Valpo Basketball - The Valpo Fan Zone Forum

Conference Opponent Season Preview: The University of Illinois Chicago Flames

Bryan F. — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:25:21 +0000

UIC may be the MVC's most overlooked contender heading into 2026-27. The Flames return much of the core that won 12 conference games, reached the Arch Madness title game, and earned an NIT bid, then added former Big Ten guard Gabe Cupps and sharpshooter Asa Thomas through the portal. Can Rob Ehsan's group take the next step and become a legitimate title threat? I break down the roster, key additions, biggest questions, and where I project the Flames to finish in the Valley. Full preview below.

https://bryanfoley2.substack.com/p/mvc-conference-opponent-the-uic-flames?r=3w51dd&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

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This wraps up the season previews, I know there have been a few updates with 5th year guys getting injunctions and what not, but I don't feel the need to go back and update those as that's such a fickle part of the current NCAA situation.

Conference Opponent Season Preview: The Southern Illinois Salukis

Bryan F. — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:25:05 +0000

Just UIC left for the MVC season opponent preview and may get that out this week rather than next week.

Baha Mar Hoops Summer League Exhibition Event Thread

Bryan F. — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 01:17:19 +0000

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The Baha Mar Hoops Summer League has started with Louisville crushing the Bahamas National Team on Tuesday. Attached is the schedule for this MTE. Tomorrow the event shifts into second gear.

There has been some media published if anyone wants to check it out.

Valpo weekly: Roger and Brandon sit down for an update. https://youtu.be/4Hp2AQqIozw?si=N744iLo0ZgcEzUfM

The College Sports Network: Vince Wolfram covers Valpo in the last 6 minutes of his video. https://youtu.be/7IR25OukIu4?si=conpV_NIHjsc2mEw

The Valpo Vault: The duo over at the Valpo Vault posted a piece on the trip. https://open.substack.com/pub/thevalpovault/p/valpo-basketball-returns-early?r=3w51dd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

The Beacon Brief: Posted some content regarding what to expect, and some details on the opponents Valpo has matched up with. https://open.substack.com/pub/bryanfoley2/p/basketball-on-the-beach-valpo-opens?r=3w51dd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Conference Opponent Season Preview: The Northern Iowa Panthers

Bryan F. — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 16:13:42 +0000

** Blurb about future content moving forward, I will finish out the season preview series on the forum. **

Forum Friends,

Over the past year, I've enjoyed contributing Valpo basketball content to the forum. At times, I've wondered if my longer posts and articles may be taking up more space than a discussion forum is really intended for. At the same time, I know many of us are hungry for Valpo basketball coverage, especially during the offseason when there are limited sources covering the program.

Outside of official University channels, there isn't a great deal of consistent coverage available. The Valpo Vault (also on Substack) has been relatively quiet this offseason, though hopefully they'll be back soon, and Paul does an excellent job with The Victory Bell and its subscription model while covering Valpo athletics more broadly.

With that in mind, I'd like to invite you to check out The Beacon Brief, my completely free Substack dedicated to all things Valpo Basketball. You'll find my season previews series already over there, and I will transition roster analysis, recruiting updates, and other in-depth coverage that doesn't always fit naturally within forum discussions. Additionally, I would like to provide even more in-depth coverage of the program if access can be obtained to bring it to our fanbase.

Going forward, I'll likely post full articles on The Beacon Brief and share links here within the discussion threads, allowing the forum to remain focused on discussion while still giving interested readers access to longer-form content.

If you'd like to follow along, you can subscribe here: https://substack.com/@thebeaconbrief

Thank you to everyone who has read, commented on, and engaged with my posts. I hope you've found the content valuable, and I look forward to continuing to cover Valpo Basketball and discussing it with all of you.

Go Beacons!

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Northern Iowa Panthers 2026–2027 Season Preview

Up Next: Northern Iowa

2025–2026 Recap

Northern Iowa once again proved that writing off Ben Jacobson is usually a bad idea.

The Panthers finished 23-13 overall and 11-9 in MVC play, good for a sixth-place finish during the regular season. They started the season winning 12 of 15 games before losing 5 straight in the heart of Valley play. While UNI's offense was often a grind, the Panthers leaned on one of the nation's best defenses, allowing just 61.8 points per game and finishing among the top defensive teams in Division I. Their season peaked at just the right time in St. Louis, where they captured the MVC Tournament championship from day 1 winning 4 games in 4 days and earned an NCAA Tournament berth before receiving a beat down via St. John's in the first round.

UNI's formula was familiar: defend at a high level, play at a controlled pace, limit mistakes, and win close games. Trey Campbell served as the offensive catalyst, while other veterans Leon Bond, Ben Schwieger, Tristan Smith, and Will Hornseth provided experience and consistency throughout the season. Campbell was named all Valley second team and all defensive team, Bond was also named all defensive team, and Hornseth was named to the most improved team.

Offseason Turnover

As is often the case following a successful season, Northern Iowa lost a significant portion of its veteran core.

