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terviewed and a lot of time spent in front of a computer screen. So welcome, anyone who happens to take a look at this page. Here are a few things you will find inside: A preview of both the Lady Bears’ and mens’ season, schedules for both squads, features on multiple players that have accomplished something special, what the rest of the Missouri Valley Conference looks like on both sides, where The Standard’s sports desk thinks MSU’s two teams will finish in the MVC and near the end there is a great thought-experiment where I created the best starting roster I could using MVC players that have rhyming last names. If you can do better message me on Twitter, @ Stevethe2nd. The season will be nearly upon us by the time you read this. There will be a chance to see some good basketball in Springfield. If you want to read more, make sure to check out our website for game recaps, features and more-the-standard.org/sports.
It is almost time for the best few months of the year: basketball season. There is a lot of excitement centered around Missouri State’s teams, and rightfully so. The Lady Bears have made the last two Sweet 16 and return basically everyone. Head coach Amaka “Mox” Agugua-Hamilton took over two seasons ago, and the team has only improved. It’s only two Sweet 16 appearances, but it would have been three if COVID-19 didn’t happen. Dana Ford has the men’s team in a spot to compete with two teams that made runs into the NCAA tournament last season (looking at you - Loyola Chicago). It has been over 10 years since Cuonzo Martin coached Missouri State to a MVC title. Martin now holds the head coaching job at Mizzou, but MSU’s man, Dana Ford, could pull off the same feat this year. So all of us on The Standard’s sports desk resolved to put together a set of information - Stephen Terrill, sports editor that anyone that calls themselves a MSU basketball fan (or even casual observer) would be better for knowing. So over the course of two weeks, we all is published by The Standard, Missouri State University’s studentpitched in and created this magazine. There produced newspaper. The university has not approved and is not were a lot of hours worked, many people in- responsible for its content, which is produced and edited by the students
BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2021 on The Standard staff.
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LADY BEARS TO BE DOMINANT AGAIN
conference play, the Lady Bears rightfully earned the first place ranking in the Missouri Valley Conference women’s basketball preseason poll for the second year in a row. These poll votes are placed by coaches, sports information directors and media, and The 2020-2021 season was another histor- the Lady Bears took home 35 out of the 40 ic run for the Lady Bears. They returned to the votes. Sweet 16 as the No. 5 seed, but the season This first place ranked team is led by seven ended after an 89-62 loss to the No. 2 seed, seniors and four returning starters including Stanford. senior guard Brice Calip, senior forward JasCoach Amaka “Mox” Agugua-Hamilton mine Franklin, senior forward Abby Hipp and said “it was an emotional ending to a magical senior guard Sydney Wilson. ride.” Calip and Franklin are starting the season coming off of Missouri Valley Conference recognition. Calip was named MVC Player of the Year and Franklin MVC Defensive Player of the Year. With having four returning starters, Mox said she is hopeful for a strong start to the season. “We have an experienced roster that has been to multiple NCAA tournaments,” Mox said. “We’ve got some hungry kids that have some great leadership.” Not only is Mox looking to her File photo/THE STANDARD forward returners, she said is also exSenior guard Brice Calip fights for a loose ball against Southern cited for the Illinois in January 2021. The Lady Bears won the game 61-44. transfers such as senior guard Mariah White. The Lady Bears are hoping to once again Mox said that White is a dynamic guard, have that magical ride, winning their confer- able to score and a player who knows her way ence, being seeded in the NCAA Tournament, around the defensive end. This earned White and going all the way. the Horizon League’s Defensive Player of the “Getting to the Sweet 16 is not easy and we Year at Cleveland State. put ourselves in the position where that is the “She is a guard who can get downhill, knows how to use her body to get to the foul expectation now,” Mox said. Coming off of a 23-3 season and 16-0 in line and you can always use that,” Mox said.
MAKAYLA STRICKLAND Sports Reporter D@m_strickland28
File photo/THE STANDARD Senior guard Mya Bhinhar goes up for a two-point shot in the lane against Drake University in January 2021. The Lady Bears won the game 73-72. Mox is also looking forward to transfers like sophomore forward Jennifer Ezeh (Duke) and junior forward Ifunanya Nwachukwu (Chipola College). “(Ezeh) is different than anything in our league and team. She is a traditional low-post scorer, 6’4”, strong and a rebounder,” Mox
said. “Nya is an athlete, she finds a way to get rebounds over everybody.” The Lady Bears have two exhibition matches early in November, but officially get the ball rolling on Nov. 9 against the Little Rock Trojans in Arkansas, and at home on Nov. 14 against North Texas.
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COMEBACK CAPTAINS
to develop and come into their own skin,” Hipp said. When I think of one person in particular, I think of Paige Rocca.” Rocca is a sophomore guard who played 14 games as a freshman in the 2020-2021 season. “(Rocca) is putting in the work, playing more confident in herself and is becoming more vocal, so when I think of someone who has made a big change, I think of her,” Hipp said. To see the Lady Bears displaying these eight core values of leadership, their home opener is Nov. 14 against North Texas.
COVID-19 year lets multiple Lady Bears return MAKAYLA STRICKLAND Sports Reporter D@m_strickland28
Self-Improvement. Integrity. Idealism. Courage. Honesty. Unselfishness. Self-Discipline. Self-Respect. According to MVOrganizing author Ben Davis, these are the eight core values of leadership, and if you know anything about the Missouri State Lady Bears basketball team, you’ll know they display all eight values. Sixth-year senior guard Brice Calip and fifth-year senior forward Abby Hipp went above and beyond these main eight values and were given the position of captains. Alongside being a captain and a six-season player, Calip was also named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year last season. “I am not really focusing on the individual goals right now, I just know that anyone on our team should get that award this upcoming season,” Calip said. “We are all going to feed off of one another and roll with that.”
