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Commentary by SaintLouBrave22. Thanks!
Rank # - TEAM - (previous rank) -total points-
1 - ISU (2) -45- At 7-0 they are the only remaining undefeated team in the Valley and one of the few left undefeated teams in the country. That is impressive. What is not impressive is the resume so far for the teams they have beaten. Alabama State, Nicholls State, and Winston-Salem ring a bell to you? Well they don't really to me either, which is part of why they may be 7-0. Even with our weekly team MVP Champ Oguchi averaging 17.7 ppg and 7.3 rpg in the 3 wins this week, the Redbirds really only earn this spot because of lack of competition from other teams within the conference AND because of lack of competition on their schedule, and well, because we aren't receiving that many voters as of yet in this poll.
2 - Creighton (1) -38- It was pretty rough to be a Bluejay this past week. Two consecutive road losses on the last play of the game, a team that is quoted by its own coach as having an identity crisis, and a team whose star player has been benched indefinitely...no, these are not normal in Omaha. Relax though Bluejay faithful as all will be well on Tuesday when you host Mississippi Valley State. Creighton just needs to learn how to put the ball in the basket again. After an 0-2 week no one really deserves a team MVP, but we'll give it to Kenny Lawson, as he was the lone Bluejay to score in double figures both games.
3 - Bradley (4) -33- The Braves started the week in Florida on a sour note losing to UMKC by a wide margin, picked up steam throughout the rest of the week picking up a big win against Richmond and then finishing out the week w/ a bittersweet win against the ETSU Pirates. Bittersweet simply because Bradley lost its inside man that ignited the turnaround on Tuesday, Will Egolf to season ending ACL surgery. The Braves were led by Theron Wilson who scored in double figures in all 4 of the week's contests. The Braves have 1 game this week which should show what kind of bounce back they will get from the Egolf injury when they travel to East Lansing to face Michigan State.
4 - SIU (3) -26- I honestly am quite baffled as to how the Salukis could net a spot this high in the poll after losing their last 3 games and by losing their only game this week by 9. Its obvious that the pollsters are going on SIU's former merit and not basing this upon results. Really not much can be said about SIU's effort that wasn't said in last week's poll. Their defense that previous to this year that would be characterized as stellar was non existent (79 pts/a; 48% FG%A) and they committed 26 fouls in the game. It seems to this writer that SIU has trouble with a non-Valley crew. The silver lining I found in this game was that Ryan Hare was able to establish himself as a threat and received 30 minutes off the bench and netted a game high 16 points in the loss. Hopefully there will be something to build on there for the Salukis as they take to the court in two winnable games against Saint Louis and Charlotte on their home court where they rarely lose.
5 - Evansville (5) -20- One game for Evansville this past week and one BIG road loss @ Butler. Normally this would lead the UE fans into panic mode, but alas, they are 3-1 so far and have 3 consecutive winnable home games to come before Western Kentucky in a little less than two weeks. Evansville will need to focus on attention to detail on defense as they allowed Butler to shoot 52% FG & 47% 3ptFG as well as rebounding and ball handling where they have been slacking as of late. Shy Ely was once again their MVP as he had 12 pts, 3 rb, 2 a, and a block. Evansville may be able to keep this ranking up to the Valley conference season, but they have a difficult start once conference play begins.
6 - MSU (5) -18- Missouri State was outmuscled and outshot on their home floor this past week by Utah in a 71-58 defeat. They simply had no answer for Utah in the 2nd half which led to the loss. What is encouraging is how they held with the Utes for the entire first half with Spencer Laurie having an outstanding 18 pt performance, however, what is not is the way their defense caved in the loss. Utah had 17 turnovers which were mostly unforced, but still managed to shoot 55% from the field in the win. Imagine what the numbers would have been without all the turnovers. The Bears have much to work on, mainly their conditioning because they play a 7-man rotation at this point. The Bears have some fairly difficult games for them this week as they continue their State of Arkansas Challenge when they face Arkansas-Little Rock and Arkansas State this week, with Central Arkansas still to come in another week.