Gone are several key contributors from the MVC Tournament championship team. Replacing their production and leadership will be the biggest challenge facing new first year head coach Kyle Green this season.

Departures

Ben Jacobson – New Head Coach at Utah State

Trey Campbell - Graduation

Will Hornseth – Transferred to Utah State

Leon Bond – Transferred to Iowa State

Tristan Smith – Graduation

Ben Schwieger – Graduation

Max Weisbrod – Graduation

Ismael Diouf – Unknown

RJ Taylor – Transferred to Oakland

Chase Courbat – Graduation

Hunter Jacobson - Graduation

Marino Dunravcic – Transferred to Hawaii Pacific

Returning Core

Cade Courbat (6-8, G, Jr.) Did not play last season due to injury

Levi Valdo (6-3, G, So.) – Did not play last season

Redek Born (6-3, G, Jr.) Redshirted last season

Jalen Wilson (6-8, F, So.) Redshirted last season

Kyle Pock (6-6, F, Sr.)

Pock has developed within the Panther system and will be expected to take on increased responsibilities on both ends of the floor. His experience should help anchor a younger roster. While not the star, he might be the best returning player with minutes and will be a key reserve or a standard core type of player.

Geon Hutchins (6-4, G, So.)

After gaining valuable minutes as a freshman, Hutchins enters the season as one of UNI's most important breakout candidates. The Panthers will need him to provide backcourt production and defensive versatility.

Returning Positional Minutes based on the last 5 games played:

PG 0%

SG 10%

SF 0%

PF 0%

C 0%

Key Additions

Greyson Uelmen (6-3, G, Jr.) – North Dakota

Uelmen arrives with Division I experience and gives the Panthers another capable backcourt option. His ability to handle the ball and provide a scoring punch should help fill some of the void left by Campbell's departure. He was an all-Summit League selection a season ago and will likely be the main scorer.

Tate McCubbin (6-8, G/F, Jr.) – Austin Peay

McCubbin fits the prototype of a UNI wing. He brings size, versatility, and positional flexibility that should allow him to contribute immediately.

Jules Isebaert (6-5, F, Jr.) - International

An intriguing international addition, Isebaert adds athleticism and versatility to the wing rotation. His adjustment to MVC play will be worth monitoring.

Carson Vis (6-4, G, So.) – Western Michigan

Vis gives UNI another young perimeter option with upside. He should compete for meaningful backcourt minutes early.

Isaiah Johnson-Arifu (6-7, F, Jr.) - St. Thomas

Isaiah Johnson-Arigu is a versatile 6-foot-7 combo forward who brings athleticism, defensive versatility, and efficient scoring to the floor. After beginning his career at Miami (FL) and spending time at Iowa, the Minnesota native emerged as a key contributor for St. Thomas.

Ian Smikle (6-9, F, Jr.) – Tulsa

Ian Smikle is a physical 6-foot-9, 250-pound forward who provides interior toughness, rebounding, rim protection, and high-level energy. A former AAC All-Freshman Team selection, Smikle developed into one of Tulsa's foundational frontcourt pieces thanks to his size, motor, and defensive impact, he hopes to bring this energy to UNI.

Incoming Freshmen

Northern Iowa continues to recruit and develop at a high level, bringing in another freshman class that fits the program's long-term approach.

Jaydon Kimbrough (6-3, G)
Will Gerdes (6-8, F)

As always at UNI, immediate freshman production is a bonus. The Panthers' success has historically been built on player development rather than relying heavily on first-year contributors.

Key Questions

Who replaces Trey Campbell's offensive production and leadership?
Is UNI’s lack of size and length going to be a problem in the Valley?
How quickly will the new transfers adjust to UNI's system?
Will the Panthers maintain their elite defensive identity under Kyle Green?
Does this squad have enough offensive fire power?
Is there enough talent in the backcourt?

Outlook

On one hand, the Panthers lost much of the veteran core that helped deliver a surprise MVC Tournament championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. There is considerably less proven production on this roster than what Ben Jacobson enjoyed a season ago.

On the other hand, UNI has consistently been one of the league's most stable programs. The Panthers rarely beat themselves, they defend at a high level, and bring in a new head coach who is very familiar with Jacobsons style. That track record matters, or does it?

The ceiling of this team will likely depend on whether players like Born, Hutchins, Wilson, and Uelmen can step into larger offensive roles. The defense should remain strong but replacing Campbell's shot creation and late-game scoring may be easier said than done.

Biggest Strengths

Retained players from last season’s team (albeit not a ton of minutes)
Defensive identity
Player development
New head coach with multiple years of program experience

Biggest Concerns

Replacing veteran leadership
Offensive firepower
Limited returning star power
Integrating new contributors
Loss of their long-time head coach

Projection

MVC Finish: 5th–9th

The Panthers feel like a classic Northern Iowa team: tough, disciplined, and unlikely to beat themselves.

