Four Returners Will Shape the Valley Season

Players With Something to Prove

(St. Louis, MO) – Players with something to prove often are the players that make the most difference for college basketball teams. Veterans that want to improve their professional stock or rebound from subpar seasons routinely explode with outstanding seasons. Missouri Valley Conference teams have many players that fit one of those categories and could help shape the Valley season.

Several of these potential impact players dot MVC rosters. Difference-making players are keys to changing or improving the fortunes of their respective teams.

Four returners will shape the Valley season.

Jordan Barnes – Indiana State

The Sycamore senior has had a great college basketball career. He has set the Indiana State single-season record for three-pointers, he has accumulated 1,180 points and is a spectacular free-throw shooter. However, he is one of the Valley’s top players with something to prove.

Barnes entered last season as a preseason first team selection but at season’s end he didn’t earn as much as a third team selection. His scoring average dipped from 17.4 points per game to 14.7. His 11 points-per-game average during Valley play was maddening.

The CBC graduate (St. Louis) has the potential to be the Valley’s top scorer. Teammate Tyreke Key took over the leading scorer role last season and may maintain that this season, but if Barnes can recover his shooting stroke (he made just .217 from deep during Valley play), the Sycamore backcourt could be practically unguardable.

With those two players terrorizing Valley defenses, coach Greg Lansing’s rotation of post players and sharp-shooting Cooper Neese could find themselves with multiple open shots.

Elijah Childs – Bradley

Bradley’s Elijah Childs is poised to become the Valley’s most significant player. The 6’7 forward is a legitimate threat to take home the Larry Bird Trophy. Childs is the reigning Arch Madness – MVP and is the league’s best forward.

Why is he on this list? Childs is a legitimate pro prospect. With an explosive junior season it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Kansas City area native, sign a professional contract.

While Darrell Brown is a two-time all conference player, Childs’ play is the key to the Bradley season. Brown will score in double figures, handle the basketball, set up his teammates and will have an outstanding senior season. If Childs dominates in the front court, Bradley will be a threat to win the Valley’s regular season crown.

Childs’ 19-point NCAA Tournament performance and his Cancun Challenge MVP award remind us the talented lefty can raise his level of play when the competition is the most rigid.

Austin Phyfe – Northern Iowa

UNI’s Phyfe flashed signs of outstanding play two years ago. The 6’9 forward recorded a 20-point performance against Valparaiso and connected on .615 of his shot attempts. Coach Ben Jacobson was expecting the Waverly, Iowa native to step into the Panthers’ top post player option, but Phyfe suffered a season ending illness and returns as a sophomore this season.

The former all-state performer was the Hawkeye State’s number two recruit in 2017. His enormous potential gives UNI’s three-point shooters the inside presence required open up their typically outstanding outside game. If Phyfe can return to what Jacobson expected last season, UNI could return to the upper echelon of the Valley race.

Sophomore A.J. Green’s game meshes well with Phyfe’s ability to roll to the basket for open lay ups. UNI’s depth at other positions gives the Panthers a realistic opportunity to climb the Valley’s power structure.

Lucas Williamson – Loyola

After playing an important secondary role during his first two seasons at Loyola, Lucas Williamson is one of those players with something to prove. While missing 18 games last season due to injury, the talented wing averaged almost nine points and six rebounds per game. During his freshman season, he was a key reserve for the Rambler Final Four team.

The Chicago native is an outstanding defender and has a great shooting stroke. A two-time State Champion at Whitney Young, Williamson has converted .428 of his shots overall and .414 of his attempts from deep.

Valley watchers know fellow junior Cameron Krutwig will be a force in the Loyola post. If Williamson can move from supporting actor to leading man he will be one of those players who will shape the Valley season.

Other Players Just Off The Radar

The return of Javon Freeman-Liberty to Valparaiso is gigantic. He is a game changing defender and has the ability to become an upper echelon scorer. Matt Lottich’s backcourt is loaded. Drake’s Liam Robbins will be an interesting player to watch. With the graduation of Nick McGlynn, Robbins likely becomes the most significant new face in the defending champion’s lineup.

The players on this list aren’t necessarily the best players on their teams. They are players that if their game is elevated and other players on their respective squads stay basically the same, those teams can find greater success than last season.

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