What's Up In The Missouri Valley 11/21/2020

Illinois’ 2nd opponent, Wright State, opts out of Thursday’s basketball game because of COVID-19 cases, while the Missouri Valley adopts a new scheduling format--Chicago Tribune

Valley alters conference basketball plans--Quad City Times

Missouri Valley Conference alters its men's and women's basketball schedules, including Bradley--Peoria Journal Star
MVC Announces changes to basketball schedules--Bradley Scout

Student-Athlete Spotlight: Lasha & Mahri Petree--bradleybraves.com

Changes to the MVC Schedule Are Coming--Eville-Ways

MVC changes league basketball schedules to play same team on back-to-back days at one site--The Pantagraph
MVC alters men's and women's basketball schedule--Vidette Online

Watch now: Illinois State women's basketball team cancels first 3 games due to COVID-19 protocols--The Pantagraph

Indiana State – Learning To Adjust--Valley Hoops Insider
ISU coach Lansing wants to see defensive improvement--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Indiana State Men’s Basketball Withdraws from Gulf Coast Showcase--gosycamores.com

MVC presidents tweak conference hoop schedules--Terre Haute Tribune Star

Aussies add shooting threats to ISU women--Terre Haute Tribune Star

Opening day’s best games, SEC contenders and more: College basketball mailbag--The Athletic

Who is this year’s Dayton? A team that isn’t getting a ton of national attention but has the talent to make some noise. — Riley R.

There are some candidates in the Atlantic 10, actually, so the search wouldn’t have to go that far. But I’d also argue we’ve talked a good deal about Saint Louis and Richmond at The Athletic, so they have gotten a decent amount of preseason love, and anyway I feel like I should challenge myself here. And I’m going to eliminate the power leagues from consideration, because that seems to be the gist of Riley’s question.

I’m going with Loyola Chicago. I’m repeating myself from our staff predictions but I don’t see a reason not to. The overall efficiency numbers weren’t off the charts last season (159th on offense, 72nd on defense), but the Ramblers have one of the best mid-major players in the country and possibly one of the best bigs, period, in Cameron Krutwig. A 6-9, 250-pounder who can score but also be a really effective conduit for your offense makes you tricky to defend. Multiple players on the roster were around for the Final Four run.

How many games Loyola Chicago actually plays outside of the Missouri Valley Conference slate is definitely up in the air, based on a current pause after positive COVID-19 tests. And winning the MVC is also far from a fait accompli. So we might have to wait until March to properly assess the noise the Ramblers can make. But that also could help them build the element of surprise on unsuspecting power-league foes.

Former Missouri State guard Keandre Cook signs with Charlotte Hornets--Springfield News-Leader
Keandre Cook: 5 things to know on Charlotte Hornets guard, former Missouri State standout--Springfield News-Leader

Preseason Awards: The All-Mid-Major Madness Preseason Third Team--Mid-Major Madness

AJ Green, Jr., G, Northern Iowa

The reigning Missouri Valley Player of the Year returned to school after testing out the NBA Draft waters in the offseason. Green is a sharpshooter that can flat out score from all over the court. His unwavering ability to get the line and bomb away from far beyond the arc helped guide UNI’s efficient offense a year ago and should be the center of the Panthers’ attack once again. Green earned national attention early last season while starring in non-conference wins over South Carolina and Colorado, and he should have that chance again this year at the Crossover Classic where West Virginia, Memphis, Saint Mary’s, and more await.

Panthers spring back into action--Northern Iowan

College women's basketball: Northern Iowa to open Wednesday at Iowa--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier

MVC Capsules--Southern Illinoisan
Rebuilding squad tries to take another step--Southern Illinoisan
MVC Basketball Preview: Northern Iowa, Loyola lead potential 2-horse race--Southern Illinoisan
Todd Hefferman: Salukis should double up as much as possible--Southern Illinoisan

MVC moving men's and women's basketball games to 2-day, 2-game slots--Southern Illinoisan

Valpo Athletics Announces Early-Season Spectator Policy--valpoathletics.com

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 11/20/2020

College basketball’s top 20 mid-major players for 2020-21--The Athletic

7. Cameron Krutwig, 6-foot-9 senior center, Loyola Chicago

There aren’t many players like Krutwig in college basketball. There aren’t many players like him anywhere, unless you include Nikola Jokic. Krutwig has the same type of impact for the Ramblers, leading the offense from his center spot thanks to his instinctive passing skills. As a junior, Krutwig became the first player to finish in the top five of the Missouri Valley Conference in scoring, rebounding, assists and field-goal percentage. He’s also the only player on this list who has played in a Final Four. Can’t wait to see what he’s got in store for his senior year.

