Mid-Major Primer (Mark Adams, ESPN)

[Shox21]

"Breaking Down the Mid-Majors

Missouri Valley: Wichita State

The Valley is the best mid-major conference from top to bottom in the country again. Five of the 10 MVC schools have at least four starters returning from last season, including Wichita State (4), Bradley (4), Creighton (4), Evansville (4) and Missouri State (5). Seven of the top 10 scorers and 14 of the top 20 rebounders return. Of the 23 conferences that we consider mid-majors, the Valley was the top-rated RPI conference at No. 9.

It is a new season, and Northern Iowa will still be a very good team with the return of Kwadzo Ahelegbe, Johnny Moran, Jake Koch and Lucas O'Rear. But the team to watch this season is the Wichita State Shockers. This Wichita team could rival the great teams of Ralph Miller, Gene Smithson and Mark Turgeon. Although last season's leading scorer, Clevin Hannah, will be missed, the Shockers return junior POY candidate Toure' Murry. They also return three other starters, including Garrett Stutz, who is the key to Wichita State separating itself from the pack. This 7-footer can run, has great hands and has shown consistent, quantifiable improvement. If Stutz takes the next step in his developmental process, watch out for the Shockers.

Also, Cuonzo Martin welcomes back all five starters for Missouri State. New Creighton coach Greg McDermott returns to the MVC and has Kenny Lawson Jr. as a scoring, rebounding and shot-blocking inside intimidator. Plus, three other starters return. The Bradley Braves return four starters and Andrew Warren is now completely healthy, which is bad news for MVC opponents.

Others in the hunt: Creighton, Missouri State, Northern Iowa, Bradley"

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/preview2010/columns/story?id=5788744

[NCAABound]

Re: Mid-Major Primer (Mark Adams, ESPN)

But the team to watch this season is the Wichita State Shockers. This Wichita team could rival the great teams of Ralph Miller, Gene Smithson and Mark Turgeon.

From what I could tell last night....they have a long way to go before they can match some of those teams. Hopefully they were just shaking off some of the rust.

[ShockTalk]

Re: Mid-Major Primer (Mark Adams, ESPN)

"Breaking Down the Mid-Majors

Missouri Valley: Wichita State

The Valley is the best mid-major conference from top to bottom in the country again. Five of the 10 MVC schools have at least four starters returning from last season, including Wichita State (4), Bradley (4), Creighton (4), Evansville (4) and Missouri State (5). Seven of the top 10 scorers and 14 of the top 20 rebounders return. [b]Of the 23 conferences that we consider mid-majors, the Valley was the top-rated RPI conference at No. 9.[/b]

It is a new season, and Northern Iowa will still be a very good team with the return of Kwadzo Ahelegbe, Johnny Moran, Jake Koch and Lucas O'Rear. But the team to watch this season is the Wichita State Shockers. This Wichita team could rival the great teams of Ralph Miller, Gene Smithson and Mark Turgeon. Although last season's leading scorer, Clevin Hannah, will be missed, the Shockers return junior POY candidate Toure' Murry. They also return three other starters, including Garrett Stutz, who is the key to Wichita State separating itself from the pack. This 7-footer can run, has great hands and has shown consistent, quantifiable improvement. If Stutz takes the next step in his developmental process, watch out for the Shockers.

Also, Cuonzo Martin welcomes back all five starters for Missouri State. New Creighton coach Greg McDermott returns to the MVC and has Kenny Lawson Jr. as a scoring, rebounding and shot-blocking inside intimidator. Plus, three other starters return. The Bradley Braves return four starters and Andrew Warren is now completely healthy, which is bad news for MVC opponents.

Others in the hunt: Creighton, Missouri State, Northern Iowa, Bradley"



http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/previe...ory?id=5788744

It appears they meant that as in "past tense", last year.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/preview2010/news/story?id=5782969

Two days earlier, this article came out and the Valley is picked #11. Also, the MVC is now no longer considered on the level of the MWC, C-USA, and Atl-10 as they have coined the phrase "Quasi-Mids" to describe their level. This ESPN article also had the CAA ahead of the Valley and C-USA.

[ShockerFever]

Re: Mid-Major Primer (Mark Adams, ESPN)

But the team to watch this season is the Wichita State Shockers. This Wichita team could rival the great teams of Ralph Miller, Gene Smithson and Mark Turgeon.

From what I could tell last night....they have a long way to go before they can match some of those teams. Hopefully they were just shaking off some of the rust.

Agreed.

Very high praise, praise that frankly we have yet to prove and have a long ways to go to prove.

[kcshocker11]

Now thats what I like to read!

[SirShoxAlot]

Re: Mid-Major Primer (Mark Adams, ESPN)

"Breaking Down the Mid-Majors

Missouri Valley: Wichita State

The Valley is the best mid-major conference from top to bottom in the country again. Five of the 10 MVC schools have at least four starters returning from last season, including Wichita State (4), Bradley (4), Creighton (4), Evansville (4) and Missouri State (5). Seven of the top 10 scorers and 14 of the top 20 rebounders return. [b]Of the 23 conferences that we consider mid-majors, the Valley was the top-rated RPI conference at No. 9.[/b]

It is a new season, and Northern Iowa will still be a very good team with the return of Kwadzo Ahelegbe, Johnny Moran, Jake Koch and Lucas O'Rear. But the team to watch this season is the Wichita State Shockers. This Wichita team could rival the great teams of Ralph Miller, Gene Smithson and Mark Turgeon. Although last season's leading scorer, Clevin Hannah, will be missed, the Shockers return junior POY candidate Toure' Murry. They also return three other starters, including Garrett Stutz, who is the key to Wichita State separating itself from the pack. This 7-footer can run, has great hands and has shown consistent, quantifiable improvement. If Stutz takes the next step in his developmental process, watch out for the Shockers.

