We enter the Top 25 this week at #24, the fourth MVC team in the Top 25. Illinois State is also receiving votes.

http://www.collegeinsider.com/mens-mid-major-top-25.php

When we were in the HL, this would have been a big deal. Getting some notice on this list may end up being a factor if we're in line for their CIT postseason tournament.

Not to be too confident or snobby about the c tournaments considering we haven't been to the postseason in 30 seasons, but I think we have a legitimate shot at the NIT. Might seem like a high goal but I think that's the ceiling for this team

For reference, realtimerpi projects us to finish the regular season with a 24-6 record (including our 2 D2 wins) and a perfect home record in the valley, including a win vs WSU. It's not a guarantee - we still have to play the games - but this team is absolutely capable of a fantastic season.

I will take the under on that 24-6 mark

Me too...definitely under 6 losses!!

I'd love to see this, but I think we are kidding ourselves if we think Loyola will not lose a home Valley game and rip through conference with only four losses. I have seen this too many times before to get that crazy about this solid start to the season.

I'd love to be wrong, but Loyola has f$$ked this up before.

Yes ,Joe we have--BUT not with this team. I truly think 24-6 is overly optimistic--I shall take my chances with 21-9 or so.

This time we have a BENCH which of course will allow for rested starters at end of games OR to play the HOT hand off the bench.

I cannot remember our bench being this long and good.

As I wrote previously --if we go 3-3 to start, the League had better look out.

In defense of Big Joe: In the immortal words of George Santayana, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

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I think 21-9 is pretty reasonable. That leaves us with an 11-7 record on conference play and a worse case scenario of a 21-10 season including a loss at Arch Madness. In this conference, that should be pushing NIT territory.

Even with the strong non-conference start, I would be ecstatic with a 9-9 conference record. That would represent significant progress for a team that was 4-14 last year and was picked last this year.

That said, 20-10 (10-8) certainly looks possible right now, but things will look much darker if we don't take care of business against Bradley.

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