CHRIS KENDRIX

[BEARZ77]

Kendrix has started to evidence the vast potential many Bears fans have been waiting for since emerging out of Lusk's doghouse 5 games ago. While some might give Lusk credit for motivating Chris by a strong disciplinary approach, others would simply say a desperate coach realized his fate might be tied to his talented sophmore's status and wisely just let him play the last 5 games. Either way, the results suggest Kendrix is one of the rising stars in the Valley . The athletic 6'5 small forward has averaged 19.6 ppg, 7.6 rbs, shooting 38% from 3pt and getting to the foul line repeatedly where he's shot 90% during that span. He still has tendency's to get a little passive, but increasingly is making plays above and around the rim that showcase his vertical both offensively, defensively[ 5 blks/7stls] and on the boards.

Probably too late to make a significant leap up the All-MVC voting lists for Chris, still when his play is coupled with our 3 frosh [Dixon/Kreklow/Church] returning juco pg Miller and the incoming recruiting class which includes previous top 100 rated 6'5 pg Boogie Williams , things might be on the uptick for the Bears heading into next year. The obvious uncertainty is Lusk, and his fate is still in question and will be heading into the offseason, although given those players potential and a contractual buyout that would be difficult to fund, arrows would seem to point to at least one more year to see if he can get the ship righted.

We are still madly inconsistent, woeful at times on defense, and next have to face a pissed off WSU in Wichita; but if we can close out the season playing solid basketball the last 7 games, can keep everyone we want in the fold in the offseason & add the 1-2 players we are still pursing to the mix, next year looks interesting no matter who the coach.

[glm38]

Good post. Even though it has been another frustrating year in a lot of ways - I have really enjoyed watching our talented quartet of Kendrix, Church, Dixon, and Kreklow play and develop.

You would have to think purely from a talent standpoint with those 4 plus the 3 recruits coming in that we will be vying for a conference championship the next few years. But........coaching is the big question. I still want to believe in Lusk but at this point I don't.

[valleyclimber]

Completely agree with the Chris Kendrix observation. After watching a ton of MVC games throughout the season on ESPN 3, I've got a list based on minutes played and production of the 25 top MVC frosh and soph players that should give the Valley a good uptick in the very near future.

BU Braves have Dwayne Lautier Ogunleye FR, Luuk Van Bree FR, Antoine Pittman FR, Callum Barker FR and Donte Thomas SO

Drake Bulldogs have Reed Timmer SO, Ore Arogunde SO and Dominick Kolejniczak FR

Illinois State Redbirds have MiKyle McIntosh SO, Deonte Hawkins SO and Roland Griffin FR

Indiana State Sycamores have Brenton Scott SO

Loyola Ramblers have Donte Ingram SO and Ben Richardson SO

Missouri State Bears have Chris Kendrix SO, Jarred Dixon FR, Obediah Church FR and Ryan Kreklow FR

Northern Iowa Panthers have Bennet Koch SO and Klint Carlson SO

Southern Illinois Salukis have Armond Fletcher FR

Wichita State Shockers have Zach Brown SO, Shaquille Morris SO, Markis McDuffie FR and Connor Frankamp SO

Sorry about any names I'm misspelling. If I had to choose a top 10 in no particular order or position it would be:

Donte Thomas BU Braves

Reed Timmer DU Bulldogs

MiKyle McIntosh ISU Redbirds

Deonte Hawkins ISU Redbirds

Brenton Scott ISU Sycamores

Chris Kendrix MSU Bears

Bennet Koch UNI Panthers

Shaquille Morris WSU Shockers

Markis McDuffie WSU Shockers

Zach Brown WSU Shockers

My sleeper is DU's frosh center Dominick Kolejniczak.

So many good young players that are contributing minutes and production that the Valley should be moving back up the conference tote board.

KEEP IT ROCKIN' MVC!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PantherSigEp]

I still say Wyatt Lohaus is UNI's best young player. Koch and Carlson look like very promising guys for the 5 and 4 spot, but did anyone else notice Lohaus efficiently and effectively cut through the Shockers yesterday? That's what he does when he plays the 2 spot instead of the 1. It's what he did last year as a true freshman. I believe it's what he'll continue to do next year if/when he is put back into the 2 role to replace Bohannon.

[BEARZ77]

Carlson caught my eye when we played UNI; he appeared the type of frontcourt player that Jake takes and develops into a really good Valley player. Koch had a big second half against us up there; I haven't seen enough of Lohaus other than knowing he can hit the open trey. The thing I like about the MSU quartet is they give you a little of everything and are complimentary players to each other. Kreklow is a 3 point threat, Church makes his living around the basket and above the rim, Dixon can get his own shot off the bounce and is an emerging defender, and Kendrix is just good. But we need more to turn the corner.Williams and our two committed jucos need to fit in with this bunch.

[unialum2010]

Watching Chris Kendrix in person he really impressed me. My father came with me to the game as well (Iowa season ticket holder that doesn't really follow the MVC) and was shocked when I told him he was only a sophomore.

[UNIFanSince1983]

I still say Wyatt Lohaus is UNI's best young player. Koch and Carlson look like very promising guys for the 5 and 4 spot, but did anyone else notice Lohaus efficiently and effectively cut through the Shockers yesterday? That's what he does when he plays the 2 spot instead of the 1. It's what he did last year as a true freshman. I believe it's what he'll continue to do next year if/when he is put back into the 2 role to replace Bohannon.

I don't know. Koch has been on a tear recently. He has a ton of talent, and will be a force. The beauty is both are only sophomores. When Wyatt was doing his most damage against WSU he was at the 1. When Wes had 2 fouls. Although I do agree he is really good off the ball moving and getting mid range jumpers. My real question would be who would play the 1 next year if Lohaus was the 2? The two freshmen Haldeman(redshirt) or McCloud(true)?

We are going to be stacked at forward, but weak at guard next year. Pretty much the opposite of this year.