2024 Preview
Superlatives:
Best Overall Team: Bradley
Best Overall Player: Kylen Milton, MUR
Best Shooter: Boden Skunberg, ISU
Best Defenseman: Isaiah Walker, BEL
Sleeper Team (Conference): Valparaiso
Sleeper Team (March): Murray State
Belmont guard Isaiah Walker; Belmont athletics
1. Murray State Racers
2023 Record: 12-20
A lot of off season buzz — particularly in the backcourt — has solidified the Racers at the top of the MVC heading into 2024. Key returning guard JaCobi Wood is one of two returning starters to average more than 10 points per game, and Kylen Milton (All-SWAC) and KyeRon Lindsay (Texas Tech) will be solid contributors on both ends of the court. The Racers were one of the best turnover forcing teams in the MVC last season and will look to build off of that with many lightning rods in the backcourt.
2. Bradley Braves
2023 Record: 23-12
Guard Duke Deen is one of the best returning players in the conference, and the Braves, behind zero returning starters and many key reserves from last season, look to contend amongst a down MVC. Veteran big Darius Hannah is a solid rebounder and will step into a starting role this season, with many underclassmen in the backcourt expected to play alongside Deen as secondary scorers. The Braves were one of the best shooting teams in the conference last season but need to improve defensively in order to contend for a MVC title.
3. Belmont Bruins
2023 Record: 20-13
One of many Missouri Valley teams to lose all five starters this off season, the Bruins went portal hunting in search of replacements, finding a handful of playmaking guards and consistent rebounders to replenish the lineup. TCU transfer Tyler Lundblade carries the highest pedigree with him from a Power-Five school, but key pieces such as Brody Peebles (Liberty), Aidan Noyes (Belmont) and Carter Whitt (Furman) to shoulder the scoring early for the Bruins. Improvement on the offensive glass will be vital for sustained success.
4. Northern Iowa Panthers
2023 Record: 24-12
Despite losing two key pieces this off season, the Panthers return arguably the most out of any team in the MVC in Tytan Anderson and Jacob Hutson as two integral scorers. Former Virginia commit Leon Bond is also in town, giving UNI a high-pedigree presence on the wing. It is a top heavy, star studded team with the ability to contend in the MVC if depth presents itself. UNI will need to be better on the offensive glass in order to sustain its offense, which flows through the shot of Anderson.
5. Drake Bulldogs
2023 Record: 28-7
Almost the entire face of the Bulldogs’ roster was scraped away via the portal, graduation or new jobs this off season, all starting with head coach Darian DeVries taking his coaching talents — and his son — to Morgantown. Four other starters are gone, but the Bulldogs did well enough in the portal to re-establish top-tier conference potential. Many key players from new coach Ben McCollum’s D-II NW Missouri State followed him to Des Moines, which fairs well for continuity. Indiana State transfer Eli Shetlar will be an important piece as the only player with MVC experience.
6. Illinois State Redbirds
2023 Record: 15-17
The Redbirds finished below .500 last season and were bounced in the first round of the conference tournament by Evansville — not very successful. However, Illinois State brings back two starters (the fourth most of any team in the MVC) looking to avenge last season’s disappointment. Malachi Poindexter is a crafty scorer from behind the arc and will be the go to option for the Redbird offense. Returning guard Johnny Kinziger is another deep threat, fitting the mold of the Redbird offense. ISU also brought in aces Boden Skunberg and Landon Wolf, fully committing to a three point borage this season.
7. Southern Illinois Salukis
2023 Record: 19-13
A lot left the Salukis this off season after a 19-win campaign, but new head coach Scott Nagy did well enough in the portal to keep SIU in the hunt for the MVC title. Drew Steffe, a four star recruit, is the headliner of the bunch after he transferred in from Texas Tech. He will be a go-to option immediately, complementing Damien Mayo and Elijah Elliott as the three primary scorers. Improvement must be made with its knack for turnovers — allowed — to stabilize its new lineup in a tough-nosed conference.
8. Valparaiso Beacons
2023 Record: 7-25
The Beacons maintained the top three scorers from last seasons team, pinning itself as the most experienced team in the conference heading into 2024. The bad news; these top three scorers from last season won just seven games in 2023. The good news; another year of continuity in the same system bodes well for a team bringing in key transfer Devon Ellis from Maryland Eastern Shore. There is the firepower present to contend, but until improvements are made on the defensive side of the ball, the Beacons will continue to float near the bottom of the conference,
9. Indiana State Sycamores
2023 Record: 32-7
Its unconventional run to the NIT Championship last season was highlighted by the captivating play of big man Robbie Avila, who transferred — along with head coach Josh Schertz — to Saint Louis this off season. Indiana State lost all but 7.9 points per game as new head man Matthew Graves looks to rebuild one of the nation’s top producing offenses from last season. There are no high-major transfer downs, but the Sycamores brought in a bevy of low-major scorers looking for leading roles, such as Presbyterian’s Samage Teel.
10. UIC Flames
2023 Record: 12-21
The Flames will be another one in the long line of MVC teams looking to restart in 2024 after the portal ravaged its entire lineup this off season. Two starters return, but not much else, as the Flames look to new head coach Rob Ehsan to rebuild a struggling program as of late. There are 11 newcomers to pair with dynamic scorer Filip Skobalj, including Texas State’s Jordan Mason, who averaged nearly 13 points per night last season. The Flames will be more competitive than last season, but expect UIC to take a couple of years to get on track under Ehsan.
11. Evansville Purple Aces
2023 Record: 17-18
After years in the cellar of the MVC, the Purple Aces flashed big with a 17-win 2023 and a conference tournament victory over Illinois State. Unfortunately, almost everybody from that team left this off season, leaving coach David Ragland with little to nothing to build off of in Evansville. Butler transfer big Connor Turnbull will be instrumental to the flow of the offense early as all other low-major transfers get acclimated to the level of competition. Returnees Tanner Cuff and Joshua Hughes will also be looked upon to score, with Evansville bringing in many D-II and JUCO transfers.
12. Missouri State Bears
2023 Record: 17-16
The Bears enter a final season in the MVC with little to build around as five starters and the entire coaching staff departed in the off season. There is one returnee, Nick Kramer, who scored 30 points last season, meaning Missouri State will have to rely on either inexperienced underclassmen or transfers such as Vincent Brady II to score. The Bears were the worst shooting team in the conference last season, and did little to fix that this off season. Expect a rough season in Springfield.