3. A.J. Green, 6-foot-4 junior guard, Northern Iowa

He’s a score-first point guard, but that’s OK when he scores like this. The Missouri Valley player of the year averaged 19.4 points as a sophomore for a team that plays one of the slowest tempos in the country. He shot 39 percent from 3 and made 91.7 percent of his free throws. He’s not completely one-dimensional either, as he chipped in three assists and three rebounds per game. He’s a gym rat who’s always working on his game, and he has rapidly improved in each of his first two years. The probability of even more progress is a major reason why I have UNI ranked No. 1 among mid-major teams to start the year.

Drake basketball media day: Replacing Liam Robbins, bigger role for Roman Penn--Des Moines Register

Nonconference Predictions--Eville-Ways

Illinois State women's basketball team cancels first three games due to COVID-19 protocols--The Pantagraph
Women's basketball halts team activities--Vidette Online
Women’s Basketball Pauses Team Activities--goredbirds.com

METRO/PREP ROUNDUP: ISU women sign three recruits--Terre Haute Tribune Star

MVC Basketball Switches Schedule to Increase Safety of Teams--Loyola Phoenix

Missouri Valley Conference opts for basketball scheduling change--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier

Valparaiso releases its nonconference men's basketball schedule--NWI Times

Actions From MVC Presidents Council - November 20--The Missouri Valley

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 11/19/2020

Drake Athletics Announces Attendance Policy At The Knapp Center--godrakebulldogs.com
Men’s Basketball Announces Non-Conference Schedule--godrakebulldogs.com

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

Aces (Finally) Release Nonconference Schedule--Eville-Ways

Watch now: Dedric Boyd hopes 'to stay on my feet,' become more consistent for Illinois State's basketball team--The Pantagraph
Watch now: Illinois State forward Sy Chatman gets NCAA waiver to play this season--The Pantagraph

Watch now: Normal Community graduate Maya Wong ready to hit the floor for Illinois State women's basketball--The Pantagraph
Late starter turns into ‘fierce competitor’--Vidette Online

ISU basketball thankful to get back on the court--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Valley To Air Preseason Basketball Special Next Week--gosycamores.com

Sycamore Women’s Basketball Signs Three to National Letters of Intent--gosycamores.com

College basketball’s top 20 bigs for the 2020-21 season--The Athletic

16. Cameron Krutwig, 6-foot-9 senior, Loyola-Chicago

We’re two seasons removed from Loyola’s storybook Final Four run, so you’d be forgiven for forgetting about Krutwig, who dropped 17 points and six rebounds against Michigan in a national semifinal. But he has continued to be a steady hand for the Rattlers, increasing his scoring and rebounding every year. If not for a pandemic-shortened season, Krutwig (1,384 career points) would have a real shot at hitting 2,000.

Lady Bears Ranked 25th in Preseason Coaches Poll--missouristatebears.com
MSU’s Jackson Immediately Eligible for Season--missouristatebears.com

Plenty of players worth watching from smaller conferences--Associated Press

NORTHERN IOWA G AJ GREEN

Green, a 6-4 junior, averaged 19.7 points while making 91.7% of his free throws and 39.1% of his 3-point attempts last season. He was named the Missouri Valley Conference player of the year and scholar-athlete of the year. This former top-100 recruit was the MVC’s freshman of the year two seasons ago and scored 509 points, the most ever by a Northern Iowa freshman.

College basketball’s top 20 guards for the 2020-21 season--The Athletic

9. A.J. Green, 6-foot-4 junior, Northern Iowa

Green reminds me of former Virginia guard Ty Jerome, who I absolutely loved. Neither player is a speedster, but both know how to change speeds, have that old-man-at-the-Y kind of trickery and carry themselves like no one can stop them. Jerome was a better passer but Green is the better scorer. He averaged 19.7 points per game last year and has the ability to go off — he scored 25-plus in nine games last season. He’s fun to watch when he gets in the paint because he can throw in scoops with either hand, and then he can really get cooking from deep. Defenders can be right in his grill but it doesn’t matter. He’ll shoot daggers in your eye, and there’s nothing you can do about it because his release is above his head and nearly unblockable, similar to the way Larry Legend used to do it. OK, I’ll stop. But make sure to check out the Panthers, especially when they match up with Loyola Chicago. The two Valley teams should be among the best mid-majors in college hoops.

