Official 2016-17 MVCfans.com Prediction - Champion

[Wufan]

To win this league, ISUr will need players to step up outside of Lee, McIntosh and Hawkins. Tony Wills needs to develop an offensive game and we need a suitable backup pg to Lee.

We have uncertainties just as WSU and UNI and everyone else. There is no guarantee like last year on who will emerge as the champion. Should be an exciting season.

Of course we all have uncertainties, however, my argument is and has been that WSU has fewer, or at least fewer risk in those uncertainties. McDuffie, Morris, Brown only have to show that they are comfortable being the focal point of the offense. That's it. Conner needs to do better than 6 points in 16 minutes, but he was a top 40 high school player. He probably hasn't hit his ceiling. Shamet is a freshman, but he was a top 80 recruit that averaged 9 points in 19 minutes before the injury. Kelly is a good defensive player and rebounder. We brought in a 6-9 JUCO top 10 recruit, a former top 100 guard that can kiss the rim, a JUCO all district PG, and a 6-5 PG that once scored 32 points in an 8 minute quarter. Then there's Rauno Nurger; probably further along than the Redbird center, and Eric Hamilton who, if he played for Drake or Bradley, would be there best interior player.

Certainly there are question marks there, but it would be incredibly bizarre for most of them to fail. Of course stars and ratings don't amount to a hill of beans, but if I haven't seen any of them play, I will take the top 100 recruits over the second team all-staters.

[Wufan]

ISUr has a very talented returning top 3/4 players. That's easily enough to win in St Louis. Do they have enough 5-12 to be good through the season? What say you RB faithful?

To be decided lol I think our big 7 footed David Ndiaye will be much better this year providing some rim protection and rebounding tho he still is a little raw but has big potential. I think juco transfer Phil Fayne will be a solid backup big man as well, really athletic and goes to the hoop hard for rebounds or taking the ball to the hoop. Juco transfer DJ Clayton has D1 experience and should step in right away and fill DAP's role. Unsure on backup guard situation still tho, need Keyshawn evans to step up and freshman madison williams shows promise. All talk until we see these guys on the court tho. Outside shooting will still be hit or miss I would think which makes us prone to scoring slumps. Can't wait for the season tho

Thank you for the excellent rundown! It was informative.

[glm38]

I think the championship is WSU's to lose. They do have question marks though. The biggest question to me (again just like last year) is post play. PG is also a concern but I do think Frankamp can adequately do the job.

But center/post? Shaq has been incredibly inconsistent and in and out of Marshall's doghouse for good reasons. Nurger to me is just a serviceable backup. There is a juco coming in but jucos usually need an adjustment period.

Some concerns to be sure but I think overall WSU will win the league again due to coaching and overall talent. But I think post play might limit their post season chances just as it did last year. And I think the top 3 teams may be in a really tight race for first this year.

[WSUShox88]

Fair and solid analysis as always glm.

[Wufan]

For those that are interested, a 3 minute video of the local sports writers covering Shocker media day...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ4rnxiCnyI

It covers the PG question, Markis McDuffie's potential, and thoughts on Shaw's ability to stay on the court.

[2livewu]

I think the championship is WSU's to lose. They do have question marks though. The biggest question to me (again just like last year) is post play. PG is also a concern but I do think Frankamp can adequately do the job.

But center/post? Shaq has been incredibly inconsistent and in and out of Marshall's doghouse for good reasons. Nurger to me is just a serviceable backup. There is a juco coming in but jucos usually need an adjustment period.

Some concerns to be sure but I think overall WSU will win the league again due to coaching and overall talent. But I think post play might limit their post season chances just as it did last year. And I think the top 3 teams may be in a really tight race for first this year.

Good stuff. Couple of add ons. Willis is further along than either Hall or Carter. We stole this kid. Agree about Shaq and PG. Consistency is questionable at least now. At least with Shaq we can go small with say Willis and Kelly and get by. Plenty of athleticism and enough size for the Valley at least. Not a good way to fight in March and April though, and that's measuring stick these days.

For me, intangibles are the biggest question. Obviously Fred (and Ron) were beyond special there. Not sure who picks up the slack this year, but the Reaves kid will at some point. Sorry, but you guys are gonna hate him.

[Wufan]

I think the championship is WSU's to lose. They do have question marks though. The biggest question to me (again just like last year) is post play. PG is also a concern but I do think Frankamp can adequately do the job.

But center/post? Shaq has been incredibly inconsistent and in and out of Marshall's doghouse for good reasons. Nurger to me is just a serviceable backup. There is a juco coming in but jucos usually need an adjustment period.

Some concerns to be sure but I think overall WSU will win the league again due to coaching and overall talent. But I think post play might limit their post season chances just as it did last year. And I think the top 3 teams may be in a really tight race for first this year.

Good stuff. Couple of add ons. Willis is further along than either Hall or Carter. We stole this kid. Agree about Shaq and PG. Consistency is questionable at least now. At least with Shaq we can go small with say Willis and Kelly and get by. Plenty of athleticism and enough size for the Valley at least. Not a good way to fight in March and April though, and that's measuring stick these days.

For me, intangibles are the biggest question. Obviously Fred (and Ron) were beyond special there. Not sure who picks up the slack this year, but the Reaves kid will at some point. Sorry, but you guys are gonna hate him.

Well said. Willis is a man in the post. More of a 4 than a five, but probably lacking a bit of range. At 6-9, 225 he has enough size to be a good post. The goal is for Shaq to go 22-24 mpg, but that's the goal, not the expectation. He is in the best shape of his life, but...

Excellent point about intangibles, and I think one that several Valley fans on this forum have made. Shamet and Reaves appear to have them, but our likely PGs (Frankamp and Smith) are still developing them. Vocal leadership is still missing from the team. Reaves will be very good at some point, but it's not clear when. He's slight of build, 6-5, 190ish, and just came off of shoulder surgery, but has a good shot, great handles, and the is already the best post-passer on the team per HCGM. The ceiling for the The ceiling for the 17-18 Shockers is off the charts, but its far too early to tell how close they get to that ceiling.

[BirdsEyeView]

No guarantees like last year?

The two-time defending champion won the league by 4 games. That's about as predictable as you can get.

Yes, last year was pretty much a guarantee you would win the league before the season even started. That's what I said.

[wgslaw]

Interesting interview with Coach Marshall. When asked if he thought WSU would be number 1, he said "not based on what I have seen in practice." He appeared subdued and discussed in response to questions three PG, Smith, Frankamp, and Reaves. As to Smith, he said he is quick and fast but it is another thing to know how to use these talents. As to Frankamp, he takes care of the ball but goes side to side rather than penetrate like FVV but shoots with anyone and is a scorer. As to Reaves, he is the weakest of the three and cannot lift due to shoulder problem, but best one to pass into the lane due to size, pretty good shooter and looks on some days as if he can help us but then gets hurt again. Said Shamet is a 2 and can play 3 but only PG in a pinch.

[Cdizzle]

Interesting interview with Coach Marshall. When asked if he thought WSU would be number 1, he said "not based on what I have seen in practice."

He was referring to being the #1 defensive team in the country, as is clear in his response. I don't think that's shocking.