What's Up In The Missouri Valley: What's Up In The Missouri Valley 10/21/2018

Nine mid-majors that can be the next Loyola-Chicago--College Basketball Talk

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT
Loyola-Chicago

As noted above the Ramblers reached the program’s first Final Four since 1963 last season, knocking off Miami, Tennessee, Nevada and Kansas State on the way to San Antonio. Porter Moser will have to account for the loss of two double-digit scorers (Donte Ingram and Aundre Jackson) and the Missouri Valley Defensive Player of the Year (Ben Richardson) from that team, but reigning Valley Player of the Year Clayton Custer is back as are fellow starters Marques Townes and Cameron Krutwig.

Sophomore Lucas Williamson and junior Bruno Skokna will need to take a step forward after serving as supplementary options last season, but the Ramblers’ ability to defend and share the ball on the other end of the floor should serve them well. Will it be enough to cause some mayhem in the NCAA tournament for a second straight year? That’s the question, especially with their top challengers in the Valley having improved.
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RETURNING TALENT
Harvard
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Southern Illinois

All five starters return from a team that won 20 games and finished second in the Missouri Valley last season, led by seniors Armon Fletcher (14.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg), Sean Lloyd Jr. (12.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg) and Kaivon Pippen (12.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg). The experience stands to serve Southern Illinois well in what projects to be a tighter Valley race than a season ago, which Loyola won by four games.

Two things to keep an eye on regarding the Salukis: what senior center Thik Bol can give them off the bench after missing all of last season due to a knee injury, and how they perform in close games. Ten of SIU’s 18 regular season conference games were decided by six points or less, with the Salukis winning eight. Will that good fortune carry over? Or better yet, can Barry Hinson’s team do enough to cut down on the number of close games it has to play? Either way, this sets up to be a good season for Southern Illinois.

Bradley is Finally Old--Valley Hoops Insider
After season of contemplation and practice, Bradley guard Antoine Pittman looks better than ever--Peoria Journal Star
Bradley picked fourth in official MVC men’s basketball poll--Peoria Journal Star
Braves Open Season with Red-White Scrimmage--bradleybraves.com
Darrell Brown Earns Preseason All-MVC Honors--bradleybraves.com

Teams flash promise in Red-White Scrimmage--Bradley Scout
Bradley Basketball Teams Host Red-White Scrimmage Saturday--bradleybraves.com

Kent Paces Braves In Red-White Scrimmage--bradleybraves.com
Women’s Basketball Picked Sixth In Preseason Poll--bradleybraves.com

Next up for the Drake women's basketball program: A run in the NCAA Tournament--Des Moines Register
After stellar freshman year, Drake’s Maddie Monahan is ready for more this season--Des Moines Register
Women’s Basketball Hosts Annual Media Day--godrakebulldogs.com
Women's Basketball Celebrates 2017-18 Season; Hosts Annual One-on-One Event--godrakebulldogs.com
Women’s Basketball Favorite in 2018-19 Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Poll--godrakebulldogs.com

Evansville basketball grad transfer Shea Feehan eager to prove himself at Division I level--Evansville Courier & Press

Evansville basketball HoopFest provides a glimpse of 2018-19 season and beyond--Evansville Courier & Press
ACES INSIDER - Great coming attractions on display at 2018 Hoopfest--gopurpleaces.com
Hoopfest kicks off 2018-19 basketball season--gopurpleaces.com

UE women's basketball standout Brooke Dossett fighting Multiple Sclerosis in life and on the court--Evansville Courier & Press

The Next Loyola-Chicago? Eleven Mid-Majors Who Could Have a Cinderella Season--Sports Illustrated

Illinois State

Illinois State was a bit disappointing last year, finishing 18–15. And they play in the really tough Missouri Valley Conference, with Loyola-Chicago and Southern Illinois. But this team is high on talent. Milik Yarbrough was first-team all conference last season, averaging 16.6 points and 6.6 rebounds. He's a sleeper All-America candidate, though his status to open the season is uncertain after being suspended following a September arrest. Phil Fayne was second-team all-MVC, averaging 15.6 points and 7.4 rebounds. There are four starters returning, and a lot of seniors. The Redbirds will have to get past Loyola, but there isn't a more dynamic player in the conference than Yarbrough.

ISU second in MVC basketball poll; Evans to miss time with foot injury--The Pantagraph
Men's basketball placed No. 2 in MVC preseason poll--Vidette Online
Redbird Basketball Showcased at Hoopfest--goredbirds.com
Illinois State Picked Second, Three Redbirds Earn Individual Honors in MVC Preseason Poll--goredbirds.com

ISU Redbird Arena seating, Horton floor to be replaced--The Pantagraph
Basketball Single-Game Tickets go on Sale Monday and Thursday--goredbirds.com

ISU women's basketball picked fifth in MVC preseason poll--The Pantagraph
Women's hoops picked for fifth-place finish in MVC Poll--Vidette Online
Women’s Basketball to Hold Education Day--goredbirds.com
Redbirds Tabbed Fifth in MVC Preseason Poll--goredbirds.com

Neese disappointed that NCAA appeal is denied--Terre Haute Tribune Star
ISU's Thomas hoping for bounce back senior season--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Jordan Barnes Named To Preseason All-MVC First Team--gosycamores.com
Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic Tickets Go On Sale Monday--gosycamores.com

ISU men picked 6th, women 7th in MVC preseason polls--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Preseason Poll Released, Sycamore Women Picked Seventh--gosycamores.com

32×32: 2018-19 Missouri Valley Preview--CC Central
Ranking the 15 best point guards in college basketball entering the 2018-19 season--CBS Sports

5. Clayton Custer | Loyola-Chicago | Senior

2017-18 stats: 13.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 4.1 apg

Save for Cassius Winston, nobody -- not even Carsen Edwards or Lindell Wigginton -- shot better from the 3-point line than Loyola-Chicago's Clayton Custer. He put up outside shots at a 45.1 percent clip, and more astounding, made 52.8 percent of his field goals. Add in his efficient 24.8 percent assist rate and reliable every-night scoring, and you've got a top-5 player at the position.