MVC next year is going to be even better as the Jays will be locked and loaded, the Redbirds (with everyone returning) will be nipping close and looking for the NCAA tourney invite. Drake's Bulldogs, UNI's Panthers and WSU's Shockers (you know they will reload and suprise) will all three will a very tough top half of The Valley.
Under Marty, UE's Aces are definitely a program that's pointed in the right direction, while a second year under coach Lusk should make MSU's Bears more consistent and an even tougher out for any foe. ISU's Trees will have their gun Odum and some good players that will be hungry to climb back up the MVC ladder.
Geno Ford will be in year 2 at Bradley continuing to turn that program around, while SIU should benefit from some new blood at HC.
Watching the championship game, IMHO the Redbirds (if there were any justice) should get the call from the NIT.
ISU-R finished 3rd in one of the top eight conferences in the country, then proceeded to take down a very good UNI Panther team, knock off the Valley's top team, and then take #24 CU into overtime. In reality, probably both UNI and ISU-R deserve NIT invites, but I don't look for that to happen as the MVC typically gets shafted at the end of the year.
How many Valley teams will be playing post season? Not sure, but it's going to be fun to see the majority of the conference get a second season where each team can really get after it and carry the Valley's banner. Hopefully all the teams show the entire country the high level of competitiveness the MVC plays at each and every contest.
This year's Arch Madness was sucessful on many levels, and next season the MVC tourney may even be more sucessful as there will be plently of schools in the mix and they'll bring fans. Could definitely see the MVC
climbing up the RPI conferernce rankings to once again claim the top non-BCS spot (and maybe even above a couple of the BSCers).
Anyhow, definitely looking forward to following all of the Valley teams in post-season play, To all those teams: Take no prisoners and show America how tough the MVC teams can be....in other words keep it rolling and WIN, WIN, WIN!!!
ROCK IT VALLEY!!
