Ranking Missouri Valley Units

Part One – The Frontcourts

(St. Louis, MO) – Missouri Valley Conference basketball has long been characterized by guard play. The last two years have been uniquely different. With players like Cameron Krutwig, Liam Robbins, Austin Phyfe, Gaige Prim and Elijah Childs becoming leading players, the Valley image has been shifting to the frontcourt.

While some of that star power has departed, the league continues to have outstanding talent in the forward positions. Basketball at all levels is moving toward a ‘positionless’ model, the taller and more physical players are foundational to team success and non-conference victories.

During Part One of our three-part series ‘Ranking Missouri Valley Units’ we will rank the frontcourts based on proven resumes and some guessing at the potential of incoming players. When Valley squads go toe-to-toe with ‘power five’ conference teams, the strength of these units becomes of paramount importance.

We’ll rank the top five frontcourts in the MVC.

Number Five – Southern Illinois

Southern Illinois is long on potential and has one star player. Marcus Domask was the Valley’s 2020 ‘Freshman of the Year’ and was outstanding during the Salukis’ first ten games last year. His season-ending injury essentially ended SIU’s chance to contend. Bryan Mullins’ team missed his numbers (16.3 ppg) and his ability to stretch the defense.

Returning super senior Anthony D’Avanzo and sophomore Kyler Filewich were impressive last season and we should expect Filewich to continue to improve. D’Avanzo (7.5 ppg) and Filewich (6.8 points & 5.7 rebounds per game) were both versatile and effective. Filewich made better than 50% of his shots and handed out 43 assists.

While most focused on the Domask injury, another jolt was the complete loss of junior college transfer J.D. Muila. His physical play and rebounding prowess were greatly missed. Mulllins tells us Domask is 100% healthy.  6’10 freshman Scottie Ebube (Mundelein, IL) has a high ceiling.

Number Four – Northern Iowa

Former all-Valley center Austin Phyfe returns. Averging over 12 points and seven rebounds while converting .577 of his shots makes Phyfe deadly in UNI’s ‘pick-and-roll’ game. With the return of A.J. Green, that part of the Panthers’ offense will be virtually unstoppable. Phyfe’s defense is largely underestimated, but he is an immovable force in the UNI post.

Junior Noah Carter has unlimited potential. The 6’6 Carter averaged 11.2 points and 5.7 rebounds while connecting on .474 of his shots from the field. He made 34 three-pointers and converted .776 from the line. Carter has ‘game-changing’ potential. He is the type of player that can get on a roll and take over a game. His energy is infectious and is a defensive mis-match for most teams.

The development of Tytan Anderson and James Betz will go a long way to the effectiveness of this frontcourt unit. Goanar Mar never showed his true abilities last year. If he approaches his former productivity (at George Mason), UNI’s frontcourt will be outstanding.

Number Three – Loyola Chicago

This is a ‘sum of its parts’ choice. There is great unknown about the Ramblers’ frontcourt but it appears to be filled with players that can produce. While losing the Larry Bird – Player of the Year in Cameron Krutwig and their meteoric coach Porter Moser, Loyola’s roster has more ingredients than any other Valley team.

Aher Uguak is one of Valley’s top defenders and the 6’7 Canadian averaged 7.3 points while making 62% of his shots. His athleticism ignites the Ramblers. The combination of Jacob Hutson and Thomas Welch will attempt to replace some of Krutwig’s productivity. Welch was Moser’s early season replacement for the league’s MVP and averaged nearly five points per game. During Loyola’s late season push, Hutson became the Krutwig’s primary backup.

Ivy League transfers Christ Knight and Ryan Schwieger bring veteran experience and proven talent to the Loyola. Both are 6’7 seniors that averaged double figure scoring and provided versatile production. Schwieger (Princeton) made 37% from deep and Knight (Dartmouth) also grabbed over six rebounds per game. Both were named to Ivy League all-conference teams.

Saint Thomas and Damezi Anderson are elite talents yet to be on display in college basketball. Thomas is three-star 6’7 wing and Anderson was a four-star recruit when he signed with Indiana. If those two live up to their high school resumes the Ramblers frontcourt will rise to elite level.

Number Two – Drake

Drake’s frontcourt is deep, explosive and hungry. Three starters are making use of the NCAA’s extra eligibility to build on past successes. The Bulldogs won an NCAA Tournament game while missing their most dangerous frontcourt player. They are poised for ‘next level’ achievements. All-Valley performer ShanQuan Hemphill is the league’s best dunker, a defensive center piece to the Bulldog pressure defense and a proven scorer. While averaging 13 points and six rebounds ‘Tank’ was an energy producer for Darian DeVries’ squad.

Tremell Murphy is a 6’5 wing who does everything well. He averaged over ten points and five rebounds while playing stellar defense, hit clutch shots and is clearly a team leader. Center Darnell Brodie provides inside stability. His 7.7 scoring and 7.3 rebounding averages don’t reveal his true value. His size, strength, shot-blocking and stability are building blocks for the entire Drake game plan.

Incoming freshman Tucker DeVries was Iowa’s top high school basketball player and was a huge signing by Drake. The coach’s son is a 6’7 wing that can score from deep and versatile enough to play solidly in the paint. If he is the player his prep resume suggests, Drake should be an NCAA Tournament team again.

Number One – Missouri State

If Gaige Prim is on your team, your frontcourt has be ranked as the top one in the Valley. Prim is the best big man in the league and was arguably Krutwig’s equal last season. He can dominate games like no other frontcourt Valley player. The 6’9 senior averaged 16.7 points and 9.1 rebounds. Prim made 60% of his shots and over 73% from the line. His competitiveness is second to none. He runs the floor and a willing passer.

Joining Prim in the Missouri State frontcourt are returner Keaton Hervey and transfer Donovan Clay. Both are versatile, multi-talented players. While Hervey is a legitimate outside threat and an explosive athlete, Clay is more workmanlike. Clay averaged 10 points and 5.5 rebounds as Valparaiso’s second offensive option. At MSU Clay will be free to fill numerous roles in the star-studded Bears’ roster. Prim and Isiaih Mosley will grab the headlines, but Hervey, Clay and transfer Melvyn Ebonkoli will be dynamic frontcourt options.

MSU has two, 6’10 reserves behind Prim.

The Other Valley Frontcourts

Valpo’s Ben Krikke and Wisconsin transfer Joe Hedstrom will be formidable. Bradley’s combination of Jashon Henry, Ari Boya, Rienk Mast and newcomer Malevy Leons has great promise. Leons was the national junior college player of the year. The frontcourts at Evansville, Illinois State and Indiana State are either untested or lack the production to be listed among the league’s best.

There will be a lot of attention on outstanding guard play during the upcoming Missouri Valley season, but these frontcourts will make or break the league’s non-conference successes.

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