GETTING INSIDE

Jeff Sagarin's all-time computer ratings rank Bradley No. 39, by far the best of any Missouri Valley Conference program. The great Braves teams of yesteryear piled up many wins and trips to the NIT and NCAA tournaments.

The current Braves are still piling up post-season trips, but it's been a long time since Bradley ruled the MVC. Bradley hasn't finished higher than fourth since 2001 and hasn't won a regular-season title since 1996. Its most recent MVC tournament title came in 1988.

Under coach Jim Les, the Braves are usually good, but not a threat to win big. Last season, he polished up a coaching resume by guiding a team rocked by injury to a fourth-place finish (by two games). His recent teams are led by strong guard play and let down by their big men.

This season's group appears to be similar. Bradley's backcourt is deep, experienced and talented. It can match up with any team in the MVC at the guard and small forward positions and feel good.

Senior guard Dodie Dunson averaged 10.1 points and is a good outside shooter (36.8 percent from three) and defender. Senior small forward Chris Roberts is one of the Valley's best leapers. Junior point guard Sam Maniscalco, who averaged 12.6 points as a sophomore, has helped run the team since his freshman season. Sophomore guard Eddren McCain handed out 111 assists and might be the fastest player in the conference.

That's a good group, made even better by the return of junior Andrew Warren. He missed last season with a stress fracture in his foot. As a sophomore, Warren averaged 13.2 points and 3.6 rebounds.

Throw in talented big men, and that's a big winner. Unfortunately, Les can't be sure what he has in the frontcourt. The four returning inside players combined to average 13.1 points and 9.8 rebounds last season. Senior Sam Singh is a tough, smart role player who will probably start. Sophomore Will Egolf started three games before a knee injury ended his season. Sophomore Taylor Brown played in all 36 games and showed flashes of athletic ability. He played well during a five-game trip to Brazil in August. Freshmen forwards Milos Knezevic and Jordan Prosser should get a shot at playing time.

Bradley will play fast and shoot threes to take advantage of its wealth of talent at guard. The big men need to do their part to make this team a contender.

NOTES, QUOTES

--Senior forward Sam Singh is back for a sixth season after shoulder and knee injuries cut short his first two seasons at Bradley. He played in five games in 2004-05 and seven games in 2005-06.

--Freshman guard Jake Eastman is the son of Boston Celtics assistant coach Kevin Eastman.

--Bradley went 4-1 in its tour of Brazil during the summer. Senior Chris Roberts provided one of the individual highlights by scoring 30 points in the final game.

LAST YEAR: 21-15 overall, 10-8 in the MVC.

HEAD COACH: Jim Les (career 126-105); eighth year at Bradley (126-105).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Playing four games in four days is difficult under any circumstance, but the fact that we dominated the fourth quarter after all that we have experienced on this trip shows how tough this team can be. This trip has been an outstanding experience from start to finish, both on the court and off." -- Bradley coach Jim Les after a five-game exhibition series in Brazil.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Freshmen forwards Jordan Prosser (6-foot-8, 220 pounds) and Milos Knezevic (6-8, 206) are of immediate interest. If one or both can add to Bradley's depth, it's a big development. If one or both enjoys a breakout season, the Braves can contend.

Prosser, a three-star recruit according to Rivals.com, may be most ready to contribute. He is regarded as a good scorer with back-to-the-basket moves.

Guards Dyricus Simms-Edwards and Jake Eastman likely won't play much of a role unless injuries bench returners. Both seem to be good redshirt candidates.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: Bradley consistently schedules good opponents, and this season is no exception. Les likes to push his teams and he is no doubt using his recent schedules as a recruiting tool in contrast to his main rival at Illinois State.

The Braves play at Mountain West favorite Brigham Young in the conference challenge series on Nov. 13. They open a tournament in Las Vegas against Oklahoma State (Nov. 27) and could face either Utah or Illinois in the second round. Bradley has lost four straight games to the Illini, most recently in 2006.

A road game at Iowa State (Dec. 20) offers another test.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: Bradley is a consistent winner and benefits from the recent growth of second-tier post-season tournaments. Its attendance makes Bradley an attractive participant. Les has proven he can coach guards and turn them into winners. He needs to find some big men to make the Braves a title threat in the MVC.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Sam Maniscalco, SG Dodie Dunson, SF Chris Roberts, SF Andrew Warren and C Sam Singh.

ROSTER REPORT:

--Sophomore forward Taylor Brown was arrested on a misdemeanor battery charge in early September. Coach Jim Les, in a news release, said Brown would be disciplined.

--Junior Andrew Warren and sophomore Will Egolf are practicing without limits as they return from injuries.

--Bradley's biggest loss is a crucial one. Forward Theron Wilson, an All-MVC pick, was one of the conference's most versatile players. He led the Braves in scoring and rebounding last season.

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CREIGHTON

GETTING INSIDE

Like many Missouri Valley Conference teams, Creighton is loaded with guards and small forwards. Like many, its inside game is a question mark.

Creighton's edge is two-fold. First, the Bluejays do have junior center Kenny Lawson, a talented 6-foot-9 center who progressed nicely late in 2009. He is a good starting point. Second, coach Dana Altman wins regardless of his personnel issues.

