No 8 – Eastern Illinois
Coach Marty Simmons believes he has recruited the most talented team he has coached at EIU. The Panthers (12-19, 8-12) finished the season with a four-game winning streak, but they fell just short of qualifying for the Ohio Valley Conference postseason tournament.
Like most OVC teams, Simmons is rebuilding his roster, but unlike most of his league rivals, he is building around two, double-digit returning scorers. League rebounding champion Kooper Jacobi (11.8 ppg & 8.9 rebounds) and Zion Fruster (11.6) are proven OVC performers.
Another proven OVC contributor is Tennessee Tech transfer Kyle Layton. The 6’0 guard was one of the OVC’s top three-point shooters (61) last season and collected 32 steals for the Golden Eagles.
Andre Washington is a three-year performer at Long Island University, who sat out last season with an injury. He is an elite-level free throw shooter.
Simmons nabbed some outstanding junior college players. J.T. Elder, whom the head coach describes as one of the best athletes he’s ever coached, is a 6’7 wing who was one of the top 80 juco players nationally. He can score at all three levels and is an outstanding defender.
Meechie White led his Three Rivers Community College team to the regional championships and the 6’1 guard gives Simmons real depth at the point.
Keep your eyes on 6’10 NAIA transfer Nazareth Fisher. The Point Park U transfer. He averaged a double-double last season and Simmons likens him to a ‘Dennis Rodman-type’ of player with great effort.
Markus Blackwell and Luke Beickman are highly touted freshmen guards joining this year’s team.
The Panthers open the season November 4 at Valparaiso.