What's Up In The Missouri Valley: What's Up In The Missouri Valley 1/11/2019

Friday, January 11, 2019

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 1/11/2019

First Year Coaches Getting Job Done Quicker than Expected--CBB Central

Darian DeVries (Drake)
Record (12-4, 1-2 MVC)
Big Wins: New Mexico State, San Diego

The fourth coach in the last 3 seasons for Drake, DeVries has done a magnificent job in year one. The former Creighton assistant brought in a pair of key grad transfers in Nick Norton (UAB) and Brady Ellingson (Iowa) along with JUCO and prep recruits to rebuild quickly after inheriting a roster that lost five of its top six scorers this offseason. The Bulldogs appeared in position to contend for a conference title, but those hopes were likely dashed when Norton tore his ACL in the team’s MVC opener. Still, you have to love the direction this program is headed in long-term, and a 20-win year for the first time since the Keno Davis 28-5 season in 2007-08 is more than attainable.
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Walter McCarty (Evansville)
Record: 8-8 (2-1 MVC)
Big Wins: Ball State, Loyola-Chicago

Few doubted McCarty would get this Evansville program going when he landed Kansas transfer Sam Cunliffe during his first summer as head coach. I just didn’t expect it to happen this fast.

After returning just 3 players who averaged more than 2.8 points per game last season, McCarty has worked his magic to get this team to .500. The Aces have implemented a pro-style offense emphasizing spacing, with dynamic wing KJ Riley (14.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.2 apg) the primary beneficiary. Once McCarty gets his guys into his system, watch out.