STF Conference Preview: The Missouri Valley

Conference: The MVC

Last Season Recap: It was somewhat back to earth for the MVC. Creighton won the auto-bid and garnered a ten-seed in the NCAAs, where they were quickly dispatched by fellow mid-major Nevada. The actual best team in the conference, Southern Illinois, took a sky-high #4 seed and proved they deserved it, advancing to the sweet sixteen where they came within four points of upsetting Kansas. Only Bradley and Missouri State made the NIT, and they didn't do much once there.

Team to Beat: Southern Illinois. As I said while anointing them the #18 team in the land: they have a man, his plan, and a nice mix of experience and new blood.

Second Tier: Bradley brings back Jeremy Crouch and Daniel Ruffin, who ended last season as the #1 and #2 scorers in the MVC. In addition, Crouch shot .500 on 3-point attempts and Ruffin was the top assist-man. This is a dangerous team. Creighton got Dana Altman back after his bizarre flirtation with the Arkansas opening, and should be able to compete despite losing four starters to graduation. Missouri State and Northern Iowa tend to hang around the fringes of this group, as well.

Sleeper: Illinois State. Yeah, I said the Redbirds. They have four starters back, including "most improved" senior Center Levi Dyer, who averages 12 ppg. In addition, an astonishing three Ill State players landed on the conference All-Newcomer team last year, so the bench is beyond solid. Add in new head man Tim Jankovich (right), who was previously the top assistant at Kansas, and you've got a spoiler in the making.

Overrated: This is a tough call. With all of the coaching turnover, it's hard to find a team that is valued above its true ability. I'll have to choose Wichita State. The Shockers return a couple of familiar faces but will struggle to find themselves in the first year under (excellent) former Winthrop coach Gregg Marshall. They will return to form, but not this year.

Worst Team: Evansville. They have a new coach, and their top returning scorer was only good for 11ppg last year. It'll be a struggle to find their swagger with a bunch of role players and no stars. Love that Purple Ace, though.

STF Prediction: Five coaches returned, five left. It could have been even worse, with both Chris Lowery and Dana Altman making eyes at the Majors before taking slightly smaller paydays to stay put. After the top three, the MVC could be a free-for-all.

1. Southern Illinois
2. Bradley
3. Creighton
4. Northern Iowa
5. Illinois State
6. Missouri State
7. Wichita State
8. Indiana State
9. Drake
10. Evansville