Hipp is also coming into the season with conference recognition, All MVC Honorable Mention and an extra year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “A year ago at this time, I didn’t think that we were going to have (an extra year), so I was going through the mental process of ‘This is my last everything,’” Hipp said. Calip and Hipp were both hopeful and grateful to have been given the ability to lead their team as captains, a position voted on by teammates. To Hipp, being a captain this year is looking like being the person everyone can come to and being the mediator between players and staff. For Calip, being a captain looks like increasing her vocality and being the coach on the court. As captains, Hipp and Calip both expressed their wants to build up the new Lady Bears. “Us upperclassmen know the system so it helps with getting the new people ready and giving them expectations between what the team wants and what the coaches want,” Calip said. “I’ve been seeing all of the new people start
File photo/THE STANDARD
Senior guard Abby Hipp works from under the basket against Drake University in January. 2021. Hipp is one of the many returning leaders Mox brings to this year’s team.
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WITH THE BIG DOGS STEPHEN TERRILL Sports Editor D@stevethe2nd It is not a tournament or bust season for head coach Dana Ford and his team, but there’s a good shot the Bears could go dancing in March. Last year the Bears were one of the surprise teams in the Missouri Valley Conference, finishing in third place. They almost made it to the conference championship game, but a last-second shot by Drake sunk the season. This year the Bears return with nearly everyone from a year ago, and two big name transfers will augment what they already have. The starting roster is not set, but the scoring is going to start with junior guard Isiaih Mosley and fifth-year senior forward Gaige Prim. Mosley rampaged onto the Mid-Major scene last season, where he averaged 19.8 points per game and was first in the MVC with 20.1 points per game in conference play. Mosley can score from any part of the floor, and he has the ability to bail out the Bears’ offense on tough possessions. He wants to do more for the team this year.
File photo/THE STANDARD Junior guard Isiaih Mosley drives on a Loyola Chicago player in January 2021. Mosley was one of the best players in the nation last season, and told The Standard he wants to do more for the Bears this year.
“I think I can shoot the ball better,” Mosley said. “I think I can be better on the defensive side, on-ball and off-ball. I think I can get more rebounds, and I think I can be more physical. When you go to the lane you will be getting bumped. (Defenders) love to foul you with their chest right now. You have to understand that the physicality in basketball is pretty high right now. The refs are letting the guys play.” Prim was the other driver of the Bears’ offense a year ago, and he’s efficient around the basket. Last year he had a .599 field goal percentage, which was No. 10 in the nation. His 6-foot-8-inch frame allows him to compete with nearly everyone in Division I hoops near the basket, plus he has a clean jump shot. Prim looks to be the consensus best big-man in the MVC since Loyola Chicago’s Cameron Krutwig graduated in the spring. The Bears also bring back starting senior point guard Demarcus Sharp, who moved his way into the starting roster last season and is now the team’s de facto floor general. “Having (Sharp) as a point guard makes everything easier,” Prim said. “There’s not a lot of people that can stay in front of him. He gets downhill and right to the bucket. The best part is he gives me spoon-fed baskets.” The other returning starters, junior guard Ja’Monta Black and senior guard Keaton Hervey will likely continue in their role as supporting players who can occasionally take over a game. The new faces for the Bears will have a big impact. Junior transfer Donovan Clay comes in from Valparaiso and looks to play both guard and forward. He was named to the MVC All-Freshman team in his first year with the Beacons. In a preseason scrimmage the Bears held in October, Clay showed ball-handling skills on-par with Mosley, and he has the ability to play more like a traditional center. “We so desperately needed his versatility, his athleticism, his upside,” Ford said. “Then you add on the fact that (Mosley) was the top recruiter for him. If (Mosley) wants somebody on your team — then they going to be on your team.” Ford also brought in graduate senior Jaylen Minnett from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Minnett is IUPUI’s career leader in made three-point shots. Prim said he’s been the Bears’ best shooter in practice so far. Ford also said he is confident in new players’ abilities to mesh with the team. Two years ago, most of the Bears’ roster was made up of transfer players with big play ability, and MSU was picked to finish first in the MVC preseason poll. Chemistry issues plagued the team all season and they ended up finishing sixth in the MVC. Ford said he does not think that will be an issue this season. “This time with the transfers we learned from some of our — I don’t want to call them mistakes — but we learned from the past in regards to mixing the team the right way,” Ford said. “(Clay) is a Valley guy. So if I’m saying ‘this is how the Valley is,’ he’s not looking at me like I’m full of hot air. Knowing that really helped with deciding to add him.” All of this will have to be tested against a MVC group that also did not lose much. The Bears were picked to finish fourth in the league’s preseason poll. Loyola won the league last year and made a deep NCAA
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MEN’S BASKETBALL VYING FOR TITLE
File photo/THE STANDARD Junior guard Ja’Monta Black drives the baseline against Bradley in February 2021. Black was high school teammates with Mosley, and the two guided Rock Bridge high school, in Columbia, Missouri, to a state title. tournament run. Head coach Porter Moser departed for Oklahoma in the off season, but he was replaced by his assistant Drew Valentine. Reports out of a secret preseason scrimmage the Ramblers held against Big 10 school Wisconsin say the team will still be tough. Drake also made the NCAA tournament and upset Wichita State in the first round. The Bulldogs were without a few key players due to injury when they made the tournament run, including preseason All-MVC pick Roman Penn, who is now healthy. Northern Iowa is another top school. AJ Green returns for the Panthers after missing last season with a hip injury. He was the MVC Player of the Year in 2019-20 and the preseason POY before the injury. The Bears will have to play their best ball all year to make the tournament. It will start on Nov. 9 against Southeast Missouri State.
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‘Make us better’ Dana Ford brings in three new players who could have a big impact NICOLE WALKER Sports Reporter D@NicoleDanaeWal1 The Missouri State Bears men’s basketball team has five of their starters from last season returning this year, along with key players off the bench. In addition to the familiar faces, the Bears welcome newcomers Donovan Clay, Jaylen Minnett, and Isaac Haney. Senior guard Jaylen Minnett comes to Missouri State as a graduate transfer after previously playing four seasons (2017-2021) at Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis. He finished his IUPUI career as their single season (115) and career leader (285) in 3-pointers made. “He’s a phenomenal shooter,” said junior guard Ja’Monta Black. “It’s real fun playing with him.”
