Missouri Valley Basketball: Biggest “glue guy” players of 2021-22 season

Mikey Howell – Bradley Braves

Bradley’s Wardle listed about half of his roster as great glue guys, but one player stands out. Mikey Howell arrived in Peoria with impressive credentials, but he plays the same position as likely ‘Newcomer of the Year’ Terry Roberts. The 6’3 grad transfer is the all-time assist leader at UC San Diego but has played behind Roberts.

Howell turned himself into an outstanding bench player. During his 20 minutes of playing time, he is second to Roberts in assists (3.3 per game) and in steals. He’s converting 39% of his shots from distance and Wardle says he makes ‘winning plays’.

Tywhon Pickford – Northern Iowa

Pickford is the least known of Northern Iowa’s veteran squad. Pickford is about to set a record for games played in a Panther uniform. He has been a part of a conference championship team, was named to the Valley’s all-freshman team and set a UNI freshman rebounding record.

After starting 32 games as a rookie, he became a bench player the next three seasons. Pickford decided to make use of covid eligibility and has started 24 of UNI’s 25 games. The 6’4 guard is the Panthers’ best defender and grabs 3.6 rebounds per game. While he averaged over 20-points-per-game at Maple Grove High School, he takes less than four shots per game, making 47% of them, and is an 80% free throw shooter. Pickford has led the team in rebounding three different times, including 12 against Bradley.

Tate Hall – Loyola Chicago

Like Pickford Hall has garnered all-conference honors and is now a role player for the first-place Ramblers. Hall was a member of the all-newcomer team and the third-team all-conference team in 2020. Last year he started just one game. After coming off the bench during the team’s first 22 games this year, Hall has started the last four.

He does a little bit of everything. He makes threes (.431), free throws (.800) is third on the team in rebounding and third in steals. Coach Valentine says he has become a much better defender.

"“Tate’s a gym rat,” says Valentine. “He has completely transformed his body and that’s allowed him to become a good defender and play on both sides of the ball. With that much experience, and his work ethic and his character, mixed in with what he’s produced on the court, you can’t help but root for a guy like Tate Hall.”"