2024-25 Around The Valley

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I liked how Brian looked for the opportunity to call HCMG by name as soon as possible. The doofus hosting the interview didn't seem to pick up on it though and was completely clueless that he butchered both guys' names. Not a good start to an interview.
 
Kenpom Preseason Rankings:
#93 Bradley
#112 Murray State
#115 Northern Iowa
#133 Drake
#147 Southern Illinois
#160 Indiana State
#170 Belmont
#195 Illinois State
#204 Evansville
#218 Valparaiso
#219 Missouri State
#220 UIC
 
Kenpom Preseason Rankings:
#93 Bradley
#112 Murray State
#115 Northern Iowa
#133 Drake
#147 Southern Illinois
#160 Indiana State
#170 Belmont
#195 Illinois State
#204 Evansville
#218 Valparaiso
#219 Missouri State
#220 UIC
Thanks for posting. This lets me know that the preseason top 25 was also released. It’s starting to feel like basketball season…
 

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Kenpom usually is pretty worthless until January but I wonder how these numbers are figured. Drake seems super high considering majority of their players came from D2 and don't have stats to their names
 
Kenpom usually is pretty worthless until January but I wonder how these numbers are figured. Drake seems super high considering majority of their players came from D2 and don't have stats to their names
Makes you wonder how much time he spends tweaking each team based on roster or coaching changes. Those are hardest teams to decide but they aren’t all going to be bad.
 

9. Indiana State Sycamores​

Indiana State won 32 games last season and finished top-40 on KenPom. Alas, the triumphant season ended without an NCAA Tournament appearance and followed with an offseason exodus of coaches and players. Matthew Graves is Indiana State’s new head coach in the wake of Josh Schertz’s departure for Saint Louis, and he had to build his first roster essentially from scratch.

Aaron Gray (1.3 ppg), though, could make a mark among the returners. He only appeared in 15 games after initially being denied a waiver to play after transferring, but was very good at Niagara the year prior. He averaged 12.4 points with the Purple Eagles, and could be a big floor- and ceiling-raiser for the Sycamores if he regains that form. Sophomore leaps from forwards Jaden Daughty (3.1 ppg) or Derek Vorst (1.7 ppg) shouldn’t be ruled out, either.

The holdovers will all play roles, but it is Graves’ first transfer class that will likely determine the team’s results. Tyran Cook (12.7 ppg at VMU), Samage Teel (13.6 ppg at Presbyterian), and Jahni Summers (18.2 ppg at Coffeyville) most notably, could form a dangerous perimeter trio. Add in Central Michigan’s Markus Harding(10.2 ppg), and Indiana State has four players with double-digit scoring seasons under their belts at the Division I level. Caden Huttenlocker (12.5 pgg at Lincoln Trail) also brings numbers with him from the JUCO ranks.There is proven production in Indiana State’s transfer class, but its chemistry is completely unknown. It also bears noting that Graves carries only a 65-96 career head coaching record from his time at South Alabama. Combine those factors, and this could be a rebuilding season for the Sycamores. If the chemistry and scheme come together quickly, though, there is enough talent to make a push that far exceeds this projection.
 

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Drake announces their out of conference schedule. Two NAIA opponents, no true road games. Only ten games I believe. For those who hated our non-con schedule, this one ain't much better. Both coaches probably behind the 8 ball when trying to put it together and took what they could get.
 
Drake announces their out of conference schedule. Two NAIA opponents, no true road games. Only ten games I believe. For those who hated our non-con schedule, this one ain't much better. Both coaches probably behind the 8 ball when trying to put it together and took what they could get.
Minus the two non-D1s, I thought I thought it was pretty good. Miami, FGCU, Kansas State....and two more teams in a strong Charleston Classic field. Eleven games in total.
 
Maybe

Depends on if Miami rebounds this year. Last year they lost about 9 straight or something to end the season and finished under .500

Kansas State was ok, I think that game is in KC.

If those two teams have good years then it’s not bad. If they have years like last year it’s nothing to brag about.
 

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