Top 25

[Toyota12]

Wichita State cracks pre season!! http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/...sp?CID=1222403

[TheGuy]

-They are definitely in the right preseason tourney and have a shot at winning it too. (Bama#16, Temple#19, WSU#24, Purdue, MD, Colorado, Iona, WMU). Other than that, they have the home game against UNLV who some other sites consider a top 25 team.

If they do well enough, I think we could potentially see 2 teams in the top 25 next year by the time the conference season starts.

-CU has a game @San Diego St., vs. Northwestern, vs. Nebraska, vs. Iowa(neutral). All winnable games for them which could put them in the top 25 by the time conference play starts.

I think we could be looking at multibids next year. I like our chances.

I think most people project those 2 teams to be at the top, but it would be even nicer for another team to come out and surprise us.

[LittleBrave]

-They are definitely in the right preseason tourney and have a shot at winning it too. (Bama#16, Temple#19, WSU#24, Purdue, MD, Colorado, Iona, WMU). Other than that, they have the home game against UNLV who some other sites consider a top 25 team.

If they do well enough, I think we could potentially see 2 teams in the top 25 next year by the time the conference season starts.

-CU has a game @San Diego St., vs. Northwestern, vs. Nebraska, vs. Iowa(neutral). All winnable games for them which could put them in the top 25 by the time conference play starts.

I think we could be looking at multibids next year. I like our chances.

I think most people project those 2 teams to be at the top, but it would be even nicer for another team to come out and surprise us.

And I DO think they'll be a semi-surprise team next year in the Valley who will contend.
BUT...I'm not even sure we have a team that is one of the best 50 teams heading into next season.
Not sure why WSU, other than winning the NIT, is getting so much recognition. IMO, they are NOT an At-Large team next year...neither is Creighton. Not sure why a lot of people are saying Creighton will be fantastic next year. They have 3 very good players, but their depth is questionable, unless their newcomers step in and produce.
Felt stronger about WSU & MSU's chances LAST year than the top 2 teams this year in the Valley. Guess I'm in the minority here.

The strength in the Valley will lie in the teams beyond everyone's favorites (Indy St., CU, WSU). I believe BU, Evansville, SIU, UNI will be better, and one or two of them could surprise.
ISU (red) and MSU could be battling for last this year.

[TheGuy]

I can completely understand why many would pick us (ISU) to be battling for last place based off of last year results, but I also thing we make surprise some people because defensively we have been solid and that will keep us in games. As far as needing more offense, hopefully the new additions and a year of experience will solve some of that. By no means do I think we will contend, but middle of the pack is not out of the question.

The reason why I like WSU and CU was for reasons that you mentioned (new guys picking it up). My opinion is that WSU was able to reload with solid recruits based off of last years success (plus Marshall is probably the best coach in the MVC). Sam goes for CU. McDermott was one of the best freshman in the country last season and Echenique is a force, plus I think they did another solid job recruiting.

One team I think that will fall far is UNI. One team that will be hyped (top 3) that won't do as well is In St. BU I think most would agree is an unknown at this point. I could see Evansville fairing better as well as Drake if they get their act together. I can agree on MSU. Weems is a great talent, but thats all they have at this point. He won't be able to do it all. SIU loses Fay, but they have a talent in Seck. I still expect them to be near the bottom.

Way too early projections since things happen (injuries etc..) but...

WSU
CU
Evansville
BU
Indiana St.
Drake
IL St.
UNI
MSU
SIU

Your 2 losses to us will keep you out of 3rd.

[LittleBrave]

One team I think that will fall far is UNI. One team that will be hyped (top 3) that won't do as well is In St. BU I think most would agree is an unknown at this point. I could see Evansville fairing better as well as Drake if they get their act together. I can agree on MSU. Weems is a great talent, but thats all they have at this point. He won't be able to do it all. SIU loses Fay, but they have a talent in Seck. I still expect them to be near the bottom.

Way too early projections since things happen (injuries etc..) but...

WSU
CU
Evansville
BU
Indiana St.
Drake
IL St.
UNI
MSU
SIU

Your 2 losses to us will keep you out of 3rd.

If UNI can get help down low, they could be a contender with solid guard play, but yes, they are probably not as strong as WSU & CU, who have both have a very good PG.

I would be surprised if the 2 teams at the bottom are not ISU (red) & MSU.
Drake should do better if they play more consistently from game to game - maybe it's their coach. SIU appears to be stronger and C-Low was given a 2nd chance, which he won't take lightly.
I don't see Indy St. contending, but they're not bad - especially with a good PG and depth in the post.

My top 5 are:

1) WSU (lack in size)
2) CU (lack in depth & experience)
3) UNI (lack in size)
4) Indy St. (lack in outside shooting)
5) BU (???)

But I think ANY of these could win it this year, as no team seems to be dominant. BU is kind of a stretch to be considered a contender, but who knows what Geno can do - and we have arguably 2 of the best 10 Valley players next year.