The Bluejays are expected to win again this season, despite some painful losses in the off-season. Guard Booker Woodfox, the MVC's Player of the Year, ran out of elgibility. The unexpected loss of center Kenton Walker, who joined Lawson as a emerging big man, sets the Bluejays back. He transferred to St. Mary's (Calif.) after two seasons in Omaha. His departure leaves Creighton thin inside. Since rebounding was already an issue, all eyes will be on Lawson and the other inside players.

Chad Millard, a 6-8 senior, has suffered through an injury-plagued career. If he can get healthy, he can give Creighton needed depth. Coaches hope junior college transfer Wayne Runnels, a 6-6, 215-pound forward, can skip the usual adjustment period and contribute immediately. Beyond Lawson, there is nobody on the roster taller than 6-8.

Altman spent the first half of last season challenging his team's toughness, a weakness that showed up in rebounding disadvantages. The Bluejays figured things out during the conference season, running off 11 straight wins from late January to early March.

Replacing Woodfox, who made 47.6 percent of his three-pointers, is also a chore. With returners P'Allen Stinnett, who averaged 12.5 points, Antoine Young and Cavel Witter, the Bluejays will be solid in the backcourt.

NOTES, QUOTES

--Forward Justin Carter will be the biggest beneficiary if Wayne Runnells can take over the power forward duties. Carter, 6-foot-4, battled as an under-sized inside player. He can overpower opponents if he can move to the wing.

--Freshman guard Josh Jones will also get a shot to help in the backcourt. He redshirted in 2009 after setting the scoring record at Omaha Central High with 1,518 points.

--Creighton coach Dana Altman ranks third on the MVC's coaching list with 392 career victories. He trails Henry Iba (486) and Eddie Hickey (337).

LAST YEAR: 27-8 overall, 14-4 in the MVC.

HEAD COACH: Dana Altman (career 392-227); 16th year at Creighton (309-160).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We were not a good rebounding team at any position. We've got to be more aware of rebounding at every spot." -- Creighton coach Dana Altman.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Freshman Andrew Bock is Creighton's most highly rated newcomer. Rivals.com ranked him No. 101 in his senior class and No. 17 among point guards. He is the only MVC recruit ranked in the top 150.

Forward Wayne Runnels, however, is the key. He averaged 22 points and 11 rebounds as a sophomore at Northern Oklahoma College. Creighton needs him to rebound, rebound, rebound.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: Creighton won 26 games by selection day and the NCAA committee turned it down. Games against Dayton and Michigan can help the Bluejays avoid a similar fate.

Creighton also could face Marquette or Xavier and has its usual matchup with Nebraska. The Bluejays enjoy several opportunities to score resume-builders in November and December.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: With Southern Illinois in a decline, Creighton is the Valley's most consistent winner. The Jays have won 20 or more games 11 straight seasons.

Creighton hit a high point with four straight NCAA berths early this decade, capped by a 29-5 record in 2003. Since then, the Bluejays are winners, but not big winners.

The NIT is a good goal most seasons for most MVC teams. Creighton fans expect a little more. It is irritating for them to see the Bluejays relegated to the NIT in three of the past four seasons. While Altman has built a consistent winner, fans can be forgiven for wishing for a few more high points.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Antoine Young, SG P'Allen Stinnett, SF Justin Carter, PF Wayne Runnels, C Kenny Lawson.

ROSTER REPORT:

--Senior guard Cavel Witter left the team after last season. He reconsidered and rejoined the team in the summer. Witter averaged 7.7 points as a junior.

--Senior Chad Millard's season started with another injury setback. He broke a bone in his right foot early in late September. The injury did not require surgery.

--Waukee (Iowa) center Will Artino (6-foot-11) gave Creighton an oral commitment.

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DRAKE

GETTING INSIDE

Mark Phelps inherited one of the MVC's most difficult jobs at a most difficult time. Drake, historically a bottom-feeder, put together a miracle run to the MVC title and NCAA Tournament under coach Keno Davis in 2008.

Phelps took over for the 2009 season, and things didn't go nearly as smoothly. The Bulldogs finished the season with a 4-12 slump and dropped from first to a tie for eighth place.

This season doesn't look any easier. At least Phelps is in his second season and is a little closer to constructing a roster with his players and his philosophy. Last season's Bulldogs, at times, didn't appear to put whole-hearted enthusiasm into the new coach's plans. Even with all the transition, Phelps did coach the Bulldogs to a winning record. They defeated New Mexico, Iowa State and Iowa. They also won at MVC co-champions Creighton and Northern Iowa.

Drake's season started to slip when opponents put all their efforts into stopping Josh Young. He endured a barrage of defenders who bullied the slightly built guard. He shot 38.1 percent from the field and 32.1 percent from three-point range.

For Drake to move up in the standings, Young needs some help. Center Jonathan Cox, the team's only scoring threat in the paint, is gone. Guard Josh Parker, who averaged 10.2 points, transferred to Dayton.

With Young, point guard Craig Stanley and transfer Ryan Wedel, the Bulldogs should be adequate at guard. Wedel averaged 15.1 points as a sophomore at Arkansas State and needs to pull his weight quickly.

