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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CHAPEL HILL, NC – DECEMBER 21: Head coach Ben Jacobson of the Northern Iowa Panthers directs his team during the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Dean Smith Center on December 21, 2016 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

4) Northern Iowa Panthers

Coach Ben Jacobsen and the Panthers had a bit of a down year for their standards, finishing 16-18 overall and 9-9 in Missouri Valley Conference play. They caught fire late in the season, making a run to the MVC Championship Game where they squandered an 18 point second half lead and fell to Bradley.

It is very possible that the Panthers find themselves right back in the thick of things in the MVC next season. While they will need to replace Wyatt Lohaus, Northern Iowa returns the rest of their roster in ’19-20.

They are built around A.J Green, who averaged over 15 points per game and was named the Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year. He anchors a deep veteran group that includes Spencer Haldeman (MVC 6th Man of the Year) and Isaiah Brown (MVC All-Defensive Team) as well as the versatile Trae Berhow and big man Luke McDonnell.

This is an experienced and dangerous team with a track record of success in the MVC. The Panthers will be hungry to avenge last seasons heartbreak and finish the job at Arch Madness.