Next Year's Predictions

[matt714gd]

Alright...we got a solid recruiting class so it seems. I am wondering why we are not getting more respect as an ENTIRE TEAM. I was reading this article (posed below), and it stated that Bradley is picked 8th in the Missouri Valley next season. I have also read a couple of other reports that pick us in the top four. Where do you all think we stand? Also, I have read a couple of other articles stating that the fact we lost Coley ruined our chances for an NCAA pick next year. I am interested in what you all think? Is there evidence that shows we may be amongst the elite in the conference? Please tell me that what these people are saying in the article below is a bunch of fubar......I want another sweet sixteen season for 2008!!!! http://basketballpredictions.blogspo...s-part-ii.html

[Da Coach]

Without sounding disrespectful, the author, Jeff, likely has never seen Bradley play, probably has never seen any Missouri Valley games, and probably does not know who is on the Bradley team , or any MVC team. So he is most likely picking teams order of finish purely by name recognition.

By the way, here are some of his archived predictions from a year ago. They are laughable! I am surprised he hasn't deleted these--
He picked Duke to finish 2nd behind UNC in the ACC. He picked Villanova to win the Big East ahead of Georgetown, with UConn 3rd! He does better in the Big Ten and Big 12, but he picked Charlotte to win the Atlantic 10. NOte he also picked Wichita to finish 2nd in the MVC, and BU 7th last year.--

http://basketballpredictions.blogspot.com/2006_04_01_archive.html

[Anthony Parker is my Hero]

i feel joe lunardi's prediction as bradley as an 11 seed to be more of an accurate prediction.

[houstontxbrave]

i feel joe lunardi's prediction as bradley as an 11 seed to be more of an accurate prediction.

Glad he had BU in his predictions but he also had SIU as an 11 seed, that would be difficult if both MVC reps had both an 11.

[Stryker]

Re: Next Year's Predictions

Alright...we got a solid recruiting class so it seems. I am wondering why we are not getting more respect as an ENTIRE TEAM. I was reading this article (posed below), and it stated that Bradley is picked 8th in the Missouri Valley next season. I have also read a couple of other reports that pick us in the top four. Where do you all think we stand? Also, I have read a couple of other articles stating that the fact we lost Coley ruined our chances for an NCAA pick next year. I am interested in what you all think? Is there evidence that shows we may be amongst the elite in the conference? Please tell me that what these people are saying in the article below is a bunch of fubar......I want another sweet sixteen season for 2008!!!! http://basketballpredictions.blogspo...s-part-ii.html

Hahaha, that is hilarious. He picks both ISU's above Bradley. Come on!!! That guy has no idea what he is talking about, at least with the MVC.

My predictions:
The ties are basically the ones I am not AS sure about. Meaning right now it is a toss up between them. I think I will be able to predict more easily what it will look like when all the scheduling and non-conference scheduling comes out, even though it doesn't necessarily predict conference standings. Alot of times if a team plays some BCS schools in non-conference, and win the game, it can lead to a "hot" streak or momentum. This can keep building over the season and lead to what can happen in conference play. I know it doesn't seem like a tangible theory, but it's kinda how I think of it.

1.) SIU
1.) BU
3.) CU
4.) MSU
4.) WSU
4.) NIU
4.) Illinois State
8.) Indiana State
9.) Drake
10) Evansville.

[BradleyBrave]

I don't want to make predictions yet, because we still need to get through the summer qualified academically, healthy, and out of trouble.

When (optimistic) we start practice this coming fall and our roster is intact and healthy, I have some lofty goals for this group. I am setting the bar high - 22+ regular season wins, and cutting down the nets. It can be either for the regular season (preferably), or in St. Louis, but it's time for us to cut down nets again. Of course, with that comes the NCAA's. So there it is - 22 regular season wins, MVC crown, NCAA's. We have the talent to get it done. Let's do it.

[beyondthearc14]

I realize that other MVC schools are still recruiting and that
stituations can change,but I'll take a stab at the order of
Finish for 2007-2008.