Northern Iowa’s A.J. Green on the Naismith ‘Watch List’--Valley Hoops Insider
Schedule Change: West Virginia to Start Season Against Northern Iowa, not Texas A&M--The Smoking Musket
UNI men's basketball takeaways: Rotation plans, schedule news and more--Cedar Rapids Gazette
Update: UNI basketball to face West Virginia in season opener--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
College men's basketball: Quartet of leaders guide UNI through season of change--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
AJ Green Named to 2021 Naismith Trophy Watch List--unipanthers.com

Valparaiso men’s basketball to start season at Vanderbilt on Nov. 27--Post-Tribune
Valpo Basketball Unveils Nonconference Schedule--valpoathletics.com

Signee Spotlight: Molly Sheehan--valpoathletics.com

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 11/18/2020

5 Names to Watch in the Wichita State Coaching Search--Happening Hoops

Ben Jacobson

Ben Jacobson coaching UNI to a win against number one UNC in Cedar Falls in 2015. Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier

Ben Jacobson has been the Missouri Valley Statesman. He is the longest tenured coach in the conference amassing a 269-170 record over 14 seasons in Cedar Falls. He doesn’t just rack up the wins in the regular season though Jacobson has fur NCAA tournament victories in four trips under his belt. He is known for getting the most out of his players, and is no stranger to Wichita State as the panthers and shockers had their battled over the years in the MVC, most notably on college gameday once. I think it is unlikely Jacobson leaves for WSU, but stranger things have happen.

Brian Wardle

Brian Wardle Picture from Peoria Journal Star

Wardle has been steadily turned two midwestern programs around and made them into contenders in their leagues. First leading Green Bay to two NIT trips, and then catapulting his stock by winning Arc Madness at Bradley twice. Now I know what your going to say Brain Wardle has lost 9 straight games at Valpo he can’t be a good coach, but I assure you despite his lack of success at the Athletics Recreation Center against my Alma Matter he is actually a good coach. While Beilein, Jans, or Jacobson would be fantastic hires I’m not sure any actually come to Wichita. I think Wardle is the best option that would say yes if the Shockers came calling with a good offer.

 

The Greatest College Basketball Programs Ever: Ranking the top teams of all time, Nos. 68-51--CBS Sports

57. Bradley

Record since 1938-39: 1,377-966  |  Regular-season titles: 7 
NCAA Tournaments: 9  |  Final Fours: 2
Weeks ranked: 128  |  Top-60 NBA picks: 25
POINTS: 384.8

Yeah, another surprising small-conference team, but look at the win total, look at the weeks ranked and keep in mind two Final Fours. You don't automatically qualify for this list because you are in a major conference. Here's a program that is totally overlooked for its history. Bradley was one of 10-20 best programs in college hoops for an entire decade -- the 1950s -- and as I'll remind you a few times in this series, what a team did in 1939 or 1954 means just as much as what a team did in 2006 or 2019. Bradley's power years are what gets it onto the list. This team had a dude named "Squeaky" Melchiorre carry it to the Final Four … but unfortunately Squeaky and some of his teammates took bribes to shave points during the 1951 NCAA Tournament. Not good! Chuck Orsborn's .776 win percentage (194-56) included two NIT titles and five more NIT showings in the 1950s and 1960s at a time when that tournament was considered as legitimate as the NCAA Tournament. We also must give a nod to Hersey Hawkins, the most exciting player in school history. Hawkins is one of fewer than 25 players in history to finish with more than 3,000 points (3,008).

Bradley basketball team feels like its depth a strength headed into opening tournament in Cincinnati--Peoria Journal Star

Women’s Basketball Announces November Games--bradleybraves.com

A game-by-game breakdown of Evansville basketball's non-conference schedule--Evansville Courier & Press
Men’s basketball finalizes non-conference schedule--gopurpleaces.com

Watch now: Illinois State's basketball team starting to develop 'more rhythm' thanks to uninterrupted practices--The Pantagraph

Indiana State Announces Broadcast Options for Basketball--gosycamores.com

My First Basketball Season as Asst. Editor — Maybe--Loyola Phoenix
‘Majority’ of Loyola Men’s Basketball Team Tests Positive for COVID-19, Athletics Department on ‘Pause’--Loyola Phoenix