In a conference low on quality big men, the Bulldogs may suit up the weakest group. Cox and Brent Heemskerk did all of the inside work last season and both are gone. Drake has five players 6-foot-8 or taller, and all are freshmen. Sean Jones, a 7-footer, redshirted last season.

For Drake to win, it must be able to spread the floor and pound away at defenses with outside shooters. Young, Wedel, Adam Templeton and freshman Ben Simons should fit those roles.

NOTES, QUOTES

--Drake can record a fourth straight winning season, something it hasn't achieved since 1968-71.

--Senior guard Josh Young enters the season third on Drake's career list for three-pointers (202) and tied for seventh in scoring (1,328). Should he match last season's total of 509 points, he would easily pass Red Murrell (1,657) for first.

-- Forward Adam Templeton led Cal-Irvine with 59 three-pointers in 2006 and shot 38.3 percent from that range. He made only 35 in his first season at Drake, shooting 31.8 percent from behind the arc.

LAST YEAR: 17-16 overall, 7-11 in the MVC.

HEAD COACH: Mark Phelps (career 17-16); second year at Drake (17-16).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Our undoing throughout the season really boiled down to not being a particularly gifted passing team. We had a negative assist-to-turnover ratio on the year, and it was something we addressed on a regular basis, and still something that we struggled with a little bit." -- Drake coach Mark Phelps.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Junior guard Ryan Wedel is a good three-point shooter who can take pressure off senior Josh Young if he adjusts to the physical MVC brand of ball quickly. He is also a good passer who can help the Bulldogs with their turnover problems. Freshman forward Ben Simons is a scorer who averaged 29.4 points at Cadillac (Mich.) High on his way to finishing as the runner-up for Mr. Basketball in the state.

Freshmen Aaron Hawley (6-foot-8) and Seth VanDeest (6-10) could help.

Guard Frank Wiseler, forwards Cory Parker and Greg Whitaker and center Sean Jones redshirted last season.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: Iowa State comes to the Knapp Center on Nov. 17, before Drake starts a four-game road trip. Beating the Cyclones for a fourth straight time would give the Bulldogs a boost heading away from home.

The Bulldogs travel to Iowa on Dec. 19, also trying to extend a three-game streak over an in-state rival. Drake held the Hawkeyes to 43 points with its matchup zone last season.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: Phelps needs to at least maintain. A drop from 2008's standard was unavoidable. But it's a problem if the Bulldogs continue to fall. Replacing the popular Tom Davis-Keno Davis coaching duo isn't easy.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Craig Stanley, SG Josh Young, SG Ryan Wedel, SF Adam Templeton, C Seth VanDeest.

ROSTER REPORT:

--Sophomore forward Jordan Clarke, a transfer from Vermont, is sitting out this season. Clarke (6-8, 245) averaged 1.4 points and 1.6 rebounds as a freshman.

--Sophomore guard Frank Wiseler played for the Luxembourg men's national team during the summer.

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EVANSVILLE

GETTING INSIDE

Departures devastated Evansville. Yet it's obvious the school is taking the patient route to rebuilding its program. Coach Marty Simmons will need plenty of patience.

Evansville lost four starters and doesn't return a player who averaged in double figures. That might tempt many programs into scouring junior colleges for immediate help.

Not Evansville. The Ace brought in six freshmen and one junior-college transfer. Nine of the 14 Aces are in their first or second season at the school.

So count on a step back for Evansville, which went 17-14 last season and impressed with their desire to play hard and defend. Shy Ely, the MVC's leading scorer, gave the Aces enough offense to make it work. Now Ely, Jason Holsinger and Nate Garner are gone. Then freshman point guard Kaylon Williams, Evansville's top defender, left the program for a junior college.

Those losses are too much for Simmons to replace in one season. Junior center Pieter van Tongeren, who averaged 4.8 points and 3.2 rebounds, is the returning starter. Forward James Haarsma, who averaged 5.8 points as a reserve, is the top returning scorer.

Big things are expected from sophomore forward Bryan Bouchie, a transfer from Valparaiso. He averaged 7.0 points and 3.3 rebounds as a freshman.

Van Tongeren, Haarsma and Bouchie should be competitive physically with MVC frontlines. The backcourt, in a rarity for a Valley school, is a problem. Junior Kavon Lacey, who started four games, is the top returner. He averaged 4.2 points and his 60 assist ranked third on the team. Senior Trevor Gregory played in seven games in 2009. Sophomore Denver Holmes averaged 2.2 points in 26 games.

Transfer Monie Hudson must step in right away and help in the backcourt. He averaged 12.3 points and 4.6 assists as a sophomore at Southeastern Illinois College.

In a season in which most MVC teams figure to take a step forward, Evansville is moving in the wrong direction.

NOTES, QUOTES

--In addition to starter Kaylon Williams, three players with eligibility remaining did not return -- guard Darin Granger, forward C.J. Erickson and center Zach House. None of three played more than 14 games.

--New assistant coach Chris Hollender is a former Ace who played at Evansville when coach Marty Simmons was an assistant under Jim Crews. Hollender scored 1,029 points and earned second-team all-conference honors. He spent the past seven years as an assistant to Crews at Army.

