MVC rated 9th best conference....Big 10 # 1

[Future Walk-On]

Apparently Sonny Weems has retained more eligibility despite playing currently for the Raptors.........Look out for MSU...

9. Missouri Valley

LOCKS: None.

There are too many good teams at the top of the league to think anyone's running away and locking up an NCAA berth.

SHOULD BE IN (1): Wichita State

The Shockers look like the best Valley team on paper, with practically everyone back from last season's second-place club that had late-season hopes for at-large consideration before a couple of sloppy losses. They have the size, depth and talent not only to subdue the Valley but also to win some nonleague games to help with seeding or as a safety net should the Shockers not win the auto bid.

IN THE MIX (2): Missouri State, Creighton

Cuonzo Martin's Bears have serious firepower in Sonny Weems and Adam Leonard. Creighton, under new coach (and Valley veteran) Greg McDermott, is its typically solid, balanced self and will get a huge boost when Rutgers transfer Greg Echenique gets eligible in December. He was a double-double threat in the Big East and should be a nightmare in the Valley.


Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...#ixzz136a7rbsc

[BradleyBrave]

Apparently SI doesn't think McDermott is as much of a bum as some folks on here do.

And we're just where we want to be...under the radar.

[Da Coach]

McDermott was never a "bum" when he was in the MVC. He proved he knew how to win in this league. But he was overmatched in the Big 12, and there are a lot of Iowa State fans who considerhim a bum and are glad he's gone.
Personally, I think Creighton will win the MVC this year.

[tornado]

let's go ahead and give it to them...as I really don't think we can handle another nightmare...

[SFP]

McDermott was never a "bum" when he was in the MVC. He proved he knew how to win in this league. But he was overmatched in the Big 12, and there are a lot of Iowa State fans who considerhim a bum and are glad he's gone.
Personally, I think Creighton will win the MVC this year.

It all depends on how their bigs play together and if their back court can score a bit. I like their make up for the 2nd 1/2 of the season. I'm putting them in the top 3 but come St Louis they could be the best team going in. It will take a bit to get them use to McDermott's system and integrating the new guys.

We should with our experience be right up there. I'm still not sold on MSU, regardless of the pundits. I have them in the 4-5 game.

[Dallas Brave]

It's encouraging that the MVC is getting a bit of pre-season respect. I always enjoy the first part of the season and pulling for all of the MVC schools in their non-conference games. Got the fingers crossed that this will be a good year for the conference and the Braves.

[AZ BU Fan]

Wouldn't be surprised if the Valley rating is better than #9 by the time the season is over.

Isn't the MVC non con schedule better this year than it has been for several years (excluding ISU Red)? That should help the Conference rating if the MVC shows well in these games.

Didn't the MVC get rated as high as 6th in the country in 2005-6?

[Da Coach]

The MVC ended the season ranked as follows in RPI-
2010- #9
2009- #9
2008- #8
2007- #6
2006- #6
2005- #8
2004- #11

[SFP]

Someone on this site did a weekly poll of the MVC. Anyone up to doing a pre-season poll? Here's mine. In reality 2-5 picks will up for grabs but for now this is how I see it. CU's back court may be a huge liability for them. I expect that we'll have the best offensive back court and hopefully the D with DD and DSE in there we'll be real tough. I'm very optimistic about our chances of competing for the top spot if AT or JP can step it up and play some real meaningful minutes at the 5.

1. WSU
2. BU - bit of a homer pick
3. CU
4. UNI
5. MSU
6. DU
7. ISU
8. ISU
9. SIU
10. EU

[amckillip]

Someone on this site did a weekly poll of the MVC. Anyone up to doing a pre-season poll? Here's mine. In reality 2-5 picks will up for grabs but for now this is how I see it. CU's back court may be a huge liability for them. I expect that we'll have the best offensive back court and hopefully the D with DD and DSE in there we'll be real tough. I'm very optimistic about our chances of competing for the top spot if AT or JP can step it up and play some real meaningful minutes at the 5.

1. WSU
2. BU - bit of a homer pick
3. CU
4. UNI
5. MSU
6. DU
7. ISU
8. ISU
9. SIU
10. EU

I think I agree with your projections top to bottom, assuming the first ISU is blue.

[BradleyBrave]

A top 10 league should be sending more than 1 team to the NCAA's every year. We had a long stretch of 2 teams minimum, and now we've gone 3 straight years in sending only one team. This has to stop. Come on MVC!