MVC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2022-23 season

3. Southern Illinois Salukis – Head Coach Bryan Mullins
 
2021-22 record: 16-15 overall; 9-9 in the MVC

Southern Illinois should challenge for the Valley title. Bryan Mullins’ team is the league’s best defensive squad and has senior leadership second only to Drake. The Salukis have star power in Marcus Domask, fire-power in Domask, Lance Jones, and Jawaun Newton, sturdy rebounders and experienced depth.

Don’t forget they defend like dawgs.

Domask enters his senior season having already scored 1,065 points and has been the league’s Freshman of the Year and a two-time second-team all-conference player. The 6’6 forward has a great basketball IQ, can hit the three, and is a willing rebounder (5.2 per game). He is the unparalleled leader of the Egyptian Dawgs.

Fellow senior Lance Jones is another well-decorated player. While averaging 14.7 points, Jones was named to the Valley’s all-defense team and was a part of the conference’s 2021 third-team all-conference squad. Jones is relentless in his drives to the basket and has racked up 1,059 SIU points.

Evansville transfer Jawaun Newton averaged 12.7 points last season and at 6’3 snared over five rebounds per game for the Purple Aces. Another senior, Newton has scored over 800 career points.

J.D. Muila and Troy D’Amico return to the Saluki frontcourt. Both are capable rebounders and are ready for breakout seasons. Joining that duo is Saint Peters’ forward Clarence Rupert. The 6’8 post was a stalwart during the Peacocks’ Sweet Sixteen journey last spring. His eleven points, three rebounds, three steals, and two blocks performance during Saint Peters’ win over Purdue sent last season’s ‘Cinderella Team’ to the Sweet Sixteen.

George Mason transfer Xavier Johnson adds depth to the Saluki backcourt and 6’10 redshirt freshman Scottie Ebube brings another big body to Mullins’ frontcourt. This is a team that looks like it can challenge for the Valley’s top spot.