Official 2015-16 MVCfans.com Prediction - 10th Place

[shockalot]

The bottom 4 seem pretty clear at this point, but Bradley seems to have the least likely ability to avoid last place. MSU, Drake, and SIU at least have 1 or 2 good/decent and experienced/"proven" players to probably avoid dead last, especially at the critical guard position(s). On top of that, a change in coaches almost always requires a minimum of a year to get successful program components in place where they've been missing, making it another challenge to being competitive against even crummy coaches who have been around the league for awhile. I do hope and believe that Bradley will be getting out of the cellar in the next couple of years though.

[TheDrake]

The bottom 4 seem pretty clear at this point, but Bradley seems to have the least likely ability to avoid last place. MSU, Drake, and SIU at least have 1 or 2 good/decent and experienced/"proven" players to probably avoid dead last, especially at the critical guard position(s). On top of that, a change in coaches almost always requires a minimum of a year to get successful program components in place where they've been missing, making it another challenge to being competitive against even crummy coaches who have been around the league for awhile. I do hope and believe that Bradley will be getting out of the cellar in the next couple of years though.

I actually think Drake gets over the hump this year and avoids the play-in game. We bring almost everybody back from last year and the players we've added are upgrades from what i've seen.

[Cdizzle]

The bottom 4 seem pretty clear at this point, but Bradley seems to have the least likely ability to avoid last place. MSU, Drake, and SIU at least have 1 or 2 good/decent and experienced/"proven" players to probably avoid dead last, especially at the critical guard position(s). On top of that, a change in coaches almost always requires a minimum of a year to get successful program components in place where they've been missing, making it another challenge to being competitive against even crummy coaches who have been around the league for awhile. I do hope and believe that Bradley will be getting out of the cellar in the next couple of years though.

I actually think Drake gets over the hump this year and avoids the play-in game. We bring almost everybody back from last year and the players we've added are upgrades from what i've seen.

With the injury issue at ISUb, I think Drake has a decent shot at the top 6. What ISUb still has going for them is a coach that has proven he can keep a team in the upper division.

[shockalot]

The bottom 4 seem pretty clear at this point, but Bradley seems to have the least likely ability to avoid last place. MSU, Drake, and SIU at least have 1 or 2 good/decent and experienced/"proven" players to probably avoid dead last, especially at the critical guard position(s). On top of that, a change in coaches almost always requires a minimum of a year to get successful program components in place where they've been missing, making it another challenge to being competitive against even crummy coaches who have been around the league for awhile. I do hope and believe that Bradley will be getting out of the cellar in the next couple of years though.

I actually think Drake gets over the hump this year and avoids the play-in game. We bring almost everybody back from last year and the players we've added are upgrades from what i've seen.

With the injury issue at ISUb, I think Drake has a decent shot at the top 6. What ISUb still has going for them is a coach that has proven he can keep a team in the upper division.

I had originally thought Drake might be out of the play-in group also, but I don't see 4 of the guys who were suppose to be coming in listed on their ESPN roster, i.e. Wampler, Dolven, McGlynn, and Olejniezack, so was thinking they may not be part of the team this year. With them maybe Drake does get over that hump. Anybody know what is up with those 4?
Regarding ISUb, the loss of Bell hurts for sure, but the addition of Van Syoc and Bunschoter I think keep them in the top 6, along with the reason you mention.

[Wufan]

The Bulldogs mentioned above should all be there. Drake will be battling for 6th.

[DUBulldog]

I actually think Drake gets over the hump this year and avoids the play-in game. We bring almost everybody back from last year and the players we've added are upgrades from what i've seen.

With the injury issue at ISUb, I think Drake has a decent shot at the top 6. What ISUb still has going for them is a coach that has proven he can keep a team in the upper division.

I had originally thought Drake might be out of the play-in group also, but I don't see 4 of the guys who were suppose to be coming in listed on their ESPN roster, i.e. Wampler, Dolven, McGlynn, and Olejniezack, so was thinking they may not be part of the team this year. With them maybe Drake does get over that hump. Anybody know what is up with those 4?
Regarding ISUb, the loss of Bell hurts for sure, but the addition of Van Syoc and Bunschoter I think keep them in the top 6, along with the reason you mention.

All 4 were with Drake for their European trip a few weeks ago, and have been listed on the roster at Drake's website for a few months now. ESPN apparently hasn't updated Drake's roster yet to include the freshmen. On one of the games on the European trip, Olejniczak had 15 points and 13 rebounds....in less than 20 minutes of play.

[MSUDuo]

MO State. And I hope they do.

[Cdizzle]

MO State. And I hope they do.

Is there a threshold that you think results in Lusk losing his job? (I assume that's why you're rooting for a tank this year).

[jackwagon]

Not sure what makes people think Drake is due for a breakout year. Daniels and Ricks were their best scorers. Berkley was their only athletic wing and Caird was their best 3pt shooter outside of Ricks.

Timmer had a very good year but does not strike me as a player with a ton of upside. Really solid starter, not a program changer. JEJ has his limitations as well. Once again solid valley player, don't see the guy ever being quick enough to be a stud and he has no range. Woodard and Abrahamson come from bottom dweller big ten teams where they got 15> minutes a game. Doesn't mean they are garbage, but to expect them to dominate the valley is a stretch. All of Drakes other returning FR from a year ago seem to be another year away from big time valley minutes. The kid from Wisconsin should be able to help right away and the foreign big is a intriguing long term talent. I just don't see how they compete with the top 6. Loyola and ISUB both have 2-4 players who are better than Drakes best kid.

[shockalot]

Not sure what makes people think Drake is due for a breakout year. Daniels and Ricks were their best scorers. Berkley was their only athletic wing and Caird was their best 3pt shooter outside of Ricks.

Timmer had a very good year but does not strike me as a player with a ton of upside. Really solid starter, not a program changer. JEJ has his limitations as well. Once again solid valley player, don't see the guy ever being quick enough to be a stud and he has no range. Woodard and Abrahamson come from bottom dweller big ten teams where they got 15> minutes a game. Doesn't mean they are garbage, but to expect them to dominate the valley is a stretch. All of Drakes other returning FR from a year ago seem to be another year away from big time valley minutes. The kid from Wisconsin should be able to help right away and the foreign big is a intriguing long term talent. I just don't see how they compete with the top 6. Loyola and ISUB both have 2-4 players who are better than Drakes best kid.

Don't think anybody yet has been thinking much of big "break out" year, just a fighting chance of going from 7th to 6th, mostly if ISUb doesn't pull it together, and as long as SIU or MSU don't have better than many would expect seasons.