College men's basketball: UNI to face West Virginia in season debut--Waterloo Cedar Fall Courier
Men's Basketball Set to Play in Crossover Classic--unipanthers.com

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 11/17/2020

2020-21 32×32: Missouri Valley Preview--CBB Central
Division I college basketball rankings: Teams 69-200 out of 357 as the 2020-21 season approaches--CBS Sports

81. Loyola Chicago: Cameron Krutwig is 20-or-so good games away from finishing off one of the best careers in the history of the program. Check this stat via the MVC: "Last year, he (Krutwig) became the first player in the storied history of the MVC to finish a season ranked in the top five in the league in scoring (5th- 15.1), rebounding (2nd- 8.1), assists (3rd- 4.2) and field goal percentage (3rd- .563)." Porter Moser has five starters back on a team nearly as dangerous as the one that made the 2018 Final Four.

126. Bradley: Reigning MVC tourney champs. (Yep, some league tournaments wrapped before the coronavirus canceled college hoops.) If Bradley can win the auto bid in the Valley it would be the first time in school history it won the league three straight years. 

130. Indiana State: It's not often a team's key player is named "Key," but meet Sycamore Tyreke Key, one of the five best guys in the Missouri Valley. ISU has four starters back, so they're the Valley's automatic-bid dark horse. 

131. Drake: Darian DeVries is off to a wonderful start with his first head-coaching gig. He's won 44 games in two seasons at maybe the hardest job in the Valley. Roman Penn is arguably the best point guard in the conference. 

148. Missouri State: Dana Ford has a lot of new faces on this roster, but I trust his coaching acumen and am slotting the Bears higher than they probably deserve to be. Gaige Prim will be MSU's star. 

161. Valparaiso: Outplayed their talent a season ago, so I won't sell Valpo short in the grand scheme of things; I even had it higher in my initial rankings. Eleven scholarship players return, highlighted by leading scorer/sophomore Donovan Clay.

170. Illinois State: Dan Muller's run the gamut in his near-decade with ISU. No NCAA Tournament showings yet, and now the Redbirds will try to play spoiler in a bolstered MVC. Keith Fisher III and DJ Horne lead the way.

184. Southern Illinois: Marcus Domask, Lance Jones and Trent Brown provide the three-pronged attack for the Salukis, who are a year away from returning to the top third of the Missouri Valley.

Missouri Valley Media Day Review and Response--Hoops HD
College basketball experts predict: Who is the NCAA Tournament’s Cinderella?--The Athletic

Which mid- or low-major team do you think will win at least two games in the NCAA Tournament?

Winner: Richmond (5 votes)

Runner-up: Loyola-Chicago (3 votes)

Also receiving votes: Northern Iowa (2 votes). Austin Peay, BYU, Dayton, Saint Louis, San Diego State and Western Kentucky (1 vote each)

What the voters had to say

Loyola-Chicago. Cameron Krutwig is awesome and Porter Moser returns his entire rotation plus gets back Cooper Kaifes, who shot 45.6 percent from 3 as a freshman and then took a medical redshirt last year. The Missouri Valley will be dangerous. Northern Iowa is another MVC team that could make a run. — CJ Moore

Does Gonzaga qualify? Seriously, though, Loyola-Chicago grades out to a respectable 47th in KenPom. It’s still early, way too early, but the Ramblers are a squad to keep an eye on. — Matthew Gutierrez

Loyola-Chicago. It’s either the Ramblers or fellow Valley contender Northern Iowa, and I like the depth of experience and production Moser has to work with. Some of the players are still around from the Final Four run. — Brian Hamilton

Northern Iowa. Ben Jacobson builds a Sweet 16 contender every 4-5 years, and he has the players to do it again this year. The Panthers are the clear favorite in the Missouri Valley Conference and are built to reach the second weekend with elite scorer A.J. Green and post Austin Phyfe. — Scott Dochterman

Northern Iowa. The Panthers were upset in the quarterfinals of the MVC tournament after winning the conference during the regular season, but they return three starters including Green, a 6-foot-4 junior who was the player of the year last season and averaged 19.7 ppg. — Seth Davis

Northern Iowa, Saint Louis top the latest mid-major top 10--The Athletic

1. Northern Iowa

Previous: 1
The rationale: I’m apparently much higher on the Panthers than others. UNI  receive a solitary vote in the AP poll and garnered just four votes from the coaches. KenPom has Ben Jacobson’s team at No. 77 to start the year. Ouch.