--It's been a sad period for a program with a strong tradition. The Aces went 17-14 last season to post their first winning season since 2000. A spot in the CollegeInsider.com Tournament gave them their first post-season berth since 1999.

LAST YEAR: 17-14 overall, 8-10 in the MVC.

HEAD COACH: Marty Simmons (career 124-108); third year at Evansville (26-35).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Monie (Hudson) is a great addition because his experience and his maturity. He's tough, he delivers the basketball, and he can shoot the three." -- Evansville coach Marty Simmons.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Guard Monie Hudson is the key player. But freshman Colt Ryan could develop quickly and give the Aces a scoring threat.

With Shy Ely and Jason Holsinger gone, minutes are available for scorers. Ryan, a 6-foot-5 guard, averaged 26.5 points at Batesville (Ind.) High.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: Coach Marty Simmons didn't take on too many big challenges. It's a smart move. The Aces play Butler (Nov. 21) and Western Kentucky (Dec. 8) and the Aces aren't ready for either.

Evansville should set its sights on winning some road games to develop confidence for conference play. Games at Tennessee Tech and Austin Peay are in their range

PROGRAM DIRECTION: The early returns on coach Marty Simmons are strong. He got a lot out of the 2009 team, carried by Ely's scoring and strong defense. It will take at least two years for the roster to mature. By then, fans will know if Simmons can recruit enough talent to move into the MVC's upper division.

Last season's winning record stopped a downward slide. Fans like Simmons, a former Aces star. He has much work to do to keep pace in the MVC.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Monie Hudson, SG Denver Holmes, SG Kavon Lacey, PF Bryan Bouchie, C Pieter van Tongeren.

ROSTER REPORT:

--Junior guard Kavon Lacey is quickly recovering from May knee surgery. Lacey has been cleared to practice.

--Sophomore forward James Haarsma, Evansville's top inside reserve last season, is slowed by a stress fracture in his foot and will not practice until November.

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ILLINOIS STATE

GETTING INSIDE

Redbirds coach Tim Jankovich is a skilled mixer of parts. He took over an underachieving program in 2007 and blended new and old into a winner.

He can work with transfers as well as almost any coach, perhaps because of his laidback style and sense of humor. Perhaps it's because he transferred as a player, from Washington State to Kansas State. He coached two seasons at Hutchinson Community College. His two seasons at Illinois State prove he can work with all ages. Jankovich will need to again quickly adapt and flourish if he is take full advantage of the skills of senior Osiris Eldridge.

Eldridge is the Valley's top talent. With him, the Redbirds advanced to the NIT the past two seasons after losing in the conference tournament title game. It would be a shame if Eldridge, perhaps the school's second-biggest star behind Doug Collins, never plays on March's big stage.

Much of the core group that won 49 games the past two seasons has slipped away. Newcomers must contribute because the Redbirds received little production from its bench returners last season.

Eldridge, who investigated the NBA Draft before staying, averaged 14.0 points and 6.2 rebounds. Jankovich wants him to handle the ball more this season to help his pro prospects. When it is scoring time, rest assured Eldridge will get the ball. Senior center Dinma Odiakosa is a hard-working big man who improves each season. He is an excellent defender and rebounded. Senior guard Lloyd Phillips survived a short leave of absence last season for personal reason. He is back after averaging 10.6 points and 3.6 assists.

Two transfers are expected to play significant minutes. Guard Austin Hill arrives with a reputation as a physical defender, a necessity in the MVC. He averaged 15.2 points in junior college. Forward Tony Lewis (6-foot-7, 230 pounds) needs to help Odiakosa with inside play.

Jankovich also has some promising freshmen. They need to help, but they won't face big expectations. Forward Jackie Carmichael (6-9) played a season at prep school. Guard Justin Clark is an excellent scorer.

Other returners are role players. Forwards Jeremy Robinson and Kellen Thornton and guard Alex Rubin played little last season. Blake Mishler, a junior forward, sat out 2009 after transferring from East Tennessee State.

Jankovich's first two teams relied on athletic backcourts with numerous ball handlers who could spread the defense, drive and shoot. He needs his newcomers to fill open spots and hit open shots to continue his success.

NOTES, QUOTES

--Dinma Odiakosa hasn't been much of an offensive threat, other than scoring on putbacks. Coach Tim Jankovich believes that may change. Odiakosa is improving his shooting and footwork in the off-season.

--Osiris Eldridge ranks 16th on Illinois State's career scoring list with 1,325 points. He needs 84 points to move into the top 10. If he matches last season's 476 points, he will finish fifth.

--Illinois State is one of five schools to lose MVC tournament title games in back-to-back seasons. No school has lost it three straight times.

LAST YEAR: 24-10 overall, 11-7 in the MVC.

HEAD COACH: Tim Jankovich (career 152-91); second year at Illinois State (49-20).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Of all the (MVC) teams, we probably have the widest range of possibilities -- from really, really good to not-so-good." -- Illinois State coach Tim Jankovich.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Jankovich appears to have landed a talented and versatile group, and why not. Illinois State enjoys one of the MVC's best recruiting situations. It owns good facilities and a good location.