The floor remains relatively high because of the program's culture and defensive foundation. However, unlike some recent UNI teams, this roster lacks a proven star entering the season. If several young players make significant jumps, the Panthers could challenge the upper tier of the MVC. If not, they may find themselves fighting in the middle of a crowded conference race. I personally think UNI is going to be in the back half of the standing this year.

Final Thought

Betting against Northern Iowa has rarely been a profitable strategy.

The Panthers lost a substantial amount of production, and their head coach. While this year's roster may not have the proven star power of recent UNI teams, it has enough depth, and versatility they shouldn’t be overlooked in conversation. The question isn't whether Northern Iowa will be competitive—it's whether the next wave of Panthers is ready to take the next step or will this be a rebuilding year.

Conference Opponent Season Preview: The Murray State Racers

Bryan F. — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 17:53:04 +0000

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Murray State Racers 2026–2027 Season Preview

Up Next: Murray State

2025–2026 Recap

The Murray State Racers experienced a tale of two seasons in Ryan Miller's first year at the helm. The Racers opened the year 16-3 and looked every bit like a Missouri Valley Conference title contender, winning their first eight conference games and establishing themselves as the team to beat in the Valley.

That momentum quickly unraveled, however, as Murray State finished just 4-10 over its final 14 games. The Racers still finished 20-13 overall and 12-8 in conference play, earning the No. 4 seed at Arch Madness before being upset by UIC in their opening game. Murray State also earned an NIT berth but saw its season come to an end with a first-round loss to Nevada.

Despite the disappointing finish, Fred King earned First Team All-MVC honors, Javon Jackson landed on the Second Team, and Roman Domon was named Third Team All-MVC and MVC Freshman of the Year.

Offseason Turnover

Like many programs across the MVC, Murray State lost significant production from last year's roster, including two All-Conference performers in Fred King and Javon Jackson.

The biggest offseason victory for Ryan Miller and his staff may have been retaining Roman Domon. The sophomore wing-forward is one of the conference's premier returning players and gives the Racers a foundational piece to build around. Murray State also appears to have leveraged significant NIL resources, allowing the coaching staff to be aggressive in both the transfer portal and international recruiting markets.

Departures

KJ Tenner – UTSA
Layne Taylor – Arkansas State
Brock Vice – Kansas State
Dylan Anderson – Northern Arizona
Javon Jackson – Graduation
Mason Miller – Graduation
JJ Traynor – Graduation
Fred King – Graduation

Returning Minutes by Position

Position	Returning Minutes
PG	0%
SG	21%
SF	36%
PF	72%
C	17%

Takeaway: Murray State returns 0% of its point guard minutes and only 21% of its shooting guard minutes, meaning the Racers will lean heavily on transfer additions to rebuild the backcourt. The good news is that 72% of the power forward minutes return, led by Roman Domon, giving Miller an established cornerstone around which to rebuild the roster.

Returning Core

Roman Domon (6-9, G/F, So.)

The reigning MVC Freshman of the Year returns as one of the conference's most valuable building blocks. Domon's combination of size, versatility, and playmaking ability gives Murray State a legitimate star around whom to build. Entering his sophomore season, he has a realistic chance to earn First Team All-MVC honors. Additionally, this dude seems to get every foul call.

Mathis Courbon (6-6, G/F, So.)

Courbon quietly carved out a role as a freshman and should see increased opportunities this season. His versatility and size make him an intriguing piece as the Racers replace production on the wing.

Brayden Shorter (6-5, G, Sr.)

A reliable rotation contributor, Shorter provides experience, toughness, and continuity. His leadership should be valuable as several newcomers are integrated into the lineup.

Ben Shtolzberg (6-4, G, Rs. Sr.)

After not playing last season, Shtolzberg returns as an experienced veteran who could provide valuable depth and perimeter shooting.

Dillon Butler (6-3, G, Fr.)

Did not see action last season.

Key Additions

Murray State attacked the transfer portal aggressively, bringing in a combination of high-major athleticism, veteran experience, and frontcourt depth.

Kaden Magwood (6-2, G, So.) – Auburn

Auburn transfer Kaden Magwood brings high-level athleticism and scoring upside to Murray State. An explosive downhill guard, Magwood has the ability to attack the rim, create offense in transition, and impact the game on both ends of the floor. If his perimeter shot continues to develop, he could emerge as one of the MVC's breakout players this season.

Christian Jones (6-4, G, Rs. Jr.) – George Washington

George Washington transfer Christian Jones gives Murray State an experienced, versatile guard who can contribute on both ends of the floor. His size, toughness, and ability to defend multiple positions should make him a valuable piece of the rotation.

Brigham Rogers (6-9, F, Sr.) – Belmont

Belmont transfer Brigham Rogers brings veteran experience, size, and physicality to Murray State's frontcourt. A strong rebounder and dependable interior presence, Rogers should provide valuable leadership and depth.

