A Changing of the Guard

(St. Louis, MO) – Who are the next superstars in the Missouri Valley Conference and can anyone gain ground on Wichita State now that so many ‘hall-of-famers’ are gone? Nine of last year’s top ten players have graduated, including Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet at Wichita, as well as D.J. Balentine and Egidijus Mockevicius in Evansville.

Who’s ‘Got Next’?

There are numerous talented young players in the Valley, but who will emerge in the new era MVC? Can Brian Wardle’s collection of sophomores grow up and become a factor? Will Illinois State’s quartet of stars take over the MVC conversation? Will Milton Doyle finally flourish at Loyola with Porter Moser’s fresh group of talented players?

Let’s not forget Northern Iowa and of course those ever dominating Shockers.

To be clear, this is still the Shockers’ league and everyone else is playing for second place. With reigning Freshman of the Year Markis McDuffie leading the way, Gregg Marshall’s crew is loaded with talent. Guards Conner Frankamp and red-shirt freshman Landry Shamet are arguably the best backcourt in the league since, well VanVleet and Baker. Marshall has a collection of big men led by Shaquille Morris that is amongst the best in the league.

Northern Iowa lost a lot of veteran talent, but don’t overlook the Panthers either. Junior forwards Bennett Koch and Klint Carlson will do some damage this season and UNI is now Jeremy Morgan’s team. His 36 points and 12 rebounds against Texas A&M in the NCAA Tournament could be a sign of things to come. Ben Jacobson doesn’t have many ‘off years.’

But what about those Redbirds? Senior guards Paris Lee and Tony Wills, give Dan Muller veteran leadership at the most crucial position in college basketball, but it is the dynamic potential of Deontae Hawkins and MiKyle McIntosh that excites the ISU faithful.

Muller says those four players (part of his first ISU recruiting class) are the key to this year’s Redbird success.

 

 

Those two 6’8 thoroughbreds can get to the rim, defend the post and jack it from deep. Those explosive juniors are legitimate ‘game changers’ while Wills and Lee should be able to command the pace of the games.

Porter Moser often talks about keeping the arrow pointing up, and Loyola might be returning to the level they attained two seasons ago, while winning the College Basketball Invitational. Milton Doyle is enjoying his first real offseason to work on his game and his body. Returners Ben Richardson and Donte Ingram will join with seven newcomers including highly regarded transfer Clayton Custer (a prep teammate of Richardson’s) to bring a solid talent base to the Rambler program.

Moser says Custer is a winner.

 

Among the new recruits are highly regarded wing Matt Chastain and 6’8 Croatian Vlatko Granic, who along with Maurice Kirby gives Moser his best set of ‘bigs’ since taking over in downtown Chicago.

I don’t really believe the Braves are ready to contend, but they will be much better. Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye, Donte Thomas, Ronnie Suggs, Antoine Pittman and Luuk van Bree, are leading the renaissance in Peoria. Each averaged more than eight points per game, but none averaged double figures. Thomas is a junior, the rest are sophomores.

Lautier-Ogunley and van Bree were named to the MVC’s ‘all-freshman’ team.

Wardle says his young players are improving, but the real goal is about consistency.

 

 

They’re athletic and can shoot. Wardle is hoping his young players can gain the consistency that can move the Braves into the ‘competitive’ category, but newcomers Alex Foster, 6’5 wing Jo Jo McGlaston and freshman guard Darrell Brown should bring depth and talent to Braves’ roster.

Missouri State is the team with the least turnover and they will be better. Drake has 11 sophomores and juniors, so Ray Giacoletti finally has some veterans on his roster.

The new era of MVC basketball will be exciting and there will be some changes in the power structure, but as much as things change the Shockers will continue to carry the Valley Banner.

Do Good