Busting Brackets
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 11
Next
ST. LOUIS, MO – MARCH 4: DJ Clayton
ST. LOUIS, MO – MARCH 4: DJ Clayton /

3. Southern Illinois Salukis

2017-18 season: 20-13 (11-7)

Another 20-game winning squad, Southern Illinois should have remarkably high expectations for this year and be one of three teams realistically competing for the league title. The Salukis return the majority of its roster as they keep 5 of their 6 scorers including all 5 starters.

6′ 5″senior Armon Fletcher is insanely athletic and can score in a variety of ways as he will look to improve on his 14.1 ppg. Fletcher is joined by fellow classmates Sean Lloyd Jr. and Marcus Bartley. Lloyd Jr. led the team in minutes last season, and Bartley can light it up from beyond the arc. Junior Aaron Cook (9.8 ppg) rounds out what should be a very effective backcourt.

The Salukis also feature 6′ 10″ C Kavion Pippen. The third team all-conference Pippen contributed 12.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg, and 1.4 bpg last season and will continue to be a spark on both sides of the floor.

Forward Thik Bol will also be back after missing the 2017-18 season due to injury. The combo of Bol and Pippen should fluster opposing teams.

This team should rank right up there with Barry Hinson’s best team since he’s arrived. Hinson has his eyes on the Missouri Valley crown.