Next Year Predictions

[BEARZ77]

Bears are looking solid in every aspect except an experienced low post presence. We are in great shape 1-3 with returners Marcus Marshall 6'3, Jarmar Gulley 6'5, Dorrian Williams 6'2, Nate Scheer 6'5, and Michael Simpson 6'5, being supplemented by frosh Devon Thomas 6'0, Austin Ruder 6'2, Manuele Watkins 6'3, and juco 6'5 Ronito Mvouika. All 4 of the additions will push for time immediately with perhaps one becoming a rs possibility.Thomas is a blurr and the true pg we haven't had, Ruder is rated one of top 15 prep 3pt shooters, Watkins is a BCS level athlete with a D-1 coach for a father, and Ronito is a very versatile wing with size and scoring ability. At the 4 spot we're solid with a pair of vets in Soph Gavin Thurman 6'6 and Christain Kirk 6'7. What we are waiting on is one more addition at the post of either an eligible veteran transfer or a solid juco to give our pair of 6'10 youngsters Bruce Marshall/ Tyler McCullough time to develop while playing a year behind them.

I'm optimistic for a top half finish and if we get the right last post piece, something better than that.

.

The average heigth oh those 9 listed BEARS is 6' 2.8"---thats Spoon Ball from when he started a 5'5'' guard 15 or so years ago. MSU can't be a competitive D1 BB team with a bunch of midgets. As I have said before, MSU (SMS) has not had a really good big guy since the NAIA championship teams of the very early 50s---I think he was only 6'8" or so, but that was pretty big back then. Had some wicked elbows he could swing to protect the ball----legal then, would be a flagrant foul today.

If a transfer or Juco does not at show at MSU they need to shanghai/kidnap a big guy off the street

SMS 1965 on the BEAR Nation Board

Second time you've made the exact same post and it's no more accurate this time than last. The average of those players comes out about 6'5 and since the days you are referring to people like Danny Moore 6'11, Will Creekmore 6'9, Caleb Patterson 6'11, Drew Richards 6'9 among others have taken turns as the Bears post. Moore is one of the better post players in the past 20 years in the Valley and I'd take a Will Creekmore on 90% of the Valley teams more years than not. We have a pair of 6'10 kids this year, it's pretty clear we want them playing behind a more experienced post guy for at least next year if possible. If not McCullough goes 250 now and the goal for Marshall is at least 240 by summers end.

[Ricardo del Rio]

The average heigth oh those 9 listed BEARS is 6' 2.8"---thats Spoon Ball from when he started a 5'5'' guard 15 or so years ago. MSU can't be a competitive D1 BB team with a bunch of midgets. As I have said before, MSU (SMS) has not had a really good big guy since the NAIA championship teams of the very early 50s---I think he was only 6'8" or so, but that was pretty big back then. Had some wicked elbows he could swing to protect the ball----legal then, would be a flagrant foul today.

If a transfer or Juco does not at show at MSU they need to shanghai/kidnap a big guy off the street

SMS 1965 on the BEAR Nation Board

Second time you've made the exact same post and it's no more accurate this time than last. The average of those players comes out about 6'5 and since the days you are referring to people like Danny Moore 6'11, Will Creekmore 6'9, Caleb Patterson 6'11, Drew Richards 6'9 among others have taken turns as the Bears post. Moore is one of the better post players in the past 20 years in the Valley and I'd take a Will Creekmore on 90% of the Valley teams more years than not. We have a pair of 6'10 kids this year, it's pretty clear we want them playing behind a more experienced post guy for at least next year if possible. If not McCullough goes 250 now and the goal for Marshall is at least 240 by summers end.[/quote]

I love Marshall. He is a stud duck.

[BEARZ77]

I think you're thinking Marcus, this is Bruce.

[achrist70]

These are my new and improved updated predictions (subject to change)

1. Shockers
2. Sycamores
3. Panthers
4. Braves
5. Bears
6. Purple Aces
7. Salukis
8. Redbirds
9. Bulldogs
10. Ramblers

What is a Rambler?

[GoRamblers]

These are my new and improved updated predictions (subject to change)

1. Shockers
2. Sycamores
3. Panthers
4. Braves
5. Bears
6. Purple Aces
7. Salukis
8. Redbirds
9. Bulldogs
10. Ramblers

What is a Rambler?

