Projecting the 2022-23 Missouri Valley

[tribecalledquest]

Yesufu was talented enough to win POY once Green and Mosley were gone. Instead, he’s scoring 2 ppg under a coach who’s always recruiting over you with his pick of 5-stars. Probably the worst transfer decision a Valley player has made.

I actually don’t think he is that level of player. He had a really hot streak late last seasons that bumped his stock up some. No doubt he would be a good MVC player be there were some flaws in his game.

[tribecalledquest]

I had heard the Iowa State stuff from a good source this weekend as well. I get it. He did spend four years on campus. He did his part to be honest. He had a great career.

For every Jake LaRavia having really nice success up a level there are 10 Joseph Yesefu’s.

He'll have a fantastic year at Iowa State. Tyrese Hunter is a legit PG to play with and there's a pretty good chance Brockington comes back. If they can find a big that can do anything they'll finish in the top 3 in the Big 12.

It was always going to be an uphill battle to get drafted from UNI. A good year at Iowa State in a role where he doesn't have the ball all the time will make him that draft pick.

AJ seems like a really good dude who can really score at the MVC level. But he won't get an NBA sniff until he shows he can guard somebody. God Bless him but every single team attacked the hell out of him - it didn't matter who he was guarding.

[tribecalledquest]

On paper right now Bradley would project as a top three team.

They lose Ari Boya, Mikey Howell and probably JaShon Henry. I feel bad for JaShon - he was a nice player at Bradley - but with the number of concussions he has had and with his style of play I don't see how he comes back.

That would leave three rides open. The absolute #1 must have is a legit PG. A guy who can run the show, not turn it over and make open shots. That way Terry Roberts doesn't have to have the ball in his hands all the time. Bradley could also use another good wing player - even though for some reason the staff really likes Jayson Kent. And the last ride will be a big man.

Again, on paper with all starters back and a First Teamer in Roberts, Third Teamer in Mast and returning freshman starter in Connor Hickman Bradley has a nice base to build from.

[BCPanther]

BC, if what you say is true you guys are not looking at a "semi-rebuild", you are looking at a total rebuild. I would say Evansville level results: 3-17 maybe 6-14.

Lol. No. Ben Jacobson still exists.

[UICJohn]

UIC's season ended earlier this week and while the end of every season is always rough - I won't get to see my team play again for months! - I will say that knowing the next time the team hits the court they'll be members of the MVC makes it a lot easier to take.

In regards to next season, I know that it will take some time for UIC to adjust to the MVC level. While the Flames finished 8th in a pretty weak Horizon League, I do think that the team showed improvement as the season went on. Coach Yak is a defensive minded coach and think overall that area showed improvement while the offense was a little more inconsistent.

UIC is losing 5 players to graduation but none of them were incredibly impactful this year or really in Coach Yak's system.

The Flames best returning player is Damaria Franklin, This was his first year at UIC as a transfer from Tennessee Tech. He averaged 17.8 PPG and 6.9 RPG but will need him to be a more efficient offensive player next season.

Zion Griffin is a former 4 star recruit from Iowa State who will be entering his Senior year and third year in the program. He's been streaky - and usually gets that way when setting for his jump shot - but can be impactful when mixing it up which he was doing more and more as the season went on.

Two impactful Freshman are Jace Carter and Filip Skobalj. Carter is an athletic 6'5" guard that also hits the boards and Skobalj is 6'7" forward that is a threat from deep. Carter needs to add some bulk and Skobalj needs to be able to get down low but both could be difference makers.

At this time, UIC has only one incoming player next season - 6'2" PG Jalen Jackson from Indiana. An up-tempo scoring guard that averaged just under 27/10 this past season.

We needs to get size in all positions and cannot be as inconsistent on offense as we have been. We have open spots and I'd imagine a mixture of transfers and Freshman - I'll even guess 2 of each - for next season's team.

Overall goals as this team enters MVC is to be competitive, get more consistent on offense, and take the next step in Coach Yak's defensive system (with COVID restrictions and being overly reliant on transfers haven't been able to really implement it to the highest level possible yet)

[tribecalledquest]

UIC's season ended earlier this week and while the end of every season is always rough - I won't get to see my team play again for months! - I will say that knowing the next time the team hits the court they'll be members of the MVC makes it a lot easier to take.

In regards to next season, I know that it will take some time for UIC to adjust to the MVC level. While the Flames finished 8th in a pretty weak Horizon League, I do think that the team showed improvement as the season went on. Coach Yak is a defensive minded coach and think overall that area showed improvement while the offense was a little more inconsistent.

UIC is losing 5 players to graduation but none of them were incredibly impactful this year or really in Coach Yak's system.

