2023-24 Around The Valley

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Bluethunder said:
Shooting 9/10 from three point range at one point in the second half does help you look better from one half to the other.😀

Kind of reminds me of the game ISU had against Drake years ago where they made nothing in the first half and then score 60 or something in the second.
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That was in the MVC tournament. We set two records in the same game. Fewest points in a half (first half) and the most points in a half (second half). Not sure on the year....perhaps 2005-ish?
 

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Congrats to Bradley for 5-0 against very solid competition but they could just be as easily 1-4 at this point. I'm not crowning them yet.
 
sycamorebacker said:
Watched Bradley some last night. They pass really well. Impressive team from what I saw.
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I thought their offense looked “ok”. Ball was sticking a lot in the 2nd half and Hickman was left to create his own shot.
Their defense is another story. Leons and Hannah are a problem and will be a difficult match up when they switch on our guards.
 
Current RPI Conference Rankings. Will be interesting to see if this holds up. MVC 2nd highest mid major league behind Mountain West who is doing ridiculously well.

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If you really want a chuckle check out individual team rpi and behold Evansville's dominance
 

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I'm aware...but my point being that's it's available and it's easy to see why it's not used.
 
My early season tiers. (teams are in no particular order)

Top Tier:
Indiana State: We haven't done anything to not be in this tier. The best offense in the league. Getting by Toledo today would be our best win
Bradley: 5-0 against solid competition. I really like their schedule; no 200+ teams but all WINNABLE games because they have no juggernauts either.
Drake: They've been slightly disappointing this early season but will still be near the top. DeVries has been streaky and there have been some role adjustments, particularly with Enright starting instead of coming off the bench. Their freshman Overton looks like a real nice piece.
Missouri State: They are athletic AGAIN but they've looked better than in years past. I'm not believing Dana can put together a full season until he does but they can challenge for the top.

Next Best:
UNI: man their schedule has been tough and I'm not convinced that was a smart move. Their first "gimme" d1 game is December 12 against Prairie View AM. Born appears to be hurt and is not affective and Duax has been a complete dud to start this season, maybe the biggest disappointment in the valley for far in the early season.
Southern Illinois: One of the more surprising teams this seasons. Xavier Johnson has been a best for them so far. Not sure how many times he can score 25+ to keep them competitive going forward.

The Rest: (the bottom of the conference is not nearly as bad as in years past)
Illinois State: I don't know. Redbirds kind of seem like recent Redbird teams. That program just seems to be in purgatory; better than the bottom but not in the conversation for the top.
Evansville: Are the Aces competitive? They've honestly haven't looked bad in the early going and might surprise a few. Their schedule has been a warm cream puff but they've passed the eye test compared to other Eville teams.
UIC: In the same conversation as the Aces for most improved teams. Just like with Eville, I don't know how much they will move up in the rankings just because the bottom has been raised but they picked up a nice win for the MVC in Loyola, even if it was just for bragging rights
Murray State: Haven't heard much about the racers lately. Saw they blew a close one but then got ran out of the gym the next day. I think their front line is pretty darn weak.
Belmont: Probably the most disappointing team in the valley so far. Squeaking by Georgia State and then getting thrashed by Furman is not what the Bruins are used too. While losing to Arizona isn't a big deal, being completely outclassed by 32 is cause for concern. They still have time to turn it around but one of the most consistent programs in the nation the last 15 years; Belmont seems off.
Valpo: Will land near the bottom this season, but they have shown some signs of life which is nice. Any OOC D1 win the beacons can gobble up is a nice surprise. Will be interesting to see if their coach can build something there.
 
Pretty big swing day for the MVC today. A handful of match-ups vs solid teams that could either end in a great day for the MVC or disaster.

4-0 Evansville teaks on 4-0 Chattanooga at 2. The Noogs notable win is a 81-71 victory over blue-blood turned doormat Louisville. This game will tell a lot about what the Aces are.

Belmont takes on 2-2 Monmouth at 2. Monmouth has a win over a Ho-Hum West Virginia team. Belmont hasn't been on their game lately so a win hear would be nice.

Indiana State against 3-2 Toledo at 2. This game is well documented but the Rockets should be near the top of the MAC come seasons end. Will be a good test for our Sycamores.

UIC teaks on a 3-2 Middle Tennessee team at 4:30. MTSU is 3 points away from being 5-0 against good competition. Again another good opportunity for the bottom of the conference to lift itself out of those 200 numbers
 
treeman said:
Pretty big swing day for the MVC today. A handful of match-ups vs solid teams that could either end in a great day for the MVC or disaster.

4-0 Evansville teaks on 4-0 Chattanooga at 2. The Noogs notable win is a 81-71 victory over blue-blood turned doormat Louisville. This game will tell a lot about what the Aces are.

Belmont takes on 2-2 Monmouth at 2. Monmouth has a win over a Ho-Hum West Virginia team. Belmont hasn't been on their game lately so a win hear would be nice.

Indiana State against 3-2 Toledo at 2. This game is well documented but the Rockets should be near the top of the MAC come seasons end. Will be a good test for our Sycamores.

UIC teaks on a 3-2 Middle Tennessee team at 4:30. MTSU is 3 points away from being 5-0 against good competition. Again another good opportunity for the bottom of the conference to lift itself out of those 200 numbers
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UNI will also try and get out of the Bahamas with at least one win, with a game against Stanford. Stanford took Arkansas to double OT the other night so they’re no slouch.
 

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BrokerZ said:
UNI will also try and get out of the Bahamas with at least one win, with a game against Stanford. Stanford took Arkansas to double OT the other night so they’re no slouch.
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Watched them and Michigan last night and if they had a reliable shooter they beat the Wolverines. Their bigs will likely overwhelm UNI.
 
Aces were down 20 with about 12 minutes left. Forced OT and then won it against a 4-0 Chattanooga team. Aces not going to be the anchor this year
 
treeman said:
Aces were down 20 with about 12 minutes left. Forced OT and then won it against a 4-0 Chattanooga team. Aces not going to be the anchor this year
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They should blowout SEMO (again) tomorrow too which would get them to 5-0. Their win today should help out the MVC's RPI. (I realize that the selection committee doesn't use RPI anymore, but I still like to follow it.)
 

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Sycamorefan96 said:
They should blowout SEMO (again) tomorrow too which would get them to 5-0. Their win today should help out the MVC's RPI. (I realize that the selection committee doesn't use RPI anymore, but I still like to follow it.)
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Considering they already beat SEMO by 19 this season, I’ll be taking Evansville and the points
 
UIC goes on to wax CUSA pre-season favorite Middle Tennessee State by 30.

Outside of Valpo losing to IUPUI the pre-season bottom of the conference has done amazing in this non-con. Belmont & Murray State might takes Evansville's and UIC's place this upcoming season
 
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