Official 2014-15 MVCfans.com Prediction - 9th Place

[Aargh]

Loyola and Drake were pretty easy picks for 9 and 10. After this it gets interesting.

[Wufan]

Loyola and Drake were pretty easy picks for 9 and 10. After this it gets interesting.

Exactly what I was thinking.

[jackwagon]

Might just be me, but i didnt think Arop was very good a lot of the time. He was a shot hunter who shot an average percentage at best. Look at his assist totals for how often he had the ball, not good. He had his moments, just think Smith will be able to replace him and then some.

[Wufan]

Might just be me, but i didnt think Arop was very good a lot of the time. He was a shot hunter who shot an average percentage at best. Look at his assist totals for how often he had the ball, not good. He had his moments, just think Smith will be able to replace him and then some.

Smith averaged 0.9 assists to Arop's 1.3. On a per 40 minute basis their stats are virtually identical. The question isn't whether or not Smith can replace Arop, but who will replace Smith.

[Cdizzle]

Might just be me, but i didnt think Arop was very good a lot of the time. He was a shot hunter who shot an average percentage at best. Look at his assist totals for how often he had the ball, not good. He had his moments, just think Smith will be able to replace him and then some.

Smith averaged 0.9 assists to Arop's 1.3. On a per 40 minute basis their stats are virtually identical. The question isn't whether or not Smith can replace Arop, but who will replace Smith.

Bingo, bango, boingo.

Arop also provided a matchup problem from a size/athleticism perspective, for most Valley teams. He did have a tendency to disappear at times, especially if anyone got physical with him. He was torching WSU last year with Early guarding him, and absolutely disappeared when Baker was moved on to him.

[jackwagon]

I agree the key is who replaces Smith. Odum being gone is an obvious blow and trying to find a 6th man like Smith is challenging. I was just mentioned that Smith will actually be a better all around player at the SF spot. For all the matchup problems arop could cause, smith is the same height and a better athlete.

[jturner38]

Might just be me, but i didnt think Arop was very good a lot of the time. He was a shot hunter who shot an average percentage at best. Look at his assist totals for how often he had the ball, not good. He had his moments, just think Smith will be able to replace him and then some.

Smith averaged 0.9 assists to Arop's 1.3. On a per 40 minute basis their stats are virtually identical. The question isn't whether or not Smith can replace Arop, but who will replace Smith.

I'm thinking Etherthington will fill the 6th man role and produce what smith gave us as the 6th man.

[Wufan]

I agree the key is who replaces Smith. Odum being gone is an obvious blow and trying to find a 6th man like Smith is challenging. I was just mentioned that Smith will actually be a better all around player at the SF spot. For all the matchup problems arop could cause, smith is the same height and a better athlete.

If that was your stance, then why mention assists?

[jackwagon]

mainly mentioned it to help prove my point that despite Arop being the number two ball handler and scoring option, he only averaged a minimal assist total. Therefore proving that he didnt make others better while on the floor.

Smith is going to take on a much bigger role in both scoring and handling the ball. He is now going from a guy who didnt start to the guy who the offense is ran through. If his assist totals stay around manny's then go ahead and kill me. ISUB should take a step back due to Odum being absent, but to think they dont have the talent to stay out of Thursday is far fetched. The front line is as experienced and talented as anyone's and there is unproven talent at the guard spot. The development of that talent will determine their success this season.

[Wufan]

What makes you think that Smiths assist numbers will go up?