College basketball is a sport full of stories. Some really stand out, like those told at the national level with the power conference teams or the nationally-televised buzzer beaters. Other stories fly under the radar, like the inspirational comebacks or the backgrounds of some of those low-major programs that slip through the cracks. For all involved in this sport, memories are made that last a lifetime.
Continuing today, this series has been looking closely at the stories, memories, and players who have made up college basketball in recent years. Specifically, we’ve identified the best players of the last ten seasons from each current athletic conference. It’s been a marathon of a task to get through hundreds of players from these leagues, with some names quite recognizable and others flying under the radar.
It’s a combination of those two types of stories today in MVC Basketball. There have been some truly remarkable players and some remarkable teams in this league in recent years. Though this conference lost Wichita State and Loyola-Chicago during this decade, those two alone accounted for a plethora of impressive players. Throw in some very talented teams at Bradley, Drake, Northern Iowa, and the nine other current members of the Valley and you can understand the intrigue in today’s rankings.
Before we continue, please note that this piece is only considering seasons that happened in the last ten years, meaning a player who began his career prior to 2013 can still be included on the list but those seasons aren’t factored into their ranking. It’s the exact same way we’re treating seasons with other colleges and conferences; they’ll be mentioned but not factor into their inclusions today. With that being said, let’s get into the 25 former or current MVC players who have stood out this decade.
25. Brenton Scott
A 6’1 guard from Fort Wayne, Indiana, Scott had a decent run of success in his home state. He landed at Indiana State in 2014 and became an important piece for the Sycamores, becoming a starting guard for most of his collegiate career while putting up nice numbers.
Scott’s freshman season saw him average 11.4 points and certainly get his career started on the right foot, with Indiana State finishing 3rd in league play. Unfortunately, the Sycamores would finish under .500 in each of Scott’s four seasons. However, he’d average at last 14 points a game in each of his final three seasons and was one of the league’s best 3-point shooters. His most notable season was his third, averaging 15.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.
That fantastic start earned him MVC Rookie of the Year honors in 2015 and he was named All-MVC in each of his next three seasons. Despite Indiana State’s position in the league during those seasons, he was still one of the conference’s top scorers and led the conference in steals during his senior year. There was a lot to like about Scott’s game and his contributions; it’s just a shame the Sycamores weren’t more fortuitous as a team.
24. Reed Timmer
Timmer is a 6’1 guard from New Berlin, Wisconsin who spent his four years of college ball at Drake. He was one of the top recruits for head coach Ray Giacoletti and would become a standout in the MVC. Timmer would have his best season with the Bulldogs as a senior after Niko Medved took over the program in 2017.
Timmer was already a full-time starter in the backcourt as a freshman and put up 11.5 points a game. The Bulldogs struggled mightily the next few seasons, but Timmer developed into one of the league’s best scorer and shooters, hitting 40% of his 3-pointers as a sophomore. As mentioned, senior year was an excellent ending, as he’d average 19.2 points per game and lead Drake to a 3rd place finish in the MVC and a trip to the CIT. He also had a 39-point outburst against Indiana State late in the year.
He actually ranked in the Top 3 in the MVC in points per game in each of his last three seasons, emerging as that best offensive player as a senior. Timmer finally earned First Team All-MVC honors in that final season and was consistently one of the league’s top free throw shooters for his entire career. Most importantly, he was a major part of the beginning of Drake’s recent turnaround at the tail end of his time with the Bulldogs.
23. Phil Fayne
A 6’9 center from Elk Grove, California, Fayne began his collegiate career in 2015 at Western Nebraska College. After starring at the junior college level, he headed further east, landing at Illinois State and eventually spending his final three years at Illinois State in Dan Muller’s program. Each of those three seasons was significant for either Fayne or his program.
The starter right off the bat, he was a major piece for the Redbirds as a sophomore as they won 28 games, finished 1st in the MVC, and advanced to the NIT. Fayne averaged 9.1 points a game in that year but would be close to 16 a game in each of his upperclassman seasons. He had a handful of double-doubles and a 30-point game against Cleveland State while also racking up decent rebounding and shot-blocking numbers for the Redbirds.