So am I just nuts? Quite possibly. But I see Northern Iowa in the same way many view its bigger in-state neighbor, Iowa. Both have terrific offenses (the Panthers were No. 23 in adjusted offensive efficiency last season) and mediocre defenses. (UNI was 108th on that end.) Both have a potentially transcendent player – Luka Garza for the Hawkeyes and A.J. Green for Northern Iowa. Green, a 6-foot-4 point guard, was the Missouri Valley player of the year last season after averaging 19 points and shooting 39 percent on 3s. He should be even better as a junior, and he’s flanked by a rising star in junior big man Austin Phyfe and one of the best shooters in the country in Trae Berhow (42 percent on 3s last season).

Jacobson’s pack-line defense will take a hit with the loss of Valley defensive player of the year Isaiah Brown. But this team only lost six games last season, all of them away from home, and deserves a little more preseason respect than it has received.

5. Loyola Chicago

Previous: 4
The rationale: On Monday the Ramblers announced they were pausing all team activities because of positive COVID-19 tests within the program. There’s no word on when exactly the team will return to action, and it had yet to even release a nonconference schedule.

That could make things tough for Porter Moser to get this club up to speed quickly, but all of the pieces are in place. Everything revolves around senior Cameron Krutwig, a sweet-passing center who started on the 2018 Final Four team. Krutwig will be surrounded by talent this year, including the return of sharpshooter Cooper Kaifes from injury and Oakland transfer point guard Braden Norris. Keith Clemons and Tate Hall are both back to provide scoring and shooting as well. Loyola Chicago could start five seniors, two of them fifth-year guys.

The battle between the Ramblers and Northern Iowa should be even more intense than it was last year, when they split a pair of overtime games. Let’s just hope this pause doesn’t take some of the steam out of Loyola’s engine.

Valley’s Top Seven D1 Transfers--Valley Hoops Insider
Leaving a Legacy – Seniors Rewriting School History--Valley Hoops Insider
Recruiting Roundup: Recapping the Early Signing Period--Off The Inbound

Bradley

Signee: Connor Hickman — Bloomington, Indiana 

Bio: Hickman, a 6-foot-3 guard, played an integral role in Bloomington South High School’s 26-0 season in 2019, averaging 15 points per game to help lead the Panthers to a No. 1 ranking in the state of Indiana.

Coach Brian Wardle’s Thoughts (via bradleybraves.com): “Connor has championship DNA and talent that will be a very good fit within our university and program. He is an all-around guard that has tremendous feel for the game and can make a lot of winning plays.”

Loyola

Signees: Ben Schwieger — Aurora, Illinois; Ty Johnson — Chicago, Illinois

Bios: A former volleyball player, Schwieger went from averaging 3.2 points per game as a sophomore to 16.4 points per game as a junior at Waubonsie Valley High School. Johnson, a DePaul Prep graduate, was a second team all-city and honorable mention all-state nominee as he averaged 22 points per game as a junior. Both players were named to the Chicago Sun-Times All-Area Team this summer.

Coach Porter Moser on Ben Schwieger (via loyolaramblers.com): “Ben is incredibly versatile and has a coveted combination of length, skill and athleticism. His improvement has skyrocketed and he possesses a tremendous upside. Like Ty, Ben is a high-character and competitive individual who loved our culture at Loyola and wanted to stay home and represent Chicago.”

Moser on Ty Johnson: “Ty is a dynamic guard who can score at all three levels. He is an ultra-competitive athlete and he’s got great length and ability to change speeds, which makes him hard to guard. I love what Ty is about as a person and that he wanted to represent his city. We have had a ton of success with Chicago guys who have wanted to stay home and Ty is another in that long line of players.”

Southern Illinois

Signees: Troy D’Amico — Chicago, Illinois; Scottie Ebube — Mundelein, Illinois; Foster Wonders — Iron Mountain, Michigan

Bios: D’Amico, Southern Illinois’ highest-rated in-state signee since Kevin Dillard in 2008, was rated No. 6 by the City/Suburban Hoops report this year and averaged 15.6 points per game as a junior at Niles Notre Dame. Ebube, another top-10 player in Illinois, was an all-state selection after averaging a double-double as a junior. A sharpshooting guard, Wonders averaged 27.4 points per game as a junior and is rated as a three-star recruit by 247sports.

