Too early order of finish

[ReZyNeZy]

I agree with the consensus here. The teams who kept their guys are going to see it pay dividends. It is tough to be a judge of talent from transfer pick-ups at schools that are considered "beneath us". As for Valpo, while I do believe Powell is a really good recruiter given his resume at Zaga, this roster is a lot of fresh blood like the rest of the valley. Frankly, I was happy that Valpo got enough recruits and transfers to fill all the scholarships and then some. Proves Powell can sell the school in its current condition. The emphasis of this season is to get butts in seats anyway. This is his "Prove it" year. He got the time to build his roster the way he wanted to this year. I'll shoot for the moon and give them a 5-7.

[siudawgs]

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.

[MissouriValleyUnite]

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.

I was actually thinking another surprise for 12th: Drake. But they’d be a 220-ish 5-15 12th as opposed to a 300-ish 3-17 12th.

[ReZyNeZy]

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.

Reports say Stafford could be 100% come conference play. Some food for thought, he played through that injury for the latter half of the season and was still able to put up great numbers. Safe to say Stafford has never been seen at true 100% and he was still able to perform at a high level. As for the last place talk, I see Valpo being a pleasant surprise this season. I am personally predicting a middle of the pack finish.

[mvfcfan]

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.

[tribecalledquest]

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.

Speak for yourself.

[IllinoisState]

I would just like to have a winning record at the end of Arch Madness.

[siudawgs]

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]

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?

[E-Villan]

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?

Because a SIU fan wrote it.