Friday, June 30, 2023

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 6/30/2023


Blake living childhood dream with ISU men's basketball--The Vidette



Cameron Henry to Hornets for summer league--Terre Haute Tribune-Star



MoState Finalizes Non-Conference Basketball Schedule--missouristatebears.com



Episode 6: Our "Summer Tour of the Valley" starts with Belmont's Casey Alexander--Racer Basketball



College basketball coaching changes tracker 2023: West Virginia, Texas, Syracuse, St. John's top list of hires--CBS Sports

Out: Matt Lottich | In: Roger Powell
A late firing in the process, but one that came after the buyout dropped, I was told. This is a small-time program (that needs upgrades) with a big-time name at that level. The school was turned down by many candidates, but I was also told Valpo prioritized hiring a minority candidate who knows the region well and has a faith-based background. Powell checks every box.



Sunday, June 25, 2023

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 6/25/2023


Jarace Walker, Taylor Hendricks headline mid-major players selected in NBA Draft--Mid-Major Madness

Ben Sheppard (Belmont) – No. 26 to Indiana Pacers

After announcing during the draft that they were selecting a “Mid-Major Riser” with the 26th pick, the Indiana Pacers were almost immediately predicted to take Sheppard, and that they did.

At 21 years old, he still has a very moldable game with many promising aspects, such as a consistent 3-point shot, capable playmaking and no huge weaknesses to his game. He joins a Pacers’ roster led by Tyrese Haliburton, and his versatility will prove beneficial.

Belmont’s Ben Sheppard Selected By Indiana Pacers In First Round Of NBA Draft--The Sports Credential
Pros and cons of Indiana Pacers taking Ben Sheppard of Belmont basketball in 2023 NBA draft--The Tennessean
What Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said after drafting Belmont guard Ben Sheppard--The Tennessean
Ben Sheppard: From Bruin to Pacer--Belmont Vision
Ben Sheppard Selected by Indiana Pacers in First Round of 2023 NBA Draft--belmontbruins.com


Women's Basketball Adds Marquette Transfer Guard Emily La Chapell--belmontbruins.com




Former Racer KJ Williams signs Exhibit 10 contract with Thunder--WPSD Local 6
Williams playing with OKC Summer League team--Racer Basketball
The #20 win in 25 years of the CFSB Center--Racer Basketball



SIU’s Captain Xavier Johnson--Valley Hoops Insider

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 6/21/2023


Hollinger’s 2023 NBA Mock Draft: Will trades make a mockery of it?--The Athletic

26. Indiana — Ben Sheppard, 21, SG, Belmont

The Pacers are shopping their picks at Nos. 26, 29 and 32 to move up, but another angle would be to move out. The obvious trade partner here would be the Denver Nuggets, who could send them the 2024 first they got from Oklahoma City (the least favorable of the Thunder’s four picks) in return for this choice in 2023.

If the Pacers pick here, Sheppard checks a lot of boxes for what they have tended to draft in the past, as a high-achieving college player who showed well in the NBA Draft Combine. There is some overlap between his skill set and the current roster, as the Pacers would probably love to draft a 6-foot-8 guy here and could look at somebody such as Phillips or Rupert, but I suspect Sheppard grades out better on most boards.

NBA Draft: College coaches dish on the top prospects in 2023 class--The Athletic

Ben Sheppard, 21, 6-5, W, Belmont

Missouri Valley assistant coach: “Best motor I saw all year. Excellent shooter, good size and length for a guard. How Bruce Brown (played) in the playoffs is how he could be in the league. An excellent 3-and-D guy.”

Vecenie’s NBA Mock Draft: Miller or Henderson at No. 2? Reading through the smoke screens--The Athletic

28. Utah Jazz (via Philadelphia)

Ben Sheppard | 6-5 wing | 21 years old | Belmont

The Scout: Another riser throughout the pre-draft process, Sheppard is considered a solid bet to hear his name called in the first round because of his combination of shooting and feel for the game. Sheppard is intelligent and makes the right play to keep the offense flowing. He’s also a confident shooter and a player who held up extremely well defensively this season, earning Missouri Valley All-Defense honors. He could even go a touch higher than this on draft night.

The Scout: The Jazz haven’t been quite as aggressive as some of the teams above them in looking to move their third first-rounder if only because they do not have any second-rounders and are flexible enough with their roster that they can house three rookies. But they’re willing to take calls about consolidating pick value. Sheppard has risen throughout the process and is seen as a good bet to hear his name called in Round 1.

The Range: No. 20 to 35


Why Lady Vols basketball transfer Destinee Wells almost didn't play college basketball--Knoxville News Sentinel



Cayman Islands Classic Bracket Released--godrakebulldogs.com



Rounding up the hoops troops: 2023-24 Sycamores hit hardwood--Terre Haute Tribune Star



Countdown to Racer Hoopalooza--Racer Basketball

This was one crazy day; Racer Ford feels ultimate low, high within only hours--Murray Ledger & Times

Monday, June 19, 2023

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 6/19/2023


Here are 8 Big Ten players on the NBA Draft radar — plus 1 from the Missouri Valley--Peoria Journal Star

Bradley's Connor Hickman, left, and Malevy Leons defend against Belmont's Ben Sheppard in the second half Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023 at Carver Arena. The Braves fell to the Bruins 78-76.

Ben Sheppard, Belmont

  • Size: 6-5, 195-pound wing
  • Stats: 18.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.9 apg
  • When's he getting picked? Late in the first round, early second round, between the 24th and 34th picks.
  • Possible landing spots: Brooklyn, Sacramento, LA Clippers and Charlotte.



Drake Community Remembers Life of Lisa Brinkmeyer VanDeventer--godrakebulldogs.com



The 10 best Missouri State hoops transfers of the last 20 years (and 5 best who got away)--Springfield News-Leader

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 6/14/2023


Belmont’s Ben Sheppard Predicted As First Round Pick In NBA Mock Drafts--The Sports Credential



The 2023 SoCal Challenge - Announcement--The Bracketeer

The event will welcome California of the Pac-12, Tulane of the American Conference, UTEP from Conference USA, and Bradley from the Missouri Valley to once again provide the SoCal community and national viewers watching on CBS Sports Network four very competitive teams, and nearly ensuring some great battles. That has been a hallmark of this great event.

MEET THE TEAMS

BRADLEY – The Braves had a memorable run in 22-23 to the Missouri Valley Conference regular season title. Highly successful HC Brian Wardle is of course disappointed in losing the Arch Madness Title game, but this season can be about redemption. The Braves will need to fill some key holes but can build around ultra-talented Malevy Leons this season. Leons will be joined by fellow vets Connor Hickman, Darius Hannah, and of course Duke Deen. Trey Pettigrew joins the program via Nevada and appears to have the most upside of the newcomers.

Bradley basketball will head west for a tournament in November 2023--Peoria Journal Star



Ford Finalizes Support Personnel for Upcoming Season--missouristatebears.com



UNI alum Brittni Donaldson becomes first female coach in Atlanta Hawks history--unipanthers.com