(St. Louis, MO) – Valley fans are both proud and angry about Monday’s announcement of the pre-season watch list for the Lute Olson award. That prestigious honor is given to an outstanding guard that has been in their current program at least two years.
Freshmen and transfers are not eligible.
Two Wichita State guards, Fred VanVleet and Ron Baker join the MVC’s returning leading scorer D. J. Balentine (Evansville) on the watch list. Those three all deserve that kind of pre-season notoriety.
VanVleet and Baker were finalists for the award last season. The WSU seniors have been a part of the historic successful run for Gregg Marshall’s team. Baker averaged almost 15 points and VanVleet almost 14 for the Shockers.
Balentine was the Valley’s leading scorer a year ago and has accumulated 1,750 points in his Evansville career. The Purple Aces were winners of the last year’s College Insider.com Tournament.
But what about Southern Illinois’ Anthony Beane? The four year Saluki star averaged 16.1 ppg last year, nailing 48 three-point baskets and converting 81% of his free throws. He has been a stellar performer and student athlete in all four of Barry Hinson’s seasons in Carbondale, but unfortunately did not make the pre-season watch list.
No Ohio Valley guards were named to the Olson watch list.
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Three more road wins so far in @ValleyHoops as @BradleyUMBB @BelmontMBB & @UIC_MBB capture road wins. Looks like @DrakeBulldogsMB will do so too. #FatherHarry
Well @RacersWBB followed the men's example and swept Iowa in the @ValleyHoops race! Racers are 6-1 & if @BelmontWBB holds on to their Iowa sweep, the Bruins and Racers will be tied for first. What a trip for those two teams! #FatherHarry
After today's action, @EIUWBB is 8-0 in @OVCSports play. 4 teams @usiwbb @TTUWBB @LRTrojans @LindenwoodWBB are tied at 6-2. Six other teams are under .500. Great race to the finish lies ahead. #FatherHarry
Really entertaining game between @BelmontMBB & @UEAthletics_MBB. Under four minutes left in a one point game. Gabriel Pozzato back in the Aces' lineup. Rogers is playing like I've expected. Triples are dropping. It's fun and @kylejpeach bringing it on #ThePlus #FatherHarry
