Does It Take a Big To Win the Valley?

If So Only Five Teams Can Win

(St. Louis, MO) – You can’t win the Missouri Valley Conference title without a true inside threat. If we are correct then only five MVC teams have a legitimate chance at this year’s crown. First, the history.

2019 Champs

Co-champions Drake and Loyola each had true difference makers in the paint. All-Valley centers Nick McGlynn and Cameron Krutwig were points of emphasis for their respective teams. McGlynn’s energy, shot-blocking, rebounding, leadership and scoring were bedrocks for first-year coach Darian DeVries to build upon. Bulldogs could let it rain from outside and play aggressive perimeter defense because of McGlynn’s versatility at both ends of the floor.

McGlynn was the Valley’s ‘Defensive Player of the Year‘.

Krutwig’s steady play and elite-level post passing allowed the Ramblers to move the ball inside and out with ease. Opposing defenses had nowhere to rest.

Even Arch Madness champion Bradley had an intimidating offensive threat in the low post. While Elijah Childs steps to the elbow nicely, he is a nightmare for opposing defenders down on the block. Childs was the Arch Madness, ‘Most Outstanding Player’.

We talk about guard play in college basketball, but in the Valley last year, you had to be big to win.

2018 Ramblers

Krutwig was a more polished player as a sophomore, but his freshman season was outstanding and Ramblers were the best team in the Valley. While Krutwig emerged as a true ‘five-man’ Aundre Jackson was also a threat down low.

2017 Co-Champions

Though the stars of those dominating Wichita State teams of the first part of the decade were wings and forwards, Gregg Marshall always had a wave of centers that would wear the opponents down. 6’9 Shocker post players were everywhere. Shaq Morris and others would play ‘three-headed monster’ games while Ron Baker, Fred VanVleet and Cleanthony Early grabbed all the headlines.

Even though he was the fourth offensive option, center Phil Fayne played a significant role during Illinois State’s run to a co-championship. The Redbirds went 17-1 and tied WSU for the title. They are the one championship team in the past five years, that lacked a true inside enforcer, but even as a fourth option, Fayne averaged over nine points and six rebounds.

2016 Shockers and Evansville

We don’t have to reiterate the Wichita State strengths, but Evansville tied for second place this season. High scoring guard D.J. Balentine was the star, but center Egidijus Mockevicius was a great defender and solid scorer in his own right.

2015 UNI and Tuttle

WSU went 17-1, but one game behind them were the Northern Iowa Panthers (16-2). Their star was All-American post man Seth Tuttle.

You have to have an inside presence to win the Valley title.

So Who Has A Good Enough Big To Win?

Of course, we start with preseason ‘Player of the Year’ Krutwig and the Loyola Ramblers. The 6’9 lefty is off to a great start (16 points, 8.2 rebounds & 4.6 assists per game) and providing the safety net for his young guards on the perimeter to learn the college game. As Lucas Williamson regains his footing and the young guards find their way, the Ramblers are a threat to win their third straight title.

Drake lost McGlynn, but Liam Robbins learned his lessons well. The 7’ sophomore has good post moves, is a true rim protector and is getting better with each passing game. Robbins leads the Valley with 2.1 blocks per game and the Bulldogs in scoring (12.4). With a constant wave of good shooting athletes coming off the Bulldog bench, DeVries’ team should contend again.

Northern Iowa has the best center depth. Austin Phyfe is becoming the player Ben Jacobson thought he would become before illness scuttled his sophomore season. He’s third in field goal percentage and fifth in rebounding. Like Krutwig and Robbins Phyfe is a lefty that not only makes plays, but makes ‘smart’ plays. Phyfe averages 8.9 points, seven rebounds and almost two assists per game.

Senior Justin Dahl gives just enough offense, defense and physicality that Phyfe can take time off and the Panthers don’t miss much. He’s averaging 5.9 points per game while making over 75% of his field goal attempts.

Koch Bar is the most improved player in the Valley. Once Elijah Childs returns from his hand injury the Bradley Braves have the best ‘four-five’ combination in the league. They are the Valley’s top two rebounders. Bar is averaging 7.5 points and 8.2 rebounds  and prior to his broken (non-shooting) hand injury, Childs was leading BU in scoring and rebounding (14.5 ppg & 9.4 rebounds).

Bradley has three of the Valley’s top seven shot blockers. Backup center Ari Boya is tied with Childs for second in the league.

Missouri State could be the best fit. 6’10 sophomore Gaige Prim can be the best center in the league, but his fragile leg injury (we think shin splints) calls for Dana Ford to utilize ‘load management’ tactics. While Ford can put Tulio Da Silva in the paint and Lamont West is big enough to play there, neither player is best suited for the block. If Prim is healthy, then the MSU ‘four-five’ combo is as good, if not better than Bradley’s.

A healthy and active Prim could make the rest of this discussion moot. He’s got the potential to be THAT good.

What About the Rest?

Indiana State has won eight straight and are doing some very good things. Illinois State upset Northern Iowa and they have athletes. Evansville can score in bunches, but DeAndre Williams can’t play the post on defense and be the scorer on offense they need. Even if Ryan Fazekas returns to the Valparaiso lineup, Mileek McMillan is not the answer in the lane. Barrett Benson works hard and does some nice things, but Southern Illinois needs more.

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