Does the MVC get better next year?

[sect.3purple]

I believe that UE will be much better this next year. Why? We have several good, young players returning. the recruits look (at least on paper) to be what we need at the post, and Aces fans are beginning to see a light at the end of this dismal tunnel we've been slogging through. I don't agree with everything Marty is doing, but for the most part, the work ethic and drive to give 100% is at the core of his program....he expects the kind of play that he exhibited as a player here. Actually, that is what most Aces fans want out of their team. We don't always get it, but it's sure pointed out when we don't. New arena, some talented recruits, and experienced young talent that have come up through the ranks....I am looking forward to a good year. We host Indiana, Butler, TCU, and also play at North Carolina, so the schedule is tough and brings excitement to t he program.

[Snaggletooth]

ISU's '11-'12 non-con schedule for next year looks about full. The one game that is looking better than originally thought is our game against Rutgers in Cancun. Not sure what they lose next year, but they have pulled off a couple good wins this year and a few close ones. After seeing the CAA play pretty well this year, I am liking our home game against UNC-W. Morehead state will graduate Kenneth Faried this year. I think we are doing some favors with the Fresno St. game since we don't get a return, but I guess they told us we are guaranteed a home game for the MWC challenge in 12-13. We lost to Western Mich, but they seemed about our equal and only lose 1 senior next season (currently lead their division in the MAC).


vs. SIU-E (Cancun Challenge @ home)
vs. Lipscomb (Cancun Challenge @ home)
vs. Rutgers (Cancun Challenge @ Cancun)
vs. UIUC/Richmond (Cancun Challenge @ Cancun)
vs. UNC-W (finishing home/home)
vs. UALR (finishing home/home)
vs. Bracketbuster (we host in 11-12)
@ Morehead St. (return BB from 09-10)
@ Fresno St. (replacing MVC/MWC challenge)
vs. Western Michigan (sounds like BB this year will be returned next year)
+ 2 more unknown games

The schedule will be slightly better, but hopefully we are able to do something with the last couple games to give it more of a boost.

Hypothetically speaking - ISU wins all or but 1 of these games and finishes 3rd in the MVC - would this schedule get them at-large?

I would think they would be in the discussion. If we assume the one loss is to either Rutgers or Richmond/UIUC, 3rd place in the valley would most likely get a decent bracketbuster win.

I think it all depends what you do with your last 2 games. Cupcakes - then the answer is no, find a strong tournament or get a couple BCS teams (or Top 100 RPI) - then maybe.

Teams aren't leaving themselves outs by scheduling more quality games in the non-con. We are putting all of our eggs in one basket (1-2 games) in the non-con and hopeing to plow through the MVC to secure an at-large.

It is actually worse than that - only WSU really had a decent non-conference schedule and that is relatively speaking. They had to many 200+ RPI teams on it.

A lot of people talk about the need to schedule hard in the non-con to prepare your team for the MVC grind. When the MVC isn't that strong this year and you think you are playing tough teams and getting cred and all the sudden run into the CAA wall.

The MVC conference played the worst non-conference schedule of any conference. That should be a warning bell for some who are looking to next year - things are not going to get better anytime quick.

[Snaggletooth]

It isn't just scheduling though. This year, if teams had put together tougher non-con schedules it would have just meant more losses. The problem is far deeper.....

Yes I agree. I doubt things will get any better especially with some of the turmoil going on in some programs. But at the same time, If they conference is going to suck at least go down fighting.

[TNMSUFAN]

Bears have some unknowns that is for sure but one thing we do have is a decent schedule next year

Vegas tourney with Alabama, W. Virginia and N. Carolina...will play 2 of the 3
OK State
New Mexico
@ Nevada
Tulsa
Valpo - not sure if this return game is next year or the year after
still working on SLU or another BCS team
Ark St
UALR

[SycamorePsycho]

If we can agree that the MVC is at or near rock bottom right now, we have to hope things improve next year. Team by team, which teams should be better or worse next year if you look at things objectively based on who is lost and who returns or will be added.

Better - Bradley, Creighton, Illinois St, Evansville, So. Illinois, Drake
Worse - UNI, Missouri St, Indiana State
Uncertain - Wichita St

If 6 or 7 of the teams are better next year, maybe we're moving in the right direction as the young guys who are already leaders of their teams like Rice, McDermott, and Odum get even better.

Are you high? Indiana State get worse? Please tell me that is a typo my friend...

[squirrel]

Too hard to tell. A lot will depend on coaches, too.

If Marshall and/or Martin and Jacobsen move up. . .
Les or Lowery shown the door. . .
Lansing will prob. look and get looks. . .

Depending on how that goes, could have a direct impact on how this question gets answered, too.

[MoValley John]

[quote="squirrel"]Too hard to tell. A lot will depend on coaches, too.

If Marshall and/or Martin and Jacobsen move up. . .
Les or Lowery shown the door. . .
Lansing will prob. look and get looks. . .

Depending on how that goes, could have a direct impact on how this question gets answered, too.[/quote]


Marshall isn't going anywhere as of now. He was and still is getting interest, but his name is cooling off. Losing the BB game and his record against top 100 this year doesn't get your ticket punched to a destination BCS job. He makes an eyelash shy of a million at WSU, that is more than the lower half BCS jobs pay. The only way out of Wichita this year is if he sweeps the next two, wins in StL and wins a game or two in the dance. Not impossible, but a tall order.. gets into the

Martin could be gone this year; he is plugged in to the inner circle of bigtime coaches and is a hot commodity. He makes less than a half a million and there are plenty of schools that could easily double his salary without blinking. as of now, he is the number one target from the Valley.

Jim Les is gone. This is two years too late. And although Bradley may suffer next year, this is one of the more proud members of the Valley and they won't stay down. This shakeup could actually benefit the Valley as soon as next year.

Jacobson is here. UNI proved that they were only one player removed from being very average. He now needs another run to get his name hot again. Plus, he plays the slow, plodding game, which unfortunately is where the Valley is headed, but not what fans of other conferences want to see. (In my opinion, the Valley morphing into a lockdown, defense first league has had much to do with the overall drop this year)

Lowery, 50/50. He may still cost too much for the Salukis to replace.

Lansing will get talked to, but will get no quality offers. his overall resume is still a bit small.

In my gut opinion, the only change this coming year will be Les, Lowery will stay one more year. Very light turnover and the turnover will only benefit the Valley. If MSU is successful next year, Martin is gone then.