Ohio Valley Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2020-21 season

DAYTON, OHIO - MARCH 19: Kevin McClain #11 of the Belmont Bruins celebrates with teammates during the second half against the Temple Owls in the First Four of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 19, 2019 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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CINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 15: Jomaru Brown #11 of the Eastern Kentucky Colonels (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

3. Eastern Kentucky Colonels

2019-20 record: 16-17 (12-6 in OVC)

In his second season at Eastern Kentucky, A.W. Hamilton has improved the Colonels’ conference record from 6-12 to 12-6 and earned the No. 4 seed in the Ohio Valley conference before foaling in the semifinals.

Coming into this season the Colonels’ roster is in good shape as they return six of their top eight scorers, including leading scorer, junior guard Jomaru Brown who did a little bit of everything for EKU last season with 18.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.9 steals. The forward combo of junior Tre King and sophomore Michael Moreno return after combining for 19.8 points and 11.5 rebounds last year.

The Colonels have five incoming freshmen that are led by 5’11-point guard Wendell Green, Jr. who was rated as a 3-star recruit and a top-20 point guard in this year’s class. Three redshirt-guards also join the team, Peyton Broughton returns as junior, in his first two years with the team he provided depth off the bench and made 11 starts as a sophomore.

Both Isaiah Minter (Union College transfer) and Curt Lewis sat out last season, Lewis was a finalist for Mr. Basketball in Kentucky Valley High School averaging 25 points per game as a senior. A couple of guard transfers could also join the rotation conversation for the Colonels if they are ruled eligible, Cooper Robb, who began his career at Charlotte, and Brandon Knapper who comes to EKU after playing at West Virginia.

One more impact newcomer for EKU could come from the junior college ranks, Cheikh Faye is a 6’7 athletic wing who played at Chipola College scoring over 12 points per game and hitting 38% of his shots from deep. If the pieces continue to come together for Hamilton, the race at the top of the OVC may need to make room for one more.