Official 2012-13 MVCfans.com prediction - 4th Place

[MVCfans]

Each week we will open a poll for users to predict the end of season finish for the MVC 2012-13 basketball season. We will work in reverse order, concluding with the predicted MVC champion chosen by our users between the last two teams remaining in week 9.

Evansville was selected as the 5th place finisher - link to results

Week 7 - Who will finish in 4th place during the 2012-13 MVC mens basketball season?
-You are choosing the team that you believe will finish in 4th place for this regular season. Poll open until Monday, October 1.


Official MVCfans.com - Predictions:
10th Place - Southern Illinois
9th Place - Bradley
8th Place - Missouri State
7th Place - Indiana State
6th Place - Drake
5th Place - Evansville
4th Place - ....

[Wufan]

Let's see...three teams that return virtually everyone and finished 2nd or tied for third versus the reigning league champions that lost their top 5 scorers. How will this play out? We can probably start the voting for third in 24 hours.

[Wufan]

My evaluation of Creighton:

The Bluejays return reigning conference POY and likely preseason All-American forward Doug McDermott and reining defensive POY in 6-9, 270 lb center Greg Echenique to anchor the front court. Grant Gibbs, who lead the team in assists from the small forward position will also be returning after leading Creighton to the round of 32 in the NCAA and will be joined by 35 game starter and 3 point specialist Jahenns Manigat. The only new addition to the starting line-up will be sophomore Austin Chatman at PG.

Backing up this talented group of starters will be 6-6 sophomore guard Avery Dingman, junior forward Ethan Wragge and 6-11 sophomore center Will Artino. New additions to the team include freshman sharp-shooter Isaiah Zierden, talented freshman PG Andre Yates and redshirt freshman; 7-0 Geoff Groselle and 6-5 Nevin Johnson.

The Bluejays, lead by Head Coach Greg McDermott, are a preseason top 10 and shoe in as the favorite to win the conference. They have the talent, size, leadership and depth to make national waves. The only question is; how far will they go?

[valleychamp]

I picked Wichita. I trust that the players they will have will be good enough to finish someplace in the top half, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them anywhere in the top 3. But I can't pick them ahead of UNI, ISU, and CU right now because there is just too much unknown about them.

[CBB_Fan]

Fourth is a fair place to put Wichita State. They haven't proven themselves enough to put them ahead of the other three teams, but I think most feel they'll be a good team. That said, I had enough questions about Illinois State that I picked them 4th; mainly because of the disasterous seasons the New Orleans Saints and Arkansas Razorbacks are having. I know, different levels and different sports, but losing a head coach can be tough.

I don't think you can make any arguments for Creighton or UNI to be third, and most will consider Wichita State's lack of experience as a bigger deal than the losses Illinois State had over the offseason.

[DoubleJayAlum]

I voted WSU here, but wouldn't be surprised if they end up higher. At the moment, there are just too many new players that I haven't seen or know about to vote them higher.

[Shockerfan13]

This one should be WSU when it is said and done. No problem with that. Third place will be a good poll though.

[Wufan]

My evaluation of Illinois State:

The Redbirds return one of the most experienced line-ups in the MVC next season and one of the biggest front courts. 6-9 seniors Jackie Carmichael and John Wilkins will be joined by 6-7 junior Jon Ekey. Combined, the three bigs averaged over 30 points and almost 20 rebounds per game last season, but the returning talent extends into the back court where 6-4 senior Tyler Brown shot better than 45% from three and was the team's second leading scorer.

A run at a first place finish got a little harder for the boys in Normal when at the end of the season freshman phenom Nic Moore decided to transfer and Head Coach Tim Jankovich left to be an assistant for Larry Brown. Meanwhile, hometown hero Dan Muller decided to return to his alma mater after a successful tenure as assistant coach at Vanderbilt. Fortunately for Muller, very little late recruiting (as is often required of a new coach) was needed as the only open scholarships were those which were left by Moore and departed reserves Darius Clark and Trey Blue. The Redbirds took advantage of the openings and signed the second rated point guard in Canada; Kaza Keane. Muller is hopeful that Keane can pick up where Moore left off last season, and while Keane can put the ball in the basket, he is more noted for averaging double digit assists then he is for scoring.

If Keane isn't ready to run the show this year, Illinois State still has some veteran guards in quick junior Bryant Allen (8 ppg) and senior ball handler Anthony Cousin (2:1 A:T). Johnny Hill, Zeke Upshaw and Nick Zeisloft add talented depth to the backcourt. Meanwhile, the strong front court will be backed by big-bodied underclassmen in Jordan Threloff and John Jones.

The Redbirds are poised to build on their strong finish from last season and if Muller and Keane can facilitate play in their debut season, then there is no reason to think that Illinois State won't be dancing this spring.

[Ali]

I went with Illinois State.

[Red]

Shockers here. To me the they might be the biggest unknown in the whole league and could finish literally anywhere from the top to Thursday night.