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) /

6 of 13

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 22: LJ Bryan #22, Djimon Henson #32 and James Baker #3 of the Morehead State Eagles(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

8. Morehead State Eagles

2019-20 record: 13-19 (7-11 in OVC)

The Morehead State Eagles are coming off back-to-back 13-win seasons under head coach Preston Spradlin. They do lose their top two scorers to graduation, but aside from two other transfers, the team returns intact with plenty of options to supplement what is there.

Sophomore forward Tyzhaun Claude is the team’s top returning scorer with 9.5 points and a team-high 6.4 boards per game as a freshman. Right behind him is the veteran leadership of senior forward James Baker and his nine points and 4.4 rebounds. Sophomore guard Ta’lon Cooper is another guy who could take a step forward after his first year of averaging seven points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists.

Spradlin should have three transfers at his disposal this season (everyone gets a waiver right?). KJ Hunt is a 6’3 guard who last played at McNeese State in 2018-19 scoring nearly seven points per game and dishing out 2.9 assists. Skyelar Potter is another 6’3 guard who played in just nine games for Wright State netting six points and three rebounds.

Jaylen Sebree played sparingly last season for Florida Atlantic averaging just 11 minutes per game. To further supplement the Eagles’ backcourt, Marcus Garrett, a 6’1 guard from Wabash Valley Community College. Garrett’s shooting should really help the Morehead State offense, his 38% three-point shooting last season would’ve been matched by Cooper’s 38.7% on the Eagles’ roster.

Morehead State might not quite be ready to crack the upper echelon of the OVC, but they are a team that can continue to climb under the tutelage of Spradlin.