Second Team All-MVC as a junior, he earned the First Team nod as a senior, helping Illinois State to two solid seasons at the end of his career. He was one of the best scorers and most efficient shooters late in his career and was also the MVC’s best offensive rebounder during his time in Normal. While Illinois State couldn’t replicate the success of that 2017 season, Fayne played impressive basketball those next two seasons.
22. Reink Mast
Though originally from the Netherlands, Mast found himself quite the collegiate start at Bradley, originally arriving at the central Illinois school back in 2019. A 6’9 forward, he was a medical redshirt in his first season and would soon develop into a major frontcourt weapon for the Braves across these three most recent college basketball seasons.
Mast joined Bradley’s starting lineup in January of his sophomore season and wouldn’t relinquish that role, peaking with a 24-point, 10-rebound effort in the MVC Tournament against Southern Illinois. He’d develop into a great rebounder for the Braves, averaging 11.6 points and 8.4 rebounds as a sophomore with even better numbers the next year. He had his best scoring season this past year, leading Bradley to a regular season title in the MVC, though they settled for a trip to the NIT.
He certainly deserved the First Team All-MVC honors he earned this past March, establishing himself as the conference’s best rebounder the last few seasons and a solid scorer for a power forward. Mast’s game has taken several steps forward and he showed a ton of potential during his time with the Braves. Unfortunately for the MVC, he’s transferred to Nebraska and will feature in the Big Ten this upcoming season.
21. Marcus Domask
Bryan Mullins was hired as the head coach of his alma mater in 2019 and immediately had a few great players coming to Southern Illinois. A 6’6 wing from Waupun, Wisconsin, Domask would blossom into the Salukis’ best player in recent seasons. He started all 106 games he played the last four years, missing time as a sophomore due to injury, and truly shining with these Salukis.
Domask is another player who wasted no time as a freshman, averaging 13.6 points and 5.2 rebounds, leading Southern Illinois to a 5th-place MVC finish in the pandemic-shortened season. He was putting up career numbers before his injury but would replicate those figures as an upperclassman. Domask was a top-level shooter, especially from the charity stripe, and would lead the Salukis to a 23-win season and 3rd place finish in the conference as a senior, averaging 16.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists a game.
The MVC Rookie of the Year, Domask earned a pair of Second Team All-MVC honors before finishing his senior year strong, claiming that First Team nod in the conference. He was a major part of Southern Illinois’s upward trend in recent seasons and put up very solid metrics as well, leading the conference with his 87% mark from the free throw line. However, Domask is another MVC player who’s transferred this offseason and he’ll be off to Illinois next season.
20. Markis McDuffie
A 6’8 wing from Paterson, New Jersey, McDuffie arrived at Wichita State in 2015, eager to contribute to the conference’s best program. He would develop into a solid role over the next two seasons, though the Shockers departed for the AAC in 2017, meaning we’re only looking at McDuffie’s underclassman seasons today.
As a freshman, he averaged 7.4 points off the bench for Wichita State, fitting well into Gregg Marshall’s program. He helped the Shockers win 26 games, including a pair of wins in the 2016 NCAA Tournament. In year two, McDuffie took a step forward, averaging 11.5 points and 5.7 rebounds to help lead the Shockers to an MVC Tournament title and another decent run in the Big Dance. He showed signs of stardom, improving every aspect of his game that season.
McDuffie was the MVC Rookie of the Year in a solid showing as a freshman but took things up a notch as a sophomore. With improved numbers and a major role in Wichita State’s success, McDuffie was named First Team All-MVC. He was a significant part of Wichita State’s final seasons in the MVC, and although he struggled initially as a junior, McDuffie did more than enough to defend his spot as one of this conference’s best players in recent memory.
19. Tyreke Key
Key is a 6’3 wing from Celina, Tennessee who had a decent run across half a decade at Indiana State. He arrived in Terre Haute in 2017 and would develop into a major star for the Sycamores in the coming seasons. He started most of the games he played in those next four seasons before missing what would have been his fifth year due to shoulder surgery.
