I know we still have postseason tourney to finish, but I thought it would be interesting to predict how next year would play out. IMO, it is BSU and NIU battling for supremacy. Here is how I see it playing out:
1. Northern Illinois
2. Ball State
3. Eastern Michigan
4. Central Michigan
5. Western Michigan
6. Toledo
(03-09-2009 05:50 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote: [ -> ]1. Northern Illinois
2. Ball State
3. Eastern Michigan
4. Central Michigan
5. Western Michigan
6. Toledo
First, you don't get to talk about next year yet - you need to let this year sink in for a while. Second, what's it like to overdose on Kool-Aid?
So who guessed this was going to an uber MD homer post before they opened the thread?
*Raises hand*
Well, CMU returns mostly everyone plus Chris Kellerman who was hurt in their seventh game this year (big Kid). They also another starter before the season began.
EMU has all of their scoring back plus Carlos Medlock who was a pre-season all MAC pick before he got hurt.
Kool returns for WMU and their big people were starrting to come around.
BSU will hold their own as Anthony Newell was their only "good" senior.
Toledo will probably be in trouble with the loss of Amos and Kent.
(03-09-2009 07:00 PM)7 Wrote: [ -> ]So who guessed this was going to an uber MD homer post before they opened the thread?
*Raises hand*
I did!!!
(03-09-2009 07:06 PM)sportsfan Wrote: [ -> ]Well, CMU returns mostly everyone plus Chris Kellerman who was hurt in their seventh game this year (big Kid). They also another starter before the season began.
EMU has all of their scoring back plus Carlos Medlock who was a pre-season all MAC pick before he got hurt.
Kool returns for WMU and their big people were starrting to come around.
BSU will hold their own as Anthony Newell was their only "good" senior.
Toledo will probably be in trouble with the loss of Amos and Kent.
CMU measured up ok this year, but with Ball State and NIU improving, I dont think pure thuggery can get them through the season anymore. Talent will overcome the physical play of CMU.
7...Im not being a homer, there is no reason to not expect NIU to win the division next year. It will probably come down to who has more favorable cross-division matchups between NIU and Ball State when it comes to home vs road.
(03-09-2009 07:52 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote: [ -> ] (03-09-2009 07:06 PM)sportsfan Wrote: [ -> ]Well, CMU returns mostly everyone plus Chris Kellerman who was hurt in their seventh game this year (big Kid). They also another starter before the season began.
EMU has all of their scoring back plus Carlos Medlock who was a pre-season all MAC pick before he got hurt.
Kool returns for WMU and their big people were starrting to come around.
BSU will hold their own as Anthony Newell was their only "good" senior.
Toledo will probably be in trouble with the loss of Amos and Kent.
CMU measured up ok this year, but with Ball State and NIU improving, I dont think pure thuggery can get them through the season anymore. Talent will overcome the physical play of CMU.
7...Im not being a homer, there is no reason to not expect NIU to win the division next year. It will probably come down to who has more favorable cross-division matchups between NIU and Ball State when it comes to home vs road.
How can you predict a team to win a division crown when they haven't proved they can win on the road. Until they start winning road games, they have no chance to even place in the top half of the division.
I remain guardedly optimistic to exceed .500 in MAC & overall.
We still lack next year the true, experienced point guard IMO who can LEAD, penetrate, minimize TOs, create shots for himself and make others better.
(03-09-2009 09:27 PM)cyberdawg Wrote: [ -> ]I remain guardedly optimistic to exceed .500 in MAC & overall.
We still lack next year the true, experienced point guard IMO who can LEAD, penetrate, minimize TOs, create shots for himself and make others better.
I think the overall more talented team next year will really take the heat off our point guards and reduce the mistakes. When you lack depth like this year's team did, the vulnerability will often show up in the stats of the PG
I'll stick my neck out and predict that NIU goes 20-9 next season. I may not believe it, but I just like to stick my neck out.
(03-10-2009 07:40 AM)Dog Fan Wrote: [ -> ]I'll stick my neck out and predict that NIU goes 20-9 next season. I may not believe it, but I just like to stick my neck out.
I am predicting 18-11. Silas will make everyone better. No reason, if he can average 13 points in the Big 12, that he can't average 18+ in the MAC. This will make Anderson more dangerous and even Storm. Storm has a nice mid range jumper. Silas is the most complete offensive player we have had in a long time.
Tough to say for sure. There will be definite improvement because of these 2 main things:
1) We are adding Xavier Silas to the mix who will be the best or one of the best players on the team and maybe in the conference, while we are losing Sean Smith.
