Mid-Major Ranking: Two future MVC teams, One current

Just Sayin · January 06, 2022, 12:46:39 PM

https://heatcheckcbb.com/ncaa-mid-major-top-25-rankings-north-texas-on-the-rise-abilene-christian-streaking/

Quote12. Murray State Racers (11-2)
Murray State might not be the favorite to win the OVC this season but it is not far behind. The Racers hold a strong overall record and feature a pair of absolute snipers from beyond the arc. Tevin Brown (37-for-82; 45.1 percent) and Justice Hill (25-for-52; 48.1 percent) are leading the charge for a Racers' team that ranks 32nd nationally in 3-point percentage. Brown is putting together a superb season as the team's star. Murray State won its first conference game of the season by 25 over Southeast Missouri State. Their first meeting with Belmont comes on Jan. 15. -LH

6. Belmont Bruins (10-3)
Belmont has not played since our last update to the mid-major Top 25. The Bruins remain 10-3 and have won five straight games. They will begin their quest for the OVC regular-season title this week with a home game against Southeast Missouri State. Head coach Casey Alexander's team ranks 37th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency behind superb interior finishing. Nick Muszynski and Grayson Murphy form an elite duo with lots of help around them. Will Richard has been a welcome addition to the rotation with his elite efficiency. -LH

3. Loyola Chicago Ramblers (9-2)
Loyola Chicago has not played since Dec. 10 when it beat Vanderbilt on the road. The Ramblers are expected to return to the court Thursday when they will challenge a fellow top 5 mid-major team in San Francisco. Head coach Drew Valentine has led a remarkably efficient offensive unit to date in his first season on the sidelines. -LH

Interesting that San Francisco is playing Loyola Chicago today 1pm CST. Here's where they are in the rankings:

Quote4. San Francisco Dons (13-1)
Since taking their first loss of the season to Grand Canyon back on Dec. 18, the Dons are 3-0 (including a win over NAIA Academy of the Arts). Their WCC opener was delayed, but that unfortunate circumstance opened the door for an awesome matchup with Loyola Chicago Thursday at Salt Lake City Community College. No matter how this one plays out, the trio of Jamaree Bouyea, Khalil Shabazz and Yauhen Massalski will make USF a serious contender in the non-Gonzaga WCC ranks. -AD

VUGrad1314 · January 06, 2022, 12:51:01 PM

Quote from: Just Sayin on January 06, 2022, 12:46:39 PMhttps://heatcheckcbb.com/ncaa-mid-major-top-25-rankings-north-texas-on-the-rise-abilene-christian-streaking/
Quote12. Murray State Racers (11-2) Murray State might not be the favorite to win the OVC this season but it is not far behind. The Racers hold a strong overall record and feature a pair of absolute snipers from beyond the arc. Tevin Brown (37-for-82; 45.1 percent) and Justice Hill (25-for-52; 48.1 percent) are leading the charge for a Racers' team that ranks 32nd nationally in 3-point percentage. Brown is putting together a superb season as the team's star. Murray State won its first conference game of the season by 25 over Southeast Missouri State. Their first meeting with Belmont comes on Jan. 15. -LH 6. Belmont Bruins (10-3) Belmont has not played since our last update to the mid-major Top 25. The Bruins remain 10-3 and have won five straight games. They will begin their quest for the OVC regular-season title this week with a home game against Southeast Missouri State. Head coach Casey Alexander's team ranks 37th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency behind superb interior finishing. Nick Muszynski and Grayson Murphy form an elite duo with lots of help around them. Will Richard has been a welcome addition to the rotation with his elite efficiency. -LH 3. Loyola Chicago Ramblers (9-2) Loyola Chicago has not played since Dec. 10 when it beat Vanderbilt on the road. The Ramblers are expected to return to the court Thursday when they will challenge a fellow top 5 mid-major team in San Francisco. Head coach Drew Valentine has led a remarkably efficient offensive unit to date in his first season on the sidelines. -LH
Interesting that San Francisco is playing Loyola Chicago today 1pm CST. Here's where they are in the rankings:
Quote4. San Francisco Dons (13-1) Since taking their first loss of the season to Grand Canyon back on Dec. 18, the Dons are 3-0 (including a win over NAIA Academy of the Arts). Their WCC opener was delayed, but that unfortunate circumstance opened the door for an awesome matchup with Loyola Chicago Thursday at Salt Lake City Community College. No matter how this one plays out, the trio of Jamaree Bouyea, Khalil Shabazz and Yauhen Massalski will make USF a serious contender in the non-Gonzaga WCC ranks. -AD

That's going to be a great matchup and I can't wait for it. This graphic shows us that the league is probably going to be fine post Loyola. They made the right call bringing in Murray State alongside Belmont and I am excited for this league's future even if the UIC addition doesn't excite me.

Just Sayin · January 06, 2022, 12:53:41 PM

The game today between Loyola and SF may be streamed without a fee at
https://wccsports.com/watch/?sid=475739

VUGrad1314 · January 06, 2022, 03:11:41 PM

Loyola wins 79-74! Big win for the Ramblers and for the MVC!

usc4valpo · January 06, 2022, 08:15:36 PM

In the NCAA tournament last year, who did the MVC teams lose to?

Just Sayin · January 06, 2022, 08:45:41 PM

Quote from: usc4valpo on January 06, 2022, 08:15:36 PM
In the NCAA tournament last year, who did the MVC teams lose to?

They lost to the teams that lost to Houston and Gonzaga.

usc4valpo · January 06, 2022, 09:35:10 PM

Excellent reply.
The multi bid discussion is insignificant. The cash in the grand scheme is not worth discussing.

VUGrad1314 · January 06, 2022, 10:03:04 PM

Quote from: usc4valpo on January 06, 2022, 09:35:10 PMExcellent reply. The multi bid discussion is insignificant. The cash in the grand scheme is not worth discussing.

Right. Fans of a school that needs every dime it can get its hands on right now shouldn't even worry about these things. Let's add a school that has big buildings or pretty scenery to look at. Or good gas station food. And pray that despite the fact that these schools are invisible in their own markets they will lead us to a significant treasure trove of students we haven't tapped into just because we happen to play a few games a year there. That will fix everything.

usc4valpo · January 07, 2022, 06:43:07 AM

Good to see that the MVC will solve Valpo's problems, sounds almost like democratic socialism. Valpo needs to solve their own problems and not depend on the MVC to do that for them. We gotta think long term and location potential is important. iMO, based on location and potential, Belmont was a better addition to the MVC than Murray St. - growing sophisticated city in Nashville, growing school, famous alums, and commitment to basketball.

Multiple bids will not help Valpo as much as Valpo taking actions themselves. I have a feeling Padilla will agree and is up to the challenge.