He made decent strides early in his career ad was already averaging 17.4 points a game as a sophomore, with a 45% clip in limited chances from outside the arc, including a 32-point, 6-steal win at Valparaiso. Key’s contributions were an important part of Indiana State’s attack over the next two seasons, as he put up similar offensive numbers and would increase his rebound output. He’d also lead the Sycamores to a pair of Top 4 finishes in the MVC in his junior and senior seasons before that injury in 2021.
For those final two seasons on the court with the Sycamores, Key was named First Team All-MVC, playing a significant role both with this program and in the league. He was one of the MVC’s top scorers and best shooters in each of those four seasons and was actually named the Most Improved Player for that sophomore year. After sitting out that season with injury, he opted to transfer, spending his final year of eligibility this past season at Tennessee.
18. Tekele Cotton
A 6’3 combo guard originally from Marietta, Georgia, Cotton made his way over to Wichita State back in 2011, becoming an important piece during the greatest era of basketball in Shockers history. In his first season as a starter, he helped lead the Shockers to the Final Four as a 9-seed in the 2013 NCAA Tournament. That tournament came just before the cut-off for this article, though there’s plenty more to talk about in his final two years in Wichita.
He started every game of a junior season where Wichita State entered the NCAA Tournament unbeaten, blitzing through the MVC and the rest of their schedule before falling to Kentucky. Cotton averaged 10.3 points and had a 20-point effort against Indiana State in the MVC Tournament title game. As a senior, he had comparable numbers in a season that ended in the Sweet Sixteen, scoring 19 points in a major upset of Kansas in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament.
Cotton played an important role in those Shockers’ teams on the defensive end. He was named Second Team All-MVC and Defensive Player of the Year in both of those seasons, clearly starring at times on both sides of the ball for Wichita State. Cotton isn’t necessarily one of the household names from those historic Shockers teams, but the role he played was important and significant, especially with his defensive prowess in the backcourt.
17. Roman Penn
A 6’0 guard from Chicago, Penn began his career back in 2017 at Siena, though he’d spend just a single season in the MAAC with those Saints. He transferred to Drake, joining Darian DeVries’ program as their star point guard, and would play a significant role in the Bulldogs’ rise in recent years.
In his first year at Drake, he helped the Bulldogs win 20 games in the pandemic-shortened season, averaging 12.0 points and 5.6 assists per game. He was a major factor in Drake earning an at-large bid to the 2021 NCAA Tournament, though he missed the final weeks of the season with injury. He had similar numbers throughout his time with the Bulldogs but might have peaked this past season. Penn led the Bulldogs back to the Big Dance with the MVC Tournament title, averaging 12.6 points and 5.5 assists per game.
Penn led the MVC in assists in three of those four seasons, claiming First Team All-MVC honors in two seasons and the Third Team nod in the other two. Not only was he the rare 4-time All-MVC honoree, but he played a significant role as a leader and orchestrator of the Drake offensive and defensive attack. Drake’s turnaround these last few seasons has been significant and Penn is a major reason due to his hard work.
16. Isiaih Mosley
A 6’5 wing from Columbia, Missouri, Mosley made his way to Springfield, opening up his collegiate career at Missouri State. He was a great part of Dana Ford’s first recruiting class with the Bears but would develop into a significant weapon after his freshman season, turning into one of the MVC’s top offensive players.
There was nothing wrong with his 8.3 points per game as a freshman, spending most of that season coming off the bench, but Mosley turned things up a few notches after that. He’d averaged 19.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists as a sophomore, including three 29-point performances against Valparaiso en route to a 3rd place finish for the Bears. Year three was just as potent, as Mosley was above 20 points a game and led Missouri State to 23 wins and a 2nd place MVC finish. He also had a 40-point performance in a great road win at Loyola-Chicago in January.
Mosley was the league’s top scorer as both a sophomore and junior and was clearly voted First Team All-MVC for both of those seasons. He truly emerged as a star while at Missouri State and was also one of the nation’s top free throw shooters during that span. An impressive player across the boards, he actually transferred back home to Missouri following that junior season, putting a pin in his MVC career. However, it was quite the three years with the Bears.
15. Lucas Williamson
Williamson is a 6’4 guard from Chicago who stayed right at home and became a major piece of the success at Loyola-Chicago. He began his college career in 2017 and played decent minutes during the Ramblers’ run to the Final Four as a freshman. By the end of his five seasons at Loyola, he had become a significant part of the program’s history.
