Projecting Rotations

[Wufan]

Southern Illinois
Starters:
Anthony Beane 6-2 Jr
Bola Olaniyan 6-7 So

Rotation:
Jordan Caroline 6-6 Fr*
Ibby Djimde 6-8 Jr*
Armon Fletcher 6-4 Fr*
Deng Leek 7-1 Jr*
Sean O'Brien 6-6 So
Jalen Pendleton 6-2 Jr
Tyler Smithpeters 6-3 So
Deion Lavender 6-3 Fr*

Pretty much on target here with Southern, though point guard KC Goodwin, a freshman who redshirted last year, projects to get some time off the bench. A couple other freshmen, guard Chaz Glotta and forward Austin Weiher, are on the redshirt bubble. Also would say O'Brien and Smithpeters are very, very likely to start.

I debated adding Smithpeters and O'Brien to the start list, but Pendleton had better numbers and Levander should push for time. I wasn't sure if one of the two sophomores might get beat out.

[glm38]

Missouri State preseason storyline:

The talented combo guard Marcus Marshall will be back in action after an injury ended his season after just 12 games last year! Marshall will join talented backcourt running mate, sophomore sharp-shooter, Austin Ruder and push steady junior PG Dorrian Williams back to the bench. The front court returns 6-11 sophomore Tyler McCullough, 6-8 senior Christian Kirk, and 6-7 junior Gavin Thurman. The trio has shown a load of potential, but have been frustratingly unable to produce an all-around game. Senior Ron Mvouika started towards the end of the season, but needs to demonstrate defensive effort to maintain his position. 6-6 JUCO Camyn Boone was brought in to add toughness to the post, but the key to the Bears success this year may be the addition of three undersized freshman forwards. 6-6 Robin Thompson, 6-5 Loomis Gerring, and 6-4 Chris Kendrix are great athletes, slashers, and rebounders. Ball skills and shooting is still developing, but if one of the three can be effective early in the season, MSU's chance at a high finish are dramatically improved.

Nice analysis. Gerring is a Juco and not a freshman though. And I think Gerring, Kendrix, and Gavin are talented enough that we will be pretty good at the forward positions. My main concern is post play. We really need McCullough to step up and play like he's capable.

I would add that Roundtree is a really talented Frosh guard that may push for PT this year.

[Wufan]

Northern Iowa preseason storyline:

The Panthers return virtually everyone from last season. Gone is starting forward Chip Rank, but 6th man Nate Buss surpassed him in every way last season, and with 3 inches of extra height, the Panthers starting line-up should be as good as ever. In addition to starters Wes Washpun, Matt Bohannon, and Jeremy Morgan, the backcourt returns Deon Mitchell and adds high profile transfer Paul Jesperson and freshman Wyatt Lohaus. If not for the thin depth in the front court, Ben Jacobson's team would be a sure pick for an at large. Keeping Tuttle and Buss healthy will be the key to the season and whether or not they can compete with the Shockers for an MVC title.

[Wufan]

Missouri State preseason storyline:

The talented combo guard Marcus Marshall will be back in action after an injury ended his season after just 12 games last year! Marshall will join talented backcourt running mate, sophomore sharp-shooter, Austin Ruder and push steady junior PG Dorrian Williams back to the bench. The front court returns 6-11 sophomore Tyler McCullough, 6-8 senior Christian Kirk, and 6-7 junior Gavin Thurman. The trio has shown a load of potential, but have been frustratingly unable to produce an all-around game. Senior Ron Mvouika started towards the end of the season, but needs to demonstrate defensive effort to maintain his position. 6-6 JUCO Camyn Boone was brought in to add toughness to the post, but the key to the Bears success this year may be the addition of three undersized freshman forwards. 6-6 Robin Thompson, 6-5 Loomis Gerring, and 6-4 Chris Kendrix are great athletes, slashers, and rebounders. Ball skills and shooting is still developing, but if one of the three can be effective early in the season, MSU's chance at a high finish are dramatically improved.

Nice analysis. Gerring is a Juco and not a freshman though. And I think Gerring, Kendrix, and Gavin are talented enough that we will be pretty good at the forward positions. My main concern is post play. We really need McCullough to step up and play like he's capable.

I would add that Roundtree is a really talented Frosh guard that may push for PT this year.

Totally missed that Gerring was a JUCO. Thanks for the correction. I know there is a lot of hype around Roundtree, but with a crowded backcourt, I don't see significant contribution in his debut season…See Fred VanVleet.

[Wufan]

Southern Illinois preseason storyline:

Barry is building something in carbondale! Half way through the season, the "snipers" took out the underwhelming Salukis and the underclassmen took over, lead by now junior Anthony Beane. Beane was one of the best players in the league during the last ten games of the season (22.5 ppg), but he wasn't alone during the 7-3 run (the three losses were @ UNI, @ ISUb, and @ WSU). Freshmen Tyler Smithpeters, Sean O'Brien, and Bola Olaniyan were inserted into the starting line-up (along with departing senior Desmar Jackson) to give the Salukis a young and undersized line-up, but one that competed with the top of the league. Transfers Ibby Djimde (Illinois) and Deng Leek (JUCO) will add much needed size, at 6-8 and 7-1 respectively, on the defensive end, while talented freshmen Jordan Caroline, Arman Fletcher, KC Goodwin, and Deion Lavender will add needed depth across the SIU bench.

2015 isn't the year of the dog, but with no seniors on the team, 2016 just might be.

[Wufan]

Wichita State preseason storyline:

The shockers return the four horseman of the ashockolypse to defend their undefeated championship…almost. Gone is Cleanthony Early to play in the NBA, but senior reserve Darius Carter appears poised to take up the reins. He will join MVC POY and All-American point guard Fred VanVleet, All-Conference shooting guard Ron Baker, and Defensive POY Tekele Cotton in the starting line-up. Gregg Marshall brought in three new faces in 7 foot Bush Wamukota, and freshmen Rokas Nurger and Shaquille Morris, in an effort defend the post. Tevin Glass is a springy power forward that will back up Carter, while freshman Zach Brown appears ready to contribute on the wing. A second place finish isn't out of the picture, but a more interesting question is will WSU go undefeated for a second consecutive year?

[Wufan]

Preseason freshman team:

Josh Cunningham, BU
Deontae Hawkins, ISUr
Marlon Jones, LUC
Wyatt Lohaus, UNI
Jordan Caroline, SIU

[Wufan]

Preseason Newcomer Team (freshman excluded):

Mike Shaw, BU
Tramique Sutherland, BU
Willie Wiley, UE
Devaughn Akoon-Purcell, ISUr
Paul Jesperson, UNI
Bush Wamukota, WSU (if the MVC can have 6 first teamers, then I can too).

[Wufan]

First Team All-MVC:

Fred VanVleet, WSU
Ron Baker, WSU
Seth Tuttle, UNI
DJ Balentine, UE
Anthony Beane, SIU

Second Team:

Egidijus Mockevicius, UE
Daishon Knight, ISUr
Khristian Smith, ISUb
Marcus Marshall, MSU
Milton Doyle, LUC

[PantherSigEp]

First Team All-MVC:

Fred VanVleet, WSU
Ron Baker, WSU
Seth Tuttle, UNI
DJ Balentine, UE
Anthony Beane, SIU

Second Team:

Egidijus Mockevicius, UE
Daishon Knight, ISUr
Khristian Smith, ISUb
Marcus Marshall, MSU
Milton Doyle, UNI

I really wish Doyle did in fact play for UNI.