Will Lindenwood Surprise?

Lindenwood’s Kyle Gerdeman

(St. Louis, MO) – In a transitional Ohio Valley Conference season, will Lindenwood surprise the experts? National publications don’t expect great things from the third year Division 1 program, but don’t sleep on the returning and incoming talent on this team.

Gerdeman’s squad sustained some heavy graduation losses, but he returns productive veterans and the newcomers could help a Lindenwood surprise.

Jeremiah Talton and Jaylon McDaniel return after first seasons in St. Charles, Missouri. While Talton is dangerous from deep (38 % on three-pointers) and McDaniel is not, each was a reliable contributor to last year’s nine-win team. Sophomore Colin Ruffin is an athletic guard who made 19 starts.

Reinforcements Have Arrived

This is Gerdeman’s greatest recruiting class. Former Milwaukee guard Markeith Browning and Kent State transfer Reggie Bass are proven D1 players. Each are guards with good size and bring an immediate upgrade to the Lindenwood backcourt. Gerdeman signed two of the State of Missouri’s top ten players. Jadis Jones is a top-300 talent (nationally) and rated as Missouri’s second best player.

Clayton Jackson comes from highly regarded Cardinal Ritter High and carries the Show Me State’s ‘tenth best player’ tag. Jones is 6’5  and the 6’2 Jackson are both proven winners.

Perhaps the most significant Lindenwood surprise will be Jordan Wildy. The 6’9 forward sat out all of last season with a knee injury. During the 2022-23 season Wildy was ranked as one of the top-fifty junior college players. As Wildy emerges look for Lindenwood to arise.

We sat down with the Lindenwood head coach and the video is below. To listen to the entire interview head to Valley Hoops Insider Podcasts.

 

 

Stay tuned for our one-on-one with Lindenwood’s women’s head coach Amy Eagan.

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