Coach Bryan Mullins on Troy D’Amico: “I can’t wait to start coaching Troy. He has that chip on his shoulder, and he plays with that every single time he’s on the court. When you look at Troy, you see productivity. He has an impact in so many different areas of the game. Every single year, he has continued to get better. He wanted to be a Saluki. He’s extremely excited to get down here, and he’s going to have an unbelievable career.”

Mullins on Scottie Ebube: “Scottie is an outstanding person. He comes from a great family, and his best basketball is in front of him. He comes from a great high school program with a great high school coach. He has toughness and physicality. He never makes excuses on the court, and he wants to win. He has won every single year in high school and his AAU program. I think he has a chance to be a really good player in this league. He’s one of those post guys who knows how to score. He’s very productive. He can make and maintain contact. He can duck in. As he continues to develop his body, the sky is the limit for him.”

Mullins on Foster Wonders: “Foster and I really connected. He lives all the way up in Iron Mountain, Michigan. For him and his mom to come all the way here for an unofficial visit, driving 10 hours, that showed the level of interest they had in our program. Over the last year and a half, getting to know their family, I’m extremely excited to welcome them to the program. Foster is someone I want representing this program on and off the court every single day. His work ethic and maturity, for a high school kid, are exceptional, and his best basketball is ahead of him. He continues to put the work in every single day. He will make a big impact as soon as he steps on campus.”

Guard Connor Hickman becomes Bradley’s first 2021-22 signee--Peoria Journal Star
How to watch the Bradley basketball Red-White scrimmage--Peoria Journal Star
Dutch Dynamite: after redshirt season, Mast looks to continue BU’s international movement--Bradley Scout
Mapping the men’s side of the Valley entering 2021--Bradley Scout
No shortage of motivation for Childs entering senior season--Bradley Scout
The more things change, the more they stay the same for Bradley men’s basketball--Bradley Scout
Men’s Basketball Announces 2020-21 Non-Conference Schedule--bradleybraves.com
Carver Arena to Remain Home Court in 2020-21--bradleybraves.com
Bradley Basketball Signs Connor Hickman to NLI--bradleybraves.com
Braves Tip Off 2020-21 Season with Red-White Scrimmage--bradleybraves.com

Then and now: Gorski’s BU playing career shapes coaching experience--Bradley Scout
Koenig embraces role of ‘The General’--Bradley Scout
Deep Valley: Preseason MVC women’s basketball rankings--Bradley Scout
Trending upwards: High expectations are nothing new for Gabi Haack--Bradley Scout
Back to work: Bradley women’s basketball excited for season ahead--Bradley Scout
Five Sign With Bradley Women’s Basketball--bradleybraves.com
White Squad Claims 51-36 Victory In Red-White Scrimmage--bradleybraves.com
Lasha Petree Named To Naismith Player Of The Year Watch List--bradleybraves.com

 

Drake basketball inks top Iowa prospect Tucker DeVries, Illinois standout on signing day--Des Moines Register
DeVries And Enright Sign With Drake Men’s Basketball--godrakebulldogs.com

Signing Day: Drake women sign five, including three Iowa stars--Des Moines Register
Women’s Basketball Signs Five High School Standouts for 2021-22 Season--godrakebulldogs.com

Complete college basketball rankings begin with teams 357-201 ahead of 2020-21 season--CBS Sports

241. Evansville: Todd Lickliter was hired after Walter McCarty's tenure ended in a mess. We're coming up on a year since the Aces shocked the sport with a win at No. 1 Kentucky. Now Evansville is projected to be the worst team in the MVC.

Election Day: Courier & Press sports writers cast votes on local sports ballot--Evansville Courier & Press
Schedule, players and practice: Checking in with the Evansville men's basketball team--Evansville Courier & Press
Maximum of 500 fans will be allowed at University of Evansville basketball games--Evansville Courier & Press
A look at the Purple Aces' three new signees: Blake Sisley, Blaise Beauchamp, Troy Boynton--Evansville Courier & Press
Evansville basketball will open season against Louisville Cardinals--Evansville Courier & Press
A Look At The KenPom Preseason Projections--Eville-Ways
Brandon Crone brings unique perspective to UE basketball program--gopurpleaces.com
Important UE Men’s Basketball Update--gopurpleaces.com
UE men add three student-athletes for 2021--gopurpleaces.com

Vincennes Lincoln's Maycee Lange signs with Evansville women's basketball--Evansville Courier & Press
Women's Basketball signs Vincennes native Maycee Lange--gopurpleaces.com
Buss giving back to the game through coaching--gopurpleaces.com
Women's Basketball reveals non-conference schedule--gopurpleaces.com

