Preseason ranking of the top 5 centers in the Missouri Valley Conference

Posted at September 12, 2012 // Featured

As deep as the MVC is in forwards, the league is equally shallow when it comes to centers.  In fact, a couple of teams do not list a single center on their roster.  For us to get to a list of 5 without using players who averaged single digit minutes in 2011-12, we needed to use two players who didn’t see any action last season and another who hasn’t played a minute on American soil.  In other words, here’s our best guess.

Note: As we did with the forwards and guards, we will classify each player by the position that the school lists him at on their official roster.

 Top 5 centers in the Missouri Valley Conference

1. Gregory Echenique – Creighton
The reigning MVC defensive player of the year was 5th in the league in rebounding (7.3), 2nd in FG% (60.7%), and 2nd in blocks per game (1.6).  The senior to be also averaged 9.7 ppg.  He could be an All-MVC player this year.

2. Seth VanDeest – Drake
After injury took his 2011-12 season, VanDeest should be 100% by the time the conference season begins.  He averaged 8.8ppg and 4.4 rbg as a sophomore and his return to health will be critical for Drake to have a successful season.

3. Jordan Prosser – Bradley
The play of Prosser was one of the bright spots during a difficult season for Bradley in 2011-12.  The sophomore averaged 7.8ppg and 4.0 rbg.

4. Will Egolf – Bradley
Egolf missed the entire 2011-12 season due to injury, but he was able to redshirt and will return for his senior year.  He averaged 8.0ppg and 4.1rbg in 2010-11.

5. Egidijus Mockevicius – Evansville
We’re stretching a little bit here, but the 20 year old, 6-10 big man arrives with a promising resume including being a part of the Lithuanian Under-19 national team. He need to be cleared by the NCAA still, but his addition to the Aces’ roster could be significant.

 Also considered: Justin Gant – InSt, Ehimen Orukpe – WSU, Jordan Threloff – IlSt

 

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