3. Illinois State

Preseason poll: 3rd

Picking Illinois State to finish ahead of Bradley makes my stomach churn a little. But, in the sense of fairness, I have pick where I legitimately think teams are going to finish.

Any discussion about the Redbirds must begin with guard Osiris Eldridge (6'3" Jr.). He was picked as the Missouri Valley Conference's Preseason Player of the Year and with good reason. "King O" can score at will from all over the court and also rebounds well from his position (5.7 rpg in 2007-08). Eldridge's on-the-court attitude always seems a bit arrogant (the mohawk haircut might have be part of it), but there's no denying that he's a great player.

Illinois State also returns two other major contributors from last season in guard Emmanuel Holloway (6'2" Sr.) and forward Dinma Odiakosa (6'8" So.). Holloway was a member of the All-Valley bench team and will need handle the point guard duties after Boo Richardson and Dom Johnson graduated.

Odiakosa returns for his second season as a solid interior player for the Redbirds. He averaged 6.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game last season. Odikosa will need to improve from the free throw line if he expects to make the next step in his game (49 percent).

If Illinois State has any major weakness, it is the fact that they are very thin on the interior. Outside of Odiakosa, only forward Brandon Sampay (6'8" Sr.). returns with much experience. Sampay did score in double figures four times last season and will need to have an even larger role in 2008-09.

Illinois State does have a few newcomers that should likely have an influence immediately. Transfer guard Champ Oguchi (6'6" Sr.) figures to start. Like many other power conference defections, Oguchi should finally get some major playing time with the Redbirds and show why he originally went to Oregon.

The rest of the team's roster has a series of recruits from Illinois and transfer players. We'll see who steps up and helps an already talented bunch in Normal, Ill.

Illinois State has been moving in the right direction since hiring Tim Jankovich before last season. The two rivalry War on I-74 games will have an added importance considering the potential of both Bradley and Illinois State.

(Too bad Bradley got the shaft from the MVC and will play the Peoria game when the students are on semester break.)