MVC writer picks Bradley 2nd this year

[Da Coach]

The smartest of all the MVC writers has picked Bradley to finish 2nd in the MVC this year to Creighton. --

http://www2.pjstar.com/index.php?/reynolds

Here are Dave Reynolds' picks--
1 Creighton
2 Bradley
3 Southern Illinois
4 Drake
5 Illinois State
6 Missouri State
7 Indiana State
8 Northern Iowa
9 Evansville
10 Wichita State
All-conference: Osiris Eldridge, Illinois State (Player of Year); Josh Young, Drake; P??™Allen Stinnett, Creighton; Andrew Warren, Bradley; Jonathan Cox, Drake.

[Stryker]

Finally someone that knows what they are talking about!

[Scouter]

I think it speaks volumes as to how good Osiris Eldridge is when Dave picks him as the POY on a middle-of-the-pack team.

Good to see some love for BU.

[BradleyBrave]

I kind of looked at this in a very similar way when last year ended. Despite the losses of JC, Ruff, and Salley, we returned as much if not more than every team in the league sans Creighton. That fact alone I think puts us in the top 2-3 teams by default IMO, considering the quality of the guys we're returning.

Despite CU being the consensus favorite because of what they bring back, I don't think they're the invincible machine that many think. We beat them by 40 in Peoria, lost a game we should have won in Omaha in 2 OT, and lost a game we should have won in St. Louis. Both of our losses were without Andrew Warren. Obviously, they have a very solid roster, and the best coach in the league, but I don't view them as leaps and bounds ahead of the league as they may have been in the past. I truly believe that if we can stay healthy, we can contend with CU for a league title. Anything less will be a big disappointment; this league is as winnable as it's been in the last decade.

[Double D]

I kind of looked at this in a very similar way when last year ended. Despite the losses of JC, Ruff, and Salley, we returned as much if not more than every team in the league sans Creighton. That fact alone I think puts us in the top 2-3 teams by default IMO, considering the quality of the guys we're returning.

Despite CU being the consensus favorite because of what they bring back, I don't think they're the invincible machine that many think. We beat them by 40 in Peoria, lost a game we should have won in Omaha in 2 OT, and lost a game we should have won in St. Louis. Both of our losses were without Andrew Warren. Obviously, they have a very solid roster, and the best coach in the league, but I don't view them as leaps and bounds ahead of the league as they may have been in the past. I truly believe that if we can stay healthy, we can contend with CU for a league title. Anything less will be a big disappointment; this league is as winnable as it's been in the last decade.

I tend to agree. They have a lot of talent coming back and should certainly be the favorite. But, I got the sense that Altman didn't really like the make-up of last years Creighton team. It will be interesting to see if some leadership emerges that makes them a more consistent defensive and rebounding team that doesn't rely on guys like Stinnett and Witter to "go off" to win.

[BUBraves06]

I kind of looked at this in a very similar way when last year ended. Despite the losses of JC, Ruff, and Salley, we returned as much if not more than every team in the league sans Creighton. That fact alone I think puts us in the top 2-3 teams by default IMO, considering the quality of the guys we're returning.

Despite CU being the consensus favorite because of what they bring back, I don't think they're the invincible machine that many think. We beat them by 40 in Peoria, lost a game we should have won in Omaha in 2 OT, and lost a game we should have won in St. Louis. Both of our losses were without Andrew Warren. Obviously, they have a very solid roster, and the best coach in the league, but I don't view them as leaps and bounds ahead of the league as they may have been in the past. I truly believe that if we can stay healthy, we can contend with CU for a league title. Anything less will be a big disappointment; this league is as winnable as it's been in the last decade.

I agree as well. I understand why most are picking CU to be the favorite, but they are certainly not unbeatable. For the first time since I've been her I feel like we have a really solid chance to win the Valley.

[SFP]

There is nothing to add to Dave Reynolds blog. I agree with him 100%. IndSU may be a suprise team and I'd say they have a good chance of going .500 during league play.

[Da Coach]

If the rumors about Marico Stinson turn out to be true, that he is leaving Indiana State, then I do not see InSU moving into the top 6 in the MVC.

http://bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=9450

Harry Marshall, their 2nd leading returning scorer is ineligible, and now Stinson, their leading returning scorer may be gone. They will really struggle to score, and McKenna will have to perform a miracle to reach double digit wins.