Transfers Austin Hill and Tony Lewis must play now. But Jankovich didn't neglect the future. Forward Jackie Carmichael, guard Justin Clark and forward Jon Ekey could contribute as freshmen. Zeke Upshaw and Terry Johnson played together in the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Senior All-Star Game. ESPN.com ranked Johnson the No. 28 point guard in the nation as a senior.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: All of them. Fans love Jankovich, until the subject of scheduling comes up. Whether by design or bad luck, the Redbirds schedule too many no-names for most fans.

The one marquee game is at Utah (Dec. 19), a game mandated by the MVC-Mountain West challenge. The Redbirds also play Niagara, one of the best teams in the Metro Atlantic.

Beyond those two games, the schedule is filled with Norfolk States and Central Michigans. There is even a head-scratching trip to Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, a program making the transition to Division I.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: This is a big season for Illinois State. The past two were successful, but the Redbirds fell short of winning a conference title or making the NCAA Tournament. It would look bad to waste Eldridge's talents with another third-place finish.

The Redbirds will lose three seniors, so the future may include a step back. But Jankovich should be able to keep Illinois State among the best in the Valley.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Lloyd Phillips, SG Osiris Eldridge, SG Austin Hill, PF Tony Lewis, C Dinma Odiakosa.

ROSTER REPORT:

--Guard Trey Blue, a sophomore, is sitting out this season after transferring from Fordham. He started three games and played in 19 for the Rams and averaged 8.2 points. He took a leave of absence on Feb. 12 after the death of a friend. He is from South Holland, Ill.

--Illinois State's depth took a hit when junior forward Bobby Hill tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. He will miss a second straight season at Illinois State. Hill missed last season after tearing the ACL in his right knee.

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INDIANA STATE

GETTING INSIDE

Transfers from schools in high-profile conferences get a lot of publicity when they enter the Missouri Valley Conference. There is often an assumption a player from a big-name school will cruise through the competition in the MVC.

Sometimes that adjustment isn't automatic. For every Champ Oguchi (Oregon to Illinois State) who contributes big there is often a Carlton Reed (Iowa to Northern Iowa), who doesn't. Kyle Wilson (Illinois to Wichita State) and Rolan Roberts (Virginia Tech to Southern Illinois) excelled at their second home. Sead Odzic (Southern Cal to Illinois State) didn't. Chad Millard (Louisville to Creighton) hasn't, although he has one more season.

So what does Indiana State get in Iowa transfer Jake Kelly? The Sycamores can't wait to find out. He was the best player on a bad team, which may be a warning sign. Kelly's credentials, however, seem to warn the rest of the MVC he will be a force immediately.

Kelly, a 6-foot-6 junior, averaged 11.6 points as a sophomore to lead the Hawkeyes. He was an honorable mention All-Big Ten pick and twice named player of the week. He hit Penn State for 22 points and 11 rebounds, burned Ohio State for 19 and 11 and scored 20 points at Michigan State.

The NCAA cleared him for immediate eligibility on Oct. 1, surely setting off a few celebrations at the Ballyhoo Tavern near the Hulman Center. Kelly's mother died in a plane crash in 2008. He moved to Indiana State to be close to his father, who lives in Terre Haute.

His addition gives Indiana State a backcourt that can match up with any in the Valley. Senior Harry Marshall, a former walk-on, is one of the conference's toughest competitors. Playing with Kelly will keep defenses from ganging up on him. Senior Rashad Reed made 39.5 percent of his threes and averaged 11.0 points. Reserves Aaron Carter and Jordan Printy progressed late in the year. Transfer Dwayne Lathan started 12 games at Louisiana Tech in 2008 and averaged 8.2 points and 3.9 rebounds. He led the Bulldogs with 18 blocked shots.

Sophomore forward Carl Richard is Indiana State's leading returning rebounded (6.0).

The Sycamores lost center Jay Tunnell, their only reliable big man and the driving force behind a late-season surge in 2009. Senior Josh Crawford is 6-11 and could be a contributor if he can stay out of foul trouble and rebound better. Junior Isiah Martin slumped after a promising freshman season. If those two can rebound, defend and score just a little, the Sycamores could be a big mover.

NOTES, QUOTES

--Indiana State went 3-0 in overtime games in 2009 and has won five straight in overtime, all against MVC opponents.

--Forward Carl Richard recorded six double-doubles as a freshman, four against conference teams.

LAST YEAR: 11-21 overall, 7-11 in the MVC.

HEAD COACH: Kevin McKenna (career 115-70); second year at Indiana State (26-37).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Jake is a proven player at the Division I level. He had some solid games against some very good teams in the Big Ten last season, and that experience is invaluable." -- Indiana State coach Kevin McKenna.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Indiana State stayed local for most of its recruiting class. Red shirting is a possibility for the freshmen guards.

The top freshman is Jake Odum, a 6-foot-2 point guard who averaged 22 points and 7.8 rebounds at Terre Haute South. He was named one of the top 15 seniors in Indiana after grabbing a lot of attention during his final season.

Lucas and Logan Eitel are twins from Marshall, Ill. They are walking on.

Forward R.J. Mahurin, from Rockville, Ind., played in the North/South Indiana All-Star Classic, as did Odum.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: Indiana State can make a splash on the road early in the season. The Sycamores play at UNLV on Nov. 21 and at Saint Louis on Dec. 5.

