Missouri Valley Conference Preview 2021

Our Missouri Valley preview 2021 - 2022 notes this is a conference in flux. Top team Loyola loses some juice, while Drake and Missouri State are on the upswing. Northern Iowa also looks ready to move up. Illinois State, Indiana State, and Bradley all appear to be in the bottom third. That leaves Southern Illinois, Evansville, and Valparaiso in the middle. One thing to remember about the MVC is that there has been vast improvement in this league over the past decade. They are a real contender.

Missouri Valley Preview and Projections 2021 - 2022

1. Drake Bulldogs (26-5, 15-3)

In 2020-21, the Drake Bulldogs finished second in the MVC and earned an at-large NCAA Tournament berth. It had been three years since they made a March Madness appearance. After just two years, head coach Darian DeVries (70-29 Gonzaga/Overall/3 years) had gotten the Bulldogs back in the hunt. Almost everyone from last year’s team that beat Wichita State at the Big Dance returns. Point guard Roman Penn (11.2 PPG, 5.5 APG) makes the team run. An excellent ball distributor and playmaker, Penn is a premium decision-maker. Off-guard, sharpshooter D.J. Wilkins offers plenty of production. In the paint, senior forward ShanQuan Hemphill is tough around the rim and a fine scorer. Darnell Brodie can score and rebound while Tremell Murphy can drive to the rim or hit from the arc. This team is solid.

AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 43
Postseason Tournament: NCAA Round of 32

2. Missouri State Bears (17-7, 12-6)

Our Missouri Valley preview 2021 - 2022 projects the Bears to be exceptionally competitive. Head coach Dana Ford (49-40 Missouri State/3 years, 106-105 Overall/7 years) sees a majority of his scorers from last season return. In front, senior power forward Gaige Prim (16.7 PPG) and swingman Isaiah Mosley (19.8 PPG) form a premium duo. Both can drive the basket. In the backcourt, transfers Donovan Clay (Valparaiso) and Jaylen Minnett (IUPUI) are solid shooters. Clay, a big man. can drive through the paint to score, while Minnett is a sound three-point shooter. Three other players, who last season together averaged 25.2 PPG, will contribute.

AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 97
Postseason Tournament: NCAA Round of 64

3. Loyola Ramblers (26-5, 16-2)

After last season, Loyola went through two major changes. First, head coach Porter Moser, who in a decade transformed the team into a national-level power, left to become Oklahoma’s coach. Second, Cameron Krutwig, the team’s premium talent in the paint, went to the NBA. Drew Valentine, new and first-time head coach, sees eight players return. The best is Lucas Williamson at guard. A fine shooter and quality defender who was the MVC’s Defensive Player of the Year, he’s a solid talent and dependable anchor. Keith Clemons, also in the backcourt, is a 44.4 percent three-point shooter. In the paint, 6’8” Tom Welch brings plenty of muscle, while Aher Uguak provides points. At guard, sixth man Marquise Kennedy offers quality minutes and on-target shooting.

AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 10
Postseason Tournament: NCAA Round of 32

4. Northern Iowa Panthers (10-15, 7-11)

It was a tough year for the NIU Panthers. Along with seeing their MVC Tournament season come to an early end due to COVID, the Panthers lost Preseason Player of the Year AJ Green after just three games. There’s good news for head coach Ben Jacobson (301-189 NIU/Overall/15 years), as Green has a clean bill of health. The prime guard is a double-digit scorer. fine playmaker, and tough rebounder. He’s the keystone to this team’s success. Two seniors, Trae Berhow (13.0 PPG) and center Austin Phyfe (12.4 PPG) offer excellent scoring chops. Additionally, MVC Freshman of the Year Bowen Born hit 45 threes last season, while Noah Carter can score and grab rebounds. Great team. They must stay healthy.

AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 187
Postseason Tournament: NIT

5. Southern Illinois Salukis (12-14, 5-13)

Last season, head coach Bryan Mullins (28-30 SIU/Overall/2 years) saw his team take a step backwards. But most of last year’s players return, and their experience should help the Salukis get back on track. Star forward Marcus Domask, who’s foot injury last season took him out after just 10 games, is back. The forward is an avid point maker and rebounder. Guard Lance Jones (13.4 PPG, 2.9 APG) commands the court. He can drive to the basket or hit from outside. He’s also a premium setup man. If oversized and skilled sophomore center Kyler Filewich can continue to develop, he could dominate the paint. A host of talent returns.

AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 207
Postseason Tournament: None

6. Valparaiso Beacons (10-18, 7-11)

Once again, head coach Matt Lottich (83-78 SIU/Overall/5 years) loses important players. Five, including premium talent Donovan Clay, decided to leave after last season. Lottich went to the Big Ten, recruiting three Wisconsin players, guard Kobe King ( 10 PPG in 2020), guard Trevor Anderson (3.1 PPG), and center Joe Hedstrom (0.4 PPG). The three could flourish in the Missouri Valley Conference. Also coming from the Big Ten’s Michigan State is big-bodied forward Thomas Kithier (2.4 PPG). Three reliable players from last year return, including junior forward Ben Krikke (12.3 PPG). This team will compete. But how well, is a major question?

AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 223
Postseason Tournament: None

7. Evansville Purple Aces (9-16, 7-11)

Our Missouri Valley preview 2021 - 2022 notes that the Purple mAces have made progress. Afterall, two years ago, they did not win a MVC game. Last year, they took down seven. Head coach Todd Lickliter (9-29 Evansville/2 years, 178-149 Overall/11 years) sees the core players who helped to get this team on the winning track return. In front, forward Evan Khulma (9.3 PPG, 3.6 RPG) and center Iyen Enaruna (4.6 PPG, 2.2 RPG) can bring it. In the backcourt, Shamar Givance (13.3 PPG, 3.0 APG) is a reliable shooter and playmaker, while Noah Frederking (10.2 PPG), who connected on 55 threes last season, is a sharpshooter. Also in back, Juwaun Newton (13.5 vPPG, 4.4 RPG) can score in bunches. Evansville is on the right track.

AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 230
Postseason Tournament: None

8. Bradley Braves (12-16, 6-12)

Last year, head coach Brian Wardle (93-102 Bradley/6 years, 188-167 Overall/11 years) saw his team struggle. Along with offcourt distractions, there were issues at point guard concerning reliability. Some quality players come back, including leading returning scorer JaShon Henry (10.9 PPG, 4.6 RPG) at forward and three-point scorer Ville Tahvanainen (8,6 PPG). Center Ari Boya (5.6 PPG, 6.6 RPG) is tough on the boards. Both Tahvanainen and Boya saw their shooting percentages drop last season. A rebound by each is needed. Six newcomers join the team. That could possibly be a huge help.

AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 173
Postseason Tournament: None

9. Indiana State Sycamores (15-10, 11-7)

Our Missouri Valley preview 2021 - 2022 observes that head coach John Schertz is a first-timer. He replaces 11-year head coach Greg Lansing, who appeared to be on the upswing the past few years after posting five losing seasons in a row. Schertz, who comes from Division II Lincoln Memorial with a 337-69 record, has never coached at this level. Still, in Division II, he’s a proven winner. Schertz brings a unique NBA-style of play to the MVC. That style convinced All-MVC guard Tyreke Key (17.2 PPG, 5.3 RPG) to return. Key, a versatile scorer, is a premium player. Also back are experienced backcourt players Cooper Neese and Julian Larry. Forward Kailex Stephens, who did not play last year, is a fine force in the paint and an avid defender. Various Lincoln Memorial transfers will be utilized by Schertz.

AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 120
Postseason Tournament: None

10. Illinois State Redbirds (7-18, 4-14)

Illinois State head coach Dan Muller (156-135 San Diego/Overall/9 years) is definitely about to be rejected and ejected by the Redbirds. Under Muller, they went from 17-1 in 2017 to 4-14 last year. It’s been a steady plummet. The two top players from last season left. Tennessee transfer guard Mark Freeman (17.1 PPG) will have an immediate impact. Various other transfers come in as Muller attempts to underpin and strengthen the roster. Last season, returning guards Antonio Reeves and Mark Freeman averaged 12.4 and 11.5 PPG respectively.

AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 243
Postseason Tournament: None

Missouri Valley Preview 2021 – Final Thoughts

We may see numerous Missouri Valley Conference teams make it to the Big Dance. Our Missouri Valley preview 2021 - 22 acknowledges that Drake, Missouri State, Loyola, and Northern Iowa all have as shot at the top spot. We’re picking Drake. Three of the four above could also be bound for the Big Dance. If not three, then two with the other two going to the NIT.