Illinois State at Evansville

[hot nuts]

I have no idea what's going to happen next week in St. Louis (besides some beers and good times), I'm impressed you guys already figured out next year! Sorry Drake and Bradley fans, based on what I'm reading you will be irrelevant next year. It's probably best to just save money not bother going to the games.

[Wufan]

Isub only loses kitchell and gant. Also adds a talented pf who sat out per transfer rules, but I get your point. I keep coming back to what makes uni so great this year is Tuttle and supreme depth. Both of those will be gone next year. I think it has more to do with other teams stepping up and not so much uni falling off a cliff,we know jacobson doesn't have bad years.

Thought Brown was a senior. Having him back with Scott, Bennett and Smith (SF/PF) makes for a very fine backcourt.

[ilstubirds250]

I have no idea what's going to happen next week in St. Louis (besides some beers and good times), I'm impressed you guys already figured out next year! Sorry Drake and Bradley fans, based on what I'm reading you will be irrelevant next year. It's probably best to just save money not bother going to the games.

Drake will be relevant very soon imo

[BirdmanBB]

I'm actually really excited about Lee's progression this season. He certainly is defensive minded and is a top steals guy in the nation, but his offensive ability has picked up considerably in conference play. Keep in mind, he is only a sophomore and has a lot of time left to grow. He is very overshadowed by van vleet for sure, but impressive none the less. He made some nice assists against e-ville yesterday drilling our guys right in the hands with one handed passes. He made a nice one under/driving the hoop, but it was either Mcintosh or Hawkins (can't remember) simply didn't see it coming.

It's really been a breath of fresh air after losing Nic Moore for sure.

As far as our chances, it is absolutely an uphill battle, but I do believe in miracles (USA hockey reference). Hopefully as others said, we play smarter and it really comes together. We have a lot of boneheaded plays that cost us games. VCU loss and UNI loss really stings. If daishon only hits his free throws as he normally does. Woulda, coulda, shoulda. They certainly have the ability and have been playing well as of recent. Let's see if they have put it together at the right time and can steal a few in St. Louis.

As for next year, Hunter started the year well, but is still slumping. He didn't even play against e-VilleI believe. Biggest loss is knight, but outside of the game winner, he didn't do much against e-ville and actually came close to turning the ball over a couple times. Jones is a big body that will be missed but isn't a guy who's not replaceable. Lots of growth and muscle can be put on for Akoon-Purcell, mcintosh and Hawkins. We have a fantastic core coming back with solid recruits coming in. I could see us being evn better next year as we should be with that core having more experience under their belt. No matter what happens in St. Louis, I do see us playing in some sort of post season tournament which will be good experience for the younger guys.

[rlh04d]

I have no idea what's going to happen next week in St. Louis (besides some beers and good times), I'm impressed you guys already figured out next year! Sorry Drake and Bradley fans, based on what I'm reading you will be irrelevant next year. It's probably best to just save money not bother going to the games.

Bradley will absolutely be irrelevant. Drake will be competitive. SIU, probably irrelevant? Loyola will depend on Doyle's health. MoSt, irrelevant.

I don't imagine anyone really getting in WSU's way next year if Baker's back -- that's going to be another zero-to-two loss conference team.

Two years from now, I think the MVC is wide open. WSU loses a tremendous senior class, while UNI (coach), ISUb (coach), IlSt (seniors), Loyola (Doyle), and Drake (Timmer/Envold with experience) will all be good.

[DUBulldog]

I have no idea what's going to happen next week in St. Louis (besides some beers and good times), I'm impressed you guys already figured out next year! Sorry Drake and Bradley fans, based on what I'm reading you will be irrelevant next year. It's probably best to just save money not bother going to the games.

Bradley will absolutely be irrelevant. Drake will be competitive. SIU, probably irrelevant? Loyola will depend on Doyle's health. MoSt, irrelevant.

.

I hope you're right about Drake, but I'm not real convinced.....a lot depends on who leaves this spring and who they sign. 5 of Drake's top 7 players this season are seniors, and next year will have no seniors and only three juniors. Bulldogs will have good size (eight guys 6'8" or taller) but will be very slow.

