MVC’s Preseason Basketball Special Airs This Week--Valley Hoops InsiderWho are some sleeper teams that could surprise people by making the tournament?
— Z😴 (@The_Real_Zolman) October 31, 2018
Just gonna rattle off a few that might not be considered the favorites in their league that I think have a chance to get a bid: Southern Illinois, North Texas, UIC, Ball State, UC Santa Barbara, George Mason, North Texas, South Alabama.
Could the MVC get multiple teams in? If so, who?
— Max (@mgoring10) October 31, 2018
They can, but it’s tough. Not to sound like a broken record, but the margin for error for some of these leagues is so incredibly small. Nearly everything has to go right in their favor. Multiple teams need to have great showings in non-conference play, and a lot of the time the “best” team in the league needs to lose in the conference championship game. I think the top of the Valley is really strong this year, particularly in Illinois. Loyola and Illinois State are obviously the two that come to mind, but don’t sleep on Southern Illinois and Bradley.
Breaking Down the Valley 2018-19--The Pantagraph
ISU Hoops: Vintage photos and clippings of Illinois State University men's basketball--The Pantagraph
Evans to face old friend as Redbirds set for season opener--The Pantagraph
Redbird hoops ready for season-opener rematch with FGCU--Vidette Online
Redbirds Ready for Season Opener--goredbirds.com
Newcomers Maggett, Crompton propel ISU women to exhibition win--The Pantagraph
Women's hoops make quick work of Quincy in first exhibition game--Vidette Online
Women’s Basketball to Hold fansgiving Night at Home Opener--goredbirds.com
Sycamores face known quantities in Ball State--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Sycamore Basketball Looks For Winning Returns In Season Opener At Ball State--gosycamores.com
ISU WBB PREVIEW: Sycamores looking to mix up batch of success in Hall's first year--Terre Haute Tribune Star
35. NEVADA’S REMATCH WITH LOYOLA-CHICAGOMid-Major Madness Preseason All-Americans: Caleb Martin, Mike Daum and Jon Elmore are all unanimous--Mid-Major Madness
The Wolf Pack reached the Sweet 16 of last year’s NCAA tournament, where they were dropped by Loyola-Chicago as the Ramblers made it all the way to the Final Four. They’ll face off again on Nov. 27th, as Porter Moser looks to prove to the doubters that his team should remain in the mix for the top 25 despite the fact that he lost three key pieces from last year’s team.
Third TeamThe 5 most interesting unranked college basketball teams of 2018-19--SB Nation
Clayton Custer, Sr., Guard, Loyola Chicago
His counting numbers aren’t all that exciting, but there’s a reason Custer is the reining Player of the Year in the Valley. He’s the Ramblers’ steady leader, and it showed last year on their run to the Final Four. This year, Custer returns to lead a team that is going from being the hunter to the hunted. He’s a great facilitator. He’s a knockdown shooter. He defends. What more could you want in a point guard?
Loyola-ChicagoLoyola Raises Curtain On 2018-19 Season, Hosts UMKC Tuesday--loyolaramblers.com
America’s reigning March Madness sweethearts are the first team on the outside looking in at the preseason AP poll, coming just four points shy of usurping Washington for the 25th-spot. The Ramblers return three of their four double figure scorers from last year’s Final Four squad, including 2018 Missouri Valley Player of the Year Clayton Custer.
Recent history shows that if a mid-major program that catches lightning in a bottle wants to turn that magical run into sustained success, the succeeding season is of paramount importance.
VCU followed up its 2011 Final Four run with another trip to the NCAA tournament in 2012, where they pulled off a 12-5 upset before a narrow loss to fourth-seeded Indiana. The Rams were able to parlay that success into a move to the Atlantic 10. The team that beat VCU in the 2011 semifinals was Butler, which was following up its stunning run to the 2010 national title game with another runner-up finish a year later. The Bulldogs are now one of the top programs in the Big East. Wichita State outdid everyone by following up its surprise 2013 Final Four appearance with a 35-0 start in 2013-14. The Shockers haven’t slowed down since and are now preparing to enter their second year in the AAC.
The one exception here is George Mason, which stunned the sports world with its miraculous run to the Final Four in 2006. Despite returning a handful of key contributors from that squad, the Patriots fell off significantly in 2006-07. They lost 15 games, finished just 9-9 in the Colonial Athletic Association, and missed out both the NCAA tournament and the NIT. They’ve been to the Big Dance just twice since, and haven’t finished a season with a conference record above .500 since moving to the Atlantic 10 in 2014.
If Loyola wants to become the next big player in the world of mid-major basketball, history says it has to continue climbing during this current uptick. The Ramblers have all the pieces necessary to capture the nation’s attention for the second time in as many years.
Also, Sister Jean is back ...
Sister Jean in game form. Ready for the season. Giving pregame prayer at Loyola exhibition per tradition. pic.twitter.com/WWbRHZ8jwq
— Shannon Ryan (@sryantribune) October 23, 2018
Now the season can officially start.
Clayton Custer Named To Citizen Naismith Trophy Award Watch List--loyolaramblers.com
Men's Basketball Ready For Regular Season--unipanthers.com
UNI women's basketball: Panthers showcase depth during exhibition win--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
MEN'S BASKETBALL: Valparaiso's big men brimming with potential--NWI Times
Men's Basketball Set to Tip Off Regular Season Tuesday Night--valpoathletics.com
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