Official MVCfans.com prediction - 7th place

[WuDrWu]

So your basically agreeing with him that Ahelegbe would be a bigger loss.

As for the other players, we certainly know that we can't expect much from our reserves, seeing as they were 'boat-raced' everytime they came in last year.

By the way, the starting line-up will likely be Ahelegbe, Moran (both two-year starters), Dunham (a 5th-year senior who started most of the games as a Fr), Koch and then a question between O'Rear, Rank, and Austin Pehl. If it's O'Rear, the line-up will have 3 seniors, a junior and a sophomore-exactly the same mix as last year.

Actually, what I am saying is that it doesn't take a stretch at all to see UNI battling to stay out of the playin game. But, it seems that more than 1 Pantherfan is convinced that the 3 departing seniors were not all that integral in the success of the team as a whole, or players as specifics. They were just parts to be switched out for the next. Interchangeable links in a permanent fence of champions. Like Duke, UNI just reloads.

No lower than first or second from the Panthers for the foreseeable future.

[unipanther99]

So your basically agreeing with him that Ahelegbe would be a bigger loss.

As for the other players, we certainly know that we can't expect much from our reserves, seeing as they were 'boat-raced' everytime they came in last year.

By the way, the starting line-up will likely be Ahelegbe, Moran (both two-year starters), Dunham (a 5th-year senior who started most of the games as a Fr), Koch and then a question between O'Rear, Rank, and Austin Pehl. If it's O'Rear, the line-up will have 3 seniors, a junior and a sophomore-exactly the same mix as last year.

Actually, what I am saying is that it doesn't take a stretch at all to see UNI battling to stay out of the playin game. But, it seems that more than 1 Pantherfan is convinced that the 3 departing seniors were not all that integral in the success of the team as a whole, or players as specifics. They were just parts to be switched out for the next. Interchangeable links in a permanent fence of champions. Like Duke, UNI just reloads.

No lower than first or second from the Panthers for the foreseeable future.

I think most UNI posters here are being fairly realistic about this upcoming season. It seems like most posters from other schools think UNI will be a top half or top third team again, and in the hunt. I don't really see many UNI posters going out on the limb any further than that.

But if it's your desire to be this year's Dawgiestyle, by all means... proceed.

[RoyalShock]

Voters in these polls typically assume that all players will remain healthy, as there is no way to predict injuries to specific players. I agree with Doc that UNI doesn't have experienced depth and lost a good chunk of talent. An injury to a key player like Koch or Ahelegbe could be much worse for UNI than for a team like WSU due to the amount of experienced depth and talent.

UNI has a good coach and system, but that doesn't mean that Jacobsen can just plug anyone in anywhere and not see a drop in overall production. I don't think any system is that good.

[valleychamp]

So your basically agreeing with him that Ahelegbe would be a bigger loss.

As for the other players, we certainly know that we can't expect much from our reserves, seeing as they were 'boat-raced' everytime they came in last year.

By the way, the starting line-up will likely be Ahelegbe, Moran (both two-year starters), Dunham (a 5th-year senior who started most of the games as a Fr), Koch and then a question between O'Rear, Rank, and Austin Pehl. If it's O'Rear, the line-up will have 3 seniors, a junior and a sophomore-exactly the same mix as last year.

Actually, what I am saying is that it doesn't take a stretch at all to see UNI battling to stay out of the playin game. But, it seems that more than 1 Pantherfan is convinced that the 3 departing seniors were not all that integral in the success of the team as a whole, or players as specifics. They were just parts to be switched out for the next. Interchangeable links in a permanent fence of champions. Like Duke, UNI just reloads.

No lower than first or second from the Panthers for the foreseeable future.

It is a stretch to say that UNI could be in the play in round. We lost some spectacular players, but still return a whole lot of experience. Lets be realistic here...

And I'm glad Khan brought up the 'boat raced' comment. As we all know, you were the guy that proclaimed that UNI's second 5 would be boat raced by most of the Valley. That was only a week or two before that very group abused the shockers starting 5 in the MVC title game. So we already know how much respect you have for the players on the UNI roster. Those are the same young players that we will return this year.

UNI's starting 5 next year will have as much experience coming back as almost any other team, and they have championship experience. And they will continue to use 4-5 guys off of the bench to go 9-10 players deep.

As was mentioned, anyone can play the "what if this guy gets inured" game with any team. If you take a valuable player or a starting PG off of any team, they will be a much different team. UNI is no different than any other team in that regard.

Nobody has said that UNI is going to roll through the valley again. If fact, I haven't seen a single person predict UNI to win the MVC next year. Fact is, with the team that UNI brings back, they are a lock to be a solid team and an easy choice to be top 5 again.

[catkids]

Just a hunch, but I could see either Bradley or Illinois State slipping this year. If things don't start well for the Braves, job security becomes an issue for Les and the team could spiral.

You are very right. The Redbirds just have too many stats to replace with inexperienced players to not have a fall off. Unless Jimmy Les has rubbed his magic lamp and the genie granted Bradley an inside game they are not much of a threat.

Jimmy needs more then a magic lamp. He needs good bigs. I'm not saying they aren't currently in the program but it sure will be a big surprise if they are. If losing big Sam S. causes you problems we are in big trouble. Someone has to step up and maybe two need to or this is going to be a train wreck waiting to happen and it will be bye bye Jim.

[Redbirdfan21]

Me thinks this poll is gonna come down to the last day!

[SubGod22]

Me thinks this poll is gonna come down to the last day!

We may not see many, if any, more votes. So far there've been 52, 54 and 57 and this one is at 55. But it will be interesting where the final couple votes may go.

[SubGod22]

Have 3 Tree fans signed up today?

[musiccitybulldog]

When we all travel to St. Louis I will be VERY surprised if we see the Redbirds in a play in game.

I was trying to remember the last times they were in that situation? When was it?

[Birdfan10]

When we all travel to St. Louis I will be VERY surprised if we see the Redbirds in a play in game.

I was trying to remember the last times they were in that situation? When was it?

The year before Jankovich.