[jturner38]

Isub only loses kitchell and gant. Also adds a talented pf who sat out per transfer rules, but I get your point. I keep coming back to what makes uni so great this year is Tuttle and supreme depth. Both of those will be gone next year. I think it has more to do with other teams stepping up and not so much uni falling off a cliff,we know jacobson doesn't have bad years.

Thought Brown was a senior. Having him back with Scott, Bennett and Smith (SF/PF) makes for a very fine backcourt.

Sycamores starting 5 will be Brown, Scott, Smith, Van Scyoc, and Bell. Back ups will be Bennett, Paige/Prusator, Etherington, Burnett, Murphy.

[E-Villan]

I think WSU, ISUr and Evansville are the best teams in the MVC next year. Swept by one. Swept the other.

UNI is certainly going to have something to say about that. Tuttle is obviously a huge loss, but Washpun, Morgan, Jesperson, Bohannon, Lohaus, and Koch return. I fully expect UNI to be picked 2nd in the preseason poll.

I think the biggest question I have about UNI is how secure is Jacobson? Any type of NCAA run, and Jacobson will get eyeballs from a host of BCS schools. I know his salary has been increased, and the AD is currently working on further enhancements, but the Valley has a very long list of coaches who have bolted to so called greener pastures once they get a little success. I think you might have to go back to Crews and Molinari to find a Valley coach not named Greg Marshall, that actually stayed after a little success...and UNI doesn't have Marshall money to throw at him.

Stallings, Weber, Alford, Martin, Altman, Davis, Painter, Turgeon quickly come to mind as bolters in the last 15 years. Even McDermott was lost to freaking Creighton. What makes UNI fans think Jacobson is different?

I hope he stays. Unlike Muller, he is a class act as well as successful. He is good for the Valley.

[Rollbird5]

I think the biggest question I have about UNI is how secure is Jacobson? Any type of NCAA run, and Jacobson will get eyeballs from a host of BCS schools. I know his salary has been increased, and the AD is currently working on further enhancements, but the Valley has a very long list of coaches who have bolted to so called greener pastures once they get a little success. I think you might have to go back to Crews and Molinari to find a Valley coach not named Greg Marshall, that actually stayed after a little success...and UNI doesn't have Marshall money to throw at him.

Stallings, Weber, Alford, Martin, Altman, Davis, Painter, Turgeon quickly come to mind as bolters in the last 15 years. Even McDermott was lost to freaking Creighton. What makes UNI fans think Jacobson is different?

I hope he stays. Unlike Muller, he is a class act as well as successful. He is good for the Valley.

Jacobson has been one of my favorite coaches out there very classy guy and great coach. Just curious as to why u don't think Muller is classy? He is a little arrogant, although I like that in a head coach cuz to be successful I think you have to display that confidence in your team.

[ilstubirds250]

I think WSU, ISUr and Evansville are the best teams in the MVC next year. Swept by one. Swept the other.

UNI is certainly going to have something to say about that. Tuttle is obviously a huge loss, but Washpun, Morgan, Jesperson, Bohannon, Lohaus, and Koch return. I fully expect UNI to be picked 2nd in the preseason poll.

I think the biggest question I have about UNI is how secure is Jacobson? Any type of NCAA run, and Jacobson will get eyeballs from a host of BCS schools. I know his salary has been increased, and the AD is currently working on further enhancements, but the Valley has a very long list of coaches who have bolted to so called greener pastures once they get a little success. I think you might have to go back to Crews and Molinari to find a Valley coach not named Greg Marshall, that actually stayed after a little success...and UNI doesn't have Marshall money to throw at him.

Stallings, Weber, Alford, Martin, Altman, Davis, Painter, Turgeon quickly come to mind as bolters in the last 15 years. Even McDermott was lost to freaking Creighton. What makes UNI fans think Jacobson is different?

I hope he stays. Unlike Muller, he is a class act as well as successful. He is good for the Valley.

Lol! Absolutely love that you included "unlike, Muller."

Evansville gonna Evansville.