siudawgs wrote:Random June thought: in most recent years, there has been a consensus preseason last place squad (Evansville or Valpo most recently). Not really sure that's the case this year: the "race" for 12th seems more open than usual. I guess Evansville and Valpo remain options (especially with Stafford's injury for Valpo), but if none of them, who?
One dark horse for 12th I'll throw out there is Belmont after they were clobbered in the portal. I know they brought in some portal guys as well, but I'd expect them to take a step back ... just don't know if it'll be that big of a step all the way to the basement.
siudawgs wrote:Random June thought: in most recent years, there has been a consensus preseason last place squad (Evansville or Valpo most recently). Not really sure that's the case this year: the "race" for 12th seems more open than usual. I guess Evansville and Valpo remain options (especially with Stafford's injury for Valpo), but if none of them, who?
One dark horse for 12th I'll throw out there is Belmont after they were clobbered in the portal. I know they brought in some portal guys as well, but I'd expect them to take a step back ... just don't know if it'll be that big of a step all the way to the basement.
mvfcfan wrote:The only thing that matters as usual is staying out of Thursday. I'll start following closely in February. The selection process, the portal, and NIL have basically ruined college basketball at the mid major level. No reason to get overly interested in guys that will transfer out after a successful year.
siudawgs wrote:Listened to every one of the MVC coach interviews the Valley posted this week. A few quick thoughts:
- I'm leaning toward UNI as my pick to win the league. Sounds like Hutson is in excellent shape/having a great summer, and I think their mix of returnees/newcomers/coaching is as intriguing as anyone's in a year without a dominant team on paper. In some order, I think UNI, SIU, Bradley and Murray look like they have the inside track at top-4. (I realize most will pick Bradley to win the league, and they might. Murray and SIU will both be ultra athletic, but I think SIU will be better-coached than Murray).
- Outside of those 4, I'd go with Illinois State, Drake, UIC and Valpo as the next group, and I think ISU is probably the best of that bunch. They will shoot it a lot better this year and Kinziger is going to be First Team All-Valley. We'll see what kind of inside play they get ... if that exceeds expectations, they will surprise.
- Like I mentioned before, there is no clear-cut last place team on paper like there often is, but I'd guess it'll come from one of Indiana State, Evansville, Belmont and Missouri State. Graves made it clear this is a laying the foundation-type year and they will give the young guys opportunities, so I'd probably lean that way, but Belmont, Evansville and Mo State all lost a ton, and didn't replace it as well as several of the other Valley teams.
tribecalledquest wrote:siudawgs wrote:Listened to every one of the MVC coach interviews the Valley posted this week. A few quick thoughts:
- I'm leaning toward UNI as my pick to win the league. Sounds like Hutson is in excellent shape/having a great summer, and I think their mix of returnees/newcomers/coaching is as intriguing as anyone's in a year without a dominant team on paper. In some order, I think UNI, SIU, Bradley and Murray look like they have the inside track at top-4. (I realize most will pick Bradley to win the league, and they might. Murray and SIU will both be ultra athletic, but I think SIU will be better-coached than Murray).
- Outside of those 4, I'd go with Illinois State, Drake, UIC and Valpo as the next group, and I think ISU is probably the best of that bunch. They will shoot it a lot better this year and Kinziger is going to be First Team All-Valley. We'll see what kind of inside play they get ... if that exceeds expectations, they will surprise.
- Like I mentioned before, there is no clear-cut last place team on paper like there often is, but I'd guess it'll come from one of Indiana State, Evansville, Belmont and Missouri State. Graves made it clear this is a laying the foundation-type year and they will give the young guys opportunities, so I'd probably lean that way, but Belmont, Evansville and Mo State all lost a ton, and didn't replace it as well as several of the other Valley teams.
I realize every team lost a lot of players but why is SIU considered the best of the group of people who are starting from scratch?
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