Shon Tupuola (6-10, F, Sr.) – Valparaiso 😥

Tupuola gives the Racers another experienced frontcourt piece. His size, rebounding ability, and physical style of play should help Murray State establish a stronger defensive and rebounding presence around the basket.

Incoming Freshmen

Ryan Miller once again dipped heavily into the international recruiting market, assembling one of the MVC's more intriguing freshman classes.

Mark Padjen (6-6, G)
Talis Soulhac (6-2, G)
Pavle Nikolic (6-8, F)
Navon Shabazz (6-3, G)
Lachlan Crate (6-8, G/F)
Jonas Boulefaa (6-10, F)

Murray State found success with international talent a year ago, and the coaching staff hopes this group can produce another impact contributor or two.

Key Questions

Can Roman Domon make the jump to First Team All-MVC?
Who replaces the production and leadership of Fred King and Javon Jackson?
Will the new-look frontcourt live up to its potential?
Can Murray State improve defensively after last season's late-season struggles?
Do the transfer additions provide enough perimeter shooting?
Can the Racers maintain consistency throughout conference play and avoid another second-half collapse?

Outlook

No team in the MVC may have a wider range of outcomes than Murray State.

The Racers return only one starter and lost significant production, but they also retained arguably the conference's most important returning building block in Roman Domon. Surrounding him is what could be the league's most talented transfer class, featuring athletic guards, experienced veterans, and multiple frontcourt additions.

The biggest challenge will be replacing the production of King and Jackson while developing chemistry among so many new faces.

The Racers also deserve the benefit of the doubt after successfully integrating international talent last season. With another highly touted international class arriving in Murray, there is reason to believe additional contributors could emerge as the season progresses.

Biggest Strengths

Roman Domon's star potential
Athletic transfer class
Frontcourt depth and size
Strong NIL support and roster investment

Biggest Concerns

Replacing two All-MVC performers
0% returning point guard minutes
Defensive consistency
Team chemistry and roster integration

Projection

MVC Finish: 1st–4th

The Racers appear far too talented to fall into the bottom half of the conference. Their combination of size, athleticism, and transfer portal additions gives them one of the highest ceilings in the Valley.

The biggest question remains on the defensive end, where last season's struggles ultimately prevented Murray State from sustaining its early success. If the newcomers improve that area and the team comes together quickly, Murray State has a realistic path to competing for an MVC championship.

Final Thought

Roman Domon gives the Racers a legitimate star to build around. The floor may be lower than some expect due to the turnover, but the ceiling is as high as anyone's in the MVC. If the pieces fit, Murray State has every opportunity to finish near the top of the league and make a push for a conference title.

Conference Opponent Season Preview: The Indiana State Sycamores

Bryan F. — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:46:21 +0000

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Indiana State 2026–2027 Season Preview

Up Next: Indiana State University

2025–2026 Recap

It wasn't that long ago Indiana State was the story of the Missouri Valley Conference. Last season, however, felt much different. Unfortunately, Matthew Graves missed a large portion of the season due to a health issue, he returned to the sideline the night they traveled to Valparaiso.

The Sycamores finished just 11–21 overall and 4–16 in MVC play, ending the year in 10th place and exiting Arch Madness in the opening round. Under Matthew Graves, Year 2 never seemed to gain much traction as Indiana State struggled to establish a consistent identity on either end of the floor.

While there were flashes throughout the season, the Sycamores often found themselves caught between rebuilding and competing. They lacked the offensive firepower of recent Indiana State teams and struggled to consistently defend quality MVC opponents.

The result was a season that left plenty of questions heading into the offseason.

Offseason Turnover

Like many teams in today's MVC, Indiana State saw significant roster movement, maybe most of any team.

Departures

Zyair Greene (Unknown)
Jo Van Buggenhout (Sacred Heart)
Hunter Harding (Elon)
Camp Wagner (UC San Diego)
Enel St. Bernard (Sam Houston)
Bruno Alocen (Valparaiso)
Derek Vorst (Cleveland State)
Jayan Walker (Alcorn State)
Caden Huttenlocker (Unknown)
Ian Scott (Graduation)
Sterling Young (Graduation)

That's a considerable amount of experience and minutes walking out the door.

Perhaps more importantly, Indiana State lost several players who were expected to be foundational pieces when Graves initially took over the program. This offseason felt less like tweaking a roster and more like another major reset.

What Returns?

After scouring the roster, I believe Indiana State has 1 returner from last season. Martin Kaupanger who did not see the floor, redshirting his first season in Terre Haute.

Key Additions

EJ McQuillan (Sr. 6-4 G – LSU Alexandria)

Arguably the most important addition.

McQuillan arrives after averaging over 20 points per game at the NAIA level and brings legitimate scoring production. He's capable of creating his own shot and should immediately become one of Indiana State's primary offensive options.

The question isn't whether he can score.

It's whether that production translates against MVC athletes every night.

Karmani Gregory (Sr. 6-1 G – USC Upstate)

Veteran guard who brings experience and toughness to the backcourt.

