What's Up In The Missouri Valley 9/30/2018

Bradley gets commitment from Finnish shooting guard--Peoria Journal Star

Four early storylines this season for University of Evansville basketball--Evansville Courier & Press

Injuries aside, ISU women look to continue climb as practice begins--The Pantagraph

ISU's Key looking and feeling more confident--Terre Haute Tribune Star

Sycamore Women Hold First Official Team Practice--gosycamores.com

Perry Ellis All-Stars: These guys are still in school--College Basketball Talk

SECOND TEAM
...
CLAYTON CUSTER, Loyola (Chicago): The Kansas City-area product may be the poster child for the down-transfer. After starting his career at Iowa State, where he was stuck on the bench behind Monte Morris, Custer made his move to Loyola. He had a productive first season with the Ramblers, but, along with his team, burst onto the scene last year as the Missouri Valley Conference player of the year and helmed Loyola all the way to a shocking Final Four run. The clock hasn’t struck midnight for this Cinderella, though, as Custer, unlike so many mid-major March heroes, still has a final year of eligibility left.

Report: South Plains juco forward Gaige Prim commits to Missouri State basketball--Springfield News-Leader

"Big Game Jermaine" comes home to SIU Hall of Fame--The Southern Illinoisan
Mini plans and non-conference tickets on sale Monday--siusalukis.com

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 9/27/2018

https://www.courierpress.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2018/09/20/iu-basketball-purdue-butler-notre-dame-college-basketball-preview-romeo-langford/1342216002/--Evansville Courier & Press

Mid majors
...
Evansville

The Purple Aces are in for a total rebuild with new coach Walter McCarty, viewed as no better than 9th in the 10-team Missouri Valley. Freshman DeAndre Williams is intriguing.

Indiana State

The Sycamores are a mid-level MVC team (5th, L; 7th, A and SS) led by exciting scorer Jordan Barnes. Newcomer Cooper Neese and Iowa transfer Christian Williams may help. Athlon lists Greg Lansing as a coach on the hot seat.
...
Valparaiso

The Crusaders' second year in the MVC shouldn't be as tough as their first. They are predicted to finish 7th (L), 6th (A) or 5th (SS). Bakari Evelyn and Markus Golder are the top returnees, and Ryan Fazekas is a sharpshooting transfer from Providence.

Preseason Mid-Major All-Americans--College Basketball Talk

SECOND TEAM
...
G CLAYTON CUSTER, Loyola-Chicago

The reigning Larry Bird Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year winner, Custer’s back for one final run after helping lead the Ramblers to the program’s first Final Four appearance since 1963. Custer may not have the eye-popping stats that some of the other players on this list possess (Loyola ranking 307th in adjusted tempo had a lot to do with that) but don’t let that fool you; the redshirt senior gets the job done in a variety of ways for Porter Moser’s team. Last season Custer averaged 13.2 points and 4.1 assists per game, shooting 52.8 percent from the field, 45.1 percent from three and 77.0 percent from the foul line.
...

Clayton Custer (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

...
THIRD TEAM
...
G MILIK YARBROUGH, Illinois State

Due to some offseason legal issues there were some questions regarding Yarbrough’s status for the upcoming season. However Yarbrough, who was suspended indefinitely in mid-September, participated in the Redbirds’ first practice of the season and based upon Dan Muller’s post-practice comments the redshirt senior appears OK to play. In Yarbrough the Redbirds have the player best equipped to unseat Loyola’s Clayton Custer as Larry Bird Missouri Valley Player of the Year, as he’s coming off of a season in which he averaged 16.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.
...
FOURTH TEAM
...
F PHIL FAYNE, Illinois State

The aforementioned Yarbrough doesn’t lack for help on an Illinois State squad that has the pieces needed to dethrone Loyola in the Missouri Valley, with Fayne being the Redbirds’ top option in the front court. Last season the 6-foot-9, 220-pound forward averaged 15.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, shooting 59.5 percent from the field. A second team all-conference selection, Fayne merits serious consideration for preseason first team All-Valley.
...
HONORABLE MENTION
...
Armon Fletcher, Southern Illinois

Preseason Mid-Major Power Rankings--College Basketball Talk

Teams outside of the power conferences had a noticeable impact on the 2017-18 season, including UMBC becoming the first 16-seed to beat a 1-seed in the NCAA tournament and Loyola-Chicago winning 32 games and reaching the Final Four.
...
3. LOYOLA-CHICAGO

While the Ramblers are best known for their run through the NCAA tournament, reaching the Final Four for the first time since 1963, the fact of the matter is that Porter Moser’s bunch was darn good all season long. Loyola won the Missouri Valley regular season title by four games, and by the time their season was complete the Ramblers had amassed a school-record 32 wins. A stingy defense and a balanced offense were the keys, and the question now is what will Loyola do for an encore.