(1) SIU. Tony Young and Jamal Tatum graduating will hurt
them somewhat,but they still have Falker,Shaw,and Mullins
coming back.They also have Fay as an incoming recruit.
SIU is the #1 preseason pick in my book until they are knocked
off.

(2) Bradley. The best point guard in the Valley returns for
his final season.Jeremy Crouch and Tyrone Cole Scott should
provide effective 3 point shooting for Bradley.David Collins
and Rashad Austin should sure up the rebounding problem BU
had last year.Dearron Williams(if he qualifies)and Ray Brown
should be solid small foward types for Bradley.

(3)Creighton. With Dana Altman returning as Coach and
players such as P'Allen Stinnett(Rivals 4 star) and Chad Millard(Louisville transfer) incoming Creighton should have a solid
team next year.

(4) Northern Iowa. Coleman and Egleseder(sp) being back
for UNI next year will give them a real effective inside presence.
I also believe that Jared Joestens is back for one more year.
They also have a guy with an African like last name who was
really tough on BU last year.

(5) Illinois State. Osiris Elridge will give ISU(red) the best returning shooting guard in the Valley next year.Boo Richardson
being turnover prone at the pt. guard spot will hurt ISU though.
Also as of right now ISU doesn't have much of an inside presence.Levi Dyer should step it up some more for ISU next
year.

(6) Missouri State. Wade Knapp should give Missouri State
some more inside depth for next year.Losing Blake Ahearn and
Nathan Balyieu will hurt,but the Luaure Brothers will be back
for MSU.They also bring in Kyle Kirk and another decent guard
recruit.

(7) Wichita State. Given Wichita's current roster I would pick
them at 7th,but if they can sign Sampay,Baker,etc... then
I might move them up as high as 5th.

Who cares about the following teams.

(8 ) Indiana State
(9) Drake
(10) Evansville.
transfer

[MacabreMob]

Bradley wins the MVC.

[BuBraves55]

Bradley wins the MVC.

they still might
but if we got everyone we expected...
Bradley wins the NCAA?

[dogsrus]

I'm also not one to make predictions......jelling will be this teams biggest hurdle. We have lost alot the last two years but thank goodness Crouch and Ruffin return. It all starts with good guards that can run the team. Neither of these guys are vocal leaders allthough leading by example is a strong point for both.

We have a tough non con so these guys will need to jell quickly. I think with Fears gone it will be easier. Had JL NOT had the kahunas to send him packing we could of had trouble with so many new guys trying to make their mark.

Lots of unknowns but the potential for something special. JL will have to work some magic building a TEAM like he did last year. Losing JJ, Adams and Franklin was as big as losing some of the guys the year before. Talent can be replaced but heart and desire is tougher to find.

Who will be our Franklin and who will be our JJ.....?

[Da Coach]

I realize that other MVC schools are still recruiting and that
stituations can change,but I'll take a stab at the order of
Finish for 2007-2008.

(1) SIU. Tony Young and Jamal Tatum graduating will hurt
them somewhat,but they still have Falker,Shaw,and Mullins
coming back.They also have Fay as an incoming recruit.
SIU is the #1 preseason pick in my book until they are knocked
off.

(2) Bradley. The best point guard in the Valley returns for
his final season.Jeremy Crouch and Tyrone Cole Scott should
provide effective 3 point shooting for Bradley.David Collins
and Rashad Austin should sure up the rebounding problem BU
had last year.Dearron Williams(if he qualifies)and Ray Brown
should be solid small foward types for Bradley.

(3)Creighton. With Dana Altman returning as Coach and
players such as P'Allen Stinnett(Rivals 4 star) and Chad Millard(Louisville transfer) incoming Creighton should have a solid
team next year.

(4) Northern Iowa. Coleman and Egleseder(sp) being back
for UNI next year will give them a real effective inside presence.
I also believe that Jared Joestens is back for one more year.
They also have a guy with an African like last name who was
really tough on BU last year.

(5) Illinois State. Osiris Elridge will give ISU(red) the best returning shooting guard in the Valley next year.Boo Richardson
being turnover prone at the pt. guard spot will hurt ISU though.
Also as of right now ISU doesn't have much of an inside presence.Levi Dyer should step it up some more for ISU next
year.