During that aforementioned run, he had 8 points against Kansas State in the Elite Eight but would enter the starting lineup as a sophomore. He’d blossom into a decent offensive option and elite defensive player for the Ramblers. During his senior year, he helped lead Loyola to another MVC Tournament title and a trip to the Sweet Sixteen, scoring 21 points against Georgia Tech in the opening round of the Big Dance. He had his best individual season in his fifth and final year, averaging 13.7 points and 5.0 rebounds and spearheading another MVC title.
Revered for his role in Loyola’s recent success, Williamson was the defensive stalwart for the Ramblers, winning MVC Defensive Player of the Year honors in each of his last two seasons. He was also named First Team All-MVC and the Tournament MVP in that final year, which was certainly his best performance. He had a lot of steals, scored a bunch of points, and was certainly a significant part of both the Final Four run and the complete turnaround for this program, which left the MVC after his departure.
14. Alize Johnson
Though his journey started at Frank Phillips College in Texas due to low initial interest, Johnson would find his place and become an impactful college basketball stud. A 6’9 forward from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, he transferred to Missouri State in 2016 and became an influential part of the Bears’ program for his final two seasons, coinciding with head coach Paul Lusk’s final years leading the program.
In his junior year, Johnson wasted no time getting acclimated to D1 basketball or the MVC, averaging 14.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, including a pair of 20-rebound efforts during conference play. The numbers were even better the next season, as Johnson put up 15.0 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists a game, including a 22-point, 19-rebound effort against Valparaiso in the conference tournament.
While Missouri State didn’t make a ton of headway as a program these two seasons, Johnson was an excellent addition and impressive weapon. He was MVC Rookie of the Year as a junior and was First Team All-MVC in both seasons, becoming the league’s top rebounder and a very decent all-around offensive player. Johnson was actually one of the most successful rebounders in the nation during that two-year span, it’s just a shame the Bears never made the postseason.
13. Gaige Prim
Prim is another player who had anything but a direct route to success in college basketball. This 6’8 big man from Aurora, Colorado spent a year apiece at West Texas A&M and South Plains College before landing at Missouri State in 2019. Due to the pandemic, he inevitably played three years with the Bears and developed into a major frontcourt weapon in the MVC.
Year one in the Valley was already successful, with Prim averaging 13.7 points a game despite not starting until mid-January. As a senior, he had a 29-point, 21-rebound effort at Southern Illinois, all part of a season where he averaged 16.7 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. Back for a fifth collegiate season, Prim put up comparable numbers in leading the Bears to a 23-win season that ended in the NIT.
Prim earned First Team All-MVC honors for those final two seasons and was even All-Defense during one of his seasons. He led the MVC in field goal percentage and offensive rebounding in each of those season while also becoming the blocks leader in 2022. This is all to say that Prim became the premier frontcourt weapon in the conference by the end of his career and was a major part of Missouri State’s success in recent years.
12. Egidijus Mockevicius
A 6’10 center from Vilnius, Lithuania, Mockevicius came to the United States in 2012, landing in the MVC at Evansville. We’re focusing today on his last three seasons, though he was a frontcourt menace for the Purple Aces throughout his time in Indiana. He was also a significant contributor on some of Evansville’s finest seasons in recent memory.
The team struggled in his sophomore season, but Mockevicius averaged 10.5 points and 8.3 rebounds a game and showed plenty of potential. He was a double-double machine throughout his upperclassmen seasons and set a career-high with 27 points against Northern Arizona as a junior. That performance came en route to a CIT title for the Purple Aces. His numbers as a senior were extraordinary, averaging 15.7 points and 13.9 rebounds and getting Evansville so close to the NCAA Tournament during a 25-win season.
Considering that he led the entire nation in rebounding as a senior and was tops in the MVC in field goal percentage and blocks, it’s not surprising to hear he was named First Team All-MVC (for a second time) and also the Defensive Player of the Year. Looking back, Mockevicius was a major factor in Evansville’s most recent basketball success and truly was a monster weapon in the frontcourt. The Lithuanian big man certainly secured his place in Purple Aces history.