Indiana State desperately needed a stabilizing presence at point guard, and Gregory has a chance to provide exactly that. Not necessarily a star, but someone who can organize the offense and keep the team functioning.

Greyson Pritzl (Sr. 6-4 F – Lander)

Productive lower-level scorer who gives Indiana State another experienced option.

Projects as a versatile wing who can contribute offensively and provide some needed maturity to a roster filled with moving pieces.

Jackson Cooper (Sr. 6-7 F – Oregon Tech)

One of the more intriguing additions.

A highly productive scorer at Oregon Tech, Cooper averaged nearly 18 points per game and brings offensive versatility that Indiana State lacked at times last season.

If his scoring translates, he could become one of the better frontcourt additions in the Valley.

Chance Puryear (So. 6-7 SF – SMU)

Interesting upside play.

Former high-major recruit with length and athletic tools. Production hasn't caught up with the talent yet, but the ceiling is obvious.

This feels like exactly the type of transfer Indiana State needs to hit on.

Aleksa Vlajic (So. 6-9 F/C – Buffalo)

Provides size and developmental upside in the frontcourt.

The Sycamores needed bodies inside after losing Harding and Vorst, and Vlajic gives them a piece that could grow into a significant role.

Maguire Mitchell (So. 6-5 G – IU Indy)

Athletic wing with room to develop.

Could carve out a valuable rotation role if his perimeter game continues to improve.

Duce Paschal (So. 6-5 G/F – Weber State)

Another upside wing who fits the modern MVC mold.

Length, athleticism, defensive versatility, and some offensive potential.

Meechie White (Sr. 6-1 G – Eastern Illinois)

White looks like the type of veteran guard every MVC team wants.

He may not be an All-League star, but he has the tools to be a double-digit scorer and reliable backcourt piece who wins games with experience and toughness.

Alessio Calamita (Jr. 6-10 F - FC Bayern Munuch)

Calamita is a high-upside addition. If the transition from European basketball goes smoothly, he has the tools to become a versatile frontcourt contributor and difficult matchup in the Valley.

Incoming Freshman:

EJ Hazelett

Ian Thomas

Kade Speckman

What Is Indiana State This Year?

That's honestly one of the tougher questions in the league.

Unlike teams such as Valparaiso or Illinois State that have established cores returning, Indiana State is still trying to identify who its foundational pieces are. Indiana State returns 0 minutes played. Indiana State could be anything.

Key Questions

Can EJ McQuillan become a legitimate MVC-level scorer?
Does Indiana State make Arch Madness?
Can Indiana State replace the production lost in the frontcourt?
Which of the younger transfers emerge as impact players?
Is Matthew Graves able to take a meaningful step forward in Year 3 or is he on the “Hot Seat” in 2027?

Outlook

Indiana State is a team I can’t get a read on. There are several intriguing upside pieces.

The problem is that almost every key contributor is arriving from another program and another level. The ceiling feels higher than last year's team, but the floor feels even lower if the newcomers struggle to adjust.

Projection

This feels like a team that can climb out of the Valley basement but still has a lot of work to do before becoming a serious contender.

Preseason Range: 7–10 in the Valley

If the transfers click quickly, a middle-of-the-pack finish is possible.

If they don't, Indiana State could find itself battling just to make it to St. Louis

Final Thought

Indiana State enters 2026–27 as one of the MVC's biggest questions.

The Sycamores have enough new talent to look significantly different than the team that finished 10th a year ago, but almost everything hinges on transfer evaluation and player development. There is reason for optimism in Terre Haute, but until this group proves it can win consistently at the Valley level, it's hard to project them anywhere but the back half of the conference.

This feels like a season where progress matters as much as wins. If Graves can establish a clear identity and turn this collection of newcomers into a competitive MVC team, the foundation may finally start pointing back in the right direction.

Conference Opponent Season Preview: The Illinois State Redbirds

Bryan F. — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 14:27:23 +0000

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Illinois State 2026-27 Season Preview

Up Next: Illinois State Redbirds

2025-26 Recap

Illinois State entered last season carrying the weight of expectations. The Redbirds returned much of their core, opened the year as the Missouri Valley Conference favorite, and were viewed by some as one of the top mid-major programs in the country. While they ultimately fell short of those lofty expectations, the season was far from a disappointment.

Illinois State finished 23-13 overall and 12-8 in MVC play, good for a third-place finish in a tightly packed league race where the gap between second and sixth was razor thin. The Redbirds improved their KenPom ranking from a preseason mark of 121 to a final ranking of 97, giving them a Top-100 finish nationally and validating their status as one of the stronger mid-major programs in the country.

The season ended on a sour note in St. Louis as Illinois State was bounced from Arch Madness in its opening game by eventual champion Northern Iowa. However, the Redbirds rebounded with a deep NIT run that carried them all the way to the semifinals before falling to eventual champion Auburn. Individually, Chase Walker earned First Team All-MVC honors as one of the conference's premier big men.