Minnett finished as the all-time leader in three-point attempts at IUPUI with 813. He also set a record for most consecutive games with at least one 3-pointer made (69). Junior guard/forward Donovan Clay’s versatility has impressed his new teammates. Being able to score, rebound and pass the ball, Clay has been everywhere on the court, and his teammates have enjoyed playing alongside him. “Donovan can play 1 through 5. He can do everything on the court,” senior guard Demarcus Sharp said. “He’s going to be a big piece. He’s been doing everything (Head coach Dana Ford) has asked of him and what we ask of him. He can play any position, that’s how good he is.” Clay, who is a transfer from Valparaiso University, was named to the MVC All-Freshman Team in 2019-20, averaging 9.4 points per game and 4.6
rebounds. He played in all 35 games as a freshman at his previous school. Clay led the team in blocks with 1.0 blocks per game and ranked 7th in the conference. He helped lead the team to a trip to the MVC Tournament championship game that year. Freshman guard Isaac Haney comes into Missouri State this season after previously averaging 17.7 points per game as a senior at Kickapoo High School in Springfield, MO. Along with 17 points, Haney averaged 3.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists with 3 steals per game. “Isaac’s solid at whatever he does,” Black said. “He listens to (Ford), he does what he’s asked, and he does it at a high level.” Haney led his team to a Class 6 State Championship with a 28-2 overall record for the 2020-2021 season and earned all-state first-team honors with All-Ozark Conference first team honors. “He’s a work horse,” senior forward Gaige Prim said. He’s a grinder, he wants to prove himself and he’s young so he’s got a lot to learn but I think he has come along well.” All three new players have impressed head coach Dana Ford so far this season, with two of them (Clay
File photo/THE STANDARD Head coach Dana Ford looks out at the court at the Enterprise Center in March 2020 during Arch Madness. Ford has gotten to the semifinal game two years in a row, and could make the title game this year. and Minnett) having Division I basketball experience. “What he (Clay) brings to the table we so desperately needed,” Ford said. “His versatility, his athleticism, his upside. With (Minnett), he’s a guy who wanted an opportunity to win, and that’s what I want too.”
The new mesh of players and different playing styles has worked well with the team in practice. “We brought in some guys that make us better and are different than what we’ve had,” Ford said. Men’s Basketball tips off Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. at JQH Arena.
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FOUR BID VALLEY? Men’s MVC Preview NICOLE WALKER Sports Reporter D@NicoleDanaeWal1 The Missouri Valley Conference is poised to have four teams capable of making the NCAA Tournament in March. One of them is Missouri State. The other three, at least in the preseason, are Drake, Loyola Chicago and Northern Iowa. Here is a look at the entire conference before the season starts.
Drake (26-5, 15-3 in MVC) Capping off their season with a trip to the NCAA tournament for the first time in 13 seasons, the Bulldogs look to feed off last year’s success. The team’s entire starting five from last season returns along with three new additions, senior grad transfer guard Ayo Akinwole, freshman guard/forward Tucker DeVries, and freshman guard Conor Enright. Senior guard Roman Penn was selected to the preseason first-team and senior forward ShanQuan Hemphill was selected to the second team. The Bulldogs are the favorites coming into this season, receiving 29 first-place votes. Drake is No. 1 (411 points) on the Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball preseason poll.
Northern Iowa (10-15, 7-11 in MVC)
Northern Iowa comes into this season with junior guard AJ Green as this year's Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year. Green, who only played in three games last season, averaged 22.3 points per game along with 5.7 rebounds. He shot 46% from the floor and 66% from three, but suffered a season-ending hip injury in November. Nearly the entire team from last year returns, including redshirt junior forward Austin Phyfe, who was selected to the MVC second team. Phyfe averaged 12.4 points per game a year ago, shooting 57% from the field and 7.3 rebounds. Northern Iowa won four out of their five final games last year. UNI placed No. 3 (354 points) in the Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball preseason poll.
Bradley (12-16, 6-12 in MVC)
The Braves finished their season placing No. 8 in the conference last year. With seven returning players, the Braves have already established their chemistry, but will welcome five newcomers on the team. Freshman guard Max Ekono, grad student guard Mikey Howell, junior forward Malevy Leons, freshman guard Sam Hennessy, and freshman guard Connor Hickman are all new additions to the Braves. Senior forward Ja’Shon Henry and sophomore forward Rienk Mast were named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Team. Henry was last year's second highest scorer, averaging 10.9 points and 4.6 rebounds. Mast averaged 8.6 points and 5.8 rebounds. The Braves are ranked No. 6 (171 points) on the Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball preseason poll.
Loyola Chicago (26-5, 16-2 in MVC)
Loyola is coming into this season after reaching the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament last year. Four starters from last year return this season including grad student guard Lucas Williamson and redshirt junior guard Braden Norris, who were selected to the Preseason All-MVC teams. Williamson averaged 8.8 points per game, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists along with 1.4 steals per game. He was a MVC Defensive Player of the Year honoree last season and comes into this season as a Second Team AllMVC. This season will be Drew Valentine’s first year as head coach for the Ramblers after his role as an assistant coach for the past four seasons. He has helped Loyola win three MVC regular season championships and reach a NCAA Final Four and a NCAA Sweet 16. Loyola sits at No. 2 (363 points) on the Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball preseason poll.
File photo/THE STANDARD Senior guard Demarcus Sharp handles the ball against SIU in Feb. 2021.
Southern Illinois (12-14, 5-13 in MVC)
Junior forward Marcus Domask and junior guard Lance Jones were named to the Preseason All-Conference teams. Domask, who was named to the preseason All-MVC Second Team, averaged 16.3 points per game, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. Jones earned a spot on the All-MVC Third Team, and averaged 13.4 points per game last season and led the conference in three-point field goal percentage (.426). Southern Illinois ranks No. 5 (228 points) in the Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball preseason poll.
Valparaiso (10-18, 7-11 in MVC)
Valpo has four players from last season who will make a return this year. One player being junior forward Ben Krikke who was selected as a Preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference Second Team. Krikke led the team in scoring last year, averaging 12.3 points per game. Along with leading the team in scoring, he earned MVC Most-Improved and MVC Scholar-Athlete First Team. Valparaiso is No. 7 (151 points) in the Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball preseason poll.