11. Paris Lee
A 5’11 point guard from Maywood, Illinois, Lee had a major hand in Illinois State’s most recent on-court success. He joined the Redbirds back in 2013 and would start nearly every game at the point across the next four seasons. Illinois State as a program improved in each of those four seasons, with both Lee and the Redbirds really standing out by year four.
Lee’s first few seasons were effective, though his numbers didn’t exactly jump off the page. Still, he led Illinois State to improvements with each passing year. By his junior year, the Redbirds finished 2nd in the MVC while Lee was at 11.1 points per game. His final season was clearly the winner, leading Illinois State to a phenomenal 28-win campaign and regular season title in the MVC. He averaged 13.0 points and 5.0 assists a game and made nearly 42% of his 3-point shots.
Lee lead the MVC in assists and 3-pointers as a senior, in steals twice, and spearheaded that incredible campaign in 2017. He was named MVC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year for his prowess during that senior season. Lee was a monster on both sides of the ball, though it remains sour that Illinois State fell on the wrong side of the NCAA Tournament bubble, settling for the NIT in that final season.
10. Marques Townes
Townes is a 6’4 combo guard from Edison, New Jersey who got his start at Fairleigh Dickinson, though that’s clearly not where he had his best days. After two seasons with those Knights, he transferred to Loyola-Chicago and was an impactful presence in the Rambler’s backcourt for his final two seasons of eligibility, including the Ramblers’ major breakout in 2018.
That junior season was special, with Townes contributing 11.1 points and 4.0 rebounds per game as the Ramblers advanced to the Final Four. He had 18 points and what was effectively the game-winning shot in the Sweet Sixteen over Nevada and was a key piece of that unforgettable run. As a senior, his role was even greater, averaging 15.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, including career-high 28 and 32-point performances against Drake during a year that ended in the NIT.
After arriving via transfer, Townes became a massive part of the Ramblers’ history as a starter and an important weapon on that Final Four squad. He then took the reins and became the key offensive piece for Loyola, winning MVC Player of the Year in his senior season. He’d become one of the conference’s top scorers and rebounders and finished 2nd in assists. No matter what happens in the years to come, Townes’ name will be remembered at Loyola-Chicago, perhaps for generations.
9. Cleanthony Early
After a pair of seasons at SUNY Sullivan, Early found his way into D1 basketball. A 6’8 power forward originally from the Bronx, he put up great numbers at the junior college level before heading to Wichita State in 2012. His two years with the Shockers were truly special, playing a role in their Final Four run while a junior, though we’re only looking at that senior year today. Suffice to say, it was special too.
Year four saw Early save the best for last, averaging 16.4 points and 5.9 rebounds in a truly dominant season for Wichita State. He was the leading scorer and rebounder on a Shockers squad that marched to the NCAA Tournament with an undefeated 34-0 record before being upset in the second round. He actually scored a season-high 31 points in that loss to Kentucky and was masterful for much of Wichita State’s season including their blitz through the MVC.
For his hand in Wichita State’s historic run, Early was named a Second Team All-American and also earned First Team All-MVC honors. His contributions were clear, while also leading the league in effective field goal percentage to boot. Early played some great basketball during perhaps the finest two-year stretch in the history of Wichita State and even that senior season alone is worthy of a ton of praise.
8. Tucker DeVries
A 6’7 wing from Waukee, Iowa, DeVries joined father Darian’s program at Drake just two seasons ago. The younger DeVries was a quality high school recruit and he’s already produced some incredible things in his underclassman years with the Bulldogs.
During his freshman year, DeVries helped lead Drake to a 25-win season, averaging 13.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game and already establishing himself as a key part of this program. He led the Bulldogs to the CBI, though they wouldn’t settle for that in year two. DeVries was even more impressive as a sophomore, leading the Bulldogs to the MVC title and the NCAA Tournament. He averaged 18.6 points and 5.7 rebounds, hit 37% of his 3-pointers and played great ball in the MVC Tournament before their season was ended by Miami.