Statistically, Illinois State was a solid but somewhat flawed team. The defense routinely carried the weight while the offense struggled at times with turnovers and a lack of free-throw generation. Experience helped the Redbirds survive close games, but they rarely felt dominant and often played below the ceiling many expected entering the year.

Offseason Turnover

At first glance, Illinois State appears to have undergone significant roster turnover. In reality, the Redbirds retained the two most important pieces on the roster while replacing much of the supporting cast through the transfer portal.

Departures

Jack Daugherty (Northern Illinois)
Ty'Reek Coleman (Iowa)
Ty Pence (Akron)
Cameron Barnes (Cal State Bakersfield)
Landon Moore (Graduation)
Landon Wolf (Graduation)
Brandon Lieb (Graduation)
Boden Skunberg (Graduation)

The losses of Skunberg, Moore, Lieb, and Wolf represent a significant hit to last season's production, but the right pieces are returning to Illinois State.

Returning Core

Chase Walker

Walker returns as one of the MVC's best post players and arguably the most important player on Illinois State's roster. His ability to score on the block, rebound, and anchor the interior gives the Redbirds a foundation most MVC teams would gladly trade for.

Johnny Kinziger

Kinziger is no longer a breakout candidate—he's an established MVC staple who was all Valley two seasons ago.

Other Returners

Mason Klabo
Isaac Ericksen
Nick Allen
Ty Blake

Returning Minutes by Position

Position	Returning Minutes
PG	52%
SG	78%
SF	0%
PF	0%
C	55%

The takeaway is clear: Illinois State returns the bulk of its backcourt but must completely rebuild both forward positions.

Key Additions

Illinois State attacked the portal with a clear purpose. Rather than simply accumulating talent, Ryan Pedon targeted players that fit specific needs.

Demarion Burch – Bradley

At Illinois State, Burch won’t be asked to be “the guy”—but he doesn’t need to be. His path to impact is clear: defend, run, and attack the rim. If his jumper comes around, he has a real chance to evolve from a rotation piece into one of Illinois State’s most important two-way players this season.

Noah Cleveland - Illinois Wesleyan

Noah Cleveland isn’t a high-variance, boom-or-bust prospect—he’s a steady, fundamentally sound player whose value comes from doing multiple things well. The swing factor is how his skill set holds up athletically. If it translates, he’s a useful, system-friendly forward who can contribute in a variety of ways. If not, he becomes more of a depth option.

Zaxton King – Missouri State

Illinois State will rely on him to generate offense when structure breaks down, and he should have the freedom to do it. If he proves efficient and buys in defensively, he has a real path to becoming one of the more impactful scoring guards in the MVC this season.

Deng Garang - Le Moyne

If his defense translates and he provides even average shooting, he has a real chance to become a high-minute, two-way contributor who helps Illinois State win games in the margins—rebounding, defending, and cleaning up possessions around higher-usage scorers.

Louie Semona – Western Kentucky

If healthy, I’d project him as a high-minute rotation forward with starter upside. His best role is as a stretch 4 who spaces the floor, moves the ball, and provides efficient secondary scoring. For a Redbird team adding athletic guards and wings, Semona could be the piece that helps the offense breathe.

Incoming Freshmen

Leyton Wolf
Matthew Szafoni
Jordan Williams

As is often the case in the MVC, expecting major freshman contributions can be dangerous. Any production from this group should be viewed as a bonus.

Key Questions

Can Illinois State solidify the forward spots?

Can Chase Walker stay healthy?

Is Johnny Kinziger going to return to an all-Valley team?

Can the transfers mesh quickly?

Does Mason Klabo become a bigger contributor?

Outlook

Illinois State enters 2026-27 with something many MVC teams are searching for: proven star power.

While much of the supporting cast has changed, the Redbirds avoided the complete roster reset that impacted many conference rivals by retaining both Chase Walker and Johnny Kinziger. Those two provide one of the MVC's best inside-out combinations and give Illinois State a foundation capable of competing near the top of the standings.

The transfer portal additions also appear to complement existing strengths rather than overlap them. King adds shot creation. Burch and Garang bring athleticism and defensive versatility. Semona provides shooting and spacing. Collectively, they address many of the weaknesses that surfaced during last season.

The biggest strength of this roster is balance:

Proven star power
Improved wing athleticism
Additional shot creation
Better lineup flexibility
Increased positional versatility

The biggest concern is cohesion. Illinois State has upgraded talent in several areas, but integrating multiple transfers into meaningful roles is rarely seamless.

If the pieces fit, this roster has the potential to contend for a top-four finish and make another postseason run.

Projection

MVC Finish: 1st–4th

Expect Illinois State to be one of the more dangerous teams in the league this year.

Final Thought

Walker and Kinziger give Illinois State one of the conference's best star combinations, while the newcomers appear to fit naturally around them. The Redbirds are not rebuilding—they are retooling.

Illinois State looks like a legitimate Top-5 MVC team entering 2026-27, with a realistic path to finishing in the conference's top tier if the transfer additions perform as expected.