7 - UNI ( -16- I myself had figured that the Panthers would have received some notice w/ the 2 wins this week including a win over Auburn, whom the 6th rated Bears lost to by 15. However, I was incorrect in my assessment as the people seemed more to notice the 30 point loss to Marquette. As the Panthers face Iowa State this week, this gives them another chance to make a statement. We'll just have to wait and see exactly what kind of statement that is.
7 - WSU (9) -16- You could say Wichita State had a good week, or you could say they had an average week. Both would be correct as they did go 2-2, however they had close losses to top teams Georgetown and Michigan State. They certainly don't have a favorable schedule heading the next weeks so I would expect their ranking and morale to drop going into conference play. On a brighter note, Clevin Hannah had two back to back outstanding 19 point games to end the week and should be recognized as team MVP.
9 - Drake (7) -15- 1 win and 1 loss for Drake in the week. It seems as though this may end up being a pattern for them all season. Two very poor shooting performances for Josh Young in the week as well. Good thing Brent Heemskerk decided to show up. Yes, I did say Heemskerk. With the Bulldogs facing 3 pushovers this week I expect them to win and raise their ranking a bit, but don't be fooled, this week means nothing as their real test won't come until December 9th at Iowa State. Do you think they miss Coach Davis yet?
10 - In St (10) -0- Indiana State at 0-4...Ho hum...and by this press release they will have lost a 5th game...seems to me people are running through the normal motions of a Sycamore team for the last few years...well since the likes of Nate Green and Michael Menser were there...ahh...remember the glory days Sycamore fan. The Terre Haute team and I use that term loosely, they head to Louisville this weekend, where the Cardinals will undoubtedly hang another loss on them. At least the positive thing is that the new players are all making strides and Kevin McKenna may be steering the ship in the right direction. The real question will be whether they allow him enough time to do it. Along with that, does anyone want to take the over/under on when the Sycs get their first W? I will take Dec. 20 against non D-I DePauw. Any guesses on their first D-I win? I certainly don't have any!
See everyone next week and remember to get your vote in because as always every vote counts!
Rank # - TEAM - (previous rank) -total points-
1 - ISU (2) -45- At 7-0 they are the only remaining undefeated team in the Valley and one of the few left undefeated teams in the country. That is impressive. What is not impressive is the resume so far for the teams they have beaten. Alabama State, Nicholls State, and Winston-Salem ring a bell to you? Well they don't really to me either, which is part of why they may be 7-0. Even with our weekly team MVP Champ Oguchi averaging 17.7 ppg and 7.3 rpg in the 3 wins this week, the Redbirds really only earn this spot because of lack of competition from other teams within the conference AND because of lack of competition on their schedule, and well, because we aren't receiving that many voters as of yet in this poll.
2 - Creighton (1) -38- It was pretty rough to be a Bluejay this past week. Two consecutive road losses on the last play of the game, a team that is quoted by its own coach as having an identity crisis, and a team whose star player has been benched indefinitely...no, these are not normal in Omaha. Relax though Bluejay faithful as all will be well on Tuesday when you host Mississippi Valley State. Creighton just needs to learn how to put the ball in the basket again. After an 0-2 week no one really deserves a team MVP, but we'll give it to Kenny Lawson, as he was the lone Bluejay to score in double figures both games.
3 - Bradley (4) -33- The Braves started the week in Florida on a sour note losing to UMKC by a wide margin, picked up steam throughout the rest of the week picking up a big win against Richmond and then finishing out the week w/ a bittersweet win against the ETSU Pirates. Bittersweet simply because Bradley lost its inside man that ignited the turnaround on Tuesday, Will Egolf to season ending ACL surgery. The Braves were led by Theron Wilson who scored in double figures in all 4 of the week's contests. The Braves have 1 game this week which should show what kind of bounce back they will get from the Egolf injury when they travel to East Lansing to face Michigan State.
