Busting Brackets
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Missouri Valley Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2019-20 season

By TJ Miller

ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 4: Matt Hein #5 and Phil Fayne #10 of the Illinois State Redbirds defend against Cameron Krutwig #25 of the Loyola Ramblers during the Missouri Valley Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at the Scottrade Center on March 4, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 4: Matt Hein #5 and Phil Fayne #10 of the Illinois State Redbirds defend against Cameron Krutwig #25 of the Loyola Ramblers during the Missouri Valley Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at the Scottrade Center on March 4, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /
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ST. LOUIS, MO – MARCH 9: Head coach Darian Davis of the Drake Bulldogs directs his team against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the semifinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Enterprise Center on March 9, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO – MARCH 9: Head coach Darian Davis of the Drake Bulldogs directs his team against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the semifinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Enterprise Center on March 9, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

6. Indiana State

2018-19: 15-16, (7-11)

Tyreke Key and Jordan Barnes were two of the best guards in the MVC last season and both will return to as Indiana State hopes to find more consistency in 2019-20. Key and Barnes accounted for over 45% of the Sycamore points a season ago and over 55% of the teams’ three-point field goal makes. This dynamic duo alone is enough to make Indiana State a dangerous team.

The frontcourt of this squad is where the questions are. Christian Williams led the team in rebounding last season but the senior is a 6-6 guard that should not really be counted as an interior presence. 6-7 center Bronson Kessinger will likely need to step into a more expanded role. In addition, Coach Greg Lansing brought in three freshman bigs (Tre Williams, Jake Laravia, Blake Brinkmeyer) and a transfer center (Christopher Agbo) who may be called upon early to provide important minutes.

Early November will greet Indiana State with two brutal games to start the season: at Dayton and at Louisville. A win or even a competitive contest against either opponent would go along way in building confidence long before MVC play gets going. While I believe this backcourt can win this team several games, Coach Lansing needs to have this group improve defensively and up front if they want to finish in the top half of the league.

5. Drake

2018-19: 24-10, (12-6)

Make your free throws, share the ball, and rebound the basketball. Drake excelled in all three of these phases as first-year head coach Daren DeVries overcame injuries and adversity on the way to a share of the regular season 2019 MVC crown. Following it up with Act 2 might take some more Coach DeVries magic.

Nick McGlynn, Brady Ellington, and Nick Norton are all gone, but Tremell Murphy is back with the team after an off-court incident and will be eligible starting November 25. Big things are expected of DJ Wilkins who could lead the Bulldogs in scoring this season. The talented sophomore guard will team up with transfers Roman Penn and Jonah Jackson in hopes of forming a solid backcourt.

While the Missouri Valley is known for being a slow-tempo, defensive-minded league, Drake ranked first in the MVC in KenPom in offensive efficiency last season. Repeating this same feat will be a challenge but necessary if DeVries’ team wants to match last year’s success. My guess is Drake takes a small step back but leans on good guard play as DeVries gets this group to finish just outside the top-tier of the MVC.