Evansville (9-16, 7-11 in MVC)
Senior guard Shamar Givance, one of Evansville's top performers returns this season after averaging 13.3 points per game and leading the league in steals. Givance was selected to the Missouri Valley Conference preseason third team and the 202021 Most Improved Team. Along with Givance, seven out of nine regulars return from last season for Evansville, including four starters, as well as six newcomers. The Aces won three of their first four conference games last season and placed No. 5 in the regular season. Evansville placed No. 8 (148 points) on the Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball preseason poll.
Indiana State (15-10, 11-7 in MVC)
After a standout season with the Sycamores, senior guard Tyreke Key returns for a fifth season. Key was named to the Preseason First Team All-Missouri Valley Conference after averaging 17.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game in the 2020-2021 season. Three starters also return to Indiana State, Key, junior guard Cooper Neese and freshman guard Julian Larry. Neese averaged 17.2 points per game while Larry averaged 4.0 points per game. The Sycamores will be playing under new head coach Josh Schertz, as he comes off a 13-year run at Lincoln Memorial University. There, he had a career record of 337-69 and four national coach of the year honors. Indiana State is ranked No. 9 (147 points) on the Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball preseason poll.
Illinois State (7-18, 4-14 in MVC)
The Redbirds have two of their three double-digit scorers returning for the 2021-22 season, along with eight players who previously played in the starting lineup. Junior guard Antonio Reeves, Illinois’ leading scorer, averaged 12.4 points per game with 3.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists, and started 24 of the Redbirds 25 games last season. Followed by Reeves is senior guard Josiah Strong who averaged 11.5 points per game and shot at 37% from the field in three-point shooting. Illinois State comes in at No. 10 (68 points) on the Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball preseason poll.
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Sharply Positive:
PG Demarcus Sharp always brings a smile File photo/THE STANDARD Demarcus Sharp (right) celebrates with Isiaih Mosley (center) and Gaige Prim (left) in a spring 2021 game.
STEPHEN TERRILL Sports Editor D@stevethe2nd The Missouri State men’s basketball team had just gone through a disaster stretch. The Bears had lost two games to Drake and two games to Loyola Chicago in an eight-day stretch in January 2021. What looked like a chance for the Bears to make some noise with national eyes on the games turned into the Bears’ first four-game home losing streak since 1962-63. Then-junior point guard Demarcus Sharp had a big night against Loyola in the final loss, so he got to speak to the media over Zoom. When most players would be distraught after a record-setting skid, Sharp had a big grin on his face when he sat in front of the computer. He said the team was going to figure it out, and they did. Sharp helped lead them on a winning streak to close out the regular season and almost got revenge on Drake in the MVC semifinal game. In the emotional ride that college hoops can be, Sharp is committed to staying positive. “It actually comes from my mom,” Sharp said. “I’m just like my momma. She’s always happy, so I try to stay happy as well. I try not to let anything bring me down — she taught me that at a young age.” It’s a trait that’s certainly endeared himself to the rest of the Bears roster, providing a nice energy that everyone relies on. “I mean — everyone likes me,” Sharp said with a laugh. “I’m going to keep that smile on my face and stay happy.” Sharp’s energy pairs well with his basketball ability. He’s a quick point guard that’s able to score off the drive, often with quick, pull-up
jump shots in the lane while surrounded by larger players. He was also third in the Valley in assists with 3.7 per game. Ford said that while the points and assists are nice, it’s really his attitude that makes him one of the team’s best assets. “That’s the number one thing he brings to our team — his juice, his energy and just his liveliness,” Ford said. “He’s always got a smile on his face, that’s who he is. When he feels good, he plays good. And you need that. He brings that good balance. “You look at some of our older guys, (Fifthyear senior Gaige Prim) is serious all the time. Demarcus is the opposite of that. He helps me, too. Sometimes I see his smile and it lightens the mood a bit.” Junior guard Isiaih Mosley was quick to point out that Sharp’s smile and quick sense of humor may balance out Ford’s own nature more than anything. “This dude is always making jokes — trying to make somebody laugh,” Mosley said. “In practice we could be having a rough start, and he’s over here smiling and trying to crack jokes. It lifts the day up and practice gets better. “(Sharp) and Ford are perfect for each other, too. Sharp’s a goofy dude, (and) so is Coach. We might be in a huddle and (Sharp) say something under his breath real slick about Ford’s hat or something, and (Ford) just laughs it off.” Sharp is poised to have a great year for the Bears. With the addition of transfer guard/forward Donovan Clay from Valparaiso and shooting guard Jaylen Minnett, he has a couple of new targets to give the ball to. Prim, a FirstTeam All MVC pick, has also improved his ball handling and shooting in the offseason. Regardless of what the Bears manage to do or not do this year, you can be certain Sharp will be smiling through it.
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LADY BEARS REIGN SUPREME: Women’s MVC Preview REGINALD LEE JR. Sports Reporter D@ReginaldLeeJr16 The Missouri State Lady Bears were once again selected as the top team in the MVC preseason poll, and rightfully so. They have gone to the Sweet 16 in the last two NCAA tournaments. There are other teams looking to knock of MSU. Here are previews of all of them:
Drake (18-12, 13-5 in MVC)
The Drake University Bulldogs were selected as second favorite in the league, having just lost five in-conference contests last season. The ball club comes into this season with a new first-year head coach, Allison Pohlman. Last season’s Newcomer of the Year winner, Grace Berg, looks to continue what the team started with the new coach. Drake’s first match of the season comes against the Creighton Bluejays at home on Nov. 10. MSU’s first game against the Bulldogs will take place at Drake on Jan. 15.
Northern Iowa (10-15, 7-11 in MVC)
The final spot of the top three MVC favorites belongs to the UNI Panthers. Nine years in a row they have finished at least top three in the preseason poll. Outside of one starter, the Panthers have all hands on deck as they look to become the ace of the league. UNI faces MSU twice this season, with the first being in Cedar Falls on Jan. 13. Their season opener is Nov. 9 on the road against the St. Louis Billikens.
