Can the Redbirds Close the Gap?

(St. Louis, MO) – Is Wichita State’s stranglehold on the Missouri Valley basketball title coming to an end? The Shockers have been picked to finish first by the pre-season media poll, but the gap between Wichita State and the next two teams is not as large as in recent seasons.

Illinois State and Northern Iowa seem to be nipping at the heals of the MVC power and have been voted to second and third places in the poll. ISU has improved their place in the standings every year of Head Coach Dan Muller’s four-year career in Normal, and Northern Iowa has been the chief rival to WSU over the past two years.

Northern Iowa has won three of the last five games between the MVC powers.

Wichita State has won 51 of their possible 54 conference games during their three year run atop the Valley. Since 2010 the Shockers have finished no lower than second place and have won four regular season titles.

Checking the all-conference teams you find two Illinois State players on the first team, and one Shocker on each of the first two teams, but Northern Iowa’s Jeremy (Captain) Morgan has been named as the preseason player of the year.

Muller says his four returning starters, including first teamers Paris Lee and MiKyle McIntosh are poised for a big year, but he says that success comes from more than just great talent.

 

 

One fly in the ISU ointment is the announcement of the suspension of Deontae Hawkins’ on the eve of the media day. The junior is suspended indefinitely. No details on the reason behind the suspension is known.

A border-line all conference player, Hawkins was the Redbirds third leading scorer and leading rebounder last season and guard Tony Wills is a solid backcourt running mate for Lee.

Wichita State head coach Gregg Marshall is filling huge gaps in his starting lineup, but his team is loaded with talent. Forward Markis McDuffie is the Valley’s reigning ‘Freshman of the Year’ and was named to the preseason first team, and veteran post man Shaquille Morris landed on the second team.

Marshall says his team is committed to maintaining high standards at WSU. He believes talent and preparation will help his team compete for a fourth title. His new players have to learn how to ‘play angry.’

 

Brenton Scott is the only returning player from last year’s all conference teams. The Indiana State guard rounds out the pre-season all conference squad.

Southern Illinois’ Barry Hinson says the league is more wide open than any time in recent history.

 

 

The all-conference teams are as follows.

First Team – Markis McDuffie – Wichita State; Jeremy Morgan – Northern Iowa; Brenton Scottt – Indiana State; Paris Lee and MiKyle McIntosh – Illinois State.

Second Team – Milton Doyle – Loyola; Dequon Miller – Missouri State; Shaquille Morris – Wichita State; Sean O’Brien – Southern Illinois; Reed Timmer – Drake.

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