Ohio State to open season against Illinois State on Nov. 25--Land-Grant Holy Land
Watch now: Illinois State basketball team getting close to full strength for practice--The Pantagraph
Keith Fisher III decides to opt-out of 2020-21 Illinois State basketball season--The Pantagraph
Watch now: Newcomer Dusan Mahorcic could be vital to Illinois State's frontcourt--The Pantagraph
Illinois State among 8 teams named for Golden Window Classic on Nov. 25-29--The Pantagraph
Opportunities open up in Illinois State's frontcourt without Keith Fisher III--The Pantagraph
Illinois State switches Big Ten locales, to open basketball season Nov. 25 at Ohio State--The Pantagraph
Redbirds lose Keith Fisher III as he opts out of senior season--Vidette Online
Illinois State men’s basketball has opted out of the Golden Window Classic--Vidette Online
Redbird MBB confirms Ohio State matchup, exits Golden Window Classic--Vidette Online
Redbird MBB confirms Ohio State matchup, exits Golden Window Classic--Vidette Online
MBB Preview: An unpredictable season awaits young Redbird core--Vidette Online

Watch now: Illinois State women's basketball back at work after unscheduled break--The Pantagraph
Illinois State women sign three basketball recruits while adding a preferred walk-on--The Pantagraph
Redbird Athletics announces 2021 signing class--Vidette Online
WBB preview: Redbirds look to rise to the prize--Vidette Online
Women’s Basketball Adds Four on National Signing Day--goredbirds.com

Hale, Calderon officially in the ISU fold--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Neese committed to getting back on-track--Terre Haute Tribune Star
New ISU uniforms a hit with Sycamores--Terre Haute Tribune Star
UPDATE: ISU men's basketball pauses activities due to COVID-19 positive test--Terre Haute Tribune Star
ISU men's basketball has no further positive COVID-19 tests--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Ticket Office Moves Back to Hulman Center Following Renovations--gosycamores.com
Sycamores to Face East Carolina to Open 2020-21 as Gulf Coast Showcase Field Revealed--gosycamores.com
Calderon and Hale Sign with Sycamore Basketball--gosycamores.com
Kailex Stephens to Miss 2020-21 Season--gosycamores.com
Indiana State Announces Changes at Hulman Center for Basketball--gosycamores.com

McChristine has mixed feelings about ISU's return to court--Terre Haute Tribune Star
ISU women's basketball in quarantine after positive COVID-19 test--Terre Haute Tribune Star

Loyola men’s basketball pauses team activities after positive COVID-19 tests--Chicago Tribune
Men’s Basketball Coach Moser Highest Paid At Loyola, President Rooney Comes In Second--Loyola Phoenix
Positive COVID-19 Tests Halt Men’s Basketball Season--Loyola Phoenix
A Season Of Sacrifice--loyolaramblers.com
Krutwig Named To Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Watch List--loyolaramblers.com
Loyola Garners Votes In Associated Press Preseason Men’s Basketball Poll--loyolaramblers.com
Loyola Men’s Basketball Adds Johnson, Schwieger In Early Signing Period--loyolaramblers.com
Loyola Men’s Basketball Pauses Team Activities--loyolaramblers.com
Porter Moser Donates Local Round Of Golf In Coaches vs. Cancer Auction--loyolaramblers.com

Loyola Women’s Basketball Adds Pair During Early Signing Period--loyolaramblers.com

Missouri State men's basketball (finally) announces 2020-21 non-conference schedule--Springfield News-Leader
Five things we learned about Missouri State basketball during media day--The Standard
Basketball Bears Sign Local Product, Isaac Haney--missouristatebears.com
Non-Conference Slate Full of Home Games for Bears--missouristatebears.com

Single-Game Basketball Tickets on Sale Nov. 19--missouristatebears.com

#25 Missouri State Women's Basketball 2020-2021 Preview--College Sports Madness
MSU Lady Bears add rising guard Sania Copeland to 2022 class--Springfield News-Leader
The No. 24 MSU Lady Bears have 'unfinished business.' What we learned from media day.--Springfield News-Leader
MSU Lady Bears release non-conference schedule. JQH Arena to have limited capacity.--Springfield News-Leader
Five things we learned during Lady Bears media day--The Standard
Lady Bears Ranked 24th in Preseason AP Poll--missouristatebears.com
Franklin Named to Becky Hammon Award Watch List--missouristatebears.com
Lady Bears Snag Three Signing Day Commitments--missouristatebears.com
Lady Bears Finalize Non-Conference Schedule--missouristatebears.com

