OVC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2019-20 season
By Logan Butts
No. 12 – Southeast Missouri
2018-19 Record: 10-21 (5-13 in OVC play)
Key Returnee: Skyler Hogan
Exciting Non-Conference Matchups: at Vanderbilt, Purdue-Fort Wayne, at Drake, at Ohio State
SEMO lost leading scorer Laderrius Brewer, who transferred to ETSU over the summer, so things aren’t looking bright for the Redhawks who were one spot out of last place last season. Skyler Hogan and eligible McNeese State transfer Quatarrius Wilson, who averaged a double-double in his last season of action, will be expected to fill that void.
No. 11 – Tennessee Tech
2018-19 Record: 8-23 (4-14)
Key Returnee: Jr. Clay
Exciting Non-Conference Matchups: at Western Kentucky, at UNCG, at Winthrop, Lipscomb (x2), at Ole Miss
For the Golden Eagles to get out of the OVC basement, sophomores Jr. Clay and Hunter Vick, last season’s top two scorers, will need to avoid a sophomore slump. Baylor transfer Darius Allen could be Tech’s missing piece into the middle of the pack.
No. 10 – SIUE
2018-19 Record: 10-21 (6-12)
Key Returnee: Brandon Jackson
Exciting Non-Conference Matchups: at Iowa, Valpo, at Detroit, at Northwestern, at Winthrop
The senior duo of Brandon Jackson and Tyresse Williford and sophomore Cam Williams will be enough to keep a safe distance between SIUE and the two teams below. All three scored in double-figures last year and complement each other well on the court.
No. 9 – Tennessee State
2018-19 Record: 9-21 (6-12)
Key Returnee: Michael Littlejohn
Exciting Non-Conference Matchups: at Texas Tech, at San Diego State, Lipscomb, at Little Rock
Donte Dorse-Fitzpatrick and Kamar McKnight (headed to Coppin State) are out the door, but last year’s two best players were replaced with an influx of high-profile transfers: Wesley Harris (grad transfer from West Virginia), Jy-Lan Washington (Louisiana Tech), Ben Kone (Oregon State), and Jon Brown (Georgia Tech). This talent turnover makes TSU a hard team to peg going into the season.