The picks I faxed to the MVC office today:
1. Creighton - Bluejays getting tons of national love, and it’s deserved. They should be a fun team to watch and should carry the MVC in the national rankings. Their big question is replacing point guard Antoine Young. Any improvement in defense is a bonus.
2. Wichita State - WSU coach Gregg Marshall has a big job to integrate the newcomers and blend all the talent and egos into a cohesive unit. This strikes me as a team that will be much better in February than November.
3. Illinois State - First-year coach Dan Muller steps into a sweet situation with a good team and a town that loves him from his days as a Redbird.
4. Northern Iowa - Lots of good players and they will be a tough out every night. Not sure the Panthers possess the inside game to move into the top three. Could be the reverse of WSU – a team that doesn’t improve dramatically from early to late.
5. Evansville - Did the Aces find a big man who can help Colt Ryan?
6. Drake - The Bulldogs could make a big move if Seth VanDeest is healthy and improved.
7. Indiana State - Who helps Jake Odum? Manny Arop? If Odum returns to good health, the Sycamores will be dangerous enough to move up in the standings.
8. Bradley - The bottom three teams could present a major problem for the MVC and its RPI. I see all three struggling mightily. Bradley should be the best of the bunch with a reasonable amount of size and experience.
9. Missouri State - Injury to Jarmar Gulley is a killer.
10. Southern Illinois - It will take Barry Hinson two or three seasons to dig out of the mess he inherited.
All-MVC
Doug McDermott, Creighton
Colt Ryan, Evansville
Jackie Carmichael, Illinois State
Ben Simons, Drake
Carl Hall, Wichita State
Player of the Year - McDermott