As we continue to work our way through the Tier 2 conferences, the Missouri Valley is up next. While the league tends to produce its share of defensive slugfests, that doesn't mean there isn't fantasy value to be had. In fact, the league returns a relatively high percentage of its starters from last season, but there are also a few newcomers to be aware of on draft day. Here's a brief look at intriguing players from each team in the Valley.
Bradley
The Braves are one of two teams in the league who will be breaking in a new coach, as Geno Ford takes over for Jim Les. While Ford returns just one double-digit scorer, he got some big news recently when Taylor Brown was cleared to resume basketball activities. Brown averaged 13.5 points and 6.9 rebounds as a sophomore in 2009-10, but he missed all of last season due to concerns about a potential heart condition. He's a huge gamble on draft day, but he could provide solid late-round value. Guard Dyricus Simms-Edwards scored 10.5 points per contest last year and chipped in better than three rebounds and three assists as well. With last season's leading scorer Andrew Warren gone, the opportunity is there for Simms-Edwards to have a breakout season if he can build on his momentum from late last year. With Will Egolf suffering a torn ACL in the offseason, Jordan Prosser will be counted on even more inside after grabbing 5.5 rebounds per game last year. He'll need to become more of a scorer to work his way onto the fantasy radar though. Egolf's injury may also force freshman center Nate Wells into action.
Creighton
The Jays are the early favorite to win the conference, thanks in large part to guys like Doug McDermott, Gregory Echenique, and Antoine Young. McDermott earned all-conference honors as a freshman after averaging 14.9 points and 7.2 rebounds. He reached double-digit points in 32 of 39 games and impressed for the USA U-19 team over the summer. Draft him with confidence in pretty much any format. Echenique is a terrific post presence at center and played for his native Venezuela in the World Championships this summer. The Rutgers transfer posted 10.5 points, 5.8 boards, and 1.8 blocks after joining the team last year and should be a consistent fantasy contributor in the post. Young is a terrific source of assists with 5.0 per contest to go with over 13 points. He does a nice job of getting to the line and takes good care of the ball. A pair of freshmen are worth noting as well. With Echenique out of the mix on the team's trip to the Bahamas, redshirt freshman center Will Artino averaged a double-double. While he won't see as many minutes in the regular season, the team has limited experience inside, so the opportunity is there. Coach Greg McDermott also raved about the play of true freshman point guard Austin Chatman, to the point where he said Chatman and Young may share the backcourt at times. Chatman dished out 30 assists compared to just four turnovers in the Bahamas.
Drake
Guard Rayvonte Rice led the team in points, rebounds, steals, and blocks as a freshman, but an offseason arrest for shoplifting will cause him to miss some games, although at this point it's unclear how many. That will certainly cause his draft stock to fall, but the talent is there to be a multi-category producer once he suits up. Center Seth Van Deest suffered a torn labrum, which will cost him the early part of the season. He posted 8.8 points and 4.4 rebounds in just over 24 minutes per game last year. Ben Simons also returns after hitting 42% from beyond the arc, and Jordan Clarke could see a nice bump in his 5.3 points and 4.7 boards if he can increase his playing time.
Evansville
The top fantasy prospect on the Aces is guard Colt Ryan, who just might be the best shooter in the league. Ryan led the team in scoring at 15.7 points and hit 40.6% from beyond the arc, and he also chipped in 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.3 steals. Expect more of the same from him this year. Swingman Kenny Harris led the team with 5.9 rebounds per game and finished second in scoring at 8.3 points. Denver Holmes and Ned Cox also return to the backcourt but don't really do enough to warrant fantasy consideration. This team will be extremely thin in the frontcourt, with a number of freshman like Jaylon Moore, Rokas Cesnulevicius, and Ryan Sawvell in the mix for playing time.
Illinois State
The Redbirds lost their lone double-digit scorer but do return some solid frontcourt options. Jackie Carmichael showed flashes during some big performances and finished the season with 9.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. He should see both of those increase as a junior. John Wilkins also returns at forward, but he's more of a face-up forward who likes to play on the perimeter. There's a good chance he becomes a double figure scorer this season. Anthony Cousin is the top returning backcourt scorer at 6.8 points per game, but he needs to cut back on his turnovers and increase his assists to be a viable fantasy option. The team added juco transfers Tyler Brown and Darious Cecil to provide backcourt depth, with Brown the more attractive fantasy option due to his scoring ability. Nic Moore will be one of the top freshmen in the conference and should quickly work his way into the backcourt mix as well.
