Dave Reynolds' preseason picks

[Da Coach]

Dave Reynolds picks Bradley 9th-

http://blogs.pjstar.com/pressrow/2011/10/20/bluejays-team-to-beat/

[Old Coach]

Dave's projections look pretty good to me.

[Braves4Life]

I think Dave is off his rocker. I think BU finishes above Drake, ISU, and MSU..... at the very least.

[Buesch N Chips]

I think Dave is off his rocker. I think BU finishes above Drake, ISU, and MSU..... at the very least.

Based on what little I know about this team, I am inclined to agree. That is, if we can stay out of foul trouble. And healthy. As long as we see progress from the beginning to the end, I am satisfied.

For what it's worth, i thought we saw progress last year from beginning to end as well.

[PTownHawkeye]

I think Dave is spot on.

The Valley seems particularly top heavy this year. Creighton, Wichita, and ISUblue seem to be concensus 1-2-3, and UNI/Evansville seem to be consistently picked 4-5, but it would be a surprise if either jumped higher than 4th. The other 5 teams (except SIU) could each finish anywhere from 6th-10th.

I think Missouri State is the biggest wildcard. It's rare for a team to lose 4 starters and still be picked 6th. If Scheer and Patterson suddenly become impact players, they could seemingly be 4th or 5th, but will probably be 6th or 7th. On paper, Drake looks great, but they seem to be an example of the parts being better than the whole, and Phelps has not been impressive as a coach or player developer.

Unless somebody steps up big time at PG and backups at the 4 and 5 emerge, BU will probably be 7th-9th. I would have picked ISU higher over the summer, but reports from practice about their freshmen haven't been very positive, so I think their weak backcourt will drive them down to 8th or 9th.

If SIU doesn't finish last, it will be a shock.

Then again, almost every single year, a preseason top 3 team plays on Friday, and a bottom-dweller is in the top 4.

[PTownHawkeye]

I should also add that I would LOVE for BU to make a splash and finish in the middle...or better. But with so many unproven freshmen and a new system, it scares me. However, I think this is a rebuilding year and we are on an upswing, so I'm not as concerned long-term if we don't finish very high.

[lake Camelot]

I haven't followed the other teams close enough to know. But it seems low to me.If we are ok on injuries, I think in the middle is about right. No way we are top 3 though.

[Old Coach]

I think Dave is spot on.

The Valley seems particularly top heavy this year. Creighton, Wichita, and ISUblue seem to be concensus 1-2-3, and UNI/Evansville seem to be consistently picked 4-5, but it would be a surprise if either jumped higher than 4th. The other 5 teams (except SIU) could each finish anywhere from 6th-10th.

I think Missouri State is the biggest wildcard. It's rare for a team to lose 4 starters and still be picked 6th. If Scheer and Patterson suddenly become impact players, they could seemingly be 4th or 5th, but will probably be 6th or 7th. On paper, Drake looks great, but they seem to be an example of the parts being better than the whole, and Phelps has not been impressive as a coach or player developer.

Unless somebody steps up big time at PG and backups at the 4 and 5 emerge, BU will probably be 7th-9th. I would have picked ISU higher over the summer, but reports from practice about their freshmen haven't been very positive, so I think their weak backcourt will drive them down to 8th or 9th.

If SIU doesn't finish last, it will be a shock.

Then again, almost every single year, a preseason top 3 team plays on Friday, and a bottom-dweller is in the top 4.

Good assessment P-Town.

[BU RICK]

I think Dave is off his rocker. I think BU finishes above Drake, ISU, and MSU..... at the very least.

+1

He's sandbagging And the not so good poker players have already folded their hands, hard to believe this early in the season without a first game even been played

Too bad we don't have Quincy and EIU on the schedule to give them a comparison.

[Buesch N Chips]

He's sandbagging.

Exactly. There is quite a bit of that going on. People really want this team to overachieve.

[BU RICK]

Exactly. There is quite a bit of that going on. People really want this team to overachieve.

+1

[Old Coach]

Exactly. There is quite a bit of that going on. People really want this team to overachieve.

Really? I think people just want them to be who they are and to play hard and improve.

[Bravesfan]

I agree with most of DR's picks expect Bradley's. I think despite some unproven talent and lack of depth we should have a good shot of finishing ahead of ISU red and Drake which has injury issues. Perhaps with a little luck, even 6th place is doable which would get us out of the Thursday night MVC Tournament game.

[Buesch N Chips]

Really? I think people just want them to be who they are and to play hard and improve.

If so, then great.

[shaunguth]

Really? I think people just want them to be who they are and to play hard and improve.

I'm not so sure. I've seen a number of people talking about how much talent this team doesn't have, coming off a last place finish. In other words, I'm guessing those people will give all of the credit to the head coach if the team "overachieves". I'm just wondering if they would be so accepting of criticism of the new head coach if we finish last again, with or without injuries. I'm guessing not.