Hello Again Racing Fans !! he first annual Valley Classic is now in the books and is HISTORY--The more things change , the more they stay the same--As we now turn our binoculars towards the horses starting to prep for the 2015/ 16 CLASSIC, one thing we know for sure--The odds and placements WILL surely change--BUT here is TRACKMAN'S early look-see--BIG changes a-coming but NOT at the top rung . Let's take a look--
--WHEATSHOCKERS--1 to 1--No change at the top but showing a few whiskers--still the odds -on class of the bunch
--RED BIRDS----------3 to 1--Best of the rest--stepping way up--could run with Shockers for a while
--RAMBLERS-----------9 to 2--Took off like rocket last--no reason to doubt any further
--PURPLE ACES--------9 to 2--strong horse, but could flop --A worry
--PANTHERS-----------5 to 1--Gave it all in CLASSIC not much left but best of the rest
--SYCAMORES---------10 to 1--Hidden strength a teaser--could challenge for show
--BULLDOGS-----------18 to 1--Not much here , but dead game
--SALUKIS-------------30 to 1--Not now--overlook this time, but watch
--BRAVES--------------50 to 1--training a shambles not with these New trainer could help later
--BEARS---------------60 to 1--Just along for the exercise --Outclassed

RailBirds , watch for the Early Morning Line --Changes in odds for sure-- TRACMAN likes RAMBLERS and REDBIRDS as most improved over the summer--

A late surprise could be SALUKIS--WATCH !!

I see WSU as number one but maybe Evansville as second. ISU has now lost Lynch. We return a lot of firepower but do need to replace Thomas. Our key will be how the freshmen develop over the summer.

If I were ranking the top 5 right now, it would be WSU, UE, UNI, ISUr, and Loyola. You've got to figure WSU is going to win 15 or 16 league games again, and 13 wins probably gets 2nd place. UE and UNI most likely go 8-1 or 7-2 at home, and whoever does better on the road gets 2nd-- I'd go with UE because of their experience. Loyola and ISUr are probably going to be 7-2 or 6-3 at home (Loyola was only 4-5 in conference at home last year, but got road wins at Drake, Bradley, Missouri State, and Evansville).

For Loyola to move up, I think the key will be Ingram; he's got to replace a lot of the high percentage shooting by Thomas inside. Thomas shot 58% on the second most two point attempts on the team. A lot of his shots were muscling up using good footwork in traffic under the basket, and Ingram has to be able to add some strenth to be able to do that. He also needs to get his free throw percentage over 70%. And of course, staying out of injury problems is a must, especially for a team that's smaller in a very physical league.

Actually as we all know, picking winners and losers at this stage , is merely FUN--- Trackman has made his deductions based on blogs written by all of us and of course last year's records.
--Problems-- as an example , will Ace's big guy go Europe or somewhere ??
--- Injuries
To name but two--
Now then , on the positive side--
--Coaching--Ramblers have it , in spades as do the Redbirds

The above do factor in.

One thing IS for sure--Shockers will be the best--BUT not by as much as they have been--

Let us keep commenting on what we find out as we go though summer

I think UNI is going to struggle with the heavy losses they have this year. They need to replace a lot of points and rebounds.

Replacing Thomas will be difficult. The good thing is the additions mean that Ingram and Knuth will not be playing the 5 like last season. If Ingram, Knuth and Rajala can add some muscle, it will really help out. Both Ingram and Knuth are stretch 4's much like Buss with UNI. That will leave move room for James, Kirby and maybe Rajala.

Both Ingram and Knuth can handle the ball well and can blow by a bigger 4 that comes out to contest the three.

Great to hear from the TRACKMAN!

Will be interesting to see what the new connections can do with the Braves/Gargoyles. Seems like they are rebuilding their roster.

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MBB Scholarship Chart

Trackman...I like your ranking. I'm not sure why so many of the other MVC fans seem to think that the Aces and Panthers will be better than our Ramblers next season.

I project the standings to look something like this by the end of the season:

1. WSU
2. ISU-R
3. Loyola
4. Evansville
5. UNI
6. Drake
7. ISU-B
8. SIU
9. MSU
10. BU

WSU will be on a higher level than everyone next season; however, 2-5 should be a battle! Can't wait!

OK Railbirds , things have changed since the EARLY late Spring Morning line hit the News Stands !! Watch for the LATE SPRING EARLY LINE out soon.