I know you all think that we'll be push-overs this year. I'm alright with you thinking that way. We'll just sneak up on you guys. Truth be told, we should be middle of the pack. Our team last year was one of the youngest in all of D-1. We had 7 games that we lost on the final possession. Those 7 losses were by a total of 12 points.

For most of the second half of the year, we were without our best player (Averkamp). That said, we still were able to beat DePaul (I know, not saying much but we BEAT them), Mississippi State and Valpo (at Valpo). We were up 2 at Michigan State and took them to the very end of the game. We return all but two players (Cully Payne doesn't count. He was a head case on and off the court) and add Milton Doyle from Kansas.

Certainly, you guys can think that we'll be push-overs. Just don't be surprised when we play good ball and win a bunch of games.

Also, for your information, we are called the Ramblers because of our football team. We didn't really have a home field and so we were on the road a lot. The Tribune wrote a headline (something like) "Loyola Rambles to Victory." Since then, we've been the Ramblers. As to why our mascot is a wolf, that goes to our crest which also happens to be the crest of St. Ignatius of Loyola. On that crest are the Wolf and Kettle...the two wolves are over the kettle. The symbol comes from St. Ignatius' family. They had the crest above their door to note that all were welcome. They would feed family, retainers, soldiers, and wild animals.

[Sir Sci]

1. WSU
2. UNI
3. Ind St
4. Mo St
5. Bradley
6. Evansville
7. SIU
8. Loyola
9. Drake
10. Ill. St.

I do think that Loyola will be better than Drake and Illinois St. for sure, and potentially better than SIU, but not necessarily. The peak for the Ramblers in their first MVC season would be 7, though.

And I think the nickname "Ramblers" is pretty good, and the wolf makes sense, but let's be honest, the Loyola logo has something to be desired.

[IllinoisState]

These are my new and improved updated predictions (subject to change)

1. Shockers
2. Sycamores
3. Panthers
4. Braves
5. Bears
6. Purple Aces
7. Salukis
8. Redbirds
9. Bulldogs
10. Ramblers

What is a Rambler?

I know you all think that we'll be push-overs this year. I'm alright with you thinking that way. We'll just sneak up on you guys. Truth be told, we should be middle of the pack. Our team last year was one of the youngest in all of D-1. We had 7 games that we lost on the final possession. Those 7 losses were by a total of 12 points.

For most of the second half of the year, we were without our best player (Averkamp). That said, we still were able to beat DePaul (I know, not saying much but we BEAT them), Mississippi State and Valpo (at Valpo). We were up 2 at Michigan State and took them to the very end of the game. We return all but two players (Cully Payne doesn't count. He was a head case on and off the court) and add Milton Doyle from Kansas.

Certainly, you guys can think that we'll be push-overs. Just don't be surprised when we play good ball and win a bunch of games.

Also, for your information, we are called the Ramblers because of our football team. We didn't really have a home field and so we were on the road a lot. The Tribune wrote a headline (something like) "Loyola Rambles to Victory." Since then, we've been the Ramblers. As to why our mascot is a wolf, that goes to our crest which also happens to be the crest of St. Ignatius of Loyola. On that crest are the Wolf and Kettle...the two wolves are over the kettle. The symbol comes from St. Ignatius' family. They had the crest above their door to note that all were welcome. They would feed family, retainers, soldiers, and wild animals.

Great post!

I hope your guys continue to embarrass DePaul.

[musiccitybulldog]

I was picturing the "ramblers" mascot as a 1959 Nash Metropolitan.

I think Loyola will be surprising and winning some games right away, will be an interesting mix.

Not so sure "upset" is a legit term in the MVC.

[GoRamblers]

And I think the nickname "Ramblers" is pretty good, and the wolf makes sense, but let's be honest, the Loyola logo has something to be desired.

Which one?

http://i.imgur.com/R0lwi1o.jpg
or
http://i.imgur.com/PlRWXIm.jpg
or
http://i.imgur.com/ojBD4nN.jpg

[Sir Sci]

And I think the nickname "Ramblers" is pretty good, and the wolf makes sense, but let's be honest, the Loyola logo has something to be desired.

Which one?

http://i.imgur.com/R0lwi1o.jpg
or
http://i.imgur.com/PlRWXIm.jpg
or
http://i.imgur.com/ojBD4nN.jpg

Oh, I love the academic logo. The athletics logo just looks off to me. The wolf seems emaciated. Just my opinion, though, I don't have illusions that my opinion actually matters in this regard.