Who is predicted 2nd next year?

[Redbird Recon]

Also, Daishon Knight was easily IlSU's best player down the stretch. He's gone. Nobody seems to be talking about that. We're also valuing one win over the rest of the body of work.

The "body of work" was the third best in The Valley.

It reminds me of Muller's first year. Everyone placed high expectations on the Birds, but their "body of work" wasn't great; 9-9 in conference play, a nice run in StL and a 2-game run the NIT. Moore was a great player during those last 3 games, and he left a massive roster gap.

I don't think the hole left my Daishon is nearly as large as the one left by Moore. He was a great scorer but so is Akoon-Purcell. I'm much more concerned about out frontcourt depth with nothing but question marks behind foul-prone Lynch.

[Cdizzle]

I would agree that Knight was ISUr's best player down the stretch. But I also don't believe that Knight was as critical to the the operation of their offense as much as Tuttle.

And while I agree that not many people would pick Muller over Jacobson in a coaching duel right now, I think Muller is getting better, and his team is gaining an identity.

I'm not sure where the 1 win over body of work thing is coming from.

Had ISU lost to WSU in the semi's would they have the same hype that they do now?

Maybe not quite as much, but I know even before that game I had them as my projected number 2 next year.

Also, they didn't lose to WSU, so it isn't really fair to take that away from them when evaluating. If UNI fans think they should be picked higher than ISUr in the preseason poll, I don't blame them. I think they have enough to go on to believe that. I'm just giving you my opinion as a neutral observer of the two teams.

[shockem]

I think the young guys from ISUr have a higher ceiling than the UNI youngsters. ISUr has the edge in size and athleticism. They'll still have some ups and downs and remind a lot of some of Marshall's early teams. Not sure they're quite at-large material, but they're getting close and I'll pick them 2nd this year with chance to get the auto-bid.

[rlh04d]

I don't have any idea who will get predicted where.

I'm pretty confident WSU will be better next year. Carter isn't a major loss, and while Cotton is, I just can't see him being that big of a swing. Getting that extra year of experience/weight on guys like Shaq, and a great incoming freshmen class, plus the theoretical contribution of a talented transfer, in addition to the natural improvement of the senior class ... WSU's going to be very good.

UNI's going to be worse, without a doubt. Not bad, but worse. They simply lose 50% or more of every stat but minutes played, 3 pointers, and steals. I still think they'll be a solid team, though -- players will improve and they'll have a lot of seniors still.

IlSt's going to be better, without a doubt.

Those are about the only things I'm confident on next year. Loyola depends on Doyle's health. Indiana State will probably be decent, but who knows. Evansville will probably be good, but it's still Marty. MoSt could win 18 or 8 and neither would shock me. Drake will probably be decent. Bradley will be atrocious unless their new coach is a miracle worker. SIU might not win a game.

But I'd put quite a bit of money on WSU--IlSt--UNI finishing in the regular season standings in that order, unless Washpun is the Valley POY.

[jwa123]

WSU.

In a surprise reversal, everyone BUT Muller votes ISUr first this year.

Now that's funny. I like it.

[Wufan]

My picks:

WSU
ISUr
UNI
UE
Loyola
ISUb
Drake
MSU
SIU
BU

The top 6 all have some upside. The bottom four are awful, just awful, embarrassingly awful. Drake and MSU should easily be picked 9th and 10th, but they're not. All that said, MSU and Drake do have a little upside and one of them might even squeak out of playing Thursday night in St Louis. BU and SIU fans only hope is that they can win two against the other 9th place contender.

[isumvc1]

NOT Indiana State

[Redbird23]

Shox
Birds
Panthers
Aces
Ramblers
Bulldogs
Sycamores
Bears
Salukis
Braves/Gargoyles

Hoping we pick up another scorer. I believe if he can stay healthy DAP can compete for POY and also see an increase in scoring for PLee. Reggie really needs to stay out of foul trouble and gain some basketball IQ if we want to be successful this year. Because in the frontcourt, I believe Ndiaye is going to need a year or two before he'll be a Valley player. Expect Hawkins and McIntosh to grow maturely and be able to score with some consistency.

[Khan4Cats]

I don't have any problem with ISUr being slotted 2nd heading into next year. Not based on they finished this year, but based on what they have returning. Using that same rationale, I would move UE to 3rd place as well.

As for UNI, I see this as being similar to two years ago when we graduated Sonnen, James, and Jake Koch. It's not as much about replacing the stats as it is replacing the leadership. There are two big differences though; a) We return a lot of experience in the backcourt b) I don't see Jake trying to change the system again for a while.

I would say a 4th place prediction for UNI is fair.

WSU
ISUr
UE
UNI
LU
DU
ISUb
MSU
SIU
BU

[Cdizzle]

b) I don't see Jake trying to change the system again for a while.

Probably about the time the rules committee decides to emphasize freedom of movement and not calling charges again.