Also, Cuonzo Martin welcomes back all five starters for Missouri State. New Creighton coach Greg McDermott returns to the MVC and has Kenny Lawson Jr. as a scoring, rebounding and shot-blocking inside intimidator. Plus, three other starters return. The Bradley Braves return four starters and Andrew Warren is now completely healthy, which is bad news for MVC opponents.

Others in the hunt: Creighton, Missouri State, Northern Iowa, Bradley"



http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/previe...ory?id=5788744

It appears they meant that as in "past tense", last year.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/preview2010/news/story?id=5782969

Two days earlier, this article came out and the Valley is picked #11. Also, the MVC is now no longer considered on the level of the MWC, C-USA, and Atl-10 as they have coined the phrase "Quasi-Mids" to describe their level. This ESPN article also had the CAA ahead of the Valley and C-USA.

No. We are on a higher level than the Big Sky, Horizon, WAC, MAC, and really everyone else in the mid-major rankings. Hell, we're at a higher level than a few of the ones he has listed as quasi-mids.

[ShockTalk]

Re: Mid-Major Primer (Mark Adams, ESPN)

"Breaking Down the Mid-Majors

Missouri Valley: Wichita State

The Valley is the best mid-major conference from top to bottom in the country again. Five of the 10 MVC schools have at least four starters returning from last season, including Wichita State (4), Bradley (4), Creighton (4), Evansville (4) and Missouri State (5). Seven of the top 10 scorers and 14 of the top 20 rebounders return. [b]Of the 23 conferences that we consider mid-majors, the Valley was the top-rated RPI conference at No. 9.[/b]

It is a new season, and Northern Iowa will still be a very good team with the return of Kwadzo Ahelegbe, Johnny Moran, Jake Koch and Lucas O'Rear. But the team to watch this season is the Wichita State Shockers. This Wichita team could rival the great teams of Ralph Miller, Gene Smithson and Mark Turgeon. Although last season's leading scorer, Clevin Hannah, will be missed, the Shockers return junior POY candidate Toure' Murry. They also return three other starters, including Garrett Stutz, who is the key to Wichita State separating itself from the pack. This 7-footer can run, has great hands and has shown consistent, quantifiable improvement. If Stutz takes the next step in his developmental process, watch out for the Shockers.

Also, Cuonzo Martin welcomes back all five starters for Missouri State. New Creighton coach Greg McDermott returns to the MVC and has Kenny Lawson Jr. as a scoring, rebounding and shot-blocking inside intimidator. Plus, three other starters return. The Bradley Braves return four starters and Andrew Warren is now completely healthy, which is bad news for MVC opponents.

Others in the hunt: Creighton, Missouri State, Northern Iowa, Bradley"



http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/previe...ory?id=5788744

It appears they meant that as in "past tense", last year.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/preview2010/news/story?id=5782969

Two days earlier, this article came out and the Valley is picked #11. Also, the MVC is now no longer considered on the level of the MWC, C-USA, and Atl-10 as they have coined the phrase "Quasi-Mids" to describe their level. This ESPN article also had the CAA ahead of the Valley and C-USA.

No. We are on a higher level than the Big Sky, Horizon, WAC, MAC, and really everyone else in the mid-major rankings. Hell, we're at a higher level than a few of the ones he has listed as quasi-mids.

Sir: I made no personal observation. I simply pointed out an ESPN article, done by one of their panels. They made the statement. Like it or not, it is such press that many read, including recruits and potential new coaches into the Valley. Where before you had the BCS and everyone else (mid majors with some general groupings from top to bottom), now this major sports press has labeled a group that separates them from the rest of the mid majors. Better or not, it's there as a perception to others and we're not included. It is just another preseason ranking, so we'll see how it all comes out.

As to your own belief, we may be better in given years than some of the "quasi mids" they labeled, but certainly not on a higher level. Time will tell and we'll see if the MVC finishes in the top 10. IMO, the Valley is slipping. Our overall athletic program, along with a few others, are holding up their end. Unfortunately, if the Valley continues to sink, we're not in a good position to be rescued.

[shocker3]

It is imperative that the Valley be a 2 bid or more conference this year. The conference TV contracts are up after this year and another one bid season could doom any chance to hold onto what we have let alone improve on it.

[shockerfan]

It is imperative that the Valley be a 2 bid or more conference this year. The conference TV contracts are up after this year and another one bid season could doom any chance to hold onto what we have let alone improve on it.

They Valley definately hasn't helped it's resume in "big" games thus far. I know there is still alot of season left, but not as much games against teams that can help the resume. I'm afraid we will be a 1 bid league again this year if things don't turn around in a hurry.

[SB Shock]

It is imperative that the Valley be a 2 bid or more conference this year. The conference TV contracts are up after this year and another one bid season could doom any chance to hold onto what we have let alone improve on it.

The MVC is the 19th ranked conference right now - there is about a month to get that changed. 19th ranked conference don't get 2 bids.

Based on what I saw last night with second best MVC team - the only way this league gets two bids is if:

1) WSU blows through non-conference and beat everybody,
2) WSU dominates the MVC and wins the regular season
3) WSU gets to the finals of the MVC tournament game and loses
4) WSU then wait and hopes for NCAA selection committee leniency

That is alot of things that must go right, I think WSU is on their own this year. Hopefully they can have a good Maui to build off of and build some confidence.