5 MVC teams receiving top 25 consideration?

[valleyclimber]

After SIU's victory today, think that there will be 5 Valley teams getting top 25 voting consideration. WSU should be climbing up the top 25, while BU, CU, MSU and SIU in all likelyhood will be in the others receiving votes catagory. Pretty darn impressive!!!!

If those 5 teams continue winning, and UNI picks up wins against BCS Iowa St. and a roadie at Bucknell (to go 6-1), the MVC could have 6 teams receiving consideration. WOW! That would be INCREDIBLE!! That is a big-time conference.

It bugged me a couple of days ago when a poster was going on about how we should really enjoy the MVC's now (which believe me I am!) because it's all cyclical. Then the poster metioned the fall of C-USA and the Mountain West Conference.

The reason C-USA fell is because most of it's good teams left for greener pastures. And the MWC, even at the height of it's sucess, NEVER had 6 teams receiving top 25 consideration. Nor did the MWC get the amount of ESPN national exposure that the Valley is currently getting.

Also the MWC's sucess did not really translate into great recruiting for continued momentum. By contrast, the MVC's sucess over the past couple of years IS starting to pay big dividends recruiting-wise for most of the Valley schools.

Not to fast forward too much, but next season other than UE and MSU, the other Valley schools will be returning a significant portion of their players, so that bodes very well for continued sucess. And that's not even figuring in the mix of new player talent that will be joining the MVC next year.

I do know that college b-ball is cyclical, but IMO I don't see the Valley falling back down again. I mean even if it's a down year for the ACC, BIG EAST, BIG 10, BIG 12, PAC 10 or the SEC, those conferences aren't going down the drain pipe. C-USA, even in down years, still got 3 to 4 tourney bids. My thing is in reality which conferences behind the Valley are going to leap frog over the MVC on a consistent basis? Not too many, if any, IMO.

To me it's a VERY good thing that the MVC will always be thought of as an underdog conference which continually needs to prove itself. Hell yeah, wouldn't have it any other way because playing with a chip on the shoulder is a great motivator. So what if the Valley schools can't get home games against BCS schools, it just gives MVC teams some incentive to go take out those teams on their home courts. And a road victory against a BCS team is VERY helpful in moving our teams RPIs northward.

I'm pretty stoked about the re-emergence of the Valley as a player on the national scene. After following the MVC for a long while, it's really gratifying to see the Valley become stronger and stronger now.

KEEP IT ROCKIN' VALLEY!!! :banana: :valley:

:braves: :jays: :bulldogs: :aces: :redbirds: :sycamores: :bears: :panthers: :salukis: :shockers:

[WuDrWu]

Well I agree to an extent, but the Valley is going to be down at some next year.

There are a ton of good, experienced seniors leaving the best programs. That is the strength this year and one of the biggest reasons the Valley has had so much success.

We still will be strong, but not like this year.

[Rasputin]

Well I agree to an extent, but the Valley is going to be down at some next year.

There are a ton of good, experienced seniors leaving the best programs. That is the strength this year and one of the biggest reasons the Valley has had so much success.

We still will be strong, but not like this year.

Agreed. The MVC will lose Funk, Tolliver, Stout, Webster, Ahearn, Wilson, among others next year. That will be huge, but the way the MVC has been recruiting as of late, I don't expect the level of play to drop off much.

[WuDrWu]

I expect a quick return, but experience is carrying us and that will take awhile, especially if there are more teams, like WSU, that are not yet building depth. We have to start, and start now.

[shockerfan13]

Agreed. The MVC will lose Funk, Tolliver, Stout, Webster, Ahearn, Wilson, among others next year. That will be huge, but the way the MVC has been recruiting as of late, I don't expect the level of play to drop off much.

Definately, Shox alone lose Wilson, Karon Bradley and Ryan Martin. Those 3 were a BIG part of our win yesterday. Not that we won't be able to win without them, but that is definately ALOT to replace in one season.

[Rasputin]

The MVC doesn't lose, it reloads (pardon the cliche)! :naughty:

[valleyclimber]

When I read about WSU and CU losing key players this year and being down next year, I look at what BU has done so far this season after losing 4 key players who accounted for 73% of their scoring. The Braves are 5-1 with victories over 2 Big East teams and a close call against a Big 10 foe (Illinois).

Guess I'm in the minority here in thinking that the top 6 MVC programs (BU, CU, MSU, UNI, SIU and WSU) will all STILL have quite a few horses next season. And the re-emergence of the ISU Redbird program should help out the Valley some too.

Hey, we've got a rockin' season to enjoy right now. We'll see how stacked the Valley is next season when it comes time for next season. :yes:

Ahhhh...the Valley of Death....love it!!! :original: :valley:

[rjl]

A few years ago, the MVC was most compared to the Horizon League, with a team that might make it deeper into the tourney one year, but then fizzles off the next.