Reigning Larry Bird Missouri Valley Player of the Year Clayton Custer (13.2 ppg, 4.1 apg) is back, as is fellow senior Marques Townes (11.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg) and sophomores Cameron Krutwig and Lucas Williamson. That quartet will have to help account for the loss of two seniors who averaged 11.0 points per game last season (Donte Ingram and Aundre Jackson) and the Valley’s top defender in Ben Richardson. Loyola’s path to another Valley title won’t be an easy one, as the competition has improved, but they’re capable of repeating.

Porter Moser (Chris Covatta/Getty Images)

...
5. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

After finishing below .500 in each of Barry Hinson’s first three seasons in Carbondale, the Salukis have won 22, 17 and 20 games in each of the last three years. And with all five starters back from a team that finished second in the Missouri Valley, SIU is capable of reaching the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2007. Three seniors, led by guard Armon Fletcher, averaged at least 12.1 points per game last season and junior guard Aaron Cook wasn’t far off with an average of 9.8 points per.

The one thing to watch with this group is the progress of senior center Thik Bol, who averaged 9.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in 2016-17. Bol missed all of last season with a knee injury that ultimately required two surgical procedures (addressing different issues on the same knee), the second of which occurred in July. His ability to rebound and block shots make the 6-foot-8 senior a valued member of the rotation, but the question is just how much can Bol give them. SIU will still be a factor in the Valley if Bol is severely limited, but his return makes this group that much better if he can go.
...
7. ILLINOIS STATE

Like Loyola and SIU, Dan Muller’s Redbirds should be a major factor in the Missouri Valley race. Last season Illinois State went 18-15, 10-8 in conference play, but with four starters having returned this should be a team that can make a case to be considered the preseason favorite. Senior forward Milik Yarbrough was a first team all-conference selection last season, as he averaged 16.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game, and fellow senior Phil Fayne was a second team all-conference selection. Fellow starters Keyshawn Evans and William Tinsley are also back for the Redbirds, who have the talent and experience needed to reach the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1998.

Backcourt Leaders--Valley Hoops Insider

Bradley gets commitment from Memphis point guard Antonio Thomas--Peoria Journal Star
Bradley announces dates for preseason events--Peoria Journal Star
Bradley gets commitment from guard Jamir Price of Rock Island--Peoria Journal Star
Basketball Mini Packs & Group Tickets Now On Sale!--bradleybraves.com
Basketball Announces Preseason Events Schedule--bradleybraves.com

Standing With the Woodleys--Valley Hoops Insider
Men’s Basketball To Host Blue/White Game Sunday, Oct. 7--godrakebulldogs.com

Women's Basketball Hosts Annual One-on-One event Tuesday, Oct. 16 at the Knapp Center--godrakebulldogs.com

Know Your Non-conference Opponent: Evansville--Banners On The Parkway
Walter McCarty's final Coaches Caravan signals end of honeymoon period--Evansville Courier Press
Here's what the preseason college 🏀 mags are saying about UE, former SIAC standouts--Evansville Courier Press
Here's a refresher on a whirlwind of an offseason for Evansville basketball--Evansville Courier Press
Artur Labinowicz adjusting to life in the Midwest--gopurpleaces.com
ACES INSIDER - UE Men's Basketball tips off first team practice under Walter McCarty--gopurpleaces.com

Brooke Bishop hopes to inspire as return to court approaches--gopurpleaces.com

Muller still evaluating Yarbrough status ahead of first practice--The Pantagraph
Yarbrough on court at Redbirds' first official practice--The Pantagraph
Yarbrough's status 'TBD' for practices--Vidette Online
ISU men's basketball begin practices, Yarbrough a full go--Vidette Online
Men’s Basketball Announces Three Ticket Plans for 2018-19--goredbirds.com
Redbirds Kick Off 2018-19 Season with Morning Practice--goredbirds.com

ISU women seek 'next step' in Gillespie's second season--The Pantagraph
Women’s Basketball Flex Pack Tickets Available Today--goredbirds.com