Indiana State
After making the NCAA Tournament last year, the Sycamores return plenty of talent. Guard Dwayne Lathan led the team with 10.9 points per game and also chipped in 4.6 rebounds. He broke his arm in the offseason but is expected to be at full strength this year. Six-foot-five forward Carl Richard was ISU's top rebounder at 6.5 boards and finished second in scoring at nearly 10 points per contest. Local product Jake Odum did a tremendous job at the point as a true freshman, averaging 4.1 assists to go with 9.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.8 steals. He was effective at getting to the line and is the team's top all-around fantasy option. Center Myles Walker posted 6.5 points and 5.3 rebounds in under 24 minutes per game, and if he can stay out of foul trouble, his production and minutes should increase during his senior year. A pair of freshmen could also contribute down low. Redshirt frosh Jake Kitchel, son of former IU great Ted, is poised to help out on the glass as well as with his passing ability. True freshman Justin Gant is another local kid who received interest from a number of Big Ten schools. His high motor and basketball IQ should earn him playing time early on.
Missouri State
Very few players return for the Bears, but reigning MVC Player of the Year Kyle Weems is a tremendous fantasy option. He led the team with 16.0 points and 6.9 rebounds to go with 1.4 steals and 0.9 blocks. With a limited supporting cast, Weems may well improve upon those numbers out of sheer necessity. Center Caleb Patterson is the team's second best returning scorer at just 5.5 points per game. He should see far more than the 13.6 minutes he averaged last year, which should lead to a nice bump in his fantasy production. A freshman to watch here is 6-foot-7 forward Christian Kirk, who should see immediate minutes up front due to his athleticism and rebounding ability.
Northern Iowa
The trio of Anthony James, Jake Koch, and Johnny Moran will shoulder most of the offensive load for the Panthers. James showed significant improvement as a sophomore and averaged 12.4 points and 3.4 boards while knocking down better than 40% from beyond the arc. Koch showed a solid all-around game with 9.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.9 blocks. Koch's brother Adam was a one-time MVC Player of the Year, and it will be important for him to be more a more consistent contributor this year. Moran led the team with 67 three-pointers and averaged nearly 10 points. Center Austin Pehl is in line for more playing time after grabbing 2.4 rebounds in just 10 minutes per game.
Southern Illinois
A littany of departures have left very few returning players on the Saluki roster. Mamadou Seck is the league's top returning rebounder with 8.1 per game to go with 10.8 points, making him the only clear cut fantasy option on the team. Guard Kendal Brown-Surles averaged 7.2 points and led the squad with just 2.4 assists while hitting nearly 40% from three-point range. After posting 14.2 points per contest over the final five games of the season, senior guard Justin Bocot seems poised for a big finish to his college career. The top freshman is forward Dantiel Daniels who averaged 21.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 4.1 blocks while earning All-State honors as a senior. His high motor and athleticism will earn him a spot in the rotation for a rebuilding SIU squad.
Wichita State
While the Shockers lost a number of key players from last year's NIT Championship squad, there are still plenty of talented returnees. Guard Toure' Murry saw his scoring dip under 10 points per game, but he also chipped in 4.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.2 steals. On the inside, center Garrett Stutz made the most of his 14.7 minutes per game last year with 7.2 points and 3.5 boards. The loss of a few key inside contributors will lead to expanded minutes, and his status as a center is the icing on the cake. Guard David Kyles also returns after posting 9.3 points and hitting nearly 40% from deep. MVC Sixth Man of the Year Ben Smith is also back, as is guard Joe Ragland, who finished second on the team in assists. One other intriguing returnee is 7-foot center Ehimen Orukpe. I've seen some decent reports about his progress in the offseason, and he certainly has the size to be a factor. The top newcomer is juco transfer Carl Hall, who was a first-team All-American at that level last season. He should step in and contribute immediately with both points and rebounds. One freshman to watch is Jake White, who has earned praise for his solid fundamentals and was recruited by a few major conference programs.