2) Most of our points and rebounds and assists are all returning and will all be bigger, stronger, better skilled, and more experienced. I think Storm, Kowal, Fuquade, DiNunno and Hall will all come back better as they have lots of upside to reach for. Jake will likely be a little bit better, but I don't know if we will see a big improvement in his skills. Ervin and Dzpina will contribute in needed roles, but I don't know if they have room to get too much better.
3) We are also bring back most of our turnovers and any negatives, but those should be less as guys are stronger, better, and more experienced.
4) We are adding Tony Nixon as some possible depth, and maybe Keith Smith will also be able to contribute.
I think 18 wins is possible next year, and at least in contention for the MAC West as we learn to win a few road games. Then, in 2010-11 I think you are looking at 20+ wins and very possible MAC West Champs with the opportunity to compete for the NCAA birth, and if not then an NIT post-season which either would be fun! All that if players continue to develop and if we don't have any major injuries or departures of key players.
This is a good example of how long it takes to build a program from nothing and try to be competetive. We've done it in Football and now Basketball. I still think a plus .500 season would be a good target. It will be intersting to see what Silas brings and how much he means to the overall improvement of the team.
(03-09-2009 08:19 PM)Doggone Wrote: [ -> ] (03-09-2009 07:52 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote: [ -> ] (03-09-2009 07:06 PM)sportsfan Wrote: [ -> ]Well, CMU returns mostly everyone plus Chris Kellerman who was hurt in their seventh game this year (big Kid). They also another starter before the season began.
EMU has all of their scoring back plus Carlos Medlock who was a pre-season all MAC pick before he got hurt.
Kool returns for WMU and their big people were starrting to come around.
BSU will hold their own as Anthony Newell was their only "good" senior.
Toledo will probably be in trouble with the loss of Amos and Kent.
CMU measured up ok this year, but with Ball State and NIU improving, I dont think pure thuggery can get them through the season anymore. Talent will overcome the physical play of CMU.
7...Im not being a homer, there is no reason to not expect NIU to win the division next year. It will probably come down to who has more favorable cross-division matchups between NIU and Ball State when it comes to home vs road.
How can you predict a team to win a division crown when they haven't proved they can win on the road. Until they start winning road games, they have no chance to even place in the top half of the division.
+1000
I am a homer as much as anyone but this is right on.
Central Michigan should be favorites in the MAC West next season. But most importantly I think NIU will graduate to the ranks of one of the better teams in this lowly conference. In fact, NIU has a good shot to be one of the top two or three teams in the MAC next year.
I went to the first 2 exhibition games of the season and saw Keith Smith. He is very good on defense! He is so quick. The only problem is that he's 5-5 ft. But he is a defensive spark and he excites the crowd because of it.
As for the MAC West this is my prediction:
1. NIU Gaining Silas and Nixon and 1 year more of experience for everyone else.
2. Ball St. Jarrod Jones will be a force or but the lost of Lampley and Newell will hurt, even though Newell was gone most of the season.
3. EMU Bowdry and Dobbins will be better and will be a force in the MAC west.
4. WMU David Kool will carry the team to the 4th spot.
5. CMU Losing Marcus Van leading the team in points, rebounds,and block will hurt a lot.
6. Toledo Amos and Kent are gone. Anyijong will need to step up.
How do you hide a 5-5 player on defense?
Opponents will salivate posting him up.
keith smith hustles big-time and will have a TON of steals next year if he is healthy
(03-10-2009 09:10 PM)cyberdawg Wrote: [ -> ]How do you hide a 5-5 player on defense?
Opponents will salivate posting him up.
He'll steal the ball before they do that.
(03-10-2009 07:40 AM)Dog Fan Wrote: [ -> ]I'll stick my neck out and predict that NIU goes 20-9 next season. I may not believe it, but I just like to stick my neck out.
20 win season or not, our program is on the up-swing. I'll see you at the convo next season (and at Huskie Stadium in a few months).
P.S.: All this banter about what we are and what the future holds for NIU athletics... to refute the one "sunshiney" fellow that keeps saying we were born to be mediocre, and so we should just get used to it... NIU, or any other school for that matter, is just what you want to make of it. NIU could have a 50,000 seat stadium and be in the Big 12 a decade from now, or we could be bitching about Patton 's replacement at the bottom of the Mac again... we're a big enough school, on the fringe of a huge urban area, so the sky's the limit, the only limit. It just depends on whose willing to push and how hard.
I don't know if anyone on this site is a Shawshank fan, but "Get busy liv'n, or get busy die'n..." is what its all about. See you at the Convo and Huskie Stadium. See you in the national spotlight as well if I have anything to say about it.
Peace out Huskie fans.