Previewing next years MVC

[Wufan]

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

Finish: 6th

Record: 14-19 (9-9)

Head Coach: Barry Hinson

Returning Starters:
Anthony Beane; jr, 6-2, 180
Tyler Smithpeters; so, 6-3, 170
Sean O'Brien; so, 6-6, 205
Bola Olaniyan; so, 6-7, 225

Key Reserves:
Jalen Pendleton; jr, 6-2, 205
Marcus Fillyaw; jr, 6-1, 180

Key Losses:
Desmar Jackson
Davante Drinkard

Additions:
Ibby Djimde; jr, 6-8, 255
Deion Lavander; fr, 6-4
Jordan Caroline; fr, 6-6, 235
Chaz Glotta; fr, 6-2
Armon Fletcher; fr, 6-6, 195
KC Goodwin; fr, 5-11, 165

Biggest Strength: Became coachable

Biggest Weakness: Depth

Projected Finish: 6th

[Wufan]

ILLINOIS STATE

Finished: 5th

Record: 16-15 (9-9)

Head Coach: Dan Muller

Returning Starters:
Daishon Knight; sr, 6-1, 186
Bobby Hunter; sr, 5-10, 192
Paris Lee; so, 5-11, 166
Nick Zeisloft; jr, 6-4, 203
Reggie Lynch; so, 6-10, 253

Key Reserves:
Zach Lofton; jr, 6-4, 202
John Jones; sr, 6-9, 258
Tony Wills; so, 6-3, 176

Key Losses:
None

Additions:
MiKyle McIntosh; fr, 6-7, 230
Deonte Hawkins; so, 6-8, 215

Biggest strength: Deep talent

Biggest weakness: Play more like a JUCO/AAU team than D-I team

Second Biggest weakness: I think everyone was wearing 1 & 1/2" platform heals when they were measured.

Projected Finish: 4th

[Wufan]

MISSOURI STATE

Finished: 4th

Record: 2011 (9-9)

Head Coach: Paul Lusk

Returning Starters:
*Dorrian Williams; jr, 6-3, 199
*Marcus Marshall; jr, 6-3, 190
Austin Ruder; so, 6-3, 196
Tyler McCullough; so, 6-11, 246
* Williams replaced Marshall as the starter after injury 11 games in.

Key Reserves:
Ron Mvouika; sr, 6-6, 201
Christian Kirk; sr, 6-8, 218
Gavin Thurman; jr, 6-7, 226
Devon Thomas; so, 6-0, 162

Key Losses:
Jarmar Gulley
Keith Pickens

Additions;
Chris Kendrix; fr, 6-5, 180
Robin Thompson; fr, 6-6, 220

Biggest strength: Depth

Biggest weakness: Post play

Projected finish: 3rd

[Wufan]

NORTHERN IOWA

Finish: 3rd

Record: 16-15 (10-8)

Head Coach: Ben Jacobson

Returning Starters:
Wes Washpun; jr, 6-1, 175
Deon Mitchell; sr, 6-1, 194
Matt Bohannon; jr, 6-4, 198
Seth Tuttle; sr, 6-8, 232

Key Reserves:
*Nate Buss; sr, 6-9, 216
Jeremy Morgan; fr, 6-5, 195
Marvin Singleton; sr, 6-6, 235
*Possibly eligible for a 6th year in 2015-16

Key Losses:
Chip Rank

Additions:
Paul Jesperson; jr, 6-6, 197
Robert Knar; fr, 6-1 175
Bennett Koch; fr, 6-9, 210
Wyatt Lohaus; fr, 6-1, 180
Klint Carlson; fr, 6-7, 220

Biggest strength: skill

Biggest weakness: the road

Projected finish: 2nd

[Wufan]

INDIANA STATE

Finished: 2nd

Record: 23-10 (12-6)

Head Coach: Greg Lansing

Returning Starters:
Justin Gant; sr, 6-9, 230
Jake Kitchell; sr, 6-10, 247

Key Reserves:
Khristian Smith; jr, 6-6, 215
Devonte Brown; jr, 6-2, 195
Demetrius Moore; sr, 6-7, 230

Key Losses:
Jake Odum
Manny Arop
Dawon Cummings

Additions:
Alex Etherton; fr, 6-5, 195
Brenton Scott; fr, 6-0, 170
Tre Bennett; jr, 5-10
LaQuarious Paige; fr, 6-3, 175
Brandon Murphy; fr, 6-7, 270

Biggest strength: Small forward/Stretch 4

Biggest weakness: Point guard

Projected finish: 5th

[Wufan]

WICHITA STATE

Finish: 1st

Record: 34-0 (18-0)

Head Coach: Gregg Marshall

Returning Starters:
Fred VanVleet; jr, 5-11, 194
Ron Baker; jr, 6-3, 213
Tekele Cotton; sr, 6-2, 209

Key Reserves:
Darius Carter; sr, 6-7, 235
Evan Wessel; jr, 6-5, 215

Key Losses:
Cleanthony Early
Chadrack Lufile
Nick Wiggins
Kadeem Coleby

Additions:
Ria'n Holland; fr, 6-0, 165
Shaquille Morris; fr, 6-8, 262
Corey Henderson; fr, 6-3, 180
Zach Brown; fr, 6-7, 200
Eric Hamilton; fr, 6-8, 200
Rashard Kelly, fr; 6-7, 210
Bush Wamukota; jr, 7-0, 230

Biggest Strength: backcourt

Biggest Weakness: frontcourt

Projected finish: 1st

[Redbird Recon]

Second Biggest weakness: I think everyone was wearing 1 & 1/2" platform heals when they were measured.

[Redbird23]

1- Wichita
2- Illinois St
3- UNI
4- Loyola
5- Southern
6- Missouri St
7- Indiana St
8- Bradley
9- Evansville
10- Drake

[DUBulldog]

1- Wichita
2- Illinois St
3- UNI
4- Loyola
5- Southern
6- Missouri St
7- Indiana St
8- Bradley
9- Evansville
10- Drake

Can't disagree with anything specific, but it's way early to be making these predictions....could still be a lot of roster changes for several teams between now and May.

[jackwagon]

1. UNI
2. Wichita
3. Indiana State
4. Evansville
5. Illinois State
6. Loyola
7. Missouri State
8. SIU
9. Bradley
10. Drake

Conference will be much improved over this season. I have SIU that low because Jackson was underrated and they have no replacement for him. Also Beane could be on the move. Even if he's not still no higher than 5th. Evansville should make a jump with their core talent and the Villanova transfer. UNI adds quality pieces and returns all of their core guys. A healthy Buss will make them dangerous.

Indiana State could dip further but I have heard good things about their replacements for Odum. Smith and Gant are tough matchups for the rest of the league. Wichita could easily win the league but their 4 and 5 positions scare me. Its Carter and a bunch of guys who haven't played. If they step up they will win the league again.