What's Up In The Missouri Valley 4/15/2026

BREAKING: Men's Basketball Lands Division II Transfer--Belmont Vision
Win Miller Transfers to Samford--Belmont Vision

Grading Jaquan Johnson’s Addition to Iowa State Basketball--Sports Illustrated 
Bradley receives commitment from another guard in the transfer portal--Peoria Journal Star
'It has troubled us': Why Bradley took new approach in transfer portal--Peoria Journal Star

Illinois State basketball lands first newcomer from transfer portal--The Pantagraph
Redbirds add Bradley transfer Demarion Burch--The Vidette

Former Racer point guard Layne Taylor commits to Arkansas State--WPSD Local 6
Renovations are underway and on schedule at the CFSB Center--WPSD Local 6

Transfer portal takes center stage in UNI’s offseason reset--Northern Iowan

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 4/14/2026

Lundblade to Tennessee, Orme to Nebraska--Belmont Vision

Former North standout Bryce Renn announces commitment to Evansville--Terre Haute Tribune-Star

College Men's Basketball: UNI's Green completes new staff--Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 4/13/2026

Beating the Portal: Mid-Major Programs Retaining Key Players for 2026-2027--Bracket Busters

Despite all of these factors going against mid-major programs, we’ve had some incredible stories developing over the last couple of weeks. Some players, key players to be exact, are sticking to their oaths and staying with their coaches to build something at their programs. We aren’t just talking about programs like Utah State who have significantly more resources than the average team. Programs like UIC, Vermont, Valparaiso, Evansville, Austin Peay, Illinois State, and many more have been able to retain at least one of their key players for next season despite the fact there is no doubt they would have made more money else where.

Let’s dive into who’s sticking with their team for next season.

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Missouri Valley

Photo: Valpo Athletics

The Missouri Valley as a whole is doing a great job of retaining talent. I’ll state the fact that if you are a Bradley fan reading this…I’m sorry.

Illinois State announced that both Johnny Kinziger and Chase Walker would both be returning to the Redbirds next season. Walker averaged 13.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 54.5% overall and 29% from three-point. Kinziger averaged 11.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 steals while shooting 40% overall and 33% from three-point.

The Redbirds went on a run to the NIT Semifinals and while they ultimately lost Ty’Reek Coleman to the portal, retaining their top two players in both Walker and Kinziger is going to position them well to be one of the top favorites in the Missouri Valley entering next season.

The UIC Flames fired off a series of posts announcing that players would be returning including the following: Mekhi Lowery, Rashund Washington Jr., Jayce Nathaniel, Andy Johnson, and Ahmad Henderson II. While they lost their leading scorer Elijah Crawford, they returning their next four top offensive pieces. Just as a friendly reminder, the Flames went on a run in Arch Madness to reach the Championship where they fell to Northern Iowa.

Lowery averaged 8.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.4 steals. Washington Jr. averaged 8.7 points and five rebounds. Johnson averaged 11.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. Henderson II averaged 12 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. Nathaniel averaged 6.2 points and 4.5 rebounds.

Similar to UIC, Valparaiso also released several “I’m Back” graphics to announce the return of some key players. The full list includes: Justus McNair, JT Pettigrew, Rakim Chaney, Sader Servilus, and Carter Hopoi. The Beacons showed a lot of improvement this season and Roger Powell has now been able to retain some of their key players to build up for next sesaon where they are most likely going to be a threat in the Missouri Valley.

McNair averaged 7.9 points, 1.8 rebounds, and one assist. Chaney averaged 10.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.4 steals. Pettigrew averaged 12.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. Servilus averaged 2.6 points and 2.6 rebounds. Hopoi averaged 3.8 points and 1.8 assists.

Evansville had a rough season, but one of their bright spots came from AJ Casey. Casey previously played on the Miami Hurricanes squad that went to the Final Four and he’s battled injuries throughout his career. He had his first full opportunity last year and he took advantage. He averaged 13.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, two assists, and 1.2 steals while shooting 51.1% overall and 33.9% from beyond the arc. He continuously improved throughout the season and was a large reason why the Aces were able to compete in conference more strongly over the last month or so of the season. Many assumed that he’d hit the portal, but instead he announced that he’ll be returning.

