MVC Basketball: Way-too-early preseason power rankings for 2019-20

ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 10: Ja'Shon Henry #22 of the Bradley Braves runs on to the court with his teammates after beating the Northern Iowa Panthers during the final game of the MVC Basketball Tournament at the Enterprise Center on March 10, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Bradley Braves beat the Northern Iowa Panthers 57-54 to win the MVC Championship. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/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) /

6) Indiana State Sycamores

The Indiana State Sycamores wrapped up the 2018-19 campaign 15-16 overall and 7-11 in conference. Despite a down season, Greg Lansing’s squad has some of the best returning talent and should be one of the more improved teams in the Missouri Valley.

Tyreke Key will be the key, pun intended, for the Sycamores as they look to take a step forward next season. The All-Conference guard averaged 17.4 points per game and will be one of the most potent scorers in the league in ’19-20.

He has a solid backcourt running mate in Jordan Barnes, who pitched in 14.6 points per game of his own last season. He and Key will be the catalysts for a talented backcourt that can put up big numbers.

In addition to those two, Indiana State will look forward to increased contributions from youngster Cooper Neese and senior Christian Williams.

A vital player to watch for the Sycamores will be 6’8 forward Bronson Kessinger. Indiana State will have a guard-heavy lineup and if Kessinger can boost his production from the forward position it will add a new dimension to the team