RTC MVC preview

[wildjays]

Here is the MVC preview I did for Rush the Court. Check it out and see what you think. Looking at it now, I may have had some teams projected wrong with records and such, but we'll see how it plays out.

http://rushthecourt.net/2012/11/07/2012 ... onference/

[Khan4Cats]

Here is the MVC preview I did for Rush the Court. Check it out and see what you think. Looking at it now, I may have had some teams projected wrong with records and such, but we'll see how it plays out.

http://rushthecourt.net/2012/11/07/2012 ... onference/

Decent except that Wes Washpun will not replace Johnny Moran for us this year since he has to sit a year because of transferring. Matt Bohannon will fill Johnny's starting role, he's taller and a better shooter but the hustle, defense and leadership will be the question marks.

[Hail Our Panthers]

Good stuff. Maybe the best and most in-depth preview I've seen this year. One point of disagreement...24-7 is a stretch for UNI, IMO

[SHOXMVC]

A reasonable preview based on predictable journalistic resources like players returning, players lost, etc...

I have no issues with wildjays assessment on his BJ's. The only key loss was Young, although a big loss when considering he was the point guard and ring leader. I happen to like Chatman as his replacement. The question will be did he get enough reps in games a year ago to feel comfortable in getting the ball where Dougie & Wookie like it.

There baaack!!! Northern Iowa in reality has all 5 starters back. Yes, Johnny Moran started and has graduated, but trouble-finder Anthony James is considered a starter in my book. If James, who was the only player to average double digits a year ago, can take three deep breaths and utilize his gifted talents, good things will happen for the Panthers. Seth Tuttle can, and probably will, be a star in this league. He is tough underneath and can get his fair share of offensive rebounds. Jake Koch won't be the player his brother was, but still is a quality factor. The Panthers need him to take better shots...and make them for UNI to be a factor. The thing I really like about his game is his passing. Not many front-court players lead your team in assists. Deon Mitchell has upside to his game...very solid, except for decisions he makes with the ball. He turned it over way to much for a guard. Watch out for Marc Sonnen. He can be a snipper. Depth is a question mark here. Chip Rank is the only sub with any significant minutes from last year.

ISU-R isn't a stretch at #3. They did upset my Shockers on Saturday in STL. Carmichael is a force down low and could emerge as the best big-man in the league. Tyler Brown will be one of the most exciting perimeter players in the league. He had such a great finish to last season, while averaging 25 points in the NIT. With Nic Moore no longer in tow, Anthony Cousin is like having a returning starter at PG. He will be tough. Jon Ekey, a two-year starter, is just nails. Don't leave him open. Also returning as a starter is John Wilkins, who was an absolute thug against the Shockers. Having said that he is a unique talent in the Valley with his ability at his size, 6-9, 230, to roam the perimeter and make shots. As talented as the starters are, do they have the depth to contend? Can new coach Dan Muller put his stamp on this team and lead them to a top 2 or 3 finish?

WSU is the wildcard folks. Five key players graduated from last year's team that won 27 games. We lost our top five scorers (Ragland, Stutz, Murry, Smith and Kyles). When you lose 57 points per game, you better recruit. Oh, yea that's what 3G does very well. If their is such a thing as seamless transition at PG...check! Malcolm Armstead, a transfer from Oregon, is our transition. During his junior year, Malcolm set a single season record for steals with 89. Don't turn your back on him. His backup, Fred Van Vleet, was the 19th best point guard in the country last year according to Rivals.com. R-Fr Ron Baker is our snipper at SG. At 6-3, 218 he is in range when he steps in the building. 4-year player Demetric Williams, recovering from ankle surgery, will also be in the mix. Our one-two punch at SF is Evan Wessel (So) and Juco transfer Nick Wiggins. Wessel has been our biggest surprise through Shocker Madness and the exhibition game. He has shown range as a shooter and is considered Graham Hatch 2.0 (keep all limbs tight to the body when the ball is on the floor). Wiggins was a 2nd Team AA at Wabash Valley CC. He is a Toure Murry type of player who can shoot the rock. Ya'll remember Carl Hall? At 6-8, 240, the dread lock wonder has added a 15-foot shot to his game. He will man the PF/C positions. Maybe our most exciting player coming in our program in some time is Cleanthony Early. At 6-8, 215 he can play 3-5. He can shoot, dribble, rebound, block shots, run the floor and has many moves around the paint. Did I mention he was a 2-time Juco D-3 POY. Jake White (So) also returns. We don't get too many Parade AA's in our program. He is solid...can shoot and rebound with the best of them. Don't forget our Nigerian Nightmare, Ehimen Orukpe. At 7-0, 250 he jumps like Jordan and runs like a deer. He will be fun and interesting to watch while he is in the game.

