Early Valley Predictions

[mvcfan]

That formula is based on wins of opponents not quality. Gonzaga had 32 wins and only played 3 actual games and almost lost to a 16 seed in the first round. Pitt is the choking master of the NCAAs. La Salle got a good draw. Ohio State shot horribly in that game and would beat Wichita 9 out of 10 times.

I think next year the Shocks will give you an opportunity to swallow your whistle.
Louisville beat Pitt by 3--we beat them by 18. Gonzaga was ranked number 1 and lost 2 games--we handed them their third. LaSalle was supposed to run us out of the gym--we beat them from start to finish. Ohio State had won 11 in a row--we ended their season. Louisville had beaten everyone in the tournament to that point by an average of 22 points--they barely won their game against us.

Don't know if you were watching the same games as I was, but WSU was the better team in every tourney game--you clearly don't know what you are talking about.

Every tourney game?

yes

[IllinoisState]

That formula is based on wins of opponents not quality. Gonzaga had 32 wins and only played 3 actual games and almost lost to a 16 seed in the first round. Pitt is the choking master of the NCAAs. La Salle got a good draw. Ohio State shot horribly in that game and would beat Wichita 9 out of 10 times.

I think next year the Shocks will give you an opportunity to swallow your whistle.
Louisville beat Pitt by 3--we beat them by 18. Gonzaga was ranked number 1 and lost 2 games--we handed them their third. LaSalle was supposed to run us out of the gym--we beat them from start to finish. Ohio State had won 11 in a row--we ended their season. Louisville had beaten everyone in the tournament to that point by an average of 22 points--they barely won their game against us.

Don't know if you were watching the same games as I was, but WSU was the better team in every tourney game--you clearly don't know what you are talking about.

Every tourney game?

Yeah, you know, because they won the whole thing.

[Rambler63]

Greetings. First post. I'm the admin for the Loyola message board (http://www.ramblermania.net/forum). I think I speak for 80% of Loyola fans that we're ABSOLUTELY PSYCHED to be members of the MVC. The other 20% are split between people merely excited, people nervous about the upgrade in competition, and people who thought we should try to dominate the fading Horizon.

Having watched the MVC closely since I moved to Normal in 2007, I think Loyola will finish somewhere around 8th in the league in the first year. With some luck, I think we could get up to 7 if there's a three-tier finish, as I expect. I agree with Wichita State and Indiana State at 1-2. I think the surprise team might be Bradley.

So here's my early, early picks:

1. Wichita State
2. Indiana State
3. Northern Iowa
4. Bradley
5. Evansville
6. Missouri State
7. Illinois State
8. Loyola
9. Drake
10. Southern Illinois

I know we have some adjustments to make to get up to the level of competition and passion in the MVC, but from all indications I've seen we are ready for the challenge. One thing I can guarantee you all, wins over Loyola will not be a "gimme."

[ShocksRbest]

That formula is based on wins of opponents not quality. Gonzaga had 32 wins and only played 3 actual games and almost lost to a 16 seed in the first round. Pitt is the choking master of the NCAAs. La Salle got a good draw. Ohio State shot horribly in that game and would beat Wichita 9 out of 10 times.

I think next year the Shocks will give you an opportunity to swallow your whistle.
Louisville beat Pitt by 3--we beat them by 18. Gonzaga was ranked number 1 and lost 2 games--we handed them their third. LaSalle was supposed to run us out of the gym--we beat them from start to finish. Ohio State had won 11 in a row--we ended their season. Louisville had beaten everyone in the tournament to that point by an average of 22 points--they barely won their game against us.

Don't know if you were watching the same games as I was, but WSU was the better team in every tourney game--you clearly don't know what you are talking about.

Every tourney game?

Jump-balls aside...yes

[kcmsaluki12]

Haha, bullsh!t. It takes a certain amount of luck making it to the final four and it doesn't automatically make you better than teams you beat to get there. Wichita had a very nice run and I'm not taking anything away from them, but I would take Gonzaga and Ohio St more often than not against WSU.

[saluki762]

Every tourney game?

Jump-balls aside...yes

Shocks were not better than Louisville. I will probably give you every other team but there is way WSU was a better team than the Cardinals.

[Haha]

Haha, bullsh!t. It takes a certain amount of luck making it to the final four and it doesn't automatically make you better than teams you beat to get there. Wichita had a very nice run and I'm not taking anything away from them, but I would take Gonzaga and Ohio St more often than not against WSU.

Of course it takes some luck, but you also have to have a very good team to win 4 straight in the NCAA.

Me thinks it's a little hard for a select FEW of Saluki fans to quit living in the mid 2000's. I think the truth is when a team doesn't play you twice a year and everybody knows everything you run, etc that the shockers were a very tough out as they matched up physically and talent wise with the best of them this year. Get over it and quit being titty babies about it.

[ShocksRbest]

Every tourney game?

Jump-balls aside...yes

Shocks were not better than Louisville. I will probably give you every other team but there is way WSU was a better team than the Cardinals.

May not have been better, but had the best chance of any team Louisville played in the last 2 months of the season to win.
But then again, I think the entire basketball community underestimates the parity and strength of the Valley. Top to bottom all teams are tough and often do better than expected in the post season.

[MVCfans]

Greetings. First post. I'm the admin for the Loyola message board (http://www.ramblermania.net/forum). I think I speak for 80% of Loyola fans that we're ABSOLUTELY PSYCHED to be members of the MVC. The other 20% are split between people merely excited, people nervous about the upgrade in competition, and people who thought we should try to dominate the fading Horizon.

Welcome aboard.

[Wufan]

Haha, bullsh!t. It takes a certain amount of luck making it to the final four and it doesn't automatically make you better than teams you beat to get there. Wichita had a very nice run and I'm not taking anything away from them, but I would take Gonzaga and Ohio St more often than not against WSU.

Of course it takes some luck, but you also have to have a very good team to win 4 straight in the NCAA.

Me thinks it's a little hard for a select FEW of Saluki fans to quit living in the mid 2000's. I think the truth is when a team doesn't play you twice a year and everybody knows everything you run, etc that the shockers were a very tough out as they matched up physically and talent wise with the best of them this year. Get over it and quit being titty babies about it.

The biggest difference for the Shockers was the return of Baker and the return of Cotton's outside shot. There was a nasty period in the middle late conference season where the Shocker 3 completely disappeared and the Valley coaches took advantage by packing in the zone.

In the dance, teams didn't zone us (first mistake) and we were able to hit threes and keep teams honest.

A healthy Baker and Wessel is probably enough of a difference that WSU wins the Valley outright last year, but you never know.