Freshman Bryce Quinet was another bright spot for the Aces as he averaged 8.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and one steal per game while shooting 40.9% overall and 30.3% from three-point. He showed a lot of promise as a freshman, including some strong performances in conference play against Bradley, SIU, and Valpo. Similarly, I figured he’d hit the portal, but he elected to return with Casey.

The Aces also retained redshirt freshman Aaron Gutman and freshman James Dyson-Merwe. They still have a long way to go to build a roster that can compete in the Missouri Valley, but being able to retain two strong players in both Casey and Quinet should at least spark some hope for Evansville fans.

Assessing the top early transfers, returnees to Nashville area mid-major college basketball--Main Street Nashville

13 Key College Basketball Players Who Have Already Found New Homes via the Portal--Hoops HQ

Jaquan Johnson, 5-foot-11 sophomore guard, Bradley to Iowa State

The reigning MVC Defensive Player of the Year is heading to a program known for its consistent greatness on that end of the floor. Nicknamed “Bully” for his hard-nosed, physical style, Johnson and Iowa State are a match made in heaven.  The scrappy guard stepped into Bradley’s starting lineup this season and averaged 16.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.5 steals while shooting 38.3 percent from three. He should assume a prominent role on the Cyclones alongside returning guard Killyan Toure, helping to fill the massive void left by Tamin Lipsey’s graduation.

Former Bradley player Jaquan Johnson chooses Iowa State for next college basketball team--Peoria Journal Star
Bradley receives commitment from NCAA transfer portal. What we know about Trevon Payton--Peoria Journal Star
Bradley Braves men's basketball gets commitment from Bulgaria point guard--Peoria Journal Star
Bradley men's basketball loses a Peoria-area player to transfer portal--Peoria Journal Star
Exclusive Interview: Bradley Commit Trevon Payton discusses journey from Division II to the Hilltop--The Bradley Scout

Transfer Portal Guard Target Emerges for Nebraska Basketball--Sports Illustrated
Klabo announces return for sophomore season--The Vidette

Murray State forward Dylan Anderson enters transfer portal--WPSD Local 6

Murray State women's basketball lands Nebraska transfer, McCracken County alum, Claire Johnson--WPSD Local 6
McCracken County alum Johnson ready for homecoming with Racers--WPSD Local 6
Johnson Joins Racers Ahead of 2026-27 Season--goracers.com

Predicting Leon Bond III’s Role With Iowa State Basketball--Sports Illustrated
UNI men’s basketball announces 2026-27 coaching staff--unipanthers.com

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 4/11/2026

Seth Davis’ Ranking of the Top 10 Coaching Hires--Hoops HQ

9. Kyle Green, Northern Iowa

I’m a big fan of elevating assistant coaches, so I commend Northern Iowa for doing the right thing after Ben Jacobson left for Utah State. Green previously worked at UNI for two years under Greg McDermott, which was the first of four stints he had as an assistant there. Prior to rejoining Jacobson’s staff last year, Green spent five years working for T.J. Otzelberger at Iowa State, so he knows about building a winning culture. Northern Iowa is one of the most stable mid-major programs in the country (Jacobson was the head coach there for 20 years before he left for Utah State.) This should be a seamless transition.

7. Casey Alexander, Kansas State

This was a solid choice for the Wildcats following their messy divorce from Jerome Tang. While Tang was hired off of Scott Drew’s bench and had never been a college head coach before, Alexander brings a long track record of winning during his 15 years as the head coach at Stetson, Lipscomb and Belmont. There are plenty of high-rolling donors who are prepared to help Alexander build his roster. 

Men's Basketball Retains Six Players, Bradds Adds to Staff--Belmont Vision

Iowa State basketball lands Bradley guard Jaquan Johnson from transfer portal--Des Moines Register

Transfer portal: Chase Walker, Johnny Kinziger announce return to Illinois State--The Pantagraph
Walker, Kinziger announce return to Illinois State for senior season--The Vidette

Fayta returns to Redbirds for junior season--The Vidette

NBA Draft: Three Mid-Major Gems Hiding in the Data--Sports Illustrated

Here's a look at three freshmen who had standout seasons last year, backed by the data:

Roman Domon, Murray State

Bradley’s Ahmet Jonovic, left, defends against Murray State’s Roman Domon in the first half of their MVC college basketball game Sunday, March 1, 2026 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves defeated the Racers 87-78. | MATT DAYHOFF/JOURNAL STAR / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Domon had an incredible freshman season for Murray State, as he averaged 14.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 64% at the rim (89 attempts), 44.1% on non-rim twos (68 attempts), 36.8% from beyond the arc (114 attempts), and 76.8% from the free throw line (220 attempts). Additionally, the 6-foot-9 guard had a knack for getting to the line, recording a very high .812 free-throw rate.