Illinois State (16-9, 12-6 in MVC)
After leading the Illinois State Redbirds to their first postseason in eight years at the WNIT, fifth-year head coach (68-47) Kristen Gillespie looks to change the outlook of the team defensively. “We’re still putting a premium on the defensive end,” Gillespie said. “We want to kind of hang our hat on that. We want to be a really gritty team.” Gillespie also believes her squad is more offensively capable now more than ever. They won’t be facing MSU until Jan. 22 in JQH Arena.
Bradley (17-12, 10-8 in MVC)
Last season was the first time in program history where the Bradley Braves were able to clinch an NCAA tournament berth. The preparation and hunger for the team to return and move even further in the tournament are the residual outcomes of last year’s run, head coach Andrea Gorski said. “I think work ethic and culture have been the biggest lingering effects,” Gorski said. “It’s been really positive for our program so far.” Bradley’s MVC Tournament championship banner ceremony will take place before their home opener against Wright State. They face MSU at JQH Arena Jan. 20. The team’s competitive itch to succeed even more is what’s going to keep them going, Gorski shared. MSU plays the Braves at home on Jan. 20.
Loyola Chicago (12-15, 8-10 in MVC)
Similar to the Bradley Braves, the Loyola Ramblers made their first postseason in program history in the 2020-2021 season with a Women’s Basketball Invitational appearance. Loyola will also raise their postseason banner in their home opener against Detroit Mercy. Making it to the semifinals as well as seeing the Chicago Sky win the WNBA Championship was said to be an enlightening moment for the players by sixth-year head coach Kate Achter. “The beauty of it is that it’s not necessarily my expectation, but it’s the expectation of our players,” Achter said. “Experience sparks perspective. Their goals have been raised.” Loyola faces MSU on New Year’s Eve in JQH Arena.
Indiana State (15-10, 11-7 in MVC)
Selected ninth as MVC preseason favorites, the Indiana State Sycamores look to change their culture, as this season sees them being led by new head coach, Chad Killinger. Killinger brings 25 years of experience to the team and is the ninth women’s basketball coach in Sycamore history. Giving up 75 points per game last season, the Sycamores look to maximize their game defensively. One way they look to do this is with size from one of their standout players, Arianna Smith. “She’s really done a great job with adjusting out there a lot quicker than we thought she would,” Killinger said. “The more we see her, the more impressed we are.” The Sycamores look to display what Smith can do against MSU at Indiana State on Jan. 29.
“Obviously we want to win championships here. You come here to be a Lady Bear. We tell our players ‘You’re coming here to pursue championships every year.’” - Lady Bears head coach Amaka “Mox” AguguaHamilton
Valparaiso (12-13, 7-9 in MVC)
Being just one point shy of fifth place preseason favorites, the Valparaiso Beacons are running it back this season with four of their five starters returning. While having two non-conference victories over Big Ten programs was a season highlight for them last year, depth is still an aspect that Valpo looks to improve. “I think last year was a bit of a struggle when we moved to our bench,” head coach Mary Evans said. “I think finding consistency with about four or five more players on the bench has been a big thing for us.” The Lady Bears play the Beacons Jan. 2 in JQH Arena.
File photo/THE STANDARD Senior guard Abby Hipp speaks to the crowd at JQH Arena after the Lady Bears clinched the 2020-21 MVC Regular Season Championship.
Southern Illinois (9-16, 5-13 in MVC)
The Southern Illinois Salukis will have all of their five starters return this season as patience was said to be the top priority by head coach Cindy Stein. “We talked about having all of these returners, and I’m excited about our four incoming freshmen because I do think it helps us have more depth,” Stein said. During the 2019-2020 shortened season, there were only four players that played every game and two of them were freshmen. SIU faces MSU Jan. 7 in Springfield.
Evansville (6-18, 2-16 in MVC)
Being selected last in the MVC preseason poll, the Evansville Aces add four international players and have seven total players returning to their roster. Head coach and first-time mom Robyn Scherr-Wells missed a week of practice to give birth to her child, but wasn’t discouraged as other coaching staff members helped maintain the team’s progression. Another reason Scherr-Wells wasn’t worried was because the Aces have one of the best players in the conference in Abby Feit. Evansville faces MSU in Springfield on Jan. 27.
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Lady Bears’ next step is unclear, but the ultimate goal remains TJ SCOTT Sports Reporter D@iamtjs The Missouri State Lady Bears are among the elite teams in the nation. They’ve won consecutive Missouri Valley Conference titles, made it to March Madness and advanced all the way to the Sweet 16 under head coach Amaka “Mox” Agugua-Hamilton.
“I think the expectation now is to be great and get to the Sweet 16,” said senior guard Abby Hipp. “As far as team goals, we want to surpass what we’ve done over the last two years. Whether that be going undefeated at home or going undefeated in conference play. For March Madness, we want to make it to the Elite Eight and the Final Four.” The championship mentality is ever-present in the Lady Bear program. The expectations and aspirations are lofty, but Mox
File photo/THE STANDARD Senior forward Jasmine Franklin celebrates a big moment in the Lady Bear’s 61-44 win over conference rival Southern Illinois in January 2021. They were also poised to make a March Madness run in 2020 before COVID-19 forced the tournament’s cancellation. With seven seniors and loads of underclassmen talent, the Lady Bears are set to complete those accomplishments for a third straight season. “First of all, getting to the Sweet 16 is not easy,” Mox said. “We kind of put ourselves in the position where that is the expectation, which is great. But for us, we don’t want to focus on the end goal right now.” Getting to the Sweet 16 is no small feat. It takes a lot of determination, veteran leadership and talent to make it that far in the tournament. To get that far, you have to cross some other things off your checklist.
doesn’t want to fixate on the lofty goals and expectations. “We would love to get back to the Sweet 16 and get further,” Mox said. “But if you focus on that, I don’t think that’s the right way to do it. Just focus on the little goals along the way.” The Lady Bears truly have their sights set on the little goals, but there is one big goal that everyone in the program wants to achieve. “Obviously we want to win championships here,” Mox said. “You come here to be a Lady Bear. We tell our players ‘You’re coming here to pursue championships every year.’” The next step for the program would be making the Elite Eight, but they’re focused on what’s in front of them right now, and that will lead them to their next step.