(6) Missouri State. Wade Knapp should give Missouri State
some more inside depth for next year.Losing Blake Ahearn and
Nathan Balyieu will hurt,but the Luaure Brothers will be back
for MSU.They also bring in Kyle Kirk and another decent guard
recruit.

(7) Wichita State. Given Wichita's current roster I would pick
them at 7th,but if they can sign Sampay,Baker,etc... then
I might move them up as high as 5th.

Who cares about the following teams.

(8 ) Indiana State
(9) Drake
(10) Evansville.
transfer

Wow, great job beyondthearc!
I thought I was the only one obsessed enought to look up all the returning and incoming players for each team to make this kind of assessment. But I pretty much agree with your assessment. My only disagreement is that I would put Missouri State ahead of UNI and ISU, as they have some talent returning, and though the MSU fans would disagree, I think Barry does get a lot out of the level of talent they usually have.

[BradleyBrave]

I'm also not one to make predictions......jelling will be this teams biggest hurdle. We have lost alot the last two years but thank goodness Crouch and Ruffin return. It all starts with good guards that can run the team. Neither of these guys are vocal leaders allthough leading by example is a strong point for both.

We have a tough non con so these guys will need to jell quickly. I think with Fears gone it will be easier. Had JL NOT had the kahunas to send him packing we could of had trouble with so many new guys trying to make their mark.

Lots of unknowns but the potential for something special. JL will have to work some magic building a TEAM like he did last year. Losing JJ, Adams and Franklin was as big as losing some of the guys the year before. Talent can be replaced but heart and desire is tougher to find.

Who will be our Franklin and who will be our JJ.....?

I agree about the 'gelling' (sp?) aspect of the team...although I think it might not be as big of a hurdle as we think for a few reasons. First, we return 4 core players from last year in Ruffin, Crouch, Warren, and Salley, and 2 guys with multiple years in the program in Singh and Brown. Those 6 players can and will set the tone, as they know what the expectations are for this team and program, and know what it takes to get the job done. That's nearly half the team. Second, our incoming JUCO's (with the exception of Williams) come from successful JUCO programs where numbers weren't necessarily the driving force. Our experienced core should allow them to excel in their roles without feeling the burden to have to 'do it all'. Lastly, we have 3 freshman who likely won't push for minutes (and we won't need them to). I suspect, like most freshmen, they'll be doing all they can to just 'fit in' and help out where they can.

So, the only chemistry issue I can really foresee is DeAaron Williams. He was the star in HS, redshirted and didn't do much at Wisconsin, and then went back to being the star. I'm not saying he can't eventually star at BU, but our team is deep enough that we don't and won't need him to. Our system is based on everyone shooting, everyone scoring, and sharing the basketball. I think just about everyone coming in who will be expected to contribute has been in a system like that...except for Williams. Getting him to buy in and be part of what we're building will be the challenge. If he's on board, the potential for next year's team is limitless.

[dogsrus]

I'm also not one to make predictions......jelling will be this teams biggest hurdle. We have lost alot the last two years but thank goodness Crouch and Ruffin return. It all starts with good guards that can run the team. Neither of these guys are vocal leaders allthough leading by example is a strong point for both.

We have a tough non con so these guys will need to jell quickly. I think with Fears gone it will be easier. Had JL NOT had the kahunas to send him packing we could of had trouble with so many new guys trying to make their mark.

Lots of unknowns but the potential for something special. JL will have to work some magic building a TEAM like he did last year. Losing JJ, Adams and Franklin was as big as losing some of the guys the year before. Talent can be replaced but heart and desire is tougher to find.

Who will be our Franklin and who will be our JJ.....?