Indiana State went 0-5 on the road in non-conference games last season and 4-10 overall. Winning either of those games could signal the Sycamores are ready for bigger things.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: Indiana State saved coach Kevin McKenna a lot of grief with a strong finish last season. The Sycamores won seven of their final nine games. Without that strong finish, things look grim this season.

Expectations will be high, especially now that Jake Kelly is eligible. McKenna deserves time to rebuild the program. A good season in 2010 will help that process immensely.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Harry Marshall, SG Jake Kelly, SG Rashad Reed, PF Carl Richard, C Isiah Martin.

ROSTER REPORT:

--Forward Koang Doluony (6-7, 190) redshirted last season and practiced with the team.

-- Guards Tyler Cutter and Nick Donaldson and forward Keenan Barlow transferred after last season.

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MISSOURI STATE

GETTING INSIDE

Missouri State fans should forget last season. Give coach Cuonzo Martin a mulligan. He took over in a difficult situation and did what he could with limited talent. Injuries to some of his better players didn't help.

This season, however, should be the start of what Martin wants Missouri State to become. Most of the roster is filled with his recruits, or leftovers talented enough to stick around. The Bears should take a step forward playing the hard-nosed defense Martin prefers.

This season, MSU should add in enough offense to improve on last season's miserable averages of 60.9 points and 40.1 percent shooting. Oh, and the Bears also brought up the rear in free throw accuracy (67.9 percent) in the MVC.

Martin will count on newcomers to help change that. Guard Adam Leonard, a transfer from Eastern Kentucky, averaged 11.9 points and made 38.5 percent of his threes. Center Caleb Patterson played little at Colorado, but he is 6-11 and that means something in a conference starved for height. Guard Nafis Ricks was the NJCAA Division II Player of the Year at Johnson County Community College. Forward Jermaine Mallett averaged 22.7 points and 9.5 rebounds at Marion Military Institute, a junior college in Alabama.

Those additions should help. Last season, the Bears weren't athletic enough at guard to defend. Their inside game didn't amount to much.

Martin is changing that, slowly.

NOTES, QUOTES

--MSU's top returner is sophomore Kyle Weems. He started 19 games and earned MVC All-Freshman honors. Weems averaged 10.2 points and 4.9 rebounds.

--MSU increased its attendance an average of 906 fans, up to 7,147 in new JQH Arena. It was the biggest rise in the MVC and 20th nationally. MSU set a school record with a crowd of 10,881 against Arkansas.

LAST YEAR: 11-20 overall, 3-15 in the MVC.

HEAD COACH: Cuonzo Martin (career 11-20); second year at Missouri State (11-20).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "(Ricks) is a proven winner who can run the point, rebound and score the ball." -- Missouri State coach Cuonzo Martin.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Guards Nafis Ricks and Adam Leonard could step in right away as MSU's starting backcourt. Both are scorers and ball handlers who should be better prepared to battle in the Valley than last season's guards.

Martin went heavy into transfers. He didn't neglect the high schools. He hit in-state schools, landing Jerome Jones and Keith Pickens of St. Louis and Michael Porter of Sikeston.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: For a second straight year, MSU gets a chance to open the season at home against an SEC opponent. That is a golden opportunity for an MVC school.

Last season, MSU defeated Arkansas. This season, it's Auburn who visits JQH Arena. The Bears also play Tulsa, one of the favorites in Conference-USA at home.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: Former coach Barry Hinson won a lot of games and went to a lot of post-season tournaments, just not the right one. Martin won't be considered a success until he makes the NCAA Tournament. He appears to be upgrading the talent. It may take a season or two to get the right blend.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Nafis Ricks, SG Adam Leonard, SF Jermaine Mallett, PF Kyle Weems, C Will Creekmore.

ROSTER REPORT:

--The Bears lost one of their top recruits over the summer. Guard Lane Adams elected to give baseball a try and signed with the Kansas City Royals. He may return to basketball if baseball doesn't go well for him.

--Guard Nathan Scheer of Washington, Mo., and forward Corey Copeland of Fort Smith, Ark., gave MSU oral commitments. Both are expected to sign on Nov. 11. They join guard Aaron Cooper of Jacksonville, Mo., who committed in August.

--Guard Cardell McFarland, who started 19 games, had surgery on his right thumb in late September. Martin expects him play when the regular season begins in November.

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NORTHERN IOWA

GETTING INSIDE

The past three MVC champions -- Wichita State, Southern Illinois, and Drake -- took significant tumbles as defending champs.

Northern Iowa, co-champions with Creighton in 2009, won't fall into the same pit. The Panthers return five starters and the MVC's top sixth man. Coach Ben Jacobson approaches everything with a solid, no-nonsense manner. The Panthers won't get caught up in the hype.

UNI did run into problems during February. Teams exposed some of their weaknesses and the Panthers lost four of five games, two at home. UNI isn't the most athletic team. It can be beaten with quickness and its guards can be silenced with size.

But the Panthers finished strong. They are too solid to slump for long. That consistency should help them again in 2009-2010.

