What's Up In The Missouri Valley 7/17/2019

Mid-Major Positional Rankings: Point Guard--CBB Central

Also Considered:

Ahmad Clark (Albany), Jalen Crutcher (Dayton), Kyle Lofton (Saint Bonaventure), Sincere Carry (Duquesne), Jacob Gilyard (Richmond), Fatts Russell (Rhode Island), Tyler Hooker (Kennesaw State), Jerrick Harding (Weber State), Holland Woods (Portland State), Harald Frey (Montana State), Carlik Jones (Radford), Jermaine Marrow (Hampton), Kai Toews (UNCW), DaQuan Bracey (LA Tech), Zack Bryant (UAB), Tarkus Ferguson (UIC), Eugene German (Northern Illinois), Darrell Brown (Bradley), AJ Green (Northern Iowa), Grayson Murphy (Belmont), Jordan Burns (Colgate), Sa’eed Nelson (American), Josh Sharkey (Samford), AJ Harris (NMSU), Milan Acquaah (Cal Baptist), Terrell Brown (Seattle)

Mid-Major Positional Rankings: Shooting Guard--CBB Central

#6 Javon Freeman (Valparaiso)

Vitals: Sophomore, 6-3, 175 pounds
Stats: 11.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.0 apg, .452/.289/.693

After flirting with the transfer portal for a few weeks this spring, Freeman surprised many when he elected to return to Valpo for his sophomore campaign. It was a huge boost for Matt Lottich’s bunch, which had a rough offseason featuring a number of transfers out of the program. Retaining Freeman along with incoming transfers Nick Robinson and Eron Gordon gives Lottich’s bunch a nice nucleus to compete in the Valley. Freeman is an elite slasher who can play with or without the ball, with the only part of his game that needs significant development being his outside shot. However, it appears Freeman has made strides in that area this offseason, with Lottich saying “he’s shooting the ball great” in a recent article in the Northwest Indiana Times.

I’m Back‼️ #NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/6eN10pscK2

— Vonno 😈 (@AintuJavon) May 2, 2019

ALSO CONSIDERED:

Cam Healy (Albany), Cody John (Weber State), Terrell Gomez (Cal State Northridge), Brian Fobbs (Towson), Taevion Hollingsworth (WKU), Nike Sibande (Miami OH), Jayvon Graves (Buffalo), Tyreke Key (Indiana State), DJ Wilkins (Drake), KJ Feagin (San Diego State), Adam Grant (Bryant), Tevin Brown (Murray State), Ross Cummings (Mercer), Parker Stewart (Tennessee Tech), Asante Gist (Iona), Donald Carey (Siena)

‘It’s a new team’: Bradley staying confident, cool in summer workouts--Peoria Journal Star

Doyle, Townes Wrap Up NBA Summer League Play--loyolaramblers.com

After one season, Missouri State is already thinking about how it can keep Dana Ford--Springfield News-Leader
Former Missouri State signee Dajuan Harris commits to play at Kansas--Springfield News-Leader

Ranking the Mid-Major Coaching Hires, 1-40--CBB Central

#16. Southern Illinois (Bryan Mullins)– Being around the Loyola program the last two years, all I’ve ever heard is how important Bryan Mullins was to that entire operation. Mullins understands where SIU fans want this program to be, and now he’ll be tasked with turning things around at a program starved to get back to the NCAA Tournament after a 12-year absence.

Salukis' William withdraws from school, heading home--The Southern Illinoisan
Sports Column | Todd Hefferman: Valley parity fun for us, foe for it--The Southern Illinoisan