Busting Brackets
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Ohio Valley Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2022-23 season

By Harry Schroeder

CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 15: Jake Wolfe #24 of the Morehead State Eagles the ball by Paul Scruggs #1 of the Xavier Musketeers during a college basketball game at the Cintas Center on December 15, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 15: Jake Wolfe #24 of the Morehead State Eagles the ball by Paul Scruggs #1 of the Xavier Musketeers during a college basketball game at the Cintas Center on December 15, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Parker Stewart #45 then of the Indiana Hoosiers (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Parker Stewart #45 then of the Indiana Hoosiers (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

2. Tennessee Martin Skyhawks – Head coach Ryan Ridder
 
2021-22 record: 8-22 overall, 4-14 in the OVC

Some would wonder why an eight-win team would be picked to finish second in the Ohio Valley Conference. There is a very logical answer. UT Martin has the best backcourt in the league and a coach that rarely posts a losing record.

Last year was Ryan Ridder’s second losing season in eight years (including junior college).

That Skyhawk backcourt is something special. Preseason player of the year K.J. Simon burst onto the OVC scene last year averaging 16.9 points and 4.9 rebounds. He is the only returning OVC all-conference player. The 6’3 guard also accumulated 41 blocked shots and 48 steals.

Grad transfer Parker Stewart returns to UTM after time away from the game and a season at Indiana. Stewart’s father (Anthony) was the UTM coach when Parker was a prolific Skyhawk scorer. Heading into their second season together, Anthony passed away. After a season away from the game the younger Stewart returned for a senior season and started 31 games for the Hoosiers. During the 2019-20 season, Parker Stewart was nearly a 20-point-per-game player. In only three full seasons of collegiate basketball, he has accumulated 982 points.

Returners with significant starting experience Koby Jeffries, K.K. Curry, and Chris Nix all know their roles. Jeffries distributes, Curry (9.7 ppg) and Nix (7.3 ppg) do the dirty work, each grabbing five rebounds per game.

Sophomore transfers Jordan Sears (Gardner-Webb) and Desmond Williams (Troy) add depth to the loaded Skyhawk backcourt.

Joining UTM with Williams from Troy is 6’8, 240-pound senior Rifen Miguel. The Angola native brings a bigger body into the mix. Joining Miguel in the frontcourt is junior college transfer Jalen Myers. The Hinds Community College transfer was his league’s MVP and was fifth nationally in rebounding and free-throw percentage while leading his team in scoring.

Frontcourt production on both ends of the floor is the question mark for this team. Solid production from Miguel, Myers, and Nix could mean a league title for the Skyhawks.