Although I am not predicting a regular season conference title for the Shockers, I am saying watch out for the black and gold. We lost so much from last year, however our overall raw talent is better. Chemistry will be the key. Can our raw talent compensate for CU, NIU & Ill-R returning experience? Stay tuned. If anyone can be the cook in this kitchen, it's 3G. Every night dinner will be served. I say most nights it will be prime rib rather than ground beef. Either way...it will be good eating.

Time to play ball boys and girls.

[valleychamp]

Depth is a question mark here. Chip Rank is the only sub with any significant minutes from last year.

depth is not an issue with UNI, they will be plenty deep.

Mitchell
Bohannon
Sonnen
Koch
Tuttle

James
Rank
Buss
Pehl/Olivier
Morrison

All of those players are going to play, and all will have significant roles. And even after that, there is Singleton and Martino that are fighting for minutes, and probably will get some depending on the game.

[Wufan]

I agree that UNI is deep. As with all teams, some players will have approved significantly. Some will not have improved at all. WSU is a good example of a team that returns few minutes but has high expectations of the young and new players. If they are as good as we think, WSU will be good. If we misjudged, they will struggle.

I think UNI has some talent (and size) buried deep on the bench.

[shoxrox]

A reasonable and practically unbiased view on the conference. I like it and I agree with it.

[PantherSigEp]

I have a feeling that many Ace fans have a little different opinion on the matter. I don't see 8th for them. Not with Colt Ryan leading the way. I don't see 1st-3rd either, but I don't see 8th

[iSASO]

If this isn't Evansville's year, when is? The Shockers will finish 8th, not Evansville.

Orukpe is a stiff. Not literally, but basketball-wise.
Jake White will be an average MVC player. Nothing more.
Carl Hall is one-dimensional, two at best. Valley refs will negate him.
The Shockers won't gel quick enough to capitalize on Armstead's one season of eligibility.
Williams is hurt, VanVleet is hurt, Lufile is hurt. Not a factor.
Early, Wiggins and Green are too green and will be schooled by Valley greats like Tuttle and VanTongeren.
Baker and Wessel can't carry the team to a victory over Bradley. Too little, too late.

Sorry, Shocker fans. 8th is a best-case scenario. The rest of the league has too much experience and skill by comparison. The league features the greatest player in the past 40 years of MVC history, Doug McDermott.

Just chalk this up as a rebuilding year and hope the youngsters don't get too discouraged by the beatings they will endure this season.

[SHOXMVC]

If this isn't Evansville's year, when is? The Shockers will finish 8th, not Evansville.

Orukpe is a stiff. Not literally, but basketball-wise.
Jake White will be an average MVC player. Nothing more.
Carl Hall is one-dimensional, two at best. Valley refs will negate him.
The Shockers won't gel quick enough to capitalize on Armstead's one season of eligibility.
Williams is hurt, VanVleet is hurt, Lufile is hurt. Not a factor.
Early, Wiggins and Green are too green and will be schooled by Valley greats like Tuttle and VanTongeren.
Baker and Wessel can't carry the team to a victory over Bradley. Too little, too late.

Sorry, Shocker fans. 8th is a best-case scenario. The rest of the league has too much experience and skill by comparison. The league features the greatest player in the past 40 years of MVC history, Doug McDermott.

Just chalk this up as a rebuilding year and hope the youngsters don't get too discouraged by the beatings they will endure this season.

I'm so relieved you have it figured out. I won't have to fret this year over expectations to finish 7th or above. Thanks for the Dr. Phil thumbnail breakdown. I can rest well tonight.