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A look ahead: The Lady Bears’ biggest matchups for this season TJ SCOTT Sports Reporter D@iamtjs The Missouri State Lady Bears have run through the Missouri Valley Conference over the last two years, going undefeated in conference play last season. This is a team with big goals, and to reach those goals they’ll likely have to do it again. Paired with a tough Valley schedule is an even tougher non-conference schedule with several power-five opponents. “We have five power-fives on our schedule,” said head coach Amaka “Mox” Agugua-Hamilton. “We want to make sure we perform against those five teams, I think that’s going to put us in a better position come March.” Here are some of the big games for the Lady Bears.
Notable Non-Conference Games • •
•
@ Oklahoma State, Wednesday, Nov. 17. @University of Southern California, Saturday, Nov. 20. Vs University of Missouri, Friday, Dec. 10.
The Lady Bears will also be at the San Juan Shootout in San Juan, Puerto Rico where they’ll face Virginia Tech and Louisiana State. Just because the Lady Bears have performed exceptionally in The Valley over the last two seasons doesn’t mean it’s not a good conference. The Lady Bears have had their fair share of tough conference games over the last several years. Illinois State and Drake nearly defeated MSU last season, but the Lady Bears escaped with one-point victories in both games. Bradley and Northern Iowa also played the Lady Bears close last season. “There’s some games that we play where our players get a little bored out there and blow File photo/THE STANDARD big leads,” Mox said. “(The players) always up Senior guard Mya Bhinhar drives near the top of the key against Southern for the big games.” Trap games are a very real thing in sports, Illinois during spring 2021. Bhinhar is going to be a starter for the third straight especially when you’re as good as the Lady year this season. Bears. their talents on a national stage and prepare @ Drake, Saturday, Jan. 15. They’ll have the usual tough tests in con- • ference play, but they’ll have to be prepared • them for the postseason. Vs. UNI, Sunday, Feb. 13. for every game. They open their season against the Univer• @ ISU, Friday, Feb. 18. sity of Arkansas Little Rock in Arkansas on Notable Valley Games The Lady Bears have a schedule that will Tuesday, Nov. 9. • @ UNI, Thursday, Jan. 13. test them, give them the ability to showcase
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BASKETBALL PREVIEW | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2021 | 13
Women’s 2021-22 Basketball Schedule Nov. 5
Vs. Lincoln (Exhibition)
Nov. 9
@ Little Rock
Nov. 14
Vs. North Texas
Nov. 17
@ Oklahoma State
Nov. 20
@ Southern California
Nov. 26
Vs. Virginia Tech (Neutral)
Nov. 27
Vs. LSU (Neutral)
11:15 a.m.
Dec. 3
Vs. William Jewell
7 p.m.
Dec. 6
@ South Dakota State
7 p.m.
Dec. 10
Vs. Mizzou
7 p.m.
Dec. 18
Vs. Southern University
2 p.m.
Dec. 21
Vs. Toledo
Noon
Dec. 31
Vs. Loyola Chicago (MVC)
7 p.m.
Jan. 2
Vs. Valparaiso (MVC)
1 p.m.
Jan. 7
Vs. Southern Illinois (MVC)
7 p.m.
Jan. 13
@ Northern Iowa (MVC)
6 p.m.
Jan. 15
@ Drake (MVC)
2 p.m.
Jan. 20
Vs. Bradley (MVC)
7 p.m.
Jan. 22
Vs. Illinois State (MVC)
2 p.m.
Jan. 27
@ Evansville (MVC)
6 p.m.
Jan. 29
@ Indiana State (MVC)
Noon
Feb. 4
@ Southern Illinois (MVC)
6 p.m.
Feb. 11
Vs. Drake (MVC)
7 p.m.
Feb. 13
Vs. Northern Iowa (MVC)
2 p.m.
Feb. 18
@ Illinois State (MVC)
6 p.m.
Feb. 20
@ Bradley (MVC)
2 p.m.
Feb. 24
Vs. Evansville (MVC)
7 p.m.
Feb. 26
Vs. Indiana State (MVC)
2 p.m.
March 3
@ Valparaiso (MVC)
6 p.m.
March 5
@ Loyola Chicago (MVC)
1 p.m.
MVC Tournament (Moline, Illinois)
TBA
March 10-13
7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 1 p.m. 6:30 p.m. TBA 9 a.m.
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Needed Victories for the Bears The Buckeyes simply had no answer for Golden Eagle’s Kevin Obanor and Max Abmas as the two combined for nearly 60 points in the overtime victory. The two lead the team to yet another win to get to the Sweet Sixteen and Head coach Dana Ford said he is confident two points shy of a trip to the Elite Eight. the schedule he has helped organize will create Obanor left for Texas Tech, but Missouri a good resume for the Bears to make the NCAA State must prepare to defend the three as Abmas Tournament in March. has proven he is not afraid to pull up from deep. Here are a few games the Bears need to perform well in to go dancing in March. Vs. Drake, Jan. 2 There may not be another team in the counVs. BYU, Dec. 4 try that wants to take down the Drake Bulldogs The Bear’s backcourt will be tested as they more than the Bears. face a dominant-looking pair of BYU guards. Ever since a crushing buzzer-beating Returner Alex Barcello and transfer Te’Jon last-second shot from Drake in the MVC TourLucas both have experience as they both enter nament last year, junior guard Isiaih Mosley their fifth year of college ball. Each player has been itching to get another chance at Drake. excelled at scoring and distributing the basket“(The loss) bothers me a lot,” Mosley said. ball last season and both look to contribute to “I think about it all the time ... It’s just somea potent offense. thing that’s been on my chest, and I can’t wait A win here would bode well on the Bears’ to play them.” The team does return star guard Roman resume as the Cougars were a No. 6 seed in Penn alongside several other good players. the NCAA Tournament a year ago. Penn looked to be a competitor for Missouri Vs. Oral Roberts, Dec. 11 Valley Player of the Year last season before The No. 15 seeded Oral Roberts Golden being sidelined with a season-ending foot inEagles pulled off one of the most impressive jury. upsets in NCAA tournament history last season, Every conference game is a big game, but defeating the No. 2 seeded Ohio State. this one may be extra-large. Not only is this a
nately, after three games, Green underwent season-ending hip surgery. The loss of Green proved massive, as UNI finished 10-15 overall and 7-11 in conference play. Green will return this season with just about everyone else from UNI. The Bears need to find a way to contest Green’s unorthodox high-release jump shot. Green has had success finding open looks coming off ball-screens in seasons past. Silencing the star in JQH Arena would prove that the Bears can hang with the big dogs in the Valley.
