It was just 2007 when Shocker basketball ruled the MVC in October. The men were picked third and the women second. Two seasons later, nobody loves the Shockers. The men are picked ninth; the women 10th. Since they finished in those spots last season, this can’t be a surprise.
Men’s poll
School (first-place votes) points
1. Creighton (36) 386
2. Southern Illinois (2) 322
3. Illinois State (1) 309
4. Drake 274
5. Bradley 219
6. Northern Iowa 186
7. Indiana State 137
8. Evansville 122
9. Wichita State 105
10. Missouri State 85
Preseason All-MVC
Jonathan Cox, Drake
Osiris Eldridge, Illinois State
Bryan Mullins, Southern Illinois
P’Allen Stinnett, Creighton
Josh Young, Drake
Honorable mention – Shy Ely, Evansville; Andrew Warren, Bradley; Theron Wilson, Bradley
Player of the Year – Eldridge
Women’s poll
School (first-place votes) points
1. Illinois State (40) 400
2. Creighton 310
3. Drake 297
4. Evansville 251
5. Northern Iowa 245
6. Missouri State 215
7. Indiana State 166
8. Bradley 161
9. Southern Illinois 108
10. Wichita State 47
Preseason All-MVC
Kristi Cirone, Illinois State
Maggie Dwyer, Missouri State
Jacqui Kalin, Northern Iowa
Maggie Krick, Illinois State
Shannon Novosel, Evansville
- I did not go to media day because of my injury. I wanted to get Jim Les to sign my cast, but no luck.
- I can’t blame people for picking the WSU men ninth. Evansville returns five starters from a team that split with WSU in 2008. Indiana State returns two starters from a team that went 2-1 against WSU. I will be surprised if WSU finishes ninth. I picked the Shockers seventh, ahead of both UE and Indiana State. That is a leap of faith, to be sure. I don’t like Evansville’s inside game. I don’t like Indiana State’s depth, especially without Marico Stinson on the roster. By March, WSU will be better than both those teams. Of course, people in Evansville and Terre Haute have equally valid concerns about WSU. There will be rough spots along the way. It is hard for me to see WSU finishing much higher than seventh (perhaps a spot or two higher if things go really right for WSU and wrong for others). I do like the talent and I think the Shockers will improve throughout the season. The inexperience is the big downer.
- I have no read on the WSU women. If Gregg Marshall got a free pass on last season because of the transition, Jody Adams should get several years of passes. She has a bigger job rebuilding than Marshall did.
- Drake is the most interesting men’s team to watch. Coach Mark Phelps owns the toughest job in the Valley. Keno Davis raised expectations with last season’s MVC title. Yet, there are reasons why Drake did not record a winning season from 1988-2006 and did not finish higher than fifth from 1987-2007. Phelps has a big job to recreate the chemistry, confidence and enthusiasm that characterized last season’s Bulldogs.
- Is it necessary to have honorable mention preseason All-MVC picks?
- Voters went with the chalk for all-conference picks. If I have to go off the board, the first name that comes to mind is UNI center Jordan Eglseder – if he can stay healthy. Evansville’s Shy Ely is another guy who make another big move this season. For some reason, I expect SIU’s Carlton Fay to play much better as a sophomore than as a freshman. He may blossom with more minutes and the departure of Falker and Shaw.
- This is a big season for the MVC. It can’t afford another one-bid, one-loss performance in the NCAA Tournament. Most of the burden is on Creighton, which needs to have a big season. The Bluejays are rightfully one of the MVC’s marquee programs. They have not, however, won an MVC title or an NCAA game since 2002. A lot of eyes will be on SIU and Drake. The Salukis need a rebound season. Drake needs to prove last season’s wasn’t a fluke. Illinois State should be a contender, but a soft non-conference schedule will hold the Redbirds back.