4 - SIU (3) -26- I honestly am quite baffled as to how the Salukis could net a spot this high in the poll after losing their last 3 games and by losing their only game this week by 9. Its obvious that the pollsters are going on SIU's former merit and not basing this upon results. Really not much can be said about SIU's effort that wasn't said in last week's poll. Their defense that previous to this year that would be characterized as stellar was non existent (79 pts/a; 48% FG%A) and they committed 26 fouls in the game. It seems to this writer that SIU has trouble with a non-Valley crew. The silver lining I found in this game was that Ryan Hare was able to establish himself as a threat and received 30 minutes off the bench and netted a game high 16 points in the loss. Hopefully there will be something to build on there for the Salukis as they take to the court in two winnable games against Saint Louis and Charlotte on their home court where they rarely lose.
5 - Evansville (5) -20- One game for Evansville this past week and one BIG road loss @ Butler. Normally this would lead the UE fans into panic mode, but alas, they are 3-1 so far and have 3 consecutive winnable home games to come before Western Kentucky in a little less than two weeks. Evansville will need to focus on attention to detail on defense as they allowed Butler to shoot 52% FG & 47% 3ptFG as well as rebounding and ball handling where they have been slacking as of late. Shy Ely was once again their MVP as he had 12 pts, 3 rb, 2 a, and a block. Evansville may be able to keep this ranking up to the Valley conference season, but they have a difficult start once conference play begins.
6 - MSU (5) -18- Missouri State was outmuscled and outshot on their home floor this past week by Utah in a 71-58 defeat. They simply had no answer for Utah in the 2nd half which led to the loss. What is encouraging is how they held with the Utes for the entire first half with Spencer Laurie having an outstanding 18 pt performance, however, what is not is the way their defense caved in the loss. Utah had 17 turnovers which were mostly unforced, but still managed to shoot 55% from the field in the win. Imagine what the numbers would have been without all the turnovers. The Bears have much to work on, mainly their conditioning because they play a 7-man rotation at this point. The Bears have some fairly difficult games for them this week as they continue their State of Arkansas Challenge when they face Arkansas-Little Rock and Arkansas State this week, with Central Arkansas still to come in another week.
7 - UNI ( -16- I myself had figured that the Panthers would have received some notice w/ the 2 wins this week including a win over Auburn, whom the 6th rated Bears lost to by 15. However, I was incorrect in my assessment as the people seemed more to notice the 30 point loss to Marquette. As the Panthers face Iowa State this week, this gives them another chance to make a statement. We'll just have to wait and see exactly what kind of statement that is.
7 - WSU (9) -16- You could say Wichita State had a good week, or you could say they had an average week. Both would be correct as they did go 2-2, however they had close losses to top teams Georgetown and Michigan State. They certainly don't have a favorable schedule heading the next weeks so I would expect their ranking and morale to drop going into conference play. On a brighter note, Clevin Hannah had two back to back outstanding 19 point games to end the week and should be recognized as team MVP.
9 - Drake (7) -15- 1 win and 1 loss for Drake in the week. It seems as though this may end up being a pattern for them all season. Two very poor shooting performances for Josh Young in the week as well. Good thing Brent Heemskerk decided to show up. Yes, I did say Heemskerk. With the Bulldogs facing 3 pushovers this week I expect them to win and raise their ranking a bit, but don't be fooled, this week means nothing as their real test won't come until December 9th at Iowa State. Do you think they miss Coach Davis yet?
10 - In St (10) -0- Indiana State at 0-4...Ho hum...and by this press release they will have lost a 5th game...seems to me people are running through the normal motions of a Sycamore team for the last few years...well since the likes of Nate Green and Michael Menser were there...ahh...remember the glory days Sycamore fan. The Terre Haute team and I use that term loosely, they head to Louisville this weekend, where the Cardinals will undoubtedly hang another loss on them. At least the positive thing is that the new players are all making strides and Kevin McKenna may be steering the ship in the right direction. The real question will be whether they allow him enough time to do it. Along with that, does anyone want to take the over/under on when the Sycs get their first W? I will take Dec. 20 against non D-I DePauw. Any guesses on their first D-I win? I certainly don't have any!
See everyone next week and remember to get your vote in because as always every vote counts!
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