Conference Opponent Season Preview: The Evansville Purple Aces

Bryan F. — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 15:02:54 +0000

213

Evansville 2026–2027 Season Preview

Up Next: Evansville

2025–2026 Recap

Last season was flat-out painful for Evansville—and there’s no need to sugarcoat it. The Aces finished 7–25 overall and 3–17 in MVC play, landing in last place. Expectations were higher entering the year, but injuries—most notably to Connor Turnbull—combined with a lack of MVC-caliber depth derailed the season quickly.

The numbers back it up. Evansville opened at No. 248 in KenPom and slid to 312 by season’s end, placing them among the bottom tier of Division I. They struggled on both ends, finishing near the bottom of the Valley in most offensive and defensive metrics. The few bright spots: strong free throw shooting (75.7%, 2nd in MVC) and leading the league in offensive block percentage.

Offseason Turnover

There’s no way around it, I believe most Aces fans seen this coming. While I’m not sure they lost the most in the Valley, they were certainly close. I also believe that most Aces fans were probably okay with that considering last season's woes.

Departures (10 total):

Weston Aigner (Utah State)
Dakota Candler (Unknown)
Leo Amari (Unknown)
Leif Moller (UTEP)
Connor Turnbull (Utah State)
Marlon Barnes (Unknown)
Kaia Berridge (Unknown)
Joshua Hughes (USC)
Alex Hemenway (graduation)
Trent Hundley (graduation)

Evansville lost its top interior presence, multiple rotation guards, and the bulk of last year’s production.

Returning Core

AJ Casey – Best returning player; frontcourt anchor
Bryce Quinet – Primary ball handler last season
James Dyson Merwe – Reserve minutes
Aaron Gutman – Redshirted

Returning Minutes by Position:

PG – 75%
SG – 0%
SF – 0%
PF – 77%
C – 23%

Takeaway: Evansville returns nearly all of its point guard and power forward minutes—but zero wing production. Perimeter scoring, shooting, and defensive versatility will depend almost entirely on newcomers.

Key Additions (Transfers In)

Makuei Reik (F, Salt Lake CC)
Athletic, defensive-minded forward with physical tools that translate immediately. Projects as a rotation piece with upside to grow into a larger role if his offense develops.

Luke Ellspermann (G/F, Wabash)
Highly productive D3 wing with a versatile scoring profile. Brings size, toughness, and motor, but the jump to MVC athleticism is the key question. Developmental piece with rotation potential.

Max Langenfeld (C, FAU)
True interior presence. Finishes, rebounds, sets screens, and plays within structure. Limited offensive range but provides needed size and stability inside.

Gustav Winther (F, Northern Illinois)
Skilled, steady forward who can space the floor and keep the ball moving. Not a primary scorer, but a reliable system piece who should carve out consistent minutes.

Incoming Freshmen

Rafayel Masumyann
Junior Kemm
David Nejezchleb
Jake Genschaw
Cayden Symons
Bryce Renn

David Ragland brings in a big class as he looks to develop within his system (Depth group—any contribution here is a bonus early.)

Key Questions

Who replaces 0% returning production on the wing?
Can AJ Casey become the reliable go-to scorer?
Will Quinet stabilize guard play and limit turnovers?
Do the transfers provide enough shooting to fix scoring droughts?
How quickly can new pieces adjust to MVC physicality?

Outlook

This is a prove-it year for David Ragland.

Evansville should be more balanced, but proven production is limited—especially on the perimeter. Expect a team that leans into physicality, half-court execution, and defensive effort to stay competitive. The swing factor is simple: offensive consistency.

If the Aces can find reliable scoring—whether from Casey inside or new shooters on the wing—they’ll be competitive most nights. If not, the same scoring droughts that defined last year will return quickly.

Projection

MVC Finish: 9th–11th

Evansville should play plenty of close games. They’re not at the level of the league’s upper half though, they have enough structure and toughness to pull off a few upsets—especially at the Ford Center.

Final Thought

Evansville isn’t there yet—but this roster reset gives them a path forward.

They should be more organized, more competitive, and could be harder to play against. The next step is turning effort into results for Raglans bunch. Until they prove they can score consistently and close games, the Aces remain a step behind.

July 7 Valpo Fan Zone Forum webinar with Rev. Konkol!!!

David81 — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 21:06:42 +0000

Given the special occasion, I hope that our moderators are OK with me reposting this on the basketball page, because many Forum members may not make it to the General University Discussion page where it was originally posted:

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For members of the Valpo Fan Zone Forum, Valparaiso University invites you to a special conversation with Reverend Brian Konkol, the 20th President of Valparaiso University. This is an opportunity to hear directly from Rev. Konkol about his vision for Valpo and to share your questions!

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. CT

Event location: Zoom

RSVP is required by July 7, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. CT

Please use the following link for registration: https://giveto.valpo.edu/register/FanZoneWebinar26

Once registered, you will receive instructions on how to access the event.