The MVC is different now, though, in two very key areas:

1. MVC is keeping its coaches
2. MVC programs are making serious commitments to infrastructure (i.e. arenas)

UW-GB was the last Horizon team to make a mark, and the next year Bruce Pearl left for Tennessee.

This year, its Butler. It will be interesting to see if HC Todd Lickliter stays after this year. I've no idea what Butler's facilities are like, but I'd guess they're nowhere near some of the ones the Valley now has.

[shocker3]

Don't forget that going into last season, the Shockers had lost four starters (everybody but Paul Miller) and we ended up making it to the sweet 16.

Look what Bradley and UNI are doing this year after losing key players.

As someone else pointed out, the Valley is reloading each year not rebuilding.:valley:

[PanThor]

When I read about WSU and CU losing key players this year and being down next year, I look at what BU has done so far this season after losing 4 key players who accounted for 73% of their scoring. The Braves are 5-1 with victories over 2 Big East teams and a close call against a Big 10 foe (Illinois).

Guess I'm in the minority here in thinking that the top 6 MVC programs (BU, CU, MSU, UNI, SIU and WSU) will all STILL have quite a few horses next season. And the re-emergence of the ISU Redbird program should help out the Valley some too.

Hey, we've got a rockin' season to enjoy right now. We'll see how stacked the Valley is next season when it comes time for next season. :yes:

Ahhhh...the Valley of Death....love it!!! :original: :valley:


I agree and I like your thinking. Nice talk, Russ.

[Aargh]

I've no idea what Butler's facilities are like, but I'd guess they're nowhere near some of the ones the Valley now has.

Here ya go: Historic Hinkle Fieldhouse (http://butlersports.cstv.com/trads/butl-hinkle.html)

Built in 1928 - rehabbed in 1989. Seats 11,450 or so.

Remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[rjl]

Here ya go: Historic Hinkle Fieldhouse (http://butlersports.cstv.com/trads/butl-hinkle.html)

Built in 1928 - rehabbed in 1989. Seats 11,450 or so.

Remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Actually, I think it looks pretty cool.

I wonder if the "behind the scenes" facilities (weight rooms, locker-rooms, etc.) are up to par being close to 20 years old?

[troutangler]

Wow, they only drew a little over 3,600 fans to their game on Saturday. You'd figure they would draw better with the hot start they've had.

http://butlersports.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/112506aab.html

[DoubleJayAlum]

A few years ago, the MVC was most compared to the Horizon League, with a team that might make it deeper into the tourney one year, but then fizzles off the next.

The MVC is different now, though, in two very key areas:

1. MVC is keeping its coaches
2. MVC programs are making serious commitments to infrastructure (i.e. arenas)

I'd edit this to add a third item:

3. MVC recruiting has reached a new level which will cause teams to be competitive year after year (i.e., there is not a substantial decline when kids graduate).

[WSUfan]

I expect a quick return, but experience is carrying us and that will take awhile, especially if there are more teams, like WSU, that are not yet building depth. We have to start, and start now.
With respect to WSU, I am confused by your comment. Next year WSU will have lost one guard, Karon Bradley, and will have seniors Matt Braeuer, Sean Ogirri and Lance Harris, junior Wendell Preadom, sophomores Gal Mekel and Derek Brown and freshmen Evann Baker and Graham Hatch. Next year WSU will have lost frontcourt players Kyle Wilson and Ryan Martin and will have seniors P.J. Couisnard and Phillip Thomasson, junior Ryan Bradley, sophomores J.T. Durley, Chris Brown and David King and freshmen Arbry Butler, Denzell Bowles and Guy Alang-Ntang. (I realize one of the backcourt or frontcourt players might not be here next year.) I see lots of depth for WSU, including senior leadership in the backcourt (Matt Braeuer & Sean Ogirri), new guards being developed, senior leadership in the frontcourt (P.J. Couisnard and Phillip Thomasson) and new forwards being developed. I don't understand your comment.

[SubGod22]

With respect to WSU, I am confused by your comment. Next year WSU will have lost one guard, Karon Bradley, and will have seniors Matt Braeuer, Sean Ogirri and Lance Harris, junior Wendell Preadom, sophomores Gal Mekel and Derek Brown and freshmen Evann Baker and Graham Hatch. Next year WSU will have lost frontcourt players Kyle Wilson and Ryan Martin and will have seniors P.J. Couisnard and Phillip Thomasson, junior Ryan Bradley, sophomores J.T. Durley, Chris Brown and David King and freshmen Arbry Butler, Denzell Bowles and Guy Alang-Ntang. (I realize one of the backcourt or frontcourt players might not be here next year.) I see lots of depth for WSU, including senior leadership in the backcourt (Matt Braeuer & Sean Ogirri), new guards being developed, senior leadership in the frontcourt (P.J. Couisnard and Phillip Thomasson) and new forwards being developed. I don't understand your comment.

