anywhere.
3. Bradley- If the UMass guard is eligible they could make a run. Curious if they can put together a full season; obviously they can get hot at the right time! Childs is a POY candiate
4. Valpo- If Freeman stays (which i think he will, I'd be surprised if he got much draft traction at this point) they can compete. Clay's a stud. Kiser's and Fazekas were real leaders, will need someone to step into that role. Good freshman coming in.
5. Indiana State- Key, Neese + the freshman they have returning make a rock solid group.
6. Drake- Losing Robbins absolutely sucks. But I have to think that Roman Penn's a top 3 point guard in the league next year which gave them an edge over the next 4.
7. Southern Illinois- Gonna have a lot of additions during a weird time for recruiting. Trust the coach, but it's a tough situation; Domask and Jones are a great duo to build on though.
8. Missouri State- As has been the case the last two years, could be a boom or bust type year. I think Ford would be a great P5 assistant, he can get top level talent. But I'm not sure he can balance personality/team make up yet.
9. Illinois State- I love Horne and Reeves moving forward... I don't have a ton of faith in the rest of the team yet, but again, i really don't know it at this point.
10. Evansville- Gonna take a ground up rebuild, do folks expect Lickliter to stick around or is he just someone to ground the program for the next guy?

Keith Fisher? One of the top player’s in the conference the last few weeks. Really started to put it together in February. Illinois State needs to add a 5 so Keith can play the 4.

[Blers]

Keith Fisher? One of the top player’s in the conference the last few weeks. Really started to put it together in February. Illinois State needs to add a 5 so Keith can play the 4.

I thought about mentioning him, but I honestly didn't do research and only went on what I've watched though. Looking now he definitely had two of his rougher games against Loyola... he only played 39 minutes with 11 points and 10 fouls total. Looks like he really did finish the season strong though! Was that with a position switch?