Lindys MVC picks from Valleynet

[WuDrWu]

I am going to try my darnedest to limit my predictions for the upcoming season, however I will make one statement in regards to this pick.



If we finish 7th in the conference I would hate to be any member of the team, coaching staff, family, friend etc of Coach Marshall. It will not be pleasant.

[lawmaker]

I think 7th is about right.

[Flanders]

I've gotten a chance to know CM from his time in South Carolina and I can tell you one thing: WuDrWu is right on. The Marshall's don't like to lose and there isn't a person out there that will put more pressure on CM to win than himself - not fans, boosters, AD's or media. Not anyone.

[The Mad Hatter]

I think 7th is about right.

Leave it to a Baylor fan to get excited about a predicted 7th place finish.

[calfan]

I don't buy seventh place. I try to be rational, and I think we landed one of the top two new coaches in the MVC. A lot of teams lost good players this year. WSU will not be nearly as easy to prepare for as before. I could give you the scouting report on WSU for the last 7 years from out here in Southern California. I can't do that this year. Moving P.J. to 2G, the addition of Ellis late is a plus. If Orupke gets here and is eligible to play, I think that would elimimnate WSU finishing any lower than 6, and maybe a threat for the title. Without Orupke, I would say no higher than 3. In order for us to finish seventh or lower, WSU would have to have a lot of bad luck and a lot of injuries. HCGM would also have to not coach the team. I remember what the Assistant from Rice said "WSU will not get outcoached".

[WuDrWu]

There is NO WAY you can successfully argue that we are not in a lot better shape than ISU (blue) Drake and Evansville.

Then you would have to do one hell of job convincing someone that UNI is in a better position than us.

Everyone else I can see making a case for putting ahead of WSU. Picking the Shox below 6th is simply not being smart or objective.

Picking them 7th or worse is not only foolhardy and borderline criminal, it is a pick that will come back to haunt you.

[t7017s]

I think this is great. This is bulletin board material for all the guys. Plus it takes some of the pressure off some of the senior players. If this doesnt get the guys good and pissed and ready to kick some ass i dont know what would. For gods sakes PJ could beat indiana state by himself. This is called motivation and I love being overlooked and unrespected. This just gets me more excited than anything.

[shocker22]

Personal Picks

SIU
MSU
Creighton
WSU
Ill St
Bradley
UNI
In State
Drake
Evansville

[Ghost of Rick Lamb]

Hey guys

FWIW I think these rankings are unrealistic also. Personally I think 3rd is too high to predict for IlSU. That would be assuming just about everything goes right. Personally I put a lot more stock in the coaches and beat writers of the Valley pre-season predictions. These national mags are usually f'ed up and rarely do their homework on non-BCS leagues.

The best example of this is how Lindy's has Jeremy Frickin Crouch listed as the Valley's best NBA prospect. That's hilarious.

[1972Shocker]

Our relationship is the perfect symbiosis.

Antibitotics should clear that up! :good:

[1972Shocker]

SIU will no doubt be the favorite and should be until someone proves on the court that thay aren't the cream of the MVC.

On the other hand, I think people are underestimating how tough it will be to replace Jamal Tatum and Tony Young.

[The Mad Hatter]

SIU will no doubt be the favorite and should be until someone proves on the court that thay aren't the cream of the MVC.

On the other hand, I think people are underestimating how toough it will be to replace Jamal Tatum and Tony Young.

I agree on all counts. We saw what happened last time they tried to replace two star guards a couple years back. The difference this year is that pretty much all the top teams lose quite a bit from last year.

[SubGod22]

InSU being picked ahead of us is a joke. I could also see us being picked 6th by someone even though I think that would be a bad year for us. So many teams lost important players that it's hard to say what will happen. But I see us as no worse than 4th.

[Ghost of Rick Lamb]

SIU will no doubt be the favorite and should be until someone proves on the court that thay aren't the cream of the MVC.

On the other hand, I think people are underestimating how toough it will be to replace Jamal Tatum and Tony Young.

I couldn't agree more. They are going to ask for more scoring from Mullins and I have my doubts as to whether he can deliver. The rest of their guards are suspect. Teams may be able to collapse on Falker and force the Salukis to beat them shooting from the perimeter. Without Young and Tatum, that's a tall task.

[RoyalShock]

I've been saying that their only proven shooter is Matt Shaw. Bone, Mullins and the other kid who's name escapes me were sub-par shooters last year. They will need to improve greatly on that or SIU will be a two-trick pony (Shaw, Falker).