The Flames best returning player is Damaria Franklin, This was his first year at UIC as a transfer from Tennessee Tech. He averaged 17.8 PPG and 6.9 RPG but will need him to be a more efficient offensive player next season.

Zion Griffin is a former 4 star recruit from Iowa State who will be entering his Senior year and third year in the program. He's been streaky - and usually gets that way when setting for his jump shot - but can be impactful when mixing it up which he was doing more and more as the season went on.

Two impactful Freshman are Jace Carter and Filip Skobalj. Carter is an athletic 6'5" guard that also hits the boards and Skobalj is 6'7" forward that is a threat from deep. Carter needs to add some bulk and Skobalj needs to be able to get down low but both could be difference makers.

At this time, UIC has only one incoming player next season - 6'2" PG Jalen Jackson from Indiana. An up-tempo scoring guard that averaged just under 27/10 this past season.

We needs to get size in all positions and cannot be as inconsistent on offense as we have been. We have open spots and I'd imagine a mixture of transfers and Freshman - I'll even guess 2 of each - for next season's team.

Overall goals as this team enters MVC is to be competitive, get more consistent on offense, and take the next step in Coach Yak's defensive system (with COVID restrictions and being overly reliant on transfers haven't been able to really implement it to the highest level possible yet)

I love coach Yak but he isn't going to help the grind it out, physical, murder people defensive reputation the league has

[Bulldog4life24]

On paper right now Bradley would project as a top three team.

They lose Ari Boya, Mikey Howell and probably JaShon Henry. I feel bad for JaShon - he was a nice player at Bradley - but with the number of concussions he has had and with his style of play I don't see how he comes back.

That would leave three rides open. The absolute #1 must have is a legit PG. A guy who can run the show, not turn it over and make open shots. That way Terry Roberts doesn't have to have the ball in his hands all the time. Bradley could also use another good wing player - even though for some reason the staff really likes Jayson Kent. And the last ride will be a big man.

Again, on paper with all starters back and a First Teamer in Roberts, Third Teamer in Mast and returning freshman starter in Connor Hickman Bradley has a nice base to build from.

Whats the word on Ville? I kind of assumed he’d start filling in the Nate Kennel role for you all, but (for the games I watched) he seemed to be more inconsistent and not as much of a standout for Bradley this year. Think he takes a step for you all?

[tribecalledquest]

On paper right now Bradley would project as a top three team.

They lose Ari Boya, Mikey Howell and probably JaShon Henry. I feel bad for JaShon - he was a nice player at Bradley - but with the number of concussions he has had and with his style of play I don't see how he comes back.

That would leave three rides open. The absolute #1 must have is a legit PG. A guy who can run the show, not turn it over and make open shots. That way Terry Roberts doesn't have to have the ball in his hands all the time. Bradley could also use another good wing player - even though for some reason the staff really likes Jayson Kent. And the last ride will be a big man.

Again, on paper with all starters back and a First Teamer in Roberts, Third Teamer in Mast and returning freshman starter in Connor Hickman Bradley has a nice base to build from.

Yes. People were counting on Ville to take that next step. He didn’t. In fact he took a step back.

Supposedly he had a foot injury that he never got right all season. He was never a plus athlete but he looked to be moving in quicksand this year. If healthy he is a very good weapon off the bench. This year he just never got it going and Bradley was counting on him.

The other X factor is Malevy Leons. Fans salivate over his potential. He is super efficient and a disruptive defensive force. But he just doesn’t appear to have that “alpha” mentality. He never seeked out shots even though he has the ability. It didn’t help he had the strength of a HS sophomore. A year in the weight room should do him wonders.

Next year is a very important year for the program and the coaching staff.

[ValleyFAN]

Tough to project out right now. Give it a couple months are the picture will be much clearer. With Missouri State, for example, so much rides on what Isiaih Mosley chooses to do.

[Adunk33]

For Illinois State, there are too many question marks with the new coach. Pedon is being introduced today, with interesting timing as most of the team is off-campus for Spring Break. So, he won't get the chance to meet with them in-person on this trip.

It seems Redbird fans would welcome back Reeves, Fleming, McChesney, Lewis, and Chatman. Josiah Strong and Abdou N'Diaye went through "senior day" activities so, I'd assume they're gone. I support the new coach and if he sees the need to turnover the roster, keeping a handful of guys, that's fine with me. It seems like Fleming and McChesney will be back. No idea about anyone else.

For most of the last 10 years, Muller has recruited athletes with the hope of teaching them basketball. It'd be cool to see some high BBIQ guy come in that know how to win.

I'm excited about where the program can go, but have no idea what next season will look like.