If you have any questions or feedback, please contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at alumni@valpo.edu or 219.464.5142.

Conference Opponent Season Preview: The Drake Bulldogs

Bryan F. — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 18:31:34 +0000

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Drake 2026–2027 Season Preview

Next up: Drake

2025–2026 Recap

Outside of a surprise run to the Arch Madness semifinals, last season was one most Drake fans would probably like to forget.

In Eric Henderson’s first year, the Bulldogs finished just 14–20 overall, including a brutal stretch where they lost 9 straight games heading into the conference tournament. That marked their lowest win total since 2017 and resulted in a 9th-place finish in the Valley. Nationally, they finished around 205 in KenPom, which reflects how much they struggled to find consistency on both ends.

The numbers weren’t pretty. Offensively, Drake ranked near the bottom of the conference in:

Effective FG%
3PT%
FT%

And defensively, things were arguably worse:

Bottom tier in efficiency
Struggled to defend the three
Limited disruption (low steal/block rates)

Jalen Quinn carried a heavy load and earned First Team All-MVC honors, clearly their most impactful player—but there wasn’t enough around him to elevate the group.

Onward to 2026–2027

Drake hit the retool button instead of experiencing a full-on reset.

Departures

Wilguens Jr. Exacte → Mount St. Mary’s
Heri Bukinga → Omaha
Okku Federiko → Northwestern
Braden Appelhans → Xavier

Plus key graduations:

Jalen Quinn
Isaiah Carr
Jaehshon Thomas

That’s a significant loss of production and leadership.

What Returns

To their credit, Drake didn’t lose everything.

They bring back a solid core of contributors, including:

Owen Larson (10 PPG, 23 starts) – likely the top returning piece
Eli Shetler (9.1 PPG, 21 starts) – steady wing production
Andrew Alia (7.0 PPG, 32 starts) – experienced presence
Griffen Goodbary – reserve minutes

Along with redshirts:

LJ Rush
Bryson Bahl

By today’s standards, this is actually decent continuity:

86% of PG minutes
0% of SG minutes
70% of SF minutes
73% of PF minutes
36% of C minutes

That’s not nothing—and gives Henderson at least a functional base to build from in Year 2.

Key Incoming Transfers

Dre Kindell (Sr. 6-1, G – Wichita State)
Quick, downhill scoring guard who thrives off the bounce. Brings energy and shot creation, but efficiency and decision-making will determine impact. Could be a spark-plug scorer.

Jon Carroll (Sr. 6-7, F – Morehead State)
Tough, physical wing who plays through contact and rebounds well. Not a knockdown shooter, but adds grit and versatility. Classic glue guy with scoring bursts.

Justin Burns (Jr. 6-6, F – NW Florida State)
Strong interior presence who finishes around the rim and rebounds. Not a spacer, but brings toughness and physicality to the frontcourt.

Gabe Oldham (Sr. 6-8, PF – Denver)
One of the more intriguing adds. Skilled forward who can stretch the floor and play within structure. If he’s consistent, he fits nicely into a system offense.

Incoming Freshmen

Dothan Ijadimbola (6-6 F)
Mason Matulis (6-5 G)
Miles Flemons (6-7 C)
Gio Quiles (6-4 G, walk-on)

What Is Drake This Year?

That’s where things get interesting.

Year two under Henderson should bring more structure, but the roster is still a mix of:

Returning role players
Transfer additions
Unproven upside pieces

Unlike Bradley, Drake wants to play with more pace and offensive flow—but last year showed they didn’t quite have the personnel to execute it consistently.

This year’s group feels more balanced, but still lacks a proven star. I still am questioning who will replace Quinns production from last season, and have concerns with their frontcourt size and depth next season.

Outlook

Drake’s outlook really hinges on two things:

Offensive Efficiency Can’t Be Bottom Tier Again

They don’t need to be elite—but they have to be:

More efficient shooting
Better spacing
More consistent scoring options

Kindell and Oldham will be key here.

Defensive Competency

Last year’s defensive numbers were a problem.

They need to:

Defend the perimeter better
Generate more disruption
Be at least middle-of-the-pack defensively

The Positive

Returning experience matters
Henderson gets a Year 2 bump
Portal additions fit better stylistically

The Concern

No proven All-MVC-level player
Still a projection-heavy roster
Could struggle closing games

Projection

Drake feels like a bounce-back candidate—but with a capped ceiling, there is just a lot of questions that are not addressed it seems to me.

There’s enough returning production and added pieces to improve from last year’s 9th-place finish, but it’s hard to see them jumping into the top half of the league without a true go-to player emerging.

Preseason range: 6–10 in the Valley

Final Thought

This feels like a stabilization year for Drake.

They should be better—more cohesive, more competitive, and harder to beat night-to-night—but whether that translates into real movement up the standings depends on whether someone steps up as a consistent offensive leader.

Right now, it looks like a team that’s trending the right direction…just not there yet.