College basketball 1-357 rankings: Here are the projected best 68 teams for the 2020-21 season--CBS Sports

46. Northern Iowa: The Panthers were the best team in the Valley a season ago and now are the preseason favorites for the first time in 11 years. UNI finished No. 49 at KenPom; a nudge up is only logical. A.J. Green's a top-20 shooter in college hoops, while Austin Phyfe is such a great post-player complement, it makes UNI's actions so tough to consistently defend. Ben Jacobson could find himself in the market for a bigger gig if this team gets to another NCAA Tournament.

NCAA Tournament talk, rankings galore and sleepers in the college hoops mailbag--The Athletic

There are rumors that Saint Louis and Northern Iowa will play in the nonconference season. Will that be the best mid-major game this season and who you got? — Andy T.

How many other mid-major games will be played this season? How many of them have yet to be scheduled? That’s a big call, especially given that I have no idea what everyone else’s schedule is going to be. It would be a fun game, though. I’ll say Saint Louis will win, for one reason, which is the same reason I picked this question, which is to keep the weekly mailbag tradition of Saint Louis-related questions alive. Billikens fans are: Locked. In.

Goodwin & Taylor Land on the Naismith Watch List--Valley Hoops Insider
Panther Men's Basketball Sign Three--unipanthers.com

National Signing Day brings new talent--Northern Iowan

UNI women's basketball expected to feature promising mix of veterans and freshmen--Cedar Rapids Gazette
UNI women's basketball notes: Everything else we learned on media day--Cedar Rapids Gazette
College women's basketball: Newcomers add buzz to UNI team built to win now--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
UNI Women's Basketball Signs Two--unipanthers.com

Todd Hefferman: Pressure's on for Salukis' new bigs--Southern Illinoisan
Louisville will play Salukis without leading returning scorer and rebounder--Southern Illinoisan
Former Saluki Cook, Gonzaga start at No. 1 in AP poll--Southern Illinoisan
Louisville loses another potential starter before SIU game--Southern Illinoisan
Winthrop named Big South Conference favorite--Southern Illinoisan
Salukis expected to add 3 players on first day of early signing period--Southern Illinoisan
Saluki Basketball officially adds D'Amico, Ebube and Wonders--Southern Illinoisan
Salukis forced to pull out of Louisville bubble because of positive tests--Southern Illinoisan
Todd Hefferman: Tough to compare trio to 2008 class--Southern Illinoisan
Salukis may never have full schedule--Southern Illinoisan
SIU Basketball activities paused, Mullins press conference--Daily Egyptian
Muila to miss 6-8 weeks with torn meniscus--siusalukis.com
Rodney Watson to join Saluki Radio in 2020-21--siusalukis.com
J.D. Muila to miss 2020-21 season--siusalukis.com
Highly touted trio signs with Saluki Basketball--siusalukis.com
Saluki Basketball pauses team activities, will not participate in Tipoff Classic at Louisville--siusalukis.com
Bryan Mullins Press Conference--siusalukis.com

Saluki women's basketball team adds 2--Southern Illinoisan
MVC Women's Basketball Capsules--Southern Illinoisan
MVC Women's Basketball Preview | Wisconsin native the Link to Salukis' past, present--Southern Illinoisan
Salukis announce 3 signees for 2021 class--Southern Illinoisan
Saluki Women's Basketball signs three for 2021-22--siusalukis.com
Christelle N’Garsanet named head coach of Ivory Coast Women’s National Team--siusalukis.com

Keyondre Young rounds out Valparaiso’s 2021 recruiting class--NWI Times
Valpo to Battle Purdue on Dec. 4 at Mackey Arena--valpoathletics.com
Valpo Basketball Announces Three Additions for 2021-22 Season--valpoathletics.com
Tight-Knit Family Inspires Daniel Sackey--valpoathletics.com
Keyondre Young to Join Valpo Basketball Program--valpoathletics.com

Student managers offer insight into new responsibilities--Valpo Torch
Valpo Women’s Basketball Signs Four to NLIs--valpoathletics.com
Signee Spotlight: Ella Van Weelden--valpoathletics.com
Signee Spotlight: Katie Beyer--valpoathletics.com