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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ST. LOUIS, MO – MARCH 4: Head coach Lusk of the Missouri State Bears instructs his players in a game against the Wichita State Shockers during the Missouri Valley Conference Basketball Tournament Semifinals at the Scottrade Center on March 4, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

Missouri State Bears – Alize Johnson

Despite having one of the better players in the conference, the Bears finished a disappointing sixth in the conference last year. Alize Johnson, who had a possible grad transfer option for higher majors, elected to stay with Missouri State, giving the program NCAA Tournament aspirations.

Johnson was the only player to average a double-double last year in the conference, with 14.8 and 10.6 respectively. He even managed to chip in a couple of assists a night as well. At 6’9″ and 203 pounds, his frame seems to catch his opponents off-guard with his rebounding tenacity.

Coming from Frank Phillips Junior College, Johnson immediately became the best player on the team and has the opportunity to improve on his already gaudy numbers.

He will have some help with the return of senior Ronnie Rousseau III, who only played in 14 games last season. When he did play, he averaged double figures and will look to create the best one-two punches in the conference next season.

The third-best scoring offense as a team next season, getting buckets shouldn’t be a concern for the upcoming campaign. But just like the other teams with great individual players, it will take a team effort to help Johnson have a legit shot to be Player of the Year.