Official 2012-13 MVCfans.com prediction - 4th Place

[Wufan]

My evaluation of Northern Iowa:

Another MVC team that seemingly returns everyone from a 20 win team. Loan senior, and 34 game starter, Johnny Moran has graduated but the front court will be anchored by returning bigs Jake Koch and Seth Tuttle. Koch lead the Panthers in assists and blocks from the PF position and Tuttle is the returning MVC FOY. The back court returns PG Deon Mitchell, CG Anthony James, and SG Marc Sonnen. Combined, the trio started 68 games in 2011-12.

Off the bench, Head Coach Ben Jacobson will be able to substitute in mass. Returning sharp-shooters; Matt Morrison (G) and Chip Rank (F) were key reserves last season and figure on expanding that roll. 6-10 senior Austin Pehl will be available as a big post off the bench. Talented red-shirt big man Nate Buss is a prototypical UNI forward while massive red-shirt freshman Chris Olivier is a skilled offensive presence similar to JT Durley.

While athleticism isn't overwhelming, UNI possesses more size and skill than any team in the MVC (except perhaps Creighton). A high-profile, highly competitive early season tournament will test the might of this team in November. A strong showing could propel the Panthers into the top 25 where they are likely to stay for the remainder of the season.

[Wufan]

My evaluation of Wichita State

One word comes to mind when discussing last years MVC League Champions: newcomers. The five leading scorers are gone from a team that lost only 4 games in the regular season and seniors Ehimen Orupke and Demetric Williams are the only players left from the NIT Championship team in 2011. Part time starters Carl Hall (MVC NOY) and Williams are likely the only recognizable faces to the rest of the Valley, but plenty of returning talent is ready for an expanded role. Sophomore guard Tekele Cotton was perhaps the best defender at the end of last season, but he (along with Hall and Williams) will need to show more scoring than a season ago. 6-8 sophomore Jake White will join 6-8 post Hall and 7-0 center Orupke in front court rotation.

Did I say newcomers? Combo-guard Demetric Williams will likely take his 2:1 A:TO ratio to the 2 guard position as senior transfer Malcolm Armstead brings his 10 points, 4 assists to Wichita from the University of Oregon where he lead the PAC-10 in steals two seasons ago. Top 100 freshman PG Fred VanVleet is sure to make an impact at that position as well while red-shirt freshman Ron Baker will back up the wing guard position with his long range shooting. Four top 50 JUCOs will have a say in court time lead by 6-8 wing forward Cleanthony Early and 6-6 wing guard Nick Wiggins. Early, the NABC JUCO POY (all divisions), has a steep learning curve as the competition level in NJCAA III is not great. Meanwhile, NJCAA D-I All-American Nick Wiggins decided that his shooting prowess and driving ability would be better suited at WSU than at BCS schools Baylor and Oregon State. 6-9, 260 lb athletic banger Chadrack Lufile will vie for time in the post while comb-gaurd and NJCAA D-I All-American Joe Mitchell chose to be walk-on at WSU over a scholarship at the University of Ohio.

It's unclear how the new talent will mesh with the returning talent and Head Coach Gregg Marshall will have to pull out all the stops if he's going to win 25+ games for the third straight season.

[UE 71]

I will say it again, Wichita St is no better than 5th. UE is no better than 4th. The season will dictate who is right.

[Wufan]

I will say it again, Wichita St is no better than 5th. UE is no better than 4th. The season will dictate who is right.

With WSU having so many unknowns, why would you predict that? The Shockers may finish 5th or worse, but the truth is that WSU lost a ton of talent from a 16-2 team. If you were going to put together a recruiting class to replace that talent, it's there in spades. Rediculous talent influx, but predicting their failure (or success) only shows that you are willing to make bold predictions on subjects you know nothing about.

Or did I misread your post And you were saying that EU would finish 4th or worse in the Horizon this year, barely edging out Wright State?

[MVCfans]

It was a close vote and you have selected Wichita State as the projected 4th place finisher in the Valley.

[Snaggletooth]

I will say it again, Wichita St is no better than 5th. UE is no better than 4th. The season will dictate who is right.

BUMP