SMU is pulling away from Murray in the second half. How does Murray get a team like SMU in their arena? I watched Villanova beat Creighton in over time. They certainly didn't look like a number 8 team.
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2023-24 Around The Valley
- Thread starter Jason Svoboda
- Start date
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SIU with a 31 point win over USI, the only road game that even remotely worries me in the MVC is our game at Missouri State, only because historically we lose there, this team just has this "it" feeling. Like they're going to roll through the MVC possibly undefeated. I mean literally every game we are just blowing people out.
The game at SIU could go either way as well, they certainly have been better since our beatdown of them in Terre Haute, but I still like our chances there
And thank you SIU for the triple win for me tonight, nice payday from the Salukis.
The game at SIU could go either way as well, they certainly have been better since our beatdown of them in Terre Haute, but I still like our chances there
And thank you SIU for the triple win for me tonight, nice payday from the Salukis.
Getting towards the end of the non-con and we have a big break before we play again. Figured it was a good time for conference power rankings.
Tier 1:
1. Indiana State: We don't need to go into the details we know what we have and what we have done. We look to be the favorites to win the league right now.
Tier 2:
2. Drake: 11-2 is par for what Drake has done the past 5 years or so. Their shellacking of Nevada is probably the valleys best win, but outside of that they have looked pretty pedestrian and have done just enough to gobble up the wins against some weaker competition. They were in tier 1 up until yesterday when they finally got exposed against an average UAB team.
3. Southern Illinois: Probably the most surprising (in a good way) team this season with Evansville. Salukis have been everywhere with their results from getting drummed by the Sycamores and losing to a bad Austin Peay team at home. But then they also creamed St. Louis, lost by 1 @ Wichita and nearly picked off an undefeated James Madison team. I thought for sure the Salukis were bottom 4 coming into this year, but they've performed better than originally thought. Bringing an 88 NET to the value is a big addition as they could be a quad 1 game on the road if they perform.
4. Belmont: Bruins still don't play defense. But in true Belmont fashion they have put together an 8-4 record without much notice. Their offense is the only other O in the league that you could compare to with ours but the D is pretty bad.
Tier 3: You could put these in any order
5. Missouri State: Rinse and repeat for the Bears. Long, athletic, can play with anyone coupled with collapses, mind boggling losses, no scheme. Bears are in that position where they can beat anyone but can also lose to anyone. This could be Fords swan song if something doesn't change in Springfield.
6. Evansville: 10-2? who are these guys? their non-con schedule has been TERRIBLE but give them credit because they won some games. They aren't that athletic put sport some guys that can put the ball through the hoop. Ragland did a good job of finding talent in some unusual places that fit pretty well together.
7. Bradley: The skidding Braves are limping into the conference season. Already 0-2 in the league and it's not looking good in Peoria. Their guard depth; or lack their of was a concern before and then just completely blew up in their face with Hickman going down. Bradley is going to be a tough out, but don't think they stay out of Thursday this year unless wardle pulls a rabbit out of his hat.
8. UNI: Panthers are starting to gain some momentum. After a rough start (albeit vs a VERY difficult schedule) the Panthers have won 4 of their last 5. Don't think UNI challenges for the league title but I could see them being in the Friday conversation at the end of the year.
Tier 4:
9. Illinois State: Still a program that looks like they are just spinning their wheels. Tough enough to give anybody a game but just not enough talent to challenge for anything. Kind of like Springfield those Blo-No crowds are looking rough and tireless.
10. UIC: Kudos to UIC, they appear to be near the bottom of the conference but have a NET of 129. Can't ask for much better than that; except not losing at home to Incarnate Word. Still don't know what they do for the program long term.
11. Murray State: Probably the biggest disappointment this season. All you have to be is average and the MVC is in a much better position conference wise. Murray comes in with a 272 ranking which is nearly 100 points worse than Illinois State. They did beat Bradley and nearly knocked off a 9-2 Mississippi state team, so they aren't incompetent. This is the land mind that we have to avoid.