BLAKE BISWELL Sports Reporter D@BlakeBizzer
@ Loyola Chicago, Jan. 22
File photo/THE STANDARD Senior forward Gaige Prim goes up through contact against Drake in Jan. 2021. grudge match, but it will also be the first conference game at home for the Bears.
Vs. UNI, Jan. 8
AJ Green, former MVC Freshman of the Year and First-Team All MVC, entered last year with hopes of building on what was already an impressive college resume. Unfortu-
The Porter Moser era is now over in Loyola as the Rambler’s former coach accepted a head coaching position at Oklahoma this offseason. First-year head coach Drew Valentine will have some big shoes to fill after all of the success Moser had during his tenure with the Ramblers. Valentine was an assistant to Moser and coordinated the Rambler’s defense the past few seasons. The Rambler’s were nothing short of dominant in their win over No. 1 seed Illinois that punched their ticket to the Sweet Sixteen in last year’s NCAA tournament. This was in large part due to the performance of last year’s MVC Player of the Year Cameron Krutwig, who graduated. In a stacked conference, a win against Loyola would be huge for MSU.
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Men’s 2021-22 Basketball Schedule Nov. 9
Vs. Southeast Missouri
7 p.m.
Nov. 13
Vs. Alabama State
7 p.m.
Nov. 17
@ Sam Houston
Nov. 22
Vs. Long Beach State
Nov. 23
Vs. TBA
TBA
Nov. 24
Vs. TBA
TBA
7:30 p.m. 7 p.m.
Dec. 1
@ Illinois State (MVC)
7 p.m.
Dec. 4
Vs. Brigham Young
3 p.m.
Dec. 8
@ Little Rock
Dec. 11
Vs. Oral Roberts
3 p.m.
Dec. 15
Vs. South Dakota State
6 p.m.
Dec. 18
Vs. Central Arkansas
7 p.m.
Dec. 22
@ St. Mary’s
9 p.m.
Dec. 30
Vs. Evangel
Noon
Jan. 2
Vs. Drake (MVC)
7 p.m.
Jan. 5
@ Bradley (MVC)
TBA
Jan. 8
Vs. Northern Iowa (MVC)
5 p.m.
Jan. 12
Vs. Southern Illinois (MVC)
7 p.m.
Jan. 15
@ Valparaiso (MVC)
6 p.m.
Jan. 19
Vs. Illinois State (MVC)
7 p.m.
Jan. 22
@ Loyola Chicago (MVC)
Jan. 24
@ Indiana State (MVC)
6 p.m.
Jan. 29
Vs. Evansville (MVC)
7 p.m.
Feb. 2
@ Southern Illinois (MVC)
8 p.m.
Feb. 6
Vs. Loyola Chicago (MVC)
1 p.m.
Feb. 9
@ Drake (MVC)
7 p.m.
Feb. 12
Vs. Valparaiso (MVC)
3 p.m.
Feb. 15
Vs. Indiana State (MVC)
7 p.m.
Feb. 20
@ Northern Iowa (MVC)
1 p.m.
Feb. 23
Vs. Bradley (MVC)
7 p.m.
Feb. 26
@ Evansville
4 p.m.
March 3-6
MVC Tournament (St. Louis)
6:30 p.m.
2:30 p.m.
TBA
BASKETBALL PREVIEW | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2021 | 15
16 | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2021 | BASKETBALL PREVIEW
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TERRILL: The Valley All-Rhyming Team The best starting roster you didn’t know you needed Isiaih Mosley, Missouri State Guard
STEPHEN TERRILL Sports Editor D@stevethe2nd Welcome to my favorite thought experiment I’ve been able to do in awhile. With no real games to write about in the preseason, I thought I would drum up something interesting to read. Inspired by the things produced by Sean McIndoe (Down Goes Brown) at The Athletic, I tried to put together the best starting five in the Missouri Valley Conference. One catch — their last names have to rhyme. And they have to be good enough to score on Loyola-Chicago, defend Missouri State’s offense and ultimately win a title. This team will play a full Valley schedule as a new team. For the purposes of the experiment, the players I select will more or less be clones, with the originals still playing on their current teams. Let me introduce you to the next best thing in college hoops.
As if I would not find a way to put the Valley’s leading scorer on this team. This was one of the no-brainers — in fact the MSU scoring wing was the person I started with. Mosley led the Valley with 19.8 points per game a year ago, and was one of the few things that consistently worked for Dana Ford’s offense. He was named to the MVC’s first-team last year, in conversation for mid-major player of the year in multiple outlets and is a member of the preseason All-MVC team. Ford described Mosley in the MVC’s media day as a player that can bail an offense out with their shooting. That is something Ford has relied on often. At times last year when the Bears struggled to do anything remotely related to scoring — and the ball went to Mosley. He’s a pure ISO scorer. Mosley will not handle the ball for this team, File photo/THE STANDARD but play a No. 2 guard role where he occasionally does. He’s good enough to play at schools MSU’s Isiaih Mosley going up for a like Kansas and Gonzaga, so there’s no reason shot in the lane against Drake in the he can’t play for me. spring of 2021.
English Department welcomes back our Bears!
Tyreke Key, Indiana State Point Guard
Meet my team’s point guard. Is he necessarily a point guard? No. He’s a scoring guard. But the nice thing about scoring guards is they have the ability to handle the ball. Honestly, most of the guards on this list can also do that. Key is going to end up somewhere near the top of Indiana State’s all-time scoring list at the end of this season for the Sycamores. He shoots just above 31% from behind the arc, which will also give him the bail-out quality Mosley brings. He was a MVC First-Teamer last season. The biggest reason why he’s here boils down to a singular performance last year. The man put up 31 points against Loyola Chicago on Jan. 10. The Ramblers only let five other players score more than 20 last year and were fourth in the nation in defensive efficiency. And for a team designed to score on Loyola Chicago, who better to do that than someone who dropped 31?