Domon's season wasn't just statistically impressive, it was actually query-hitting good. He met the Efficient Tall Freshman query: 41 of the 60 players (68%) who have met the criteria played five-plus years in the NBA or are currently in the league.

Something to keep in mind , especially in regards to the query, is that Roman Domon played professional basketball overseas prior to joining college basketball but was deemed a “freshman” by the NCAA due to keeping his amateur status and the “delayed enrollment” rule.

It has been reported that Domon will be returning to Murray State for his sophomore season.

Read More: The Efficient Tall Freshman (ETF) Query

Iowa State basketball lands Northern Iowa transfer Leon Bond III--Des Moines Register

Former Iowa women’s basketball guard Callie Levin transferring to UNI--Des Moines Register
Panther women’s basketball signs Callie Levin--unipanthers.com

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 4/10/2026

Which Missouri Valley basketball players are in the NCAA transfer portal? Here's the list--Peoria Journal Star

EXCLUSIVE: The Bradds of Belmont--Basket Under Review
Belmont Forward Sam Orme Commits to Nebraska Basketball--Sports Illustrated
Clay Holmes Elevated to Director of Basketball Operations--belmontbruins.com
The Evan Bradds Interview--belmontbruins.com

Iowa State Basketball’s Next Star Could Be Part of Weekend Visit--Sports Illustrated

Fortunately for Iowa State, two of the five players coming on visits are perfect options to be the Cyclones’ next star player.

The first one is Jaquan Johnson, a sophomore guard who played for the Bradley Braves. Johnson has been incredible. He averaged 16.9 points per game in his sophomore year and added 3.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists.

Jaquan Johnson would be ideal Tamin Lipsey replacement

Bradley's Jaquan Johnson celebrates a Belmont turnover late in the overtime period of their college basketball game Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves defeated the Bruins 95-84. | MATT DAYHOFF/JOURNAL STAR / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

He had three 30+ point games last season, with his best game coming against the Belmont Bruins in an overtime victory over the conference leaders.

Johnson perfectly fits the mold to be the star player of Iowa State for the future. He’s a dynamic guard, one who can score with ease. Also, he can rebound the ball to an extent, as well as dish the ball out like a point guard.

Sometimes, players move up a level and really slow down, but there is reason to believe that Johnson won’t slow down and continue at a similar pace with the Cyclones.

Portal departures leave Allen, Flowers as lone ISU women's hoops returnees--Terre Haute Tribune-Star

Murray State lands first commitment of offseason with Mark Padjen: a 6'6 Slovenian point guard--WPSD Local 6
Mathis Courbon set for return to Murray State--WPSD Local 6

Sharnecce Currie-Jelks set to run it back at Murray State--WPSD Local 6

Why Kyle Green is the right choice for Northern Iowa basketball coach--Des Moines Register

UIC recruit Dikembe Shaw, 2025-26 Post-Tribune Boys Basketball Player of the Year, ‘delivered’ for Crown Point--Chicago Tribune

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 4/9/2026

Who's the next Yaxel Lendeborg? Best mid-major players in the transfer portal--

Best mid-major players in the transfer portal

Note: Players from the Mountain West and Atlantic 10 were not considered for this article

Tyler Lundblade, Belmont

The reigning Missouri Valley Conference player of the year was one of the top shooters available in the portal. The former walk-on made 40.6% of his 3-pointers despite having a high shooting volume, with 8.8 attempts per game from beyond the arc. As a graduate transfer, the 6-foot-5 Texas native didn’t even have to wait for the portal to open before deciding on his next stop, signing with Rick Barnes and Tennessee on April 2.