Center Jordan Eglseder and forward Adam Koch and Lucas O'Rear give the Panthers an inside attack that is tough for Valley teams to defend. Eglseder, a 7-footer, is too big for most centers. He has good hands and a soft touch. Foul trouble and conditioning sometime limit his minutes (19.3 a game). Koch emerged as UNI's go-to player with a knack for drawing fouls and frustrating defenders. O'Rear came off the bench to give the Panthers energy and 5.2 points and 5.5 rebounds.

The Panther guards shoot the ball accurately and make few mistakes. Junior Kwadzo Ahelegbe is a strong defensive presence and a good penetrator. Ali Farokhmanesh made 37.9 percent of his threes. Sophomore Johnny Moran led the team with 41 steals.

Jacobson believes he added more depth and athletic ability in the off-season. The Panthers don't need much help.

NOTES, QUOTES

--UNI's four NCAA Tournament berths in the past six seasons are tied with Southern Illinois for the most of any MVC school.

--UNI made 75.3 percent of its free throws to rank 14th nationally. Four of its five starters shot 74 percent or better from the line.

LAST YEAR: 23-11 overall, 14-4 in the MVC.

HEAD COACH: Ben Jacobson (career 59-38); third year at Northern Iowa (59-38).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Our guys understand this is a brand new team. I'm not real big on looking back on things we accomplished." -- Northern Iowa coach Ben Jacobson.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Newcomers can find a cushy spot with the Panthers. No pressure. Just contribute what you can and fix problems.

Freshman Marc Sonnen is part of a Minnesota pipeline that has been good to UNI. He can play both guard spots.

Guard Anthony James red shirted last season after coming down with mono.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: Jacobson compiled a challenging schedule, as he should. The Panthers could play Tennessee in the Paradise Jam in the Virgin Islands. They play Iowa and Siena at home and face Iowa State on the road.

PROGRAM DIRECTION:

UNI won 18 games in Jacobson's first two seasons. But the Panthers were 9-9 in the MVC both times and didn't appear capable of making a move in 2009. After a bad start, the Panthers found their chemistry and won 11 straight games.

Jacobson wins with good shooters and smart players. The Panthers won't overwhelm teams with athletic ability. They won't make mistakes.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Kwadzo Ahelegbe, SG Ali Farokhmanesh, SG Johnny Moran, PF Adam Koch and C Jordan Eglseder.

ROSTER REPORT:

--Guard Antonio Jones, a junior transfer, left the program in October to play for NCAA Division II Midwestern (Texas) State. He was a candidate to replace graduated Travis Brown as a defender who could handle shooting guards and small forwards.

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SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

GETTING INSIDE

Southern Illinois isn't used to coming out of nowhere in the Valley. The Salukis have been a conference heavyweight for most of the decade.

Not last season, when they turned in a losing season for the first time since 1998. Over the past two seasons, SIU lost its trademark defensive dominance. It even lost games at SIU Arena -- six in 2009-2010.

Fans expect coach Chris Lowery to turn things around this season. It could happen. The Salukis appear to possess a good amount of talent, enough to challenge the MVC's top teams if things go right. Has SIU's dominance permanently slipped, or are the Salukis older and tougher and ready to get back to the top? We find out this season.

Sophomore guard Kevin Dillard is the starting point. He took on a heavy burden last season and prospered. He averaged 12.2 points and made 45.2 percent of his three-pointers. An injury to senior Bryan Mullins put unexpected demands on Dillard. That experience should pay off.

Transfer Tony Freeman should help Dillard immensely. Freeman averaged 13.8 points at Iowa in 2008. Expect him to start and give SIU one of the MVC's top backcourts. Ryan Hare and Justin Bocot are back. Both are the prototypical long-armed Salukis who can bother opponents with their defense. Both are good shooters who should improve with another year of experience.

SIU's inside game should also improve. Junior Carlton Fay averaged 10.4 points. Foul trouble and poor shooting plagued him. Sophomore Anthony Booker is an athletic talent who showed signs of clicking late in the season. He went for 18 points and 11 rebounds against Indiana State and scored nine points in a tournament loss to Bradley. If Fay and Booker can play more consistently, SIU will be tough to beat.

NOTES, QUOTES

--SIU missed out on post-season play for the first time since 2001 last season. The Salukis went to six straight NCAA Tournaments and the NIT in 2008.

--A Saluki has won MVC Defensive Player of Year honors five times in the past six seasons. Departed guard Bryan Mullins won the honor in 2008 and 2009.

LAST YEAR: 13-18 overall, 8-10 in the MVC.

HEAD COACH: Chris Lowery (career 109-59); fifth year at Southern Illinois (109-59).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "The older guys in our league really punished us (in 2009). All of our young guys really got a taste of what college basketball really is. It doesn't matter how many points you score. As long as you know how to play the game, you're going to be successful" -- Southern Illinois coach Chris Lowery.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: SIU is at its best when it can hammer away on defense and then patiently play the clock on offense. When the clock winds down, it needs a scorer. Transfer Tony Freeman should give SIU another good option for big baskets. He shot 38.3 percent from three-point range as a junior at Iowa and 40.2 percent as a sophomore. He is also good passer who averaged 3.7 assists as a sophomore.