Holston is part of ISU's evolution on fifth-year transfers--Terre Haute Tribune Star
TODD AARON GOLDEN: Rest of the Valley is moving forward, ISU can’t stand pat--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Exhibition vs. Rose-Hulman among final additions to ISU men's basketball schedule--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Sycamores add 'true power forward' from prep school ranks--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Sycamore Basketball Golf Outing & Reception Set For Thursday & Friday--gosycamores.com
Sycamore Basketball Hits St. Louis For #MVCTipoff--gosycamores.com
Sycamores Add Three Home Games To Complete 2018-19 Schedule--gosycamores.com
Sycamore Basketball Reception & Golf Outing Is Huge Success--gosycamores.com
Sycamore Basketball Practice Updates 2018--gosycamores.com

Redefinition is the word for the Sycamores, MVC--Terre Haute Tribune Star--gosycamores.com
Indiana State Women’s Basketball Practice Begins Friday

College Basketball Preseason Top 25--College Basketball Talk

THE SEVEN THAT JUST MISSED:

26. Loyola-Chicago

This season’s top 20 non-conference games--College Basketball Talk

8. NEVADA at LOYOLA-CHICAGO, November 27 (Missouri Valley/Mountain West Challenge Series)

The Wolf Pack and Ramblers produced one of the best games in last season’s NCAA tournament, with Loyola winning the Sweet 16 matchup 69-68 on the way to the program’s first Final Four appearance since 1963. The rematch will be staged in Chicago, and Nevada begins the season as not only the favorite to win the Mountain West but a trendy Final Four pick as well. As for Loyola, Clayton Custer and company are once again the favorites in the Missouri Valley, but the struggles in putting together their non-conference schedule makes this matchup a critical one should the Ramblers not win the automatic bid.

Early returns: Nevada, Gonzaga, and Loyola see recognition in preseason polls--Mid-Major Madness

Loyola University Chicago Ramblers

Average Rank: N/A

Individual: ESPN (19), Athlon (25), NBC (just missed — 26)

It figured there was, if nothing else, enough shine still on the Ramblers to land them on a few lists. And that’s not unreasonable, as Porter Morter returns the MVC POY in Clayton Custer, the team’s second-leading scorer in Marques Townes and quite possibly the league’s best big man in Cameron Krutwig. Approximating the country’s 17th-most efficient defense will be a challenge without Donte Ingram and Ben Richardson, but Loyola wasn’t left with an empty cupboard.

Loyola’s ‘Best Athlete’ Uguak Ready for First Season After Transfer--Loyola Phoenix
Column: Three Little Wolves Commit to Maintain Loyola’s Success--Loyola Phoenix

Missouri State adds transfer Spencer Brown to men's basketball roster--Springfield News-Leader
MSU Adds O'Reilly to Basketball Staff--missouristatebears.com

MVC men's basketball: Loyola keeps league in spotlight--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
College men's basketball: Berhow set to make an immediate impact for UNI--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier

MVC women's basketball: MVC teams are chasing the Bulldogs--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
UNI women's basketball: Cohesive Panthers look to work inside-out--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier

Kent Williams – Local Guy Does Good--Valley Hoops Insider
Hefferman: 5 burning questions at MVC Media Day--The Southern Illinoisan
Salukis may have to wait to feel Dembele's impact--The Southern Illinoisan
SIU Men's Basketball | Knee injury could limit Salukis' Bol all season--The Southern Illinoisan
Limited amount of tickets available for SIU's 2018 Hall of Fame induction--The Southern Illinoisan
SIU Men's Basketball | Salukis open one of most anticipated seasons in years--The Southern Illinoisan
Glenbard West wing Evan Taylor verbally commits to SIU men--The Southern Illinoisan
Limited supply of tickets available to the public for Saluki Hall of Fame induction ceremony--siusalukis.com

Saluki women stressing defense to move up in Valley race--The Southern Illinoisan

Valparaiso Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Crusaders--Busting Brackets

#TheValleyRunsDeep--The Missouri Valley

Evansville's Brooke Bishop Hopes to Inspire as Return to Court Approaches--The Missouri Valley

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 9/17/2018

ISU star Butch Wade passes away--Terre Haute Tribune Star

Meat and Greet--gosycamores.com

Loyola's local recruiting momentum continues with commitment of Brother Rice guard Marquise Kennedy--Chicago Tribune
Men’s Basketball Receives Third Class of 2019 Commitment--Loyola Phoenix

