Top forwards

[Wufan]

Includes post forwards and stretch forwards. No newcomers:

1. Early, 6-8, 215 lb senior, WSU
2. Tuttle, 6-8, 221lb junior, UNI
3. Pickett, 6-6, 230lb senior, BU
4. Christian Kirk, 6-7, 225lb junior, MSU
5. Ryan Sawvell, 6-8, 200lb junior, UE

Here's the four centers worth mentioning:

1. Seth Van Deest, 6-11, 269lb senior, Drake
2. Egidijus Mockevicius, 6-10, 225lb sophomore, UE
3. Justin Gant, 6-8, 210lb junior, ISUb
4. Jordan Prosser, 6-8, 245lb senior, BU

[Drakey]

Daddy

[Wufan]

Daddy

Nope!

[Redbird23]

Tuttle

[Aargh]

Not a strong class at the 4/5. Pickett has the body type and stats to get some respect, but at 6'6", he's a "smaller" PF. Prosser's stats were 5.5 and 3.5 last year. It's a little tough to see those kinds of stats appear on top-4 list .

Most of the 4's are stretch 4's. Mokevisius is the only post player I recognize as a down-low banger. Van Deest had some mobility issues, but usually guys his size gain some mobility as they mature and get additional years of experience with their bodies.

These lists tell me the Valley is going to be a guard-oriented league again this year.

[glm38]

I think last year there were several very good 4's and 5's in the Valley. Guys like Jackie, Echenique, and Hall. I don't see any proven players close to that level listed here.

[Wufan]

I think we'll see some pretty good incoming posts. Darius Carter at WSU, MSU has Addo and McCullough coming in, Loyola got a really good JUCO center, and UNI and Ill St have some talented bigs as well. Always hard to tell who will succeed and who will flop.

[DUBulldog]

Van Deest had some mobility issues, but usually guys his size gain some mobility as they mature and get additional years of experience with their bodies.

Van Deest's mobility issues were due to bone spurs in both feet, along with a knee injury. He has had surgeries since the season ended to repair those issues. Drake fans are hoping that he's healthy this season, something that he has not been since his freshman season in 2009-10.

[lusuperfan]

I guess all of Loyola's players would be excluded as "newcomers" to the MVC, but Christian Thomas will be in this conversation after you see him play. The other forwards are all still young, but Thomas will probably be the most productive this year.

[GoRamblers]

I guess all of Loyola's players would be excluded as "newcomers" to the MVC, but Christian Thomas will be in this conversation after you see him play. The other forwards are all still young, but Thomas will probably be the most productive this year.

He was included in the "Wing" thread. In fact, he is #2 on there.