Forward Jack Crowder, a transfer from Cowley (Kan.) College is expected to give the Salukis a tough swingman who can rebound and defend high scorers. He averaged 20.6 points and 7.1 rebounds in junior college.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: SIU overscheduled last season and the young Salukis paid for it with losses to Duke, UCLA, Western Kentucky, Charlotte, St. Mary's and Nevada.

Don't look for any of those names on this schedule. Coach Chris Lowery backed off big-time in a search for confidence and momentum. He can be excused -- SIU usually led the MVC in tough scheduling.

Games at UNLV (Nov. 21) and St. Louis (Dec. 5) highlight the schedule.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: Coach Chris Lowery gets a chance to prove things are headed up this season. After six NCAA trips, the past two seasons were big disappointments.

Lowery appears to be recruiting well. His contention is that his young players need a season or two to develop. When that happens, he expects SIU to return to the top of the MVC. A renovated SIU Arena should help the program.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Kevin Dillard, SG Tony Freeman, SF Justin Bocot, PF Carlton Fay, C Anthony Booker.

ROSTER REPORT:

--Sophomore guard Ryan Hare was suspended in late September after his arrest for battery and trespassing. Hare started 26 games and averaged 7.5 points in 2009.

--Former Wisconsin guard Diamond Taylor, kicked off the team in September, is enrolled at SIU. Taylor was arrested on charges of burglary and possession at Wisconsin. Taylor (6-foot-4) was coached by Mike Mullins of the Illinois Wolves, father of former Saluki Bryan Mullins.

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WICHITA STATE

GETTING INSIDE

By the end of the 2008-09 season, Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall got his team playing the way he wants. The Shockers went 11-6 to salvage a disastrous start by establishing home-court dominance and playing with toughness.

The Shockers showed they can hang with good teams at home. They beat MVC co-champions Northern Iowa and Creighton. They beat Cleveland State before the Vikings won an NCAA Tournament game.

If that stretch is a hint of things to come, the Shockers could be a title contender. If they can't take those performances on the road, they will finish in the middle of the pack.

WSU normally plays hard, rebounds and defends under coach Gregg Marshall. Opponents don't get much easy against the Shockers. That works well at home. On the road, the Shockers don't score enough to win. WSU went 1-8 in Valley road games and failed to break 60 points in six of those losses.

WSU didn't shoot accurately (43.8 percent) from the field or from the line (68.6 percent).

Those issues don't appear to be fatal. Plenty of Shockers possess the potential to be big scorers. Last season, inexperience slowed the process.

Forward J.T. Durley finally learned to play enough defense to allow his offensive gifts a chance to shine. He can turn into the MVC's best scoring big man with more consistency. He burned Creighton for a 17 second-half points in the MVC Tournament. Guard Clevin Hannah led WSU with an average of 11.2 points and shot 40.5 percent from three-point range. He should be more dangerous with more help from teammates. At times, Hannah was WSU's lone threat to score.

Sophomore guard Toure Murry spent the summer working on giving his jumper more arch. He averaged 11 points, usually scoring big at home and falling flat on the road. He has all the tools to be a star in the MVC.

NOTES, QUOTES

--All eyes will be on sophomore center Garrett Stutz, a 7-footer who started 12 games in 2009. Stutz is skilled (he made 5-of-14 threes). The only thing holding him back is strength and toughness. If he takes another step forward, even a small step, WSU will benefit greatly.

LAST YEAR: 17-17 overall, 8-10 in the MVC.

HEAD COACH: Gregg Marshall (career 222-120); second year at Wichita State (28-37).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "The good news is we've got a lot of veterans that know what we're teaching, which we did not have last year." -- Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Junior forward Gabe Blair (6-foot-8, 230 pounds) sat out last season after transferring from East Carolina. He is energetic and physical and should start at power forward. WSU needs him to rebound and defend. Scoring is a bonus.

Freshman guard Kenny Manigault is the most promising rookie. His jumper needs work, but WSU will use him for defense and passing early in his career. He is a good penetrator. Guard Demetric Williams is impressing coaches with his competitive attitude in practices. Forward Jerome Hamilton is good athlete who may red shirt.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: The Shockers play Pitt (Nov. 23) in Kansas City. Either Iowa or Texas is the opponent on Nov. 24. Playing those schools on a neutral court is grand opportunity for WSU.

TCU and Texas Tech defeated WSU last season in Texas. The Shockers get their shot in Koch Arena this season.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: Coach Gregg Marshall is stocking up on good athletes who can play his pressing style of basketball. For the first time, he has experience and talent.

Fans love his passionate personality and they believe he is bringing in a higher caliber of athlete than in recent seasons. Sellouts at Koch Arena continue to be the norm. The NIT, maybe even the NCAA, is a reasonable goal this season or next. Marshall appears to be building a top-notch program.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Clevin Hannah, SG Toure Murry, SF David Kyles, PF Gabe Blair, C J.T. Durley.

ROSTER REPORT:

--Forward Johnny Coy, a transfer from Arizona State, left the basketball team in September. He will play baseball at Wichita State. Coy joined WSU in January with the intention of playing both sports.

--Center Ehimen Orupke, a freshman at Three Rivers (Mo.) Community College is orally committed to WSU. He is expected to sign in November and will have three seasons of eligibility beginning in 2010-2011.

Posted 11/3/2009 12:10 AM ET