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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Cam Burrell #10 then of the Eastern Illinois Panthers leaps to the basket between(Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
Cam Burrell #10 then of the Eastern Illinois Panthers leaps to the basket between(Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

10. Lindenwood Lions – Head Coach Kyle Gerdeman
 
2021-22 record: 12-17 overall, 8-12 in the GLVC

Newcomers Lindenwood and Southern Indiana come from the same, very highly rated, Division 2 conference. The Great Lakes Valley Conference is outstanding, but it isn’t D1 basketball so the Lions and the Screaming Eagles will have an adjustment period.

Lindenwood was 12-17 last season and returns solid seniors Kevin Caldwell and Brandon Trimble. Caldwell is a tough defender, a team leader and averaged 14 points per game last year. While Trimble only started 18 of the Lions’ 29 games and averaged just 8.4 points, he is a lights-out 44% three-point-shooter.

Gerdeman worked the portal to land several players with Division 1 experience and signed a veteran D1 assistant to help in the transition. Seven players with previous D1 experience dot the roster. Cam Burrell and Chris Childs may be the most accomplished. Burrell spent one season in the OVC at Eastern Illinois and two at Western Illinois. The 6’7 forward is athletic and rebounds well.

After a successful stint in junior college, Childs has accumulated 408 points while playing at Bryant. He averaged 7.2 points and shot 37% from deep last season.

Darius Beane moves to his fourth program to play his covid eligible season. The 6’3 guard has averaged 5.8 points during his four-year career at both Southern and Northern Illinois and last season at Cal State Northbridge.

Keenon Cole, Donavan Moore, Karrington Davis, and Remy Lemovou all have D1 experience, but none have extensive playing time.

Gerdeman is high on junior college transfer Jacob Tracy and brought in four freshmen from outstanding programs near Lindenwood’s St. Charles, Missouri campus.

The signing of assistant coach Anthony Beane is significant. Darius’ uncle enjoyed his own successful collegiate career and has been a part of some highly successful programs. Most of his assignments have been in the Midwest and largely in Illinois. He has successful recruiting chops and brings energy and toughness to the LU coaching staff.

The Lions have an outstanding facilty and their football team has become immediately competitive in OVC. This may not be the Lions’ year to roar, but there is great growth potential at Lindenwood.