Missouri Valley Basketball: 2021 Conference Tournament preview
By Joey Loose
Key Players
Cameron Krutwig – Loyola-Chicago
2020-21 stats: 15.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.0 apg
The talented big man who played a key role on Loyola’s Final Four team has played remarkable ball in this senior season. The MVC Player of the Year is an absolute force down low and will be hoping to lead his Ramblers towards more March Madness glory.
Gaige Prim – Missouri State
2020-21 stats: 15.8 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 3.2 apg
Missouri State’s talented big man has been a force to be reckoned with during the Bears’ hot streak near the end of the season. Though he mightily struggled against Loyola, Prim put on a clinic against the rest of the conference.
Tyreke Key – Indiana State
2020-21 stats: 17.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.0 apg
The Sycamore’s best scorer and All-League player will need to be at his best this weekend in St. Louis. He missed the final week of the season but should be back and playing like himself. Considering he’s averaging 28 points in his most recent four games; Indiana State could pull off this upset if Key is at his best.
Joseph Yesufu – Drake
2020-21 stats: 11.6 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.8 apg
For the second straight season, Drake is dealing with massive injury news at season’s end, with Roman Penn and ShanQuan Hemphill banged up. Yesufu had 21 points in the Bulldog’s final game of the year and they’ll need him to come up big if they want to leave St. Louis with a conference title.
Isiaih Mosley – Missouri State
2020-21 stats: 20.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.3 apg
When you’re scoring at the rate Mosley does it’s not a surprise to be a key player for this conference tournament. The Bears are going to have some battles on their hand and they’ll need Mosley’s touch on both sides of the basketball.