Dark Horse Candidate – Indiana State

(St. Louis, MO) – Don’t look now, but Indiana State might be the team to crash the upper echelon of the Missouri Valley Conference race. A deeper front line, an emerging star and a wave of athletic newcomers could spell a successful season for the Sycamores.

After a couple of subpar seasons in Terre Haute, Greg Lansing seems to have his team ready to pounce on the opportunity provided by so many star players graduating from the MVC’s favorites. Indiana State’s Brenton Scott is the only player returning from last season’s two all-conference teams.

The 6’1 junior is the most prolific returning scorer in the league and has been one of the most decorated players in the MVC. The 2015 ‘Freshman of the Year’ and was also the only non-senior in the league’s two all-conference teams. He is explosive with the ball in his hands (14.6 ppg), can launch from long distance (76 threes) and makes his free throws.

Since Lansing has taken over the Indiana State coaching reins, the Sycamores have had good perimeter players and Scott and senior Everett Clemons are the latest torch bearers in that capacity.

Clemons is just 6’1, but led ISU in rebounding (6.3) and tied now departed Devonte Brown for the most assists (91). Lansing tells us the senior is grabbing the leadership mantel during summer practices.

Where the Sycamores could be significantly better this year is up front. A ‘three-headed-monster’ could stand toe-to-toe with Wichita State’s collection of post players as the strongest group in the MVC.

Last year’s projected starter, T.J. Bell was side-lined for the season with a foot injury and the 6’8 senior is ready to make up for lost time. He’s joined up front by Collinsville, Illinois native Emondre Rickman. The 6’9 sophomore gained valuable experience last year, while playing just 11 minutes per game, he led the Sycamores in blocks and unofficially in thunderous dunks.

Lansing says the his team is far better off in the post this year over last.

 

 

The third piece of that troika is 6’7 junior Brandon Murphy. The Montgomery, Alabama native weighs 275 pounds and is the strongest of the Sycamores, and was the ISU starter most of the season.

Forwards Matt Van Scyoc, Niels Bunschoten and Bronson Kessinger provide experience and depth. Van Scyoc is the second leading returning scorer on the squad (7.8 ppg) and converted the second most three-point shots on last year’s team. The 6’9 Bunschoten is great from the free throw line.

Solid returning players, with legitimate upside is one thing, but what about the newcomers?

If Indiana State is going to improve on their 15 win season they will be depending on Lansing’s patented defensive system, a solid core of returning talent, and two significant recruits from the St. Louis area.

Freshman point guard Jordan Barnes (Christian Brothers College) was a state champion with the Cadets was ranked as the 52^nd best point guard in the country by verbalcommits.com. He is the kind of floor general Lansing will love building around.

Sophomore transfer Donovan Franklin is an explosive athlete who averaged over 14 points per game for Gulf Coast State College after averaging over 21 per game as a senior at O’Fallon High School (Illinois). He can fly and he can leap. He played against Rickman in high school and with Barnes in AAU ball.

Lansing believes Wichita State will still be the favorite to win the MVC title, but the rest of the race is wide open.

 

 

Lansing’s stockpiling of talent like redshirt freshman Trey Knight III and junior college transfer Demonte Ojinnaka (Cloud County CC). The current mix of Sycamores makes this one of Lansing’s deepest rosters.

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