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his stat line — he averaged 1.5 a game last year — he can help spread the love. Passing the rock will be something to really worry Kennedy has been probably the best sixth about for this team in big games. man in the MVC for two years now. He gets a bump up to a starting role with us. For all Darnell Brodie, of the firepower Key and Mosley bring, Drake Forward Kennedy does his work in a quieter way. Welcome to the most controversial pick on He can still score. Kennedy averaged 7.2 the team. We are running a four guard, one big points per game and 3.6 rebounds last year. setup, so there’s only one spot for a forward. He also had a 49% shooting percentage, The more obvious pick would be Drake’s which is really good for someone who had Tremell Murphy — great big man with an “ie” almost 150 attempts. Kennedy has proven noise at the end of his name. Murphy has a big-time capability. When the Ramblers up- better scoring touch than Brodie has, but let me set No. 1 seed Illinois in March Madness tell you why Darnell Brodie is the only choice. last spring, he had 14 points and a pair of This league will have some tough matchups blocks. His 14 points were second on the this year, but the biggest one is how teams will team, behind the MVC Player of the Year deal with Missouri State’s Gaige Prim. Other Cameron Krutwig, who had 19. names that didn’t make the all-rhyming team, like AJ Green and Roman Penn, are all small Ben Harvey, enough to have someone else on the team guard Southern Illinois Guard them. But Brodie is 6-foot-10-inches and 275 Harvey is another member of Key and pounds. All of that muscle, too. I want him Mosley’s supporting cast. He’s still good, when my team rolls into Springfield. but he hasn’t been the alpha in Carbondale Last season when Drake swept MSU in a yet. two-game set in Springfield, Brodie played Harvey came in last year as a redshirt nearly 35 minutes in the first contest — a lot sophomore after sitting the previous season of it spent on guarding Prim. He played less due to NCAA transfer rules. He was bumped the next night, but again, guarded Prim. up to a starting role for the Salukis around Prim still managed to score 18 and 20 points the time MVC play began and rewarded in the two games, he is just that good. I do not Bryan Mullins with 9.7 points per game. think there is a single player who can shut him Harvey is strong on the drive, which is down. nice to have. If he can add some assists to What Brodie brings is a physical presence
BASKETBALL PREVIEW | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2021 | 17
Marquise Kennedy, Loyola Chicago Guard
Why this team can win the MVC
We can score on anyone, and we’ll do it to you in front of your own fans. Key and Mosley have not been truly shut down by a defense since they’ve become leaders in the MVC scoring races, and that will continue here. Our guards are capable of taking over a game for significant stretches. Our main offense: Give the guys the ball and let stuff happen.
Why this team can’t win the MVC
File photo/THE STANDARD Drake forward Darnell Brodie stuffing Missouri State’s Gaige Prim. Brodie is one of the tallest, most physical presences in the Missouri Valley Conference.
that will make the MSU big-man work really hard in games. It’s not a surefire thing, but with all the scoring on the team already, having one player who can sell-out defensively will be worth it.
WE LOVE ISO BALL. This is something that Missouri State ran into trouble with in the 2019-20 season. Dana Ford put together a roster with a lot of talent, but they never quite figured out how to play as a team for significant stretches. Both Mosley and Key can be dominating presences on the floor, which is not always good in tandem. Mosley had possessions last year start and ended with him keeping the ball. It works to score points, but it does worry me some. Loyola Chicago may have lost coach Porter Moser to Oklahoma, but apparently their defense is still fantastic. They beat Wisconsin in a closed-doors scrimmage according to people with knowledge of the event, all while having nine players play 10+ minutes each. If we can have some people go off in those games, it’ll be a perfect 20-0 conference schedule.
SCAN CODE. GET DEALS.
18 | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2021 | BASKETBALL PREVIEW
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Valley Student Writers
All-MVC Team
Preseason Poll and All-Conference team
Voting Panel: • • • • • •
Stephen Terrill, Sports Editor, The Standard, @Stevethe2nd Nicole Walker, Sports Reporter, The Standard, @NicoleDanaeWal1 Larry Larson, Managing Editor, The Scout, @MLBLarry Jonathan Michel, Co-Editor, The Scout Sports Desk, @jondog237 Lu Calzada, Sports Editor, The Loyola Phoenix, @lumcalzada Amelia Ickes, Assistant Sports Editor, The Loyola Phoenix, @AmeliaIckes
MVC Poll: 1. Loyola Chicago (56 Points, Four first-place votes) 2. Drake (52 Points, One firstplace vote) 3. Missouri State (49 Points) 4. Northern Iowa (47 Points, One first-place vote) 5. Valparaiso (30 Points) 6. Southern Illinois (29 Points) 7. Evansville (25 Points) 8. Bradley (21 Points) 9. Indiana State (15 Points) 10. Illinois State (6 Points)
Player of the Year: Isiaih Mosley, Missouri State Bears File photo/THE STANDARD Missouri State guard Isiaih Mosley pulls up for a shot against Bradley.
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1. Isiaih Mosley, Missouri State (50 Points) 2. TIE: AJ Green, Northern Iowa and Roman Penn, Drake (48 Points) 3. Gaige Prim, Missouri State (46 Points) 4. Lucas Williamson, Loyola Chicago (45 Points) 5. Tyreke Key, Indiana State (28 Points) per bedroom
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WHO’S CUTTING DOWN THE NETS? The Standard’s sports staff predicts where teams will finish in their conference races. Stephen Terrill Sports Editor
Makayla Strickland Sports Reporter
Lady Bears: 1st Place Men’s: 2nd Place
Lady Bears: 1st Place Men’s: 4th Place
Nicole Walker Sports Reporter
TJ Scott Sports Reporter
Lady Bears: 1st Place Men’s: 2nd Place
Lady Bears: 1st Place Men’s: 3rd Place
Blake Biswell Sports Reporter
Reginald Lee Jr. Sports Reporter
Lady Bears: 1st Place Men’s: 3rd Place
Lady Bears: 1st Place Men’s: 2nd Place
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