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

By Tim Edmonds | Nov 15, 2020

ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 10: Members of the Bradley Braves celebrate after beating the Northern Iowa Panthers in the final game of 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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Missouri Valley Basketball Indiana State Sycamores (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

5. Indiana State Sycamores

With one of the conference’s best players in senior guard Tyreke Key, the Sycamores have to be at least in the conversation to contend this season.

Landing on the Preseason First-Team, Key may have to carry Indiana State following the departure of backcourt mate Jordan Barnes to graduation, that is if head coach Greg Lansing can’t solidify his rotation by the time conference play begins.

In the frontcourt, Jake Laravia holds the keys to the Sycamores’ success down low. A local product from Indianapolis, Laravia impressed in his first full season in Terre Haute as he averaged 9.4 points and grabbed 5.9 rebounds per contest, and entered the starting lineup almost immediately.

Alongside Laravia, Tre Williams’ growth at the center spot will be fundamental if the Sycamores are to be contenders in a loaded conference, as they’ve continually struggled to rebound and defend the interior in a league known for its stars in the frontcourt.

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