2024 Preview
Superlatives:
Best Overall Team: Little Rock
Best Overall Player: Khalen Robinson
Best Shooter: Ray’Sean Taylor, SIUE
Best Defenseman: Alex Horuik, EIU
Sleeper Team (Conference):
Sleeper Team (March): Little Rock
Semo guard Rob Martin; Semo Athletics
1. Little Rock Trojans
2023 Record: 21-13
Being the only team to receive votes in the AP Poll from the OVC, Little Rock has distanced itself from the rest of the league after an eventful off season saw transfer-ins come from the likes of Creighton and LSU. Pair the multiple matriculating high star recruits with a tandem of high-volume scorers in Khalen Robinson and Jordan Jefferson creates a lethal offensive attack looking to improve on its already devastating style created in 2023.
2. Western Illinois Leathernecks
2023 Record: 21-12
Leading scorer Ryan Myers is back but the rest of the starting lineup is gone following a 21-win season in 2023. Big man Marko Maletic will be the focal point down low as the Leathernecks gear up for year two in the OVC under second year coach Chad Boudreau. Western Illinois was one of the best rebounding teams in the Ohio Valley last season and will look to evolve on its second chance points opportunity.
3. Tennessee Martin Skyhawks
2023 Record: 21-11
The entire lineup is gone including all but one reserve as the Skyhawks opted to hire successful junior college head coach Jeremy Shulman to rebuild the program. With him are twelve newcomers, most of whom followed him from his former position or are international prospects. The high-upside style of coaching Shulman brings warrants a lot of optimism in a league notoriously known for being top heavy.
4. Southeast Missouri Redhawks
2023 Record: 9-22
Now two seasons removed from an NCAA Tournament appearance, the Redhawks look to stuff 2023 down the drain after a 9-22 campaign which saw decade lows in almost all statistical categories. The good news? The backcourt is mostly all back and multiple front court additions including seven-footer Elliot Lowndes and powerful Mason Hanback. SEMO can very well find themselves competing at the top of the OVC with a re-established offensive attack and improved defensive outlook with the addition of the “trees” down low.
5. Southern Illinois Edwardsville Cougars
2023 Record: 17-16
Conventionally one of the bottom feeder teams in the OVC, the Cougars stepped up in 2023 and delivered a 17-win season that compiled in a conference tournament victory. Four starters depart but the loner returnee in Ray’Sean Taylor averaged 13.6 points per night and will provide veteran leadership in the backcourt. JUCO transfer Ring Malith is a difference maker on the wing and will be a scorer right off the bat.
6. Morehead State Eagles
2023 Record: 26-9
Last season’s tournament champions contended with three-seed Illinois for all of six minutes before the Illini pulled away. Still, the season was an undeniable victory as the Eagles plowed their way through the Ohio Valley and sent out the old coaching staff on a good note. A new staff and only one returning starter (seven-footer Deionte Miles) makes Morehead State’s outlook a little shaky ahead of 2024. Relying on a plethora of newcomers seems to be a common theme throughout the conference, and the Eagles must mix that in addition to a new coaching staff.
7. Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles
2023 Record: 8-24
Three starters are back for the Screaming Eagles as coach Stan Gouard enters year three in Evansville. USI geared up in the portal with size, bringing in forward Stephen Olowonyi and seven-footer Alex Horiuk to bolster one of the league’s more marginal rebounding attacks. Finding more consistency from behind the arc will be needed for the Screaming Eagles to have success in 2024.
8. Eastern Illinois Panthers
2023 Record: 14-18
Guards Nakyel Shelton and Kooper Jacobi return and are immediate bright spots for the Panthers. The Panthers’ backcourt is one of the more dangerous attacks in the Ohio Valley but finding a frontcourt identity has been a challenge under coach Marty Simmons. Evansville big Sekou Kalle looks to shore things up with his 6-10 frame. Look for EIU to once again slow things down and create open shots for its crafty guard duo.
9. Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
2023 Record: 10-21
Two starters return for the Eagles in forward Rodney Johnson Jr. and Daniel Edbuniwe who will look to lead a team patched up by mostly transfers and freshman. Tennessee Tech must get better rebounding on the offensive glass or its ten-win struggle will continue in 2024. A league worst 20.1% OR% caused TTU to have the least second chance points in the OVC.
10. Tennessee State Tigers
2023 Record: 18-15
Not one starter returns for the Lions as coach Brian Collins went portal hunting to sign 13 newcomers after an 18-win 2023. Tennessee State struggled mightily last season with turnovers and will look to fix that by signing over half of its transfer class to the backcourt. An improvement seems unlikely, but TSU may end up winning a conference tournament game or two if things get on track at the right time.
11. Lindenwood Lions
2023 Record: 9-22
Lindenwood crashed in its second season at the D-I level, winning just nine game and losing two starters. — including its leading scorer — to the transfer portal or graduation. Still, the Lions return three starters and signed Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year Jadis Jones in the spring. Improving on its league worst eFG% will be vital to escaping the dumpster of the OVC.