Blue Ribbon picks...

[shockerfan]

This was posted on the Bradley site. I didn't think the "bible" comes out this soon...but I guess I should check into that if so.

Here are the HILARIOUS picks according to the Mecca:

1. Northern Iowa
2. Illinois State
3. Creighton
4. Southern Illinois
5. Indiana State
6. Bradley
7. Wichita State
8. Drake
9. Evansville
10. Missouri State

ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
G-Osiris Eldridge, SR, Illinois State
G-P'Allen Stinnett, JR, Creighton
G-Tony Freeman, SR, Southern Illinois
G-Josh Young, SR, Drake
F-Adam Koch, SR, Northern Iowa

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Osiris Eldridge, SR, Illinois State

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Tony Freeman, SR, Southern Illinois

To me this seems pretty crazy if this is really how they picked the Valley. Indiana St 5th? Even with their savior Kelly (should he be elidgible) I'm not sure about that one!

[1972Shocker]

That was also published on the MVC web site:

http://www.mvc-sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=7600&ATCLID=204799553

If Vegas shares these views I might have to put some coin on the Shocks chances of finishing higher than 7th. However, I doubt that will be the case.

[WuDrWu]

Regardless of what we (as WSU fans) think about our chances, it is hard to argue with anyone who has DU, MSU and UE at the bottom, UNI and CU in the top 3 and everyone in the remaining spots.

The league is simply that closely balanced this year.

I do believe that 8, 9, and especially 10 are locked in.

The top 7 could be drawn out of a hat and you'd have just about as good a shot at the order as any so called expert.

But hey, what do I know?

[ShockerFever]

Please rip out this page of Blue Ribbon and post it on every single locker of every player.


Thank you.

















... Indiana State at 5th? (This magazine just lost all credibility.)

[shocker22]

This is a joke and since we are already in prediction mode...here goes mine.

UNI
Creighton
WSU
Ill St
Southern
Bradley
Ind St.
Drake
MSU
Evansville

[tropicalshox]

Here is what Andy Katz says about it:

Blue Ribbon put out its Missouri Valley predictions and if Wichita State is the seventh-best team in the Valley, it could be another banner season for the league. The rankings were hard to argue against at the top with Northern Iowa, Illinois State, Creighton and Southern Illinois as the top four. Indiana State and Bradley were five and six before the Shockers at No. 7. Drake, Evansville and Missouri State wrapped up the bottom three. WSU coach Gregg Marshall has the Shockers on the verge of being quite a pest this season and could cause some havoc in the CBE Classic when they play Pitt in the semifinals in Kansas City. Don't be surprised if Iowa, not Wichita State, is the team that leaves the event winless

[Calshockfan]

I have to agree with shockerfever on this one. Their projections seem to lose credibility with Indiana picked fifth.

The remarks of Andy Katz seem appropriate.

The Shocker's stock may very well soar all the way to second if two big IFS
come to fruition.

1. Blair is as good as advertised.
2. Stutz play significantly improves over last year.

The front courts of Creighton, Illinois State, SIU and Bradley would have difficulty matching up. Creighton could'nt handle our front court last year. I am assuming that our outside shooting will improve from last year.

[henrytheshock]

Blair is as good as advertised...rest assured.

Stutz, well, at least he's only a Sophomore.

[Shox21]

Blair is as good as advertised...rest assured.

Stutz, well, at least he's only a Sophomore.

I hope you are right about Blair. But I also remember the same thing being said about Hawkins and we all know how that worked out.

[WstateU]

[quote="henrytheshock"]Blair is as good as advertised...rest assured.[quote]

Of course we heard the same thing about a certain player last year; however I'm "cautiously optimistic".

:good: :good:

[RoyalShock]

Blair was advertised as an above-average rebounder who could basically replace what Ramon gave us.

Hawkins was advertised as a better offensive producer than PJ.

I think Blair has a much, much greater chance to live up to his billing than Hawkins ever had.

[tropicalshox]

Good point. We had very high expectations for AJ.

[Ricardo del Rio]

Good point. We had very high expectations for AJ.

Yes, expectations were high. However, there were some early reports about his shot making, which caused me to take a wait and see approach.

As it was revealed, he was not a very good outside shooter.

I have seen Blair play several times. I think we will like him.

Of course, I am the same guy, who said Tim Duncan would never make it in the NBA. Just a little credential information for you.

[electricmayhem]

If Kelly is eligible, Indiana State could very well finish 5th. Evansville finished 5th last year at 8-10, tied with the Shox and the Salukis. I think they could be .500 this year. That being said, I see the Shox winning at least 9 games too...

MSU and EU are going to get pounded this year, to the tune of maybe 4 wins each. Drake isn't much better but with Josh Young and Ryan Wedel there, they'll shoot their way to 5-6 wins.

Let me ask this... if three teams are 8-10, do they all claim T-5, or do they have to say they finished 5th, 6th or 7th, depending on tiebreaker? To me, they can all claim T-5. It sounds better.

[RoyalShock]

I think they all finish tied for 5th. The tiebreakers are just for Valley tournament seedings.

I agree that the league is so wide open that only the bottom 2-3 teams are sure bets. But I won't stop that from being a little bit of a homer . . . Blue Ribbon only gets a participation ribbon for that entry.