What to expect next season?

[Southside]

I haven't been able to follow BU as much as I'd like. What are everyone's thoughts for next year. The few games I saw, there were moments where we looked really good. Is top half of the Valley a reasonable expectation?

[Da Coach]

With half the Valley teams playing sub-.500 both in the MVC and overall, and most of them as well as most of the upper league teams losing so many seniors, I think Bradley fans can expect us to move up to the middle of the MVC.
I am not sure I see any of teams among the 5 with winning records being significantly better next year, and some will take a step back.

Much is dependent on what will happen in the next few weeks with recruiting classes being completed, and the possibility that other players might leave unexpectedly for Bradley and for the other 9 teams.

Here are the 2015-16 final standings and overall records. Which teams do anyone else here think will improve and move up next year, and which might take a step back?

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/conferences/standings/_/id/18/year/2016/missouri-valley-conference

[Duane82]

With half the Valley teams playing sub-.500 both in the MVC and overall, and most of them as well as most of the upper league teams losing so many seniors, I think Bradley fans can expect us to move up to the middle of the MVC.
I am not sure I see any of teams among the 5 with winning records being significantly better next year, and some will take a step back.

Much is dependent on what will happen in the next few weeks with recruiting classes being completed, and the possibility that other players might leave unexpectedly for Bradley and for the other 9 teams.

Here are the 2015-16 final standings and overall records. Which teams do anyone else here think will improve and move up next year, and which might take a step back?

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/conferences/standings/_/id/18/year/2016/missouri-valley-conference

Next season I see Bradley increasing to 15 wins and a 6 place finish in the Valley. The third year for Wardle they should be a top 3 team. These freshman have heart and drive that could lead Bradley back to the NCAA tournament by their Junior/Senior seasons. I see a first place Valley finish in their Senior season.

[Stryker]

I think ISU red improves, SIU may take a step back. If our good freshmen continue to improve and we get a juco that can contribute I think 6-7th in MVC is a realistic expectation. Remember a lot of the team will still be sophomores. We will have to be patient to get to the top of the league. I don't expect a 4/5 finish until 2 yrs from now unless we get some stud bucks and some of our current freshmen turn out way better than expected.

[MikeCash]

My way-too-early ranking (based solely on returnees):

1. Illinois State (return no depth/bench, but a ton of starting production is back)
2. Wichita State (they've earned the benefit of the doubt)
3. Missouri State (if Ruder is back, and Kendrix/Church take a step forward...dangerous)
4. Northern Iowa (if what Carlson showed in STL is for real, they can be good again)
5. Southern Illinois (no Beane, but a lot of perimeter experience coming back)
6. Evansville (Jaylon Brown will have to have a special senior season to avoid the bottom)
7. Indiana State (they barely avoided Thursday WITH Smith and Brown this year)
8. Bradley (nothing between 4th and 10th would shock me)
9. Drake (hard to believe that roster could turn in another 2-16 year)
10. Loyola (losing their heart and soul in James. Doyle has regressed)

[lightsout]

My way-too-early ranking (based solely on returnees):

1. Illinois State (return no depth/bench, but a ton of starting production is back)
2. Wichita State (they've earned the benefit of the doubt)
3. Missouri State (if Ruder is back, and Kendrix/Church take a step forward...dangerous)
4. Northern Iowa (if what Carlson showed in STL is for real, they can be good again)
5. Southern Illinois (no Beane, but a lot of perimeter experience coming back)
6. Evansville (Jaylon Brown will have to have a special senior season to avoid the bottom)
7. Indiana State (they barely avoided Thursday WITH Smith and Brown this year)
8. Bradley (nothing between 4th and 10th would shock me)
9. Drake (hard to believe that roster could turn in another 2-16 year)
10. Loyola (losing their heart and soul in James. Doyle has regressed)

Good idea Mike, I will also try my way-too-early MVC rankings for next year.

1.) Wichita St. (replacing Ron and Fred is almost impossible but they are the champs till someone knocks them off.)
2.) Illinois State (return a ton of talent but can they finally play to their potential?)
3.) UNI (Jacobson will coach up a younger team and keep UNI in the upper half)
4.) Missouri St. (Really like some of their talent but Lusk seems to find a way to under achieve)
5.) Bradley (I know 5 is pretty high but the Valley will be wide open next year and if we add a couple more pieces I can see great things for the Braves!)
6.) Southern Illinois (loosing Beane really hurts, Hinson could go from coach of the year to hot seat!)
7.) Indiana St. (It will be the Brenton Scott show with not much help around him)
8.) Evansville (Mock and DJ are not walking through that door anymore)
9.) Loyola (No James and Turk really hurts and Doyle doesn't even seem interested in basketball at times. Hot seat coming for Porter)
10.) Drake (has young talent but I think this is it for Coach G if he cant show some decent results next year)

[tornado]

My way-too-early ranking (based solely on returnees):

1. Illinois State (return no depth/bench, but a ton of starting production is back)

I think a lot of ISU's potential for next year hangs on who they land to help them this spring...and we know there's generally not a whole lot of instant help available in what's left over this late in the recruiting cycle.

I think we saw what ISU is like when they wear down from lack of depth - as they got beat badly last Friday by the Sycamores - who then proceeded to get absolutely hammered by 26 points against Evansville.
But then ISU loses their best player Akoon-Purcell and a pretty reliable 3-pt guy off the bench in McCloud.
The kids who were redshirting or deep bench have now left or are thought to be projects...
The only two players coming in for next year are kids who have not exactly lit up the headlines this current season with their high school teams.
Both got knocked out of their own Regionals early & neither looked like a reliable scorer - gotta wonder if both will redshirt like the bunch this year who have now all gotten mad and left.

btw- after all those recruits from Florida all got transferred, did you see that they just offered another obscure 13 ppg Florida kid?
- LINK - they're battling UC-Davis for this kid