Kent Williams – MVC Hall of Fame--Valley Hoops Insider

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 9/16/2018

#52 Loyola Chicago Men's Basketball 2018-2019 Preview--College Sports Madness

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 9/15/2018

Bradley hoops grabs commitment from Phoenix prep school guard

Former WNBA guard joins women’s basketball staff--Bradley Scout
MVC Slate Completes Women’s Basketball Schedule--bradleybraves.com

Basketball Season Tickets Go On Sale To General Public Thursday--godrakebulldogs.com

McCarty excited to complete 2018-19 schedule--gopurpleaces.com
Sam Cunliffe’s road leads to Evansville--gopurpleaces.com
ACES INSIDER - McCarty Party hits the links--gopurpleaces.com

Evansville basketball's 'Hoopfest' returning to Ford Center in October--Evansville Courier & Press
Hoopfest scheduled for October 17--gopurpleaces.com

Illinois State star, potential MVC POY suspended indefinitely--College Basketball Talk
Illinois State’s Milik Yarbrough suspended indefinitely--Mid-Major Midness
Illinois State Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Redbirds--Busting Brackets
ISU basketball star Milik Yarbrough suspended indefinitely--Peoria Journal Star
'Family environment' lures point guard Horne to ISU--The Pantagraph
ISU suspends Yarbrough indefinitely after traffic arrest, misdemeanor charge--The Pantagraph
Milik Yarbrough suspended indefinitely--Vidette Online

Women hoops to host UNI Jan. 2 in MVC opener--Vidette Online
MVC Announces Extension to Keep Hoops in the Heartland in Quad Cities through 2021--goredbirds.com

Former Sycamore Taia signs pro contract in Australia--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Pitzer a second point guard for Hall's first recruiting class--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Former Sycamore Ashley Taia Signs Professional Contract in Australia
September 12, 2018--gosycamores.com
MVC Announces Extension to Keep Hoops in the Heartland in Quad Cities through 2021--gosycamores.com

London Dokubo: Porter Moser’s Eighth-Year Senior--Loyola Phoenix
Men’s Basketball Announces Exhibition Game--Loyola Phoenix
Loyola’s Sweet 16 Rematch Versus Nevada To Be Televised On ESPNEWS--loyolaramblers.com
Loyola To Host Winona State In Exhibition Game October 23--loyolaramblers.com
Porter Moser To Be Featured On NBC Sports Chicago’s Inside Look Series--loyolaramblers.com
Loyola Men’s Basketball Staff To Hold Coaches Clinic October 6--loyolaramblers.com
Porter Moser To Speak At Nike Championship Clinic In Cleveland Saturday--loyolaramblers.com

Loyola Basketball Tip-Off Luncheon Presented By PNC To Be Held October 17--loyolaramblers.com

MVC Announces Extension to Keep Hoops in the Heartland in the Quad Cities--loyolaramblers.com

Coaches Declare Character Counts--Valley Hoops Insider
He was the best prospect to ever commit to Missouri State. Now he’s trying to stay alive.--Springfield News-Leader

The Top 10 College Basketball Upsets of the Last Decade--Sports Illustrated

5. Northern Iowa over Kansas: March 20, 2010

“You can't be serious with that shot!"

Those words, spoken by CBS’s Dan Bonner, have become synonymous with the Panthers’ second-round upset of the No. 1 seed Jayhawks in the 2010 NCAA tournament. They’re describing, of course, the three-pointer drained by instant hero Ali Farokhmanesh with 36 seconds remaining. With Northern Iowa up only one, Farokhmanesh found himself wide open on the perimeter after an inbounds play. Rather than hold the ball and take time off the clock or attempt to drive on the lone Kansas defender within yards, Farokhmanesh coolly used the space to set himself and sink a game-altering trey—a gutsy decision that paved the way for the 69–67 upset. The loss was just the Jayhawks’ third all season and denied them a fourth straight Sweet 16 appearance. Instead, the No. 9 seed Panthers danced on to the lone trip to the third round in program history.

