More importantly than the Kenpom ratings, there should be a lot of Q1/Q2 games on the schedule this year. At least two in Atlantis; roadies at Davidson, Vanderbilt, DePaul; plus several conference games, including some Q2s at home (Drake, UNI, Mo State, possibly).

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Drake comes in at #66 on the College Sports Madness Top 144, predicted to finish 2nd in the MVC.

Drake has a "toughness" that #74 Missouri State doesn't have. The Bulldogs have everyone back except Yesufu-- that means Hemphill (who we didn't really see in one on one competition), Brodie, Penn, Murphy and Wilkins. They're going to be tough, no matter what. You just know they think Loyola is a dainty bunch.

As for other CSM previews, they have Toledo at #65, Murray State at #67, and Saint Louis at #69. Would like to have Toledo on the non-con schedule. And if Murray State, Saint Louis and Dayton joined the MVC for this season, we'd likely right away be 7th best college hoops conference behind the P5 and Big East.... instantly.... Poof!

P.S. Here's a chart of where men's college basketball budgets were at the conference level in 2020....

https://www.three-man-weave.com/3mw/col ... dgets-2020

Does anyone in-the-know know if we offered a return game to North Texas? I thought it was pretty cool of them to come to Chicago on such short notice last year. I hope we at least offered them.

I think Drake will be a borderline top 25 team all year. Certainly top 50. Surprised to see them so low after what they did last year (with injuries) and what they are returning this year.

Yeah, they were an at-large last year, which puts them top 40. I guess they're overrating the loss of Yesufu.

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I think the national perspective on Drake is that Yesufu was their best player, and losing him will be a big hit. While he was great during their postseason run, it’s still worth remembering that he wasn’t a starter, probably for a reason. But by the time the rest of the Country got to know Drake, he was the guy for them.

Yesufu is talented but Penn's there best player in my opinion.

Easier to read Loyola only schedule

I'm glad some people have stepped up on this thread to fill the void left by RamblerMgr's dereliction of duty.

I was expecting daily scheduling updates from him!