He’s got just two seasons under his belt, but DeVries has already accomplished quite a bit. He was named MVC Rookie of the Year in year one and earned the league’s Player of the Year honors this past season. He was the conference’s top scorer and most importantly was the MVC Tournament MVP, getting the Bulldogs back to the Big Dance again. He showed a ton of potential, was a fantastic athlete, and will be back for his junior year, albeit surrounded by a few new faces next year.
7. D. J. Balentine
Balentine is a 6’2 point guard from Kokomo, Indiana who fit nicely at Evansville and had quite a career with the Purple Aces. His career began in 2012, though his freshman season was pretty quiet compared to his final three years in the MVC.
Taking a big step forward, Balentine averaged 22.8 points and 4.2 assists as a sophomore, albeit in a tough year for his Purple Aces. He actually scored at least 29 points in Evansville’s first five games (all wins) and would remain a potent scorer. Balentine averaged at least 20 points a game in each of those three seasons and had a 43-point effort against Northern Iowa as a sophomore. He averaged more than 27 points a game during Evansville’s run to the CIT title as a junior before playing a major role in the program’s 25-win campaign as a senior, coming so tantalizingly close to the NCAA Tournament.
Balentine was named First Team All-MVC in each of those three seasons and actually led the conference in scoring each of those years. His 2464 career points puts him in some incredible company, and his hot shooting and impressive offense lead to some great results for Evansville in the early parts of this decade. Things have not been the same for the Purple Aces since his departure, and he’s sorely missed in southwestern Indiana.
6. Clayton Custer
Custer is a 6’1 point guard from Overland Park, Kansas who was recruited to Iowa State by Fred Hoiberg. He’d play a very minimal role as a freshman with the Cyclones and decided to transfer. He began playing for Loyola-Chicago in 2016 and would start all 99 games he played across the next three seasons, developing into a major part of history with the Ramblers.
He certainly showed that potential as a sophomore, averaging 11.6 points per game, but it was his junior year that stands out. Custer helped lead the Ramblers to their first MVC Tournament title and to an incredible Final Four run, even hitting the game-winning shot over Tennessee in the second round. He’d average 13.2 points, 4.1 assists, and 1.5 steals in that junior year where history was made for both program and the conference. His senior was less impressive but was still a very solid season for Custer.
What more could you ask from the former Cyclone? In that junior season, he was named MVC Player of the Year and helped power the Ramblers to the Final Four just a few weeks later. He was among the leaders in steals, assists, and shooting percentage in those final years, even though he settled for just Third Team All-MVC honors as a senior. Custer’s name will forever be a legend in the halls at Loyola-Chicago for what he did in 2018.
5. Ron Baker
A 6’4 combo guard from Scott City, Kansas, Baker made the short journey to Wichita State in 2012 and would play a monumental role in four great years for the Shockers. Baker wasn’t the main piece but did play a starring role in Wichita State’s run to the Final Four in 2013 after missing much of the regular season. Today’s focus is on his next three years, where he blossomed into a star in the MVC.
In 2014, Wichita State marched to the NCAA Tournament at 34-0, with Baker averaging 13.1 points in an important effort for the Shockers. He actually had 20 points in their season-ending loss to Kentucky and would have several nice shooting nights in his career. Baker hit 38% of his 3-pointers as both a sophomore and junior and got Wichita State to the Sweet Sixteen in the latter. He was putting up greater than 14 points a game in those final two seasons and his backcourt presence was synonymous with the program’s success.
He earned First Team All-MVC honors in all three of those final seasons. Baker deserved the honor, keeping Wichita State consistently at the top of the conference while racking up points, assists, steals, and blocks. Naturally, Baker did a little bit of everything for some historically awesome seasons in Wichita and his role in both those Final Four and unbeaten seasons won’t soon be forgotten.
4. Seth Tuttle
Tuttle is a 6’8 forward from Sheffield, Iowa who stayed in his home state and found stardom. He joined Northern Iowa and Ben Jacobson’s program in 2011, starting 136 games across the next four seasons for the Panthers. By the time of his graduation in 2015, he had become one of the legends of Northern Iowa, earning a place on today’s list despite our limit to just his upperclassman campaigns.
