Missouri Valley
ILLINOIS STATE
The Redbirds return a host of key personnel, and one could make a solid case that ISU is the Missouri Valley’s most talented team.
Key NC games: Georgia, BYU, San Diego State, Ole Miss, Central Florida (UCF)
Takeaway: UCF is the headliner; the Knights should challenge Cincinnati for the American title. BYU and San Diego State are potential NCAA contenders, too. Although projected as lower-tier SEC squads, Georgia and Ole Miss are still Power 5 squads. Can the Redbirds finish those five at 3-2? A 4-1 finish would be even more noteworthy.
LOYOLA-CHICAGO
The Ramblers return Clayton Custer, the league’s MVP, but will need a few new faces to step-up if they want to repeat last year’s success.
Key NC games: Richmond, Nevada, Ball State, Maryland, Saint Joseph’s
Takeaway: The obvious game-changer is Nevada. Next in line are Maryland and Saint Joseph’s, both of whom figure to be at-large contenders. While Richmond and Ball State may not move the needle, the outcomes remain important pieces of the team’s overall profile. Assuming there are limited potholes, a 3-2 mark against this slate appears important. Then again, more is better.
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
Be careful about sleeping on the Salukis, who quietly finished second in the Valley a year ago. SIU is a veteran squad with some overlooked talent.
Key NC games: Kentucky, Buffalo (twice), Massachusetts, Saint Louis, Murray State
Takeaway: In the first week of the season, SIU travels to Kentucky and plays Buffalo, the favorite to win another Mid-American title. In between a second date with the Bulls, the Salukis’ best opportunity comes against Saint Louis, an early contender for the Atlantic 10 crown. Massachusetts and Murray State are noteworthy but neither figures to be a deciding factor. Beating UK in Lexington seems unlikely, so the question becomes: can the Salukis split with Buffalo and take out Saint Louis?
Courier & Press
ACES INSIDER - One-on-One with Shamar Givance--gopurpleaces.com
CES INSIDER - Aces One-on-One with John Hall--gopurpleaces.com
ACES INSIDER - UE Women's basketball beats Kentucky Wesleyan on buzzer beater--gopurpleaces.com
Wallace's buzzer-beater sends Aces past KWC--gopurpleaces.com
Best longshotsISU's Copeland eager to return to court for tonight's exhibition--The Pantagraph
Illinois St.
Odds: 300-to-1
Loyola-Chicago, the Final Four Cinderella, is the preseason pick to come out of the Valley. But I'm rolling with Dan Muller and Illinois State, a program that has a bona fide star in Milik Yarbrough. If he can stay on the straight and narrow, the Redbirds are going to be a factor in both the MVC and the Big Dance.
Redbirds open exhibition play with encouraging win--Vidette Online
Big Second Half Leads Redbirds to 22-point Exhibition Win--goredbirds.com
Women’s Basketball Announces Promotional Schedule--goredbirds.com
March magic still resonates for Loyola’s Sister Jean--College Basketball Talk85. Clayton Custer, @RamblersMBB
— College Basketball Talk (@CBTonNBC) October 29, 2018
The star of last year's NCAA tournament darlings, Custer won't sneak up on anyone as a senior. The uber-efficient, 6-1 point guard is the best offensive weapon on a team that finished last season ranked 17th nationally in defensive efficiency. pic.twitter.com/WQiBcLzdFd
The Other Top 25 preseason rankings: No. 4 Loyola Ramblers--Mid-Major Madness
What we learned from our first look at a Dana Ford coached Missouri State basketball team--Springfield News-Leader
Bears Crush Crusaders in Exhibition Landslide--missouristatebears.com
Lady Bears Drop Exhibition Contest to Central Missouri, 70-64--missouristatebears.com
College basketball: Green, UNI light up scoreboard during exhibition win--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
UNI Men's Basketball Defeats Wartburg in Exhibition--unipanthers.com
UNI Men's Basketball Host Peacocks--unipanthers.com
Panther Patio Back for Second Year--unipanthers.com
UNI women's basketball has postseason aspirations again--The Gazette
College women's basketball: Depth guides UNI into promising season (PHOTOS)--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
SIU hosts East Central in exhibition--siusalukis.com
Bracketed Myrtle Beach Invitational GamesFront and center: Merrillville grad Mileek McMillan primed for key role with Valparaiso--Chicago Tribune
Takeaway
WVU will play two “bracketed” games in Conway, SC. Their opening match is with the winner of Valparaiso/Western Kentucky. Ideally both the tournament organizers and WVU would like a face off with either St. Joe’s from the A10 or Wake Forest in the final match up. I would think WVU would be favored against basically anyone on this field though.
Valparaiso Crusaders
Last Season
15-17 (6-12); 10th place MVC
Predicted Conference Finish
6th
Record vs WVU all-time
1-0
Key Players
Bakari Evelyn
Takeaway
This is part of an “unbracketed” game in the Myrtle Beach Invitational, but unlike the game with Monmouth, will be played in Morgantown. The Crusaders are one of the original “Cinderellas” and have consistently been a top mid-major program, but a change in coaches (this is the home of the Drew family of coaches) and a move from the Horizon League to the much tougher Missouri Valley saw Valpo have its worth season since 2009-10.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Valparaiso considering ARC renovations in wake of move to Valley--NWI Times
First Look at 2018-19 Men's Basketball Team Comes Thursday Night--valpoathletics.com
Evans Era Set to Begin for Valpo Women’s Basketball--valpoathletics.com
FEATURE: Missouri State Basketball--The Missouri Valley
FEATURE: Northern Iowa Basketball--The Missouri Valley
FEATURE: Missouri State Basketball--The Missouri Valley
No comments:
Post a Comment