Official 2013-14 MVCfans.com Prediction - 8th Place

[Red]

You can go ahead and pick us here. I have no trouble with setting the bar low and I expect we will finish better.

[BTbird]

I didn't vote for ISU but I understand why people would. There is a lot of question marks with this team with the high turnover. I do think we have brought in some talent and bringing in some Juco guys will give us some experience even though it wasn't D1. Honestly, there has been very little information given since they have arrived on campus so not sure how to agree or disagree with 8th.

[bleach]

I don't see Evansville here but can see why some would think that. I believe it's very close between Aces and Ramblers. For 7th that is.

[GoRamblers]

I don't see Evansville here but can see why some would think that. I believe it's very close between Aces and Ramblers. For 7th that is.

That would be my guess as well. I'm inclined to say that the Ramblers avoid Thursday night.

[agrinut]

I don't see Evansville here but can see why some would think that. I believe it's very close between Aces and Ramblers. For 7th that is.

That would be my guess as well. I'm inclined to say that the Ramblers avoid Thursday night.

Why are you inclined to say that other than you are a fan? The ramblers could t compete in the horizon why will they compete in the valley.

[glm38]

I don't see Evansville here but can see why some would think that. I believe it's very close between Aces and Ramblers. For 7th that is.

That would be my guess as well. I'm inclined to say that the Ramblers avoid Thursday night.

Why are you inclined to say that other than you are a fan? The ramblers could t compete in the horizon why will they compete in the valley.

I'm certainly not an expert on the Loyola's program. But my understanding is that they were VERY young last year just as our Bears were. And that just like us several of their young players are pretty talented. If that's the case you expect a significant improvement the next year just as we do for our Bears.

IMHO they avoid the play in game.

[GoRamblers]

I don't see Evansville here but can see why some would think that. I believe it's very close between Aces and Ramblers. For 7th that is.

That would be my guess as well. I'm inclined to say that the Ramblers avoid Thursday night.

Why are you inclined to say that other than you are a fan? The ramblers could t compete in the horizon why will they compete in the valley.

Several things. Until recently (we're talking the past 3 years), the school decided to ignore the basketball program. In spite of that, we came within a few seconds of making the tournament in 2002. Because of that event, the Horizon league changed its format to the absolute ridiculous thing you see today. After all, they had to protect Butler.

The past 3 years have been tough, but that's to be expected when a new coach comes in. He did burn some bridges that first year (hence our 7-23 record). We played with 5 scholarship players. With some good recruiting and coaching, there was a big turnaround last year (15-16 record). That was done with the 6th youngest roster in the NCAA (and a bunch of injuries to big players like Averkamp). We lost 7 games by a combined 12 points. Young teams lose those games. With experience, you put those games away.

Basically, the program is looking up because of a renewed dedication to it. That's why I'm optimistic.

Oh, and when it comes to Loyola basketball, we have always played to our opponents. In those years when Butler was going to the Championship games, we pushed them to the very brink. In the years before when they were in the Sweet 16, we beat them a few times. We pushed an NCAA team in KSU to the very last shot. Our problem has always been Youngstown St...Cleveland St...Wright St. How do you get excited for those teams?

[uniftw]

I'm certainly not an expert on the Loyola's program. But my understanding is that they were VERY young last year just as our Bears were. And that just like us several of their young players are pretty talented. If that's the case you expect a significant improvement the next year just as we do for our Bears.

IMHO they avoid the play in game.

Honestly, my thought as well.

They were very young last year.

I'd pick them 6th for the experience coming back.


HAVING SAID THAT

There is something to be said about the grind of the Valley vs the Horizon and it being all new to Loyola. The grind of hitting WSU, UNI, ISUb 6 times this year is going to be a shock to their system...

[rlh04d]

You can go ahead and pick us here. I have no trouble with setting the bar low and I expect we will finish better.

Setting the bar high sure didn't work last year, so maybe low is the way to go >=)

I've got IlSU here. Muller hasn't shown a thing yet as a HC, and no player on that roster has shown anything. I just can't see Muller being a good enough coach to pull off a complete roster overhaul in one year. I don't think Marshall is a good enough coach to pull that off.

Loyola isn't a great team, and IlSU will probably have the more talented players, but they've got far less questions.

[AngryShock]

I'm certainly not an expert on the Loyola's program. But my understanding is that they were VERY young last year just as our Bears were. And that just like us several of their young players are pretty talented. If that's the case you expect a significant improvement the next year just as we do for our Bears.

IMHO they avoid the play in game.

Honestly, my thought as well.

They were very young last year.

I'd pick them 6th for the experience coming back.


HAVING SAID THAT

There is something to be said about the grind of the Valley vs the Horizon and it being all new to Loyola. The grind of hitting WSU, UNI, ISUb 6 times this year is going to be a shock to their system...

I agree with this. Youth has trouble closing out close games. Injuries really hurt them. Their talent level doesn't appear to be that bad at all. Loyola may surprise a few people and I think they could end up being a pretty good addition as they build and invest.