You would figure that a team from the Midwestern Colligiate Conference that returns a solid core of players that have won 50 games in the last two seasons and two first round NCAA Tournament games would be a prohibitive favorite to win the conference again in past years yes, this season no. Detroit will be shooting for thier third straight conference title and appearence in the NCAA Tournament but, unlike other seasons there is some stiff competition for the Titans.

The two teams that figure to give Detroit a run in the MCC are Cleveland State and Butler. CSU coach Rollie Massimino has assembled a talented team. He has used the high school ranks and transfers to build the Vikings into title contenders. This season he adds guard Damon Stringer a transfer from Ohio State and Doc Taylor a forward from DePaul.

Butler was the surprise team in the MCC last season as the Bulldogs won 22 games and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NIT. Butler also will benefit from a transfer player. Center Scott Robisch will be eligible in December he comes to the Bulldogs from Oklahoma State.

Loyola is my selection for the "sleeper" in the MCC this season. Coach Larry Farmer had an excellent recruiting year and the Ramblers finished strong after adjusting to Farmer's up tempo style of play. In normal years Wisconsin- Green Bay would be considered for the top three in the conference but, the conference has improved so much that the Phoenix will finish in the middle of the pack. UWGB won 20 games last season and will again this year because of their home heavy schedule. Will that translate into a post season bid? Only time will tell.

Wright State is looking for improvement this season. Coach Ed Schilling has a 19-36 record after his first two seasons. The Raiders are slowly putting some talent together. UIC on paper have better talent than a projected seventh place finish. If things break right the Flames could finish in the middle of the pack. New Wisconsin-Milwaukee Coach Bo Ryan comes with a great reputation from Division III power Wisconsin-Platteville. He will need it to rebuild the Panther program.
 

MCC Predictions
1.Detroit
2.Cleveland State
3.Butler
4.Loyola of Chicago
5.Wisconsin Green Bay
6.Wright State
7.UIC
8.Wisconsin-Milwaukee