Busting Brackets
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Missouri Valley Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2018-19

By TJ Miller

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 31: Loyola Ramblers fans cheer before the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal against the Michigan Wolverines at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 31: Loyola Ramblers fans cheer before the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal against the Michigan Wolverines at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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BLOOMINGTON, IN – NOVEMBER 10: Indiana State Sycamores players react from the bench in the second half of a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on November 10, 2017 in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana State defeated Indiana 90-69. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN – NOVEMBER 10: Indiana State Sycamores players react from the bench in the second half of a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on November 10, 2017 in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana State defeated Indiana 90-69. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

5. Indiana St. Sycamores

2017-18 season: 13-18 (8-10)

Indiana St. has developed quite the knack for knocking off Indiana’s finest. They took down the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall in a decisive blowout 90-69 to open the season (they also toppled Butler during the 2016-17 season).

The taller task for Greg Lansing’s teams has been consistently reaching this level for an entire season. The Sycamores weren’t able to avoid finishing with a losing record for the fourth straight year. Avoiding this trend might mean Jordan Barnes needs to be even better than he was last year.

The all-league guard will be back for his Junior year after leading the Valley in three-point field goals made and averaging 17.4 ppg. Barnes loses backcourt mates Brenton Scott and Qiydar Davis. But, sophomore guard Tyreke Key and grad transfer Allante Holston will work to combine well with Barnes. The Sycamores will also receive a lift from Iowa transfer Christian Williams when the 6’5 guard gains eligibility after the fall semester.

Indiana St. finished right in the thick of the crowed MVC middle last season and should find itself slugging it out in that territory once again.