Jaquan Johnson, Bradley

Johnson took an enormous leap from his freshman to his sophomore season, improving his scoring average from 6.6 to 16.9 points per game to help him earn first-team All-MVC honors. He is only 5-foot-11, which could cause some problems against bigger, more athletic competition in a major conference, but his all-around production is impressive, with 3.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.6 steals per game. He was named the MVC most improved player and made the league’s all-defensive team.

Drew Scharnowski, Belmont

The 6-foot-9 Scharnowski, the No. 50 player in USA TODAY’s portal rankings, was a first-team all-MVC selection after averaging 10.7 points, six rebounds and 2.6 assists per game as a sophomore for a Bruins team that went 26-6. He was a strong presence down low, too, with 1.3 blocks per game. It’s possible he follows former Belmont coach Casey Alexander to Kansas State, but the Wildcats won’t be alone in vying for his services.

Ranking the Top 50 Players in the NCAA Men's Transfer Portal--Hoops HQ

28. Jaquan Johnson, 5-foot-11 sophomore guard, Bradley

Nicknamed “Bully” for his hard-nosed, scrappy style, Johnson stepped into Bradley’s starting lineup this season and thrived, averaging 16.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.5 steals while shooting 38.3 percent from behind the arc. He was named the MVC Defensive Player of the Year and became the first Brave since 1990-91 to record at least three games of 30-plus points.

Four Bradley women's basketball players enter NCAA transfer portal--Peoria Journal Star

Ty’Reek Coleman enters transfer portal, third Redbird to exit--The Vidette

Men's basketball signs NAIA Second Team All-American EJ McQuillan--gosycamores.com

Brock Vice commits to Kansas State: Marking the first commitment from a former Racer--WPSD Local 6
Murray State lands first commitment with Mark Padjen: a 6'6 Slovenian point guard--WPSD Local 6

Rauf Report: Revisiting preseason bold predictions--Basket Under Review

Missouri Valley

NORTHERN IOWA SWEEPS CONFERENCE REGULAR SEASON AND TOURNAMENT TITLES

Man, another close one! UNI was dominant in its run through the Missouri Valley Tournament and, if wasn't dealing with injuries in January, may have cruised through the regular season as well. Instead, a five-game losing stream in January sent them from being in the mix of the title race to the No. 6 seed in the tournament.

UNI Athletics recognizes April 2026 Student-Athletes of the Month--unipanthers.com

Trey Campbell - Men's Basketball
Campbell closed out his collegiate basketball career with a strong performance in March, averaging 15.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game in the final six games of the season, which included the Panthers' run to the MVC Tournament title and the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2016. Named to First Team All-MVC and a member of the MVC All-Defensive Team at the end of the regular season, as well as the Doug Elgin Most Outstanding Player of the MVC Tournament, Campbell scored in double figures in all five of UNI's postseason games, including 23 points against both Evansville and UIC in the conference tournament.

Lyla Kahrimanovic Transfers to UIC Ahead of the 2026-27 Season--uicflames.com

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 4/8/2026

Ty Pence becomes second Redbird to enter the transfer portal--The Vidette

As Enel St. Bernard departs, he says Sycamores stuck together--Terre Haute Tribune-Star
Louisiana guard E.J. McQuillan commits to ISU basketball--Terre Haute Tribune-Star

Former Murray State PF Brock Vice signs with Kansas State--ON3
2025-26 NCAA Men's Basketball Local 6 Transfer Portal Tracker--WPSD Local 6

5 under the radar head coaching hires that could quietly improve programs--Busting Brackets

UNI’s new head men’s basketball coach Kyle Green | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The college basketball coaching carousel continues to move quickly, especially with the added pressure of the transfer portal and NIL. While the biggest hires tend to get most of the attention, there are several moves this cycle that could end up being just as important over time.

These are the types of hires that may not make headlines right away but could lead to steady improvement and long-term success.

Here are five under-the-radar head coaching hires worth paying attention to.:

Kyle Green offers familiarity and stability at Northern Iowa

Kyle Green is a familiar name for the Northern Iowa Panthers, having spent multiple stints with the program before returning as head coach. That familiarity should help maintain continuity while still allowing for some adjustments.

His recent experience with the Iowa State Cyclones also gives him exposure to a high-major environment, which could influence recruiting and style of play moving forward.

Iowa State Basketball Should Pursue Northern Iowa Transfer--Sports Illustrated 
Ben Jacobson: Looking forward and looking back--Northern Iowan