I agree about the 'gelling' (sp?) aspect of the team...although I think it might not be as big of a hurdle as we think for a few reasons. First, we return 4 core players from last year in Ruffin, Crouch, Warren, and Salley, and 2 guys with multiple years in the program in Singh and Brown. Those 6 players can and will set the tone, as they know what the expectations are for this team and program, and know what it takes to get the job done. That's nearly half the team. Second, our incoming JUCO's (with the exception of Williams) come from successful JUCO programs where numbers weren't necessarily the driving force. Our experienced core should allow them to excel in their roles without feeling the burden to have to 'do it all'. Lastly, we have 3 freshman who likely won't push for minutes (and we won't need them to). I suspect, like most freshmen, they'll be doing all they can to just 'fit in' and help out where they can.

So, the only chemistry issue I can really foresee is DeAaron Williams. He was the star in HS, redshirted and didn't do much at Wisconsin, and then went back to being the star. I'm not saying he can't eventually star at BU, but our team is deep enough that we don't and won't need him to. Our system is based on everyone shooting, everyone scoring, and sharing the basketball. I think just about everyone coming in who will be expected to contribute has been in a system like that...except for Williams. Getting him to buy in and be part of what we're building will be the challenge. If he's on board, the potential for next year's team is limitless.

Sounds good to me. One thing about it the JF dismissal should serve as warning to ANYBODY that doesn't follow JL's "plan". You're correct about the returning group. They will be able to tell the "tale" about Fears and it should serve as a warning that no one is expendable.

[Dubl R 1]

Bradley wins the MVC.

they still might
but if we got everyone we expected...
Bradley wins the NCAA?

What Sport?

[beyondthearc14]

I realize that other MVC schools are still recruiting and that
stituations can change,but I'll take a stab at the order of
Finish for 2007-2008.

(1) SIU. Tony Young and Jamal Tatum graduating will hurt
them somewhat,but they still have Falker,Shaw,and Mullins
coming back.They also have Fay as an incoming recruit.
SIU is the #1 preseason pick in my book until they are knocked
off.

(2) Bradley. The best point guard in the Valley returns for
his final season.Jeremy Crouch and Tyrone Cole Scott should
provide effective 3 point shooting for Bradley.David Collins
and Rashad Austin should sure up the rebounding problem BU
had last year.Dearron Williams(if he qualifies)and Ray Brown
should be solid small foward types for Bradley.

(3)Creighton. With Dana Altman returning as Coach and
players such as P'Allen Stinnett(Rivals 4 star) and Chad Millard(Louisville transfer) incoming Creighton should have a solid
team next year.

(4) Northern Iowa. Coleman and Egleseder(sp) being back
for UNI next year will give them a real effective inside presence.
I also believe that Jared Joestens is back for one more year.
They also have a guy with an African like last name who was
really tough on BU last year.

(5) Illinois State. Osiris Elridge will give ISU(red) the best returning shooting guard in the Valley next year.Boo Richardson
being turnover prone at the pt. guard spot will hurt ISU though.
Also as of right now ISU doesn't have much of an inside presence.Levi Dyer should step it up some more for ISU next
year.

(6) Missouri State. Wade Knapp should give Missouri State
some more inside depth for next year.Losing Blake Ahearn and
Nathan Balyieu will hurt,but the Luaure Brothers will be back
for MSU.They also bring in Kyle Kirk and another decent guard
recruit.

(7) Wichita State. Given Wichita's current roster I would pick
them at 7th,but if they can sign Sampay,Baker,etc... then
I might move them up as high as 5th.

Who cares about the following teams.

(8 ) Indiana State
(9) Drake
(10) Evansville.
transfer

Wow, great job beyondthearc!
I thought I was the only one obsessed enought to look up all the returning and incoming players for each team to make this kind of assessment. But I pretty much agree with your assessment. My only disagreement is that I would put Missouri State ahead of UNI and ISU, as they have some talent returning, and though the MSU fans would disagree, I think Barry does get a lot out of the level of talent they usually have.

The reason that I know a decent # of other MVC teams
rosters is that I visit some of their message boards every day.I gotobluejaycafe.com,salukitalk.net,redbirdfan.com, valleytalk.net,
and the peoria journal star board every day.I visit the Drake
and UNI boards about twice a week.
Outside of the MVC I enjoy going to caazone.com and
the St. Louis University board.