Athletic department plans towards the future--Notrhern Iowan
UNI Athletics Replaces McLeod Center Hardwood--unipanthers.com

Salukis' 2019 puzzle begins to take shape with Jones--The Southern
Salukis open conference play against Ford, Missouri State Jan. 2--The Southern

Salukis announce fourth-largest gift ever to athletics--The Southern
MVC basketball schedules announced--The Southern

Valley schedule has ups and downs for Valparaiso--NWI Times

Missouri Valley Conference Basketball Tipoff Set for September 19--The Missouri Valley

MVC Announces Extension to Keep HOOPS IN THE HEARTLAND in the Quad Cities--The Missouri Valley

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 9/4/2018

Valley Season Tip Off Date – January 2--Valley Hoops Insider

Bradley men open Valley schedule vs. UNI--Peoria Journal Star
Valley Releases 2018-19 Conference Slate--bradleybraves.com

Evansville basketball finalizes schedule by announcing Missouri Valley Conference slate--Evansville Courier & Press
Full men’s basketball schedule announced--gopurpleaces.com
Aces Assist Club silent auction items open to public bidding--gopurpleaces.com

MVC slate announced for Aces--gopurpleaces.com

ISU basketball to open Valley season at Valparaiso--The Pantagraph
ISU men's basketball MVC schedule released--Vidette Online
Illinois State and MVC Announce 2018-19 Schedule--goredbirds.com

Redbirds Release the 2018-19 MVC Slate--goredbirds.com

With look at first MVC schedule, Hall ready to get prepared--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Sycamores to open Valley schedule against defending champion Loyola--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Sycamore Basketball Announces 2018-19 Schedule--gosycamores.com

2018-19 Women’s Basketball Schedule Finalized--gosycamores.com

MVC Announces Men’s Basketball Schedule--Loyola Phoenix
Loyola’s MVC Men’s Basketball Schedule Unveiled--loyolaramblers.com

10 NBA rookies poised to make the biggest impact this season: Luka Doncic, Collin Sexton ready to shine--CBS Sports

9. Alize Johnson, PF, Indiana Pacers

Relevant numbers: The Indiana Pacers were one of the worst rebounding teams in the NBA last season. It's no surprise they drafted Johnson, who was one of the best rebounders in college basketball last season; he averaged double-digit boards both seasons at Missouri State, and his defensive rebounding percentage ranked him seventh in the nation last season, according to the college hoops advanced stats site KenPom.com.

Why he'll make an impact: Think Kenneth Faried, another star mid-major rebounder who simply outworks everyone else on the floor. Johnson can do other things as well -- he's a nifty passer for a big man, and his shot shows promise. The Pacers are a team on the rise. They need guys like Johnson who know their role and execute it.

Valley Sets Men's League Hoops Schedule--missouristatebears.com

MVC Releases Women’s Basketball Conference Schedule--missouristatebears.com

College basketball: UNI women announce schedule, men's MVC slate set--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
The Valley Releases Men's Basketball Slate--unipanthers.com

UNI Women's Basketball Announces 2018-19 Schedule--unipanthers.com

Men’s Basketball MVC Schedule Unveiled--valpoathletics.com

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Valparaiso announces Missouri Valley Conference schedule--NWI Times
Women’s Basketball Announces Missouri Valley Conference Slate--valpoathletics.com

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 9/3/2018

Missouri Valley Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2018-19--Busting Brackets

Bradley AD Chris Reynolds chosen as I-AAA secretary--Peoria Journal Star
Ex-Bradley assistant Ron Harris dies at 83--Peoria Journal Star

Dee Davis Named Director Of Women’s Basketball Operations--bradleybraves.com

Two in one day: Drake lands Illinois prospects Joseph Yesufu and Nate Ferguson--Des Moines Register
Bulldogs Begin the 2018-19 Season And Honor 2017-18 Accomplishments--godrakebulldogs.com

Knapp Center Court Replacement Nearing Completion--godrakebulldogs.com

Women’s Basketball Announces 2018-19 Non-Conference Schedule--godrakebulldogs.com

Texas Southern reportedly coming to Evansville for Maui Mainland tournament--Evansville Courier & Press
ACES INSIDER - Coach McCarty takes Coaches Caravan to Owensboro--gopurpleaces.com

5 Mid-Majors Not Getting Enough Attention in 2018-19--CBB Central

Illinois State (18-15, 10-8 MVC)

Loyola will receive the majority of the preseason notoriety in The Valley, and rightly so. But there’s another potential top-50 team coming out of the MVC, and that’s this Illinois State club. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more talented trio than Milik Yarbrough, Keyshawn Evans, and Phil Fayne in all of mid-major basketball. The trio fits together so perfectly– Yarbrough handles primary creation duties with a 41.4% assist percentage, pairing nicely with a scoring point guard like Evans while Fayne does the dirty work. WIth more depth and some talented newcomers joining the fray, ISU could have a special season.

