Future of MVC Looking Good

by **Aargh** » March 6th, 2015, 9:27 pm

I think the Valley is on a very good path right now. Marshall and Jacobsen look like coaches who will keep their teams at a high level.

There are some other coaches who appear to have their teams on the right track. Giacaletti had Drake improving throughout the season. Drake needs some athletes. SIU is loaded up with some talent in the Fr and So classes. They need a PG and a post. Illinois State looks primed to take over a consistent top-3 spot in the league. Loyola is looking like a team with some future.

**Sponsor**

by **Brot4britu** » March 6th, 2015, 11:21 pm

One game usually does not a season make --BUT Ramblers hung one on Trees--with ten good players and more on the way--One fact--largest margin of victory in MVC tourney history.
May end Sat BUT this team belongs in this league ! Long range-Look for MORE than two DANCE teams from our League soon --

by **GarH** » March 7th, 2015, 2:27 am

Gotta agree. The Valley is on an upswing right now. There's some good young talent.

by **Wufan** » March 7th, 2015, 6:25 am

Aargh wrote:SIU is loaded up with some talent in the Fr and So classes. They need a PG and a post. Illinois State looks primed to take over a consistent top-3 spot in the league.

For SIU...how were they not better this year? Hopefully just a little young. Lavender looks like he will be very good, he just needs a little muscle. Is he a point guard that can shoot or is he a shooting guard with handles? Beane will need to channel some consistency next year because he's a guy that can do it all on offense. I actually already like the SIU postmen...Djimde was decent once he got healthy and Bola is a strong MFer. Caroline's ability to play inside and out is huge. Worst case scenario for O'Brien and Smithpeters is nice four year roll players. I think O'Brien can step up his game. Barrah has a nice top 7 for next year which should make them competitive with the middle of the pack.

by **Wufan** » March 7th, 2015, 6:30 am

The Shockers and Panthers are going to have very strong backcourts next year. The front court will be a huge question for both teams. The Redbirds are going to have a very deep and talented frontcourt with Lynch, Hawkins, McIntosh and I know they add a talented transfer. Lee and DAP in the backcourt will make them contenders.

by **UNIFanSince1983** » March 7th, 2015, 8:01 am

Wufan wrote:The Shockers and Panthers are going to have very strong backcourts next year. The front court will be a huge question for both teams. The Redbirds are going to have a very deep and talented frontcourt with Lynch, Hawkins, McIntosh and I know they add a talented transfer. Lee and DAP in the backcourt will make them contenders.

If WSU didn't have Fred and Ron back, and ISUr didn't have Muller I would pick ISUr to win the conference next year. As it stands WSU will be the favorite, but I think ISUr might be picked 2nd.

by **BCPanther** » March 7th, 2015, 9:03 am

UNIFanSince1983 wrote:
Wufan wrote:The Shockers and Panthers are going to have very strong backcourts next year. The front court will be a huge question for both teams. The Redbirds are going to have a very deep and talented frontcourt with Lynch, Hawkins, McIntosh and I know they add a talented transfer. Lee and DAP in the backcourt will make them contenders.

If WSU didn't have Fred and Ron back, and ISUr didn't have Muller I would pick ISUr to win the conference next year. As it stands WSU will be the favorite, but I think ISUr might be picked 2nd.

3rd.

Way too early preseason poll-
1-WSU
2-UNI
3-ILSU
4-LUC
5-SIU
6-DU
7-INSU
8-UE (assuming the Lithuanian leaves)
9-MSU
10-BU

by **rlh04d** » March 7th, 2015, 10:50 am

I'm pretty excited about both of the next two years for the Valley.

It's time to get over this two-team race and start putting half the conference in the top 100 RPIs. There's going to be a lot more experience around the league, and that experience needs to take care of business OOC.

by **GarH** » March 7th, 2015, 11:41 am

"and that experience needs to take care of business OOC."

That's the key. If the Valley can pick up some big OOC wins, we can get more than two teams in the Dance. I'd love to see more than 2 Valley teams in the top 25.

by **bleach** » March 7th, 2015, 12:08 pm

The Valley overall was better this year and should be better next year. I just find it hard to get excited knowing we will get worse before we get better unless a miracle happens and Lusk leaves. I believe the pieces are there for a good coach to put the Bears in that group of improving teams but i've not seen improvement for 4 years now and no talented player with a brain would want to join our sinking ship.