Tier 5:
12. Valpo: Poor valpo, not much going on for that program. Losers of 6 straight, Powell has his worked cut out for him. I hated this add long term for the valley. Everybody could see their program was propped up by the Drew family and the second Alec Peters graduated they were going to be in trouble. It will be interesting to see if Powell can get any traction there.
Tier 1:
1. Indiana State: We don't need to go into the details we know what we have and what we have done. We look to be the favorites to win the league right now.
Tier 2:
2. Drake: 11-2 is par for what Drake has done the past 5 years or so. Their shellacking of Nevada is probably the valleys best win, but outside of that they have looked pretty pedestrian and have done just enough to gobble up the wins against some weaker competition. They were in tier 1 up until yesterday when they finally got exposed against an average UAB team.
3. Southern Illinois: Probably the most surprising (in a good way) team this season with Evansville. Salukis have been everywhere with their results from getting drummed by the Sycamores and losing to a bad Austin Peay team at home. But then they also creamed St. Louis, lost by 1 @ Wichita and nearly picked off an undefeated James Madison team. I thought for sure the Salukis were bottom 4 coming into this year, but they've performed better than originally thought. Bringing an 88 NET to the value is a big addition as they could be a quad 1 game on the road if they perform.
4. Belmont: Bruins still don't play defense. But in true Belmont fashion they have put together an 8-4 record without much notice. Their offense is the only other O in the league that you could compare to with ours but the D is pretty bad.
Tier 3: You could put these in any order
5. Missouri State: Rinse and repeat for the Bears. Long, athletic, can play with anyone coupled with collapses, mind boggling losses, no scheme. Bears are in that position where they can beat anyone but can also lose to anyone. This could be Fords swan song if something doesn't change in Springfield.
6. Evansville: 10-2? who are these guys? their non-con schedule has been TERRIBLE but give them credit because they won some games. They aren't that athletic put sport some guys that can put the ball through the hoop. Ragland did a good job of finding talent in some unusual places that fit pretty well together.
7. Bradley: The skidding Braves are limping into the conference season. Already 0-2 in the league and it's not looking good in Peoria. Their guard depth; or lack their of was a concern before and then just completely blew up in their face with Hickman going down. Bradley is going to be a tough out, but don't think they stay out of Thursday this year unless wardle pulls a rabbit out of his hat.
8. UNI: Panthers are starting to gain some momentum. After a rough start (albeit vs a VERY difficult schedule) the Panthers have won 4 of their last 5. Don't think UNI challenges for the league title but I could see them being in the Friday conversation at the end of the year.
Tier 4:
9. Illinois State: Still a program that looks like they are just spinning their wheels. Tough enough to give anybody a game but just not enough talent to challenge for anything. Kind of like Springfield those Blo-No crowds are looking rough and tireless.
10. UIC: Kudos to UIC, they appear to be near the bottom of the conference but have a NET of 129. Can't ask for much better than that; except not losing at home to Incarnate Word. Still don't know what they do for the program long term.
11. Murray State: Probably the biggest disappointment this season. All you have to be is average and the MVC is in a much better position conference wise. Murray comes in with a 272 ranking which is nearly 100 points worse than Illinois State. They did beat Bradley and nearly knocked off a 9-2 Mississippi state team, so they aren't incompetent. This is the land mind that we have to avoid.
Tier 5:
12. Valpo: Poor valpo, not much going on for that program. Losers of 6 straight, Powell has his worked cut out for him. I hated this add long term for the valley. Everybody could see their program was propped up by the Drew family and the second Alec Peters graduated they were going to be in trouble. It will be interesting to see if Powell can get any traction there.
Powerhouse
The Blue Level
UIC is a weird one because they have flashes of greatness but also look super flat (I.e. vs Green Bay), bet they’ll knock off some of the top dawgs but still end up bottom four
Missouri State taking on St. Mary's right now @STM. The Gaels are 8-5 but have a 50 NET so would be a real good win for the Bears if they can do something. Also didn't realize St. Marys gymnasium was that small
Very MVC score late in this one...