#66 Illinois State Men's Basketball 2018-2019 Preview--College Sports Madness
Two exhibitions set for ISU basketball team--The Pantagraph
Ndiaye can practice, but not play for Redbirds this season--The Pantagraph

NCHS junior guard Wong picks ISU--The Pantagraph

Kickoff For A Cause Provides Support For Local Community Center--gosycamores.com

Sycamores' Rice determined to 'make an impact' in upcoming season--Terre Haute Tribune Star

Loyola celebrity nun Sister Jean celebrating 99th birthday--College Basketball Talk
Loyola-Chicago's non-con schedule is lacking -- because other coaches were wrongly afraid to schedule the Ramblers--CBS Sports
Four Sides of Loyola’s Run--Valley Hoops Insider
What’s Next For Loyola?--Valley Hoops Insider
After Magical March, Culture Change Comes to Loyola--Loyola Phoenix
Men’s Basketball Announces Non-Conference Schedule--Loyola Phoenix
Moser to be Inducted into Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame--Loyola Phoenix
Breaking Down the Men’s Basketball Non-Conference Schedule--Loyola Phoenix
Four Sides Of The Story Documentary On Loyola’s Final Four Run To Air December 17--loyolaramblers.com
Loyola Men’s Basketball Reveals Challenging 2018-19 Non-Conference Schedule--loyolaramblers.com
Porter Moser To Be Inducted Into Chicagoland Sports Hall Of Fame--loyolaramblers.com

Column: Year Three of Rebuild Could Be Key for Women’s Basketball--Loyola Phoenix
Breaking Down the Women’s Basketball Non-Conference Schedule--Loyola Phoenix
Loyola Women’s Basketball Announces Non-Conference Schedule--loyolaramblers.com

The 5 most interesting games on Missouri State men's basketball's non-conference schedule--Springfield News-Leader
The No. 1 recruit in Canada is considering playing hoops at Missouri State--Springfield News-Leader
Bears Announce Non-Conference Hoops Schedule--missouristatebears.com

Buckley Will Continue Basketball Career in Denmark--missouristatebears.com
Lady Bears Complete Non-Conference Schedule--missouristatebears.com

West Delaware's Derek Krogmann commits to be preferred walk-on at UNI--The Gazette
College basketball: North Scott's Anderson becomes UNI's first 2020 commit--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier

#76 Southern Illinois Men's Basketball 2018-2019 Preview--College Sports Madness
Southern Illinois makes sizeable addition to this year’s men’s basketball roster--Peoria Journal Star
Diary: Saluki Basketball's 6-day trip to Cuba--Southern Illinoisan
Saluki basketball to open season at Kentucky. Yes, Kentucky.--Southern Illinoisan
SIU Men's Basketball | Evanston's Lance Jones commits to SIU--Southern Illinoisan
Salukis add 6-8 freshman forward Dembele--Southern Illinoisan
Salukis announce demanding non-conference schedule--siusalukis.com
Salukis add 6-8 forward Sekou Dembele--siusalukis.com

Five Canadian freshmen you need to know--Mid-Major Madness

Daniel Sackey - Valparaiso

Sackey is a 5’9 guard who is originally from Winnipeg, MB but moved to the Toronto area to play for Thornlea Secondary in order to increase his hopes of playing in the NCAA. Winnipeg isn’t exactly the kind of place where you’ll see Jim Boeheim and John Calipari sitting in the stands at a high school gym, so Sackey enters his freshman year at Valpo a little under the national radar. However, Sackey is one of the fastest human beings you will ever see on a basketball court and is also freakishly athletic. He won the BioSteel All-Canadian slam dunk competition - which is the Canadian version of the McDonald’s All-American game - against several big name recruits. Sackey should become an all-conference talent and be a dominant force in the Missouri Valley Conference over the next four years.

Valparaiso coach Matt Lottich embraces 'challenges' of nonconference schedule--Post-Tribune
MEN'S BASKETBALL: West Virginia, Texas A&M highlight Valparaiso’s non-conference schedule--NWI Times
MEN'S BASKETBALL: Bowen rejoins Valparaiso program--NWI Times
Valpo Unveils Non-Conference Schedule--valpoathletics.com
Bowen Rejoins Valpo Men’s Basketball Program--valpoathletics.com

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Valparaiso unveils nonconference schedule--NWI Times
Women’s Basketball Releases Nonconference Schedule--NWI Times