Des Moines writer: Northern Iowa, Creighton, Bradley will challenge for the MVC title.

[Da Coach]

A season-ending wrap-up article about Drake by a writer for the Des Moines Register- He assesses Drakes season and what they will be like next year.
But he says this about who will be the best teams next year in the Missouri Valley:
The talent level in the Missouri Valley Conference will rise. Northern Iowa, Creighton and Bradley will challenge for the title.
Illinois State, Southern Illinois, Indiana State and Wichita State also could be in the postseason mix.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090320/SPORTS020403/903210303/1097/SPORTS

[PTTB]

FWIW, the DM Register has done something interesting this year, they actually covered both UNI and Drake with the same beat writer for the most part. When there was a problem with schedule conflict, someone else would step in, but for the most part, Andrew Logue covered both. I think he's got the right top 3 teams at the top, IMO.

[Da Coach]

Here is the same writer with his recap of the UNI season-
Panthers will be even hungrier next season

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090321/SPORTS020704/903220333/-1/NEWS04

[PTTB]

No, Lucas is just going to play baseball this year. UNI's baseball program is done after this year due to budget issues. This will be one and done for Lucas...although he is pretty good.

[doug shank's crossover]

Hard to argue that UNI, Creighton and BU will be in the mix for a championship next year....but I think you're really going to have to respect ISU's chances too. Assuming "O" comes back after NBA scouts tell him he's a deep 2nd round / free agent NBA talent, they will be good inside and out next year.

[pfunk880]

No, Lucas is just going to play baseball this year. UNI's baseball program is done after this year due to budget issues. This will be one and done for Lucas...although he is pretty good.

What if he were to get drafted by an MLB organization?

[PTTB]

If a player goes to an NCAA school, they have to stay 3 years until they can be drafted. This will be O'Rear's 2nd year. He couldn't go pro until after next year.

[pfunk880]

If a player goes to an NCAA school, they have to stay 3 years until they can be drafted. This will be O'Rear's 2nd year. He couldn't go pro until after next year.

Ah, wasn't aware of that.

[Da Coach]

If a player goes to an NCAA school, they have to stay 3 years until they can be drafted. This will be O'Rear's 2nd year. He couldn't go pro until after next year.

Yes, players are eligible for the MLB draft out of high school, but if they choose to go to college, the next time they are draft eligible is after their junior year of college.
But there is a loophole that allows some baseball players to get around this MLB draft rule by transferring to a junior college for their 2nd year. Players who come out of junior college are immediately eligible for the MLB draft.

[RoyalShock]

Actually the rule for baseball players going to college has to do with age, though I don't know exactly what the rule is. WSU had a sophomore become draft eligible a year or two ago and it wasn't due to a redshirt. I think it was Dusty Coleman.

I also believe Johnny Coy (the ASU transfer) could be draft eligible after only two years in college.

[Da Coach]

You are right, age does sometimes come into play. Here is the exact rule--

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/draftday/rules.jsp

The basic categories of players eligible to be drafted are:

• High school players, if they have graduated from high school and have not yet attended college or junior college;
• College players, from four-year colleges who have either completed their junior or senior years or are at least 21 years old; and
• Junior college players, regardless of how many years of school they have completed

[SFP]

the Wichita writer has some thoughts on the Valley next year...
he seems to have some optimism about BU
http://blogs.kansas.com/shockwaves/

There is not one thing I disagree with in the aricle. I agree that we will only be as good as our bigs are next year. If WE comes back strong and SS can play productive minutes we'll be fine at the 5. The 4 position will be probably our biggest question. I love TB's game but this offseason for him will be so important for him to work on all aspects of his game and the weight room. I hope his potential turns into production. He will not have to worry about scoring so much but rebounding and playing solid D will dictate our ability to stop other teams big.