I have to agree with you here. I'm not sure I agree with the good Doc on this. Granted, our younger guys aren't getting a lot of PT at the moment, but it's expected that Durley should play this year and Gal and Wendell will get minutes. Arbry is expected to step in and contribute next year and Evann Baker looked good when he was in town. Guy may take a little time and Bowles may be able to step in and play some as a freshman. I'm not too worried about young depth at WSU.

[Aargh]

With respect to WSU, I am confused by your comment. Next year WSU will have lost one guard, Karon Bradley, and will have seniors Matt Braeuer, Sean Ogirri and Lance Harris, junior Wendell Preadom, sophomores Gal Mekel and Derek Brown and freshmen Evann Baker and Graham Hatch. Next year WSU will have lost frontcourt players Kyle Wilson and Ryan Martin and will have seniors P.J. Couisnard and Phillip Thomasson, junior Ryan Bradley, sophomores J.T. Durley, Chris Brown and David King and freshmen Arbry Butler, Denzell Bowles and Guy Alang-Ntang. (I realize one of the backcourt or frontcourt players might not be here next year.) I see lots of depth for WSU, including senior leadership in the backcourt (Matt Braeuer & Sean Ogirri), new guards being developed, senior leadership in the frontcourt (P.J. Couisnard and Phillip Thomasson) and new forwards being developed. I don't understand your comment.

Ryan Bradley, Durley, Chris Brown, King, Butler, Bowles and Ntang are all untested and unproven at this level. It's hard to put too much confidence in players who've seen little or no court time at the D1 level.

The year WSU lost 4 starters, Wilson, Cooz, Brauer and Ogirri got a lot of minutes and showed they could play. Known quality replacements were in place.

That's quite a bit different than what WSU is looking at next year. Hopefully, we will see the obvious frontcourt replacements before the year is over, but until those replacements are seen on the court it's not a good idea to just assume they will fill the hole left by Martin and Wilson graduating.

[RoyalShock]

Wow, they only drew a little over 3,600 fans to their game on Saturday. You'd figure they would draw better with the hot start they've had.
And there's the difference.

I'm confident in saying that no MVC team would ever come back home after what Butler did and see fewer than 4000 fans at their next game.

Butler has had some recent success and should get more support than that.

The MVC, in all phases (on-court success, fan support, and facilities) is on the upswing and are now comparable or ahead of CUSA, MWC, A-10, etc. The Horizon and MAC appear to be stagnant in all those phases and are getting left further behind by the year.

[SubGod22]

Durley is expected to get court time in the not too distant future. And I feel good about Bowles playing next year. I believe it was a member of the staff that was overheard saying he was more polished than Chris Barnes. Butler I expect to step in next year and be fine. PJ had a pretty good freshman campaign and I see the same thing from Arbry. I'm not worried.

[SycamoreBlueBleeder]

[QUOTE]I've no idea what Butler's facilities are like, but I'd guess they're nowhere near some of the ones the Valley now has. [QUOTE]


Hinkle Fieldhouse was actually the filming site for the movie Hoosiers staring Gene Hackman. Don't know if you guys from other states know about it or not, but it's quite the fan favorite here in the Hoosier State. As old as it is, I think it is still one of the best places to watch a game. When you walk in you start getting a sense of nastalgia and history from the surroundings. Something about the glass panes all around the top that let sunlight in, lighting the court that does it for me.

Here's to Indiana State Being the first to knock this year's "Mid-Major" Giant


:bounceblue::bounceblue: **12/9/2006**:bounceblue: :bounceblue:
:sycamores: :valley:

[MSU Bleeds Maroon]

Here ya go: Historic Hinkle Fieldhouse (http://butlersports.cstv.com/trads/butl-hinkle.html)

Built in 1928 - rehabbed in 1989. Seats 11,450 or so.

Remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

From charity stripe to backboard - 15 feet.

From floor to rim - 10 feet.

I think you'll find those exact same measurements back home in Springfield (or Cedar Falls or Terre Haute or Des Moines).

[DoubleJayAlum]

From charity stripe to backboard - 15 feet.

From floor to rim - 10 feet.

I think you'll find those exact same measurements back home in Springfield (or Cedar Falls or Terre Haute or Des Moines).

Very well done! Way to recall, and then modify, that famous "Hoosiers" line.

That is a truly classic movie.

[gosmsgo]

when does the top 25 come out?