College Basketball Conference Preview #22 - Missouri Valley Conference

The 2023-24 College Basketball Season will be one to remember for each team in the Missouri Valley Conference. Look for Drake to set the pace and finish in 1st place in the Conference. The Bulldogs bring back two starters in junior guard Tucker DeVries and senior center Darnell Brodie. Both players could easily wind up being 1st Team All Missouri Valley Conference Players this season. They will get help from sophomore guard Conor Enright and senior forward Nate Ferguson - both returning reserves. Look for senior guard Kyron Gibson (UT Arlington transfer), junior guard Atin Wright (Cal State Northridge transfer), and sophomore guard Ethan Roberts (Army transfer) to provide additional scoring for the Bulldogs this season. The Panthers last made the NCAA Tournament in 2016 and are hoping to become Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Champions again in 2024. Northern Iowa brings back four starters and will be led by junior guards Bowen Born and Tytan Anderson. The Panthers also bring back junior guard Nate Heise and sophomore guard Landon Wolf - both returning reserves - along with sophomore forward Michael Duax and sophomore guard Trey Campbell - the other returning starters. I predict Northern Iowa to finish in 2nd place in the final Conference Standings. Belmont brings back two starters in senior guard Keshawn Davidson and sophomore forward Cade Tyson. The Bruins also welcome back sophomore guards Ja'Kobi Gillespie and Isaiah Walker - both returning reserves. Look for sophomore forward Malik Dia (Vanderbilt transfer) to provide additional scoring and rebounding for the Bruins this season. Belmont is looking to claim their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2019. I predict Belmont to finish in 3rd place this season. Bradley will challenge Drake, Northern Iowa, and Belmont for the Missouri Valley Conference Title and will need a huge season from senior forward Malevy Leons to win the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. Bradley returns two other starters from their 2022-23 team in senior guard Duke Deen and junior guard Connor Hickman. The Braves will also rely on senior forward Darius Hannah and junior guard Christian Davis - both returning reserves. Expect contributions from sophomore guard Emarion Ellis (Marquette transfer) and sophomore forward Kyle Thomas (Eastern Illinois transfer) as well. Head Coach Brain Wardle will have Bradley back at the top of the Conference soon but their fans need to remain patient this season. I predict the Braves to finish in 4th place this season. Missouri State is looking to keep the momentum going after their 6th place finish in the MVC last season. The Bears only return three starters and will be led by senior guard Donovan Clay and junior guard Alston Mason. Look for several experienced returnees including sophomore guard Damien Mayo Jr. - the final returning starter - along with senior guard Matthew Lee and junior guard Chance Moore - both returning reserves - to have huge seasons for the Bears as they try stay out of the Missouri Valley Conference 2nd Division. The Bears also added junior forward Cesare Edwards (Xavier transfer) and freshman guard Nick Kramer (Saint Louis transfer). Head Coach Dana Ford has his work cut out for him in his 6th season at the helm but he is up for the challenge. I predict Missouri State to finish in 5th place this season. Indiana State is in search of just their 2nd postseason appearance since 2014 this season. The Sycamores welcome back two starters in sophomore center Robbie Avila and junior guard Julian Larry. Look for solid contributions from senior guard Xavier Bledson and junior guard Jayson Kent - both returning reserves. Junior guard Isaiah Swope (Southern Indiana transfer), junior forward Aaron Gray (Niagara transfer), and sophomore guard Ryan Conwell (South Florida transfer) will all make immediate impacts as well. I predict Indiana State to finish in 6th place in the final Conference Standings.

Murray State looks for a bounce back campaign in 2023-24 after a 7th place finish in the Missouri Valley Conference last season. The Racers return three starters and will be led by senior guards Rob Perry and JaCobi Wood. Murray State will need several newcomers to play big roles - most notably senior guard Shawn Walker Jr. (Mercer transfer), junior forward Nick Ellington (Eastern Illinois transfer), and junior forward Alden Applewhite (Portland transfer). They will get assistance from several returning reserves - most notably junior guard Quincy Anderson and sophomore guard Justin Morgan. I predict Murray State to finish in 7th place in the final Conference Standings. Southern Illinois is in for a rebuilding year under Head Coach Bryan Mullins. The Salukis only bring back two starters in senior guard Xavier Johnson and junior forward Clarence Rupert. Look for sophomore guard Trey Miller (Incarnate Word transfer) and senior guards Trey Thomas (Vanderbilt transfer) and R.J. McGee (Tulane transfer) to provide additional scoring for the Salukis. Junior forward Troy D'Amico and senior guard Trent Brown - both returning reserves - will help with perimeter scoring as well. I predict Southern Illinois to finish in 8th place this season. Illinois State will need huge seasons from senior guard Darius Burford and senior forward Kendall Lewis - both returning starters - to win the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. They will get assistance from senior guard Luke Kasubke and senior forward Harouna Sissoko - both returning reserves. Head Coach Ryan Pedon did well in the Transfer Portal as the Redbirds added senior forward Myles Foster (Monmouth transfer), senior guard Jordan Davis (Wisconsin transfer), and senior forward Brandon Lieb (Illinois transfer). I predict Illinois State to finish in 9th place in the final Conference Standings. UIC hopes to climb the Conference Standings even further after an 11th place finish in 2022-23. The Flames return three starters and will be led by senior guard Toby Okani and junior forward Filip Skobalj. Look for several transfers to play important roles - most notably senior guards Marquise Kennedy (Loyola Chicago transfer) and Isaiah Rivera (Colorado State transfer) along with sophomore guard Drew King (Houston Christian transfer). Sophomore guard Christian Jones - the final returning starter - and sophomore forward Jaden Brownell - a returning reserve - will have to have big seasons if the Flames hope to finish in the top half of the final Missouri Valley Conference Standings. I predict UIC to finish in 10th place this season. Evansville returns three starters and will be led by senior guard Kenny Strawbridge and senior forward Yacine Toumi. The Purple Aces will need sophomore guard Cam Haffner (Eastern Illinois transfer) and junior guard Tanner Cuff (Junior College transfer) to propel them to new heights this season. Look out for junior forward Sekou Kalle - the lone returning reserve - and senior guard Gage Bobe - the final returning starter - as well. The Purple Aces will take their lumps this season with Head Coach David Ragland but will bounce back quickly. I predict Evansville to finish in 11th place in the final Conference Standings. Valparaiso hopes to finish in the top half of the Missouri Valley Conference but knows it will be extremely difficult. The Beacons don't return any starters and will be led by senior guard Connor Barrett and senior forward Jerome Palm - both returning reserves. Look for several transfers to play big roles - most notably freshman center Lual Manyang (Hofstra transfer) and sophomore forward Ola Ajiboye (Central Michigan transfer). Junior guard Darius DeAveiro - the final returning reserve - and sophomore guard Jaxon Edwards (Murray State transfer) should provide immediate scoring off the bench. I predict Valparaiso to finish in 12th place in the final Conference Standings. Regardless of which team wins the Conference Tournament it will be a great season in the Missouri Valley Conference. Enjoy all of the games!

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