rlh04d wrote:As for the Asian sensation's point: I don't really see any evidence that the Valley is doing anything but declining long term. While the overall conference numbers have stayed up in the last few years, that seems to primarily be due to two factors: Doug McDermott and Gregg Marshall. I just don't see much to be optimistic about with the conference ... Talent, coaching, recruiting, attendance, revenue, winning, schedule strength, etc. Take WSU out this year and the Valley is barely in the top 15. Drake and Missouri State are the only reasons I have to be even slightly optimistic about the conference, and MoSt is the only team I can see competing for an at large spot in the next two years. Maybe Illinois State if things click. I just don't see the structure around to improve things.
What I'm optimistic about as far as the Valley goes:
There is still some name recognition. Valley schools are midwestern schools that are predominately basketball first institutions.
WSU is still pointed up.
Drake appears to have hired a monster!
MSU and Illinois State have some talent.
UNI and Indiana State should continue to be solid programs for the foreseeable future, and are capable of having fantastic years not too infrequently.
Bradley and LUC have the resources to right the ship.
Disappointed in Evansville and SIU.
What needs to happen:
WSU and Drake need to maintain their HCs.
MSU and Illinois State need to turn talent into RPIs between 50 and 100.
One of UNI or Indiana State needs to take the next step up to being in or on the verge of being in the top 25 throughout the year.
The other four need to be competitive in the non-con AND suck in the Valley. I'm not relegating these four teams to be bottom feeders, but that's how you build a strong conference; by separating the top from the bottom. Hopefully UE, SIU, LUC, and Bradley all get it going so that the separation isn't as important, but until they are top 150 RPI, I'm rooting against them every game in League play.