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Really nice execution on the game winner...Bears with a nice win there.
Bears creep into the top 100 NET with that win yesterday. Valley now has 5 in top 100 (ISU, Drake, Southern, Evansville, Missouri State).
here are the remaining non-con games in the valley. We still go to Michigan State, ILSU goes to Kentucky (they aren't winning but could help out their NET), Evansville goes to Cincinnati, Valpo @ Elon, and Murray welcomes MTSU.
We've basically solidified ourselves as a top 10 conference with a chance to either get some nice wins or help our conference NET before going into the grind of the Valley. Right now we are #9, below the A10 and above the AAC, that would be a good landing spot for us with our last few remaining games I have a feeling that is where we will end up.
here are the remaining non-con games in the valley. We still go to Michigan State, ILSU goes to Kentucky (they aren't winning but could help out their NET), Evansville goes to Cincinnati, Valpo @ Elon, and Murray welcomes MTSU.
We've basically solidified ourselves as a top 10 conference with a chance to either get some nice wins or help our conference NET before going into the grind of the Valley. Right now we are #9, below the A10 and above the AAC, that would be a good landing spot for us with our last few remaining games I have a feeling that is where we will end up.
Here’s a website I found that you can track NET and Quad Wins.
bballnet.com
2025 NET Rankings and Quad Wins
2025 Quad wins for NCAA College Basketball. NET rankings and Quadrants are used to help select teams for the NCAA Tournament during March Madness.
Thank you. I like this much better than the ncaa website. At one point isu had 4 quad 2 wins. Those are moving in the wrong direction. Interesting to see how wins move throughout the season. I think the valley needs 3+ teams to finish in the top 75 in net on selection Sunday for anybody to get an at large bid. Going to be hard to do. Evansville, mo state, and siu might get there. Need ind state and drake to stay in top 75 and a few others to make that threshold.Here’s a website I found that you can track NET and Quad Wins.
2025 NET Rankings and Quad Wins
2025 Quad wins for NCAA College Basketball. NET rankings and Quadrants are used to help select teams for the NCAA Tournament during March Madness.
Merry Christmas morning! Some Vally reading material…
The Breakout Brigade: Missouri Valley Conference - College Hoops Top 50
Last year, Xavier Johnson transferred to Carbondale from George Mason and had a really solid year. He's improved a bit since then...
collegehoopstop50.com
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Current state of The Valley, NET-wise…
Ranked 9th among all conferences.
Five teams in top-100.
Nine teams in top-150.
Looking good Billy Ray!
Ranked 9th among all conferences.
Five teams in top-100.
Nine teams in top-150.
Looking good Billy Ray!
Feeling good Louis!
SycamoreBlue3209
The Newsom Level
Evansville’s best player, Ben Humrichous, will be out for our game. Believe broken foot that will keep him out all of January at the least.
Their leading scorer, averaging 16.3 ppg, and 5.6 rpg. Also, leading 3 point shooter (makes and %) and shot blocker. Huge loss for them.
Their leading scorer, averaging 16.3 ppg, and 5.6 rpg. Also, leading 3 point shooter (makes and %) and shot blocker. Huge loss for them.
Stinks... I was interested in seeing their new Blake Simmons.
EvilleSycamore
The All-MVC Level
Living in Evansville, I can tell you that is half your team. I keep saying people who are getting excited about the Evansville game you are going to be sorely disappointed! They are better than last year, but a long way from top tier MVC.
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Well Evansville is without their best player and their first guy off bench (probably the MVC freshman of year) and up 8 at Cincinnati at half…
Getting ran off the floor here in the 2nd. Don't think they've made a bucket in 10 minutes.
35-10 here in the 2nd half.
The jailbirds are shitting the bed at Kentucky. I mean its like a 40 point beatdown.