The Missouri Valley enters the new season being led once again by Greg Marshall’s bunch at Wichita State. Fred Van Vleet and Ron Baker are both potential All-American candidates but with their graduations looming, the 2016 recruiting class is ultra-important for the Shockers. They have signed the best recruit out of all those within the MVC in CJ Keyser, but there still is a lot more that must be done in the coming months in solidifying its cupboard.

The consistent rival of Wichita’s over the past few years has been Northern Iowa and the two-man class is a good looking one for Ben Jacobson’s squad. Juwan McCloud might not pass the looks test but the gritty lead guard can really score the ball off the jumper but is more than a willing passer within the half-court setting. Alongside him is Tanner Lohaus, a 6-foot-6 wing, and with his older brother already settled in at UNI, Lohaus should grow nicely within the confines of his new home’s offense and be relied upon deeply for his perimeter jumper.

Brian Wardle takes over at Bradley and already has received two quality ballplayers in Nate Kennell, the MVC’s best incoming shooter next fall, along with Koch Bar, a high upside and hard-playing big man who protects his rim, rebounds his area, and if he were to have waited to sign in the spring, would have been a well followed Big 10 recruit.

Indiana State has a nice little class headed to Terre Haute led by wing Nick Robinson. The 6-foot-5 senior hails from the Windy City and should be a solid 3-and-D piece due to his college ready physique, added wingspan, and quality outside jumper with his feet set.

Evansville scooped in and beat out several others within the conference for Dru Smith, a 6-foot-2 combo guard who can score the ball and distribute whenever the opportunity presents itself. With high-level scorer of the ball DJ Balentine graduating next year, Smith should be relied upon quickly due to his sturdiness, maturity, and two-way production in the backcourt.

Many other programs within the MVC need to finish up each of their classes this winter and spring including the likes of Drake, Missouri State, and Wichita State, and outside of the Keyser signee to the Shockers, there aren’t a lot of nationally recognized names in the hopper just yet. However, many of the programs throughout the conference have been known for evaluating thoroughly and having its young recruits grow and flourish as their years progress.

Corey Evans’ take: Wichita State and UNI are always going to sign some quality prospects but with the times have been tough of late at Southern Illinois. However, I really like the signing of Brendon Gooch, a 6-foot-6 wing from Illinois and a guy that, if he develops a mean streak, could prosper as an all-conference guy within the MVC.

Biggest recruiting story: There won’t be many recognized names signed throughout the conference but like always, come tournament time, the MVC has been known for knocking off some of the higher-level programs. Wichita State loses Van Vleet and Baker and signing Keyser is a start, but in order for a drop-off to not occur, another few commits must be received.

MISSOURI VALLEY TEAM RECRUITING RANKINGS

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

MISSOURI VALLEY CLASS SUPERLATIVES