While Northern Iowa had a bit of a mediocre season, Tuttle averaged 15.4 points and 8.0 rebounds as a junior, taking a definite step forward from his previous years. Things came together nicely in his final year, leading the Panthers to a 31-win season that included an MVC Tournament title and a first-round Tourney win over Wyoming. Tuttle would average 15.3 points and 6.9 rebounds for the Panthers and become their clear leader throughout those upperclassman years.
Tuttle claimed First team All-MVC honors as a junior but saw his star shine even brighter as a senior. Not only was he named the MVC Player of the Year, but he was also a Second Team All-American. Tuttle led the MVC in field goal percentage, was the league’s most efficient player, and had great numbers across the board, spearheading an incredible bounce-back year for Northern Iowa.
3. AJ Green
Green was actually a Top 100 recruit in the Class of 2018, deciding to join his father, a longtime assistant at Northern Iowa. A 6’4 combo guard from Cedar Falls, Iowa, not only did the sharpshooter stay right at home, but he’d become one of the most prolific weapons in recent memory in the MVC across the next four seasons.
As a freshman, Green was already a menace, averaging 15.0 points a game for the Panthers, though year two was extra special. He’d lead Northern Iowa to the MVC regular season title, hit 39% of his 3-pointers, and averaged 19.7 points on the year. Unfortunately, he’s miss nearly all of his junior year with a hip injury, but would be back with a vengeance the following season. In what would be his final year at Northern Iowa, he’d average 18.8 points and was deadly from beyond the arc again, taking the Panthers to another MVC title.
Green was the MVC Rookie of the Year as a freshman before earning Player of the Year honors as both a sophomore and senior. He might’ve even claimed three straight honors if not for that injury, though his overall numbers were impressive. Not only was he one of the best offensive players in the MVC, but he was one of the nation’s top free throw shooters and hit 266 3-pointers in just over three full collegiate seasons. He would forgo additional eligibility and is currently with the Milwaukee Bucks.
2. Cameron Krutwig
It’s simply amazing to consider the impact that Krutwig had in his collegiate career. A 6’9 center from Algonquin, Illinois, he joined Porter Moser’s program at Loyola-Chicago and proved to be the frontcourt weapon the Ramblers needed, playing a monster role in its success across four impressive seasons.
As a freshman, Krutwig started nearly every game, averaged 10.5 points and 6.1 rebounds a game, and helped lead Loyola to the Final Four; not a bad collegiate debut. He even had 17 points in their Final Four loss to Michigan. Krutwig’s major role would continue, averaging right around 15 points a game in each of his next three years with good rebounding numbers. He helped lead the Ramblers to the NIT as a sophomore, but really starred in 2021, taking Loyola-Chicago to the Sweet Sixteen, with a double-double in their upset win over Illinois.
Krutwig was the MVC Rookie of the Year as a freshman and MVC Player of the Year as a senior, with a bevy of First Team honors in the conference in between. He showed incredible talent and maturity early in his career during that historic run and would become one of the league’s best shooters and rebounders in the years ahead. Krutwig was truly a transformational player for the Ramblers and having him plugging up the paint was a massive advantage throughout his career.
1. Fred VanVleet
There have been some generational talents come through the MVC in recent years, but somebody had to top the list. VanVleet is a 6’0 point guard from Rockford, Illinois who went down to Wichita State in 2012. He was a bench player during Wichita State’s Final Four run in his freshman season but would see his role magnified in the years to follow.
VanVleet was an incredible leader for the Shockers, especially during his sophomore season where they entered the NCAA Tournament with an unblemished record. He was great from outside the arc, averaged at least 5 assists per game in his final three seasons, and had decent offensive numbers. VanVleet had 27 points against Indiana and was great against Kansas during a Sweet Sixteen run as a junior. He’d then help the Shockers to two more NCAA Tournament wins as a senior with great numbers and leadership for the team.
Wichita State was 90-12 in those last three seasons when VanVleet was in the lineup, a testament to the role he played running the show for the Shockers. He was Player of the Year in the MVC as both a sophomore and senior, leading the league in assists per game for three straight seasons. Clearly, VanVleet had a major role during Wichita State’s success in the early 2010’s without having to score 20 a game. He was a major weapon both sides of the ball and is now seven years into his NBA career.