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"Hefferman: A way-too-early MVC basketball forecast" - The Southern Illinoisan
With school back in session today at SIU, Beat writer Todd Hefferman of The Southern Illinoisan takes a way-too-early look at the upcoming basketball season:
"With five marquee players gone to graduation, the Missouri Valley Conference faces a bit of men's basketball rebranding in 2016-17. For the first time in a long time, all five of the all-conference first team were seniors. Four of the five on the second team were also fourth and fifth-year players at their respective schools, but not to fear. There will still be plenty of talent back, and some new talent coming in.
No. 1: Wichita State - We all thought the Shockers would struggle to replace Toure' Murry and Cleanthony Early, and Tekele Cotton. They did. Now we all wonder how different they'll look without Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet leading the charge. Don't worry about Wichita State. Markis McDuffie, Shaq Morris and Zach Brown return up front, and shooter Conner Frankamp is back in the backcourt. The Shockers will be challenged, but they became only the second team in the last 46 years to win or tie for three straight regular-season titles in 2015-16 (SIU was first). Coach Gregg Marshall will reload a bit, but has plenty of experience back to win another one.
No. 2: Northern Iowa - The Panthers will recover from their epic collapse against Texas A&M in the NCAA tournament with one of the best guard/forwards in the league in Jeremy Morgan and two pretty good posts in Bennett Koch and Klint Carlson. Wes Washpun won't be around to make the big shots any more, but Northern Iowa still has two things that travel very well: experience and defense.
No. 3: Southern Illinois - If the Salukis have an opportunity to move up the ranks, this is the year. The Salukis lose their third all-time leading scorer, but return four starters from last season's breakthrough 22-10 squad. Seniors Sean O'Brien, Bola Olaniyan and Tyler Smithpeters have been through the wars. Leo Vincent and Mike Rodriguez should have excellent senior campaigns and help make up for Anthony Beane's lost 20 points per game. Even without freshman point guard Aaron Cook for the first month or two due to shoulder surgery, Armon Fletcher should step into a starting role and the bench is loaded.
No. 4: Illinois State
No. 5: Missouri State
No. 6: Indiana State
No. 7: Evansville
No. 8: Loyola
No. 9: Bradley
No. 10: Drake..."
With school back in session today at SIU, Beat writer Todd Hefferman of The Southern Illinoisan takes a way-too-early look at the upcoming basketball season:
"With five marquee players gone to graduation, the Missouri Valley Conference faces a bit of men's basketball rebranding in 2016-17. For the first time in a long time, all five of the all-conference first team were seniors. Four of the five on the second team were also fourth and fifth-year players at their respective schools, but not to fear. There will still be plenty of talent back, and some new talent coming in.
No. 1: Wichita State - We all thought the Shockers would struggle to replace Toure' Murry and Cleanthony Early, and Tekele Cotton. They did. Now we all wonder how different they'll look without Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet leading the charge. Don't worry about Wichita State. Markis McDuffie, Shaq Morris and Zach Brown return up front, and shooter Conner Frankamp is back in the backcourt. The Shockers will be challenged, but they became only the second team in the last 46 years to win or tie for three straight regular-season titles in 2015-16 (SIU was first). Coach Gregg Marshall will reload a bit, but has plenty of experience back to win another one.
No. 2: Northern Iowa - The Panthers will recover from their epic collapse against Texas A&M in the NCAA tournament with one of the best guard/forwards in the league in Jeremy Morgan and two pretty good posts in Bennett Koch and Klint Carlson. Wes Washpun won't be around to make the big shots any more, but Northern Iowa still has two things that travel very well: experience and defense.
No. 3: Southern Illinois - If the Salukis have an opportunity to move up the ranks, this is the year. The Salukis lose their third all-time leading scorer, but return four starters from last season's breakthrough 22-10 squad. Seniors Sean O'Brien, Bola Olaniyan and Tyler Smithpeters have been through the wars. Leo Vincent and Mike Rodriguez should have excellent senior campaigns and help make up for Anthony Beane's lost 20 points per game. Even without freshman point guard Aaron Cook for the first month or two due to shoulder surgery, Armon Fletcher should step into a starting role and the bench is loaded.
No. 4: Illinois State
No. 5: Missouri State
No. 6: Indiana State
No. 7: Evansville
No. 8: Loyola
No. 9: Bradley
No. 10: Drake..."
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