365 Reasons to Love College Hoops: Every Team, Ranked from First to Worst--Busting Brackets
143. Illinois-Chicago Flames- Last Season Ranking: 229
Conference: Missouri Valley
Player to know: Ahmad Henderson
The Flames are another team that had a great season but didn't get talked about nearly enough. Heading into the 2025-2026 season, Illinois-Chicago is hoping to change that narrative and make a lot of noise in the MVC. The problem is they have a ton of transfers who will have to gel for Illinois-Chicago to meet their potential.
136. Southern Illinois Salukis- Last Season Ranking: 144
Conference: Missouri Valley
Player to know: Isaiah Stafford
Scott Nagy is entering his second year as the coach of Southern Illinois, and we are sitting on eggshells waiting for the Salukis to rise and win the Missouri Valley and then put a stranglehold on the league for the next 10 years like he did at Wright State. There are some building blocks for that this season, but the Salukis may still be a year away.
132. Illinois State Redbirds-Last Season Ranking: 200
Conference: Missouri Valley
Player to know: Chase Walker
Illinois State won 22 games last season and won the Purple College Basketball Invitational. The Redbirds and head coach Ryan Pedon return their entire roster from last season. That is one of the main reasons that Illinois State was picked to win the Valley in the preseason. Illinois State is good enough to beat some primary conference schools.
365 Reasons to Love College Hoops: Every Team, Ranked from First to Worst--Busting Brackets
124. Belmont Bruins- Last Season Ranking: 178
Conference: Missouri Valley
Player to know: Tyler Lundblade
The Bruins have not qualified for the postseason since they moved from the Ohio Valley to the Missouri Valley. The league is harder, and the Bruins have been crushed in the transfer portal. This is the year that could change most of the roster from last season, with Lundblade a budding star.
121. Drake Bulldogs- Last Season Ranking: 124
Conference: Missouri Valley
Player to know: Owen Larson
Drake was one of the better teams in the country last year under head coach Ben McCollum. They played at the slowest pace in the country, but they won games. The Bulldogs won so much that coach McCollum took the Iowa job, and Drake hired former South Dakota State coach Eric Henderson. Henderson will get his team to play fast, shoot a ton of threes, and, most importantly, win.
115. Northern Iowa Panthers- Last Season Ranking: 119
Conference: Missouri Valley
Player to know: Trey Campbell
It is hard to believe the Panthers have not made the tournament for nine straight years, after making 4 of the last seven before this streak. Head coach Ben Jacobson is the most successful Panthers coach, but the Northern Iowa fan base is growing restless. Northern Iowa returns 3 of 5 starters from last year and many of its depth pieces. Could this be the year?
109. Bradley Braves- Last Season Ranking: 94
Conference: Missouri Valley
Player to know: Alex Huibregtse
The Braves have been one of the best teams in the Valley over the last decade, and head coach Brian Wardle has heard his name associated with some big-time openings. Bradley has won at least 20 games in each of the previous three years, and last year they won 28. The 2025-2026 roster doesn't look as good, but the Braves keep winning every year regardless of the roster.
105. Murray State Racers- Last Season Ranking: 109
Conference: Missouri Valley
Player to know: Fred King
Steve Prohm is out, and Ryan Miller is in. Miller was most recently an assistant at Creighton, and he is likely going to bring the Racers back to the powerhouse they were in the Ohio Valley. Murray State is going to shoot a ton of threes, and coach Miller built his first roster with players who shoot a ton of threes and shoot them well.
Missouri Valley Media Day Recap and Response--Hoops HD
Bruins in the Pros--belmontbruins.com
Bradley Basketball 2025-26: Why the Rebuilt Braves Still Belong in the MVC Title Hunt--Busting Brackets
Bradley basketball gets commitment from big man just hours after he visits--Peoria Journal Star
365 Reasons to Love College Hoops: Every Team, Ranked from First to Worst--Busting Brackets
248. Evansville Purple Aces- Last Season Ranking: 206
Conference: Missouri Valley
Player to know: Connor Turnbull
The Aces had enough talent to compete last year, at least in their starting five. After the starting five, the production for Evansville dropped off a cliff. Head coach David Ragland did what every other coach in America would do and went to find talent quickly in the transfer portal. The Purple Aces' talent level has improved, but depth remains a question.
Three Overreactions to Illinois State’s Exhibition Matchups--Busting Brackets
Hot second half sends Northwestern past Illinois State in exhibition--The Pantagraph
Cold shooting dooms ISU in 100-65 loss to Wildcats--The Vidette
Redbirds Fall in Exhibition Finale to Northwestern--goredbirds.com
365 Reasons to Love College Hoops: Every Team, Ranked from First to Worst--Busting Brackets
170. Indiana State Sycamores- Last Season Ranking: 159
Conference: Missouri Valley
Player to know: Sterling Young
The Sycamores had one of the best offenses in the country; they were a high-volume, three-point-shooting team that was highly efficient. The problem was that Indiana State also had one of the worst defenses in the country. Head coach Matthew Graves brought in a ton of talent from the transfer portal. I know the Sycamores will score, but can they defend?
Game that 'meant a lot' to former Butler player Matthew Graves felt his presence while sidelined--Indianapolis Star
Indiana State men's basketball falls at Butler 105-80 in exhibition contest--Terre Haute Tribune-Star
Sycamores fall in Wednesday night exhibition at Butler--gosycamores.com
We get a scouting report on Omaha with the Mavericks' radio voice Gary Sharp--RacerBasketball.com
Mid-Major Madness Reacts survey: Who will be the top mid-major women’s player this season?--Mid-Major Madness
We’ve asked you about who the top mid-major men’s player will be this season. Now, it’s time to ask who will be the best mid-major women’s player this year?
We have five strong candidates to hold that title. Three of them play for teams in the top 10 of the preseason Other Top 25.
That starts with Maggie Doogan from Richmond, who was atop the preseason poll. Peyton McDaniel leads No. 5 James Madison, and Zahirah Walton stars for eighth-ranked George Mason. Our other two nominees are Taryn Barbot from Charleston and Haven Ford of Murray State.
Ford registered 14.9 points, six rebounds, 5.2 assists and two steals per game last season for the Racers. She broke the Murray State single season record for assists with 170 and ranked second in the Missouri Valley Conference. She was a big reason for the Racers winning the MVC championship and reaching the NCAA Tourney.
Turner on Delaney-Smith Award watch list--RacerBasketball.com
UNI men’s basketball hosts Upper Iowa in preseason exhibition--unipanthers.com
Dawgs run by Lindenwood in final exhibition--siusalukis.com
365 Reasons to Love College Hoops: Every Team, Ranked from First to Worst--Busting Brackets
283. Valparaiso Beacons- Last Season Ranking: 224
Conference: Missouri Valley
Player to know: Isaiah Barnes
The Beacons seem to be in a perpetual rebuild at this point, and in the NIL era, that may not be that far from the truth. Valpo has a fantastic coach in Roger Powell, who is a good player development guy and can get the most out of this team. The Beacons are a little light on talent to compete in the Valley.
Valpo tabbed 10th in MVC Media Poll--The Victory Bell
Men's Basketball to Tip Off 2025-2026 Season on Tuesday--valpoathletics.com
MVC Men's Basketball Season Gets Underway Monday (Nov. 3)--The Missouri Valley
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