Missouri Valley Basketball: Predicting stars for each team in 2017-18

ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 5: Members of the Wichita State Shockers celebrate after winning the Missouri Valley Conference Basketball Tournament Championship against the Illinois State Redbirds at the Scottrade Center on March 5, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

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DES MOINES, IA- DECEMBER 17: Guard Arogundade /

Drake Bulldogs – Reed Timmer

Similar to Bradley, Drake also has taken a tumble in the Missouri Valley. With everyone outside of the Shockers last season struggling to score, it’s a must to play good defense. Drake did not, finishing dead last in defensive scoring. Of course, that has a direct effect on their last-place finish in the conference.

What they do have going for them like the Braves as well is that they also return all of their main contributors. One of those is senior Reed Timmer, who was third in the conference with 15.3 ppg. That’s a slight downtick from 16.8 in 2015-16, but still good enough for a Third Team All-Conference player award.

Since entering the league, he’s been a consistent presence, taking a place on the All-Freshmen team as well. Unfortunately, he’s been overshadowed by the poor overall play of the team.
But this season could very well be different with not only Reed but the next top two scorers, Bill Wampler and De’Ante McMurray, as well. Both are seniors and will look to take their nine points each and bump them up to double digits along with Reed.

Ultimately it won’t matter how well they score, but rather the defense that will determine how big a jump Drake will take in the standings.