Who are the "stars" of the MVC so far this year?

[Da Coach]

It's early, but if you had to pick a POY and an All-MVC team for this season, so far, who would it be?

Here is a link to the scoring stats for the MVC so far-

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/stats/bycategory?cat=Fielding&conference_id=21

Those stats are sortable by clicking on the column header to see leaders in other statistical areas.

My picks:
POY- Osiris Eldridge is averaging 20.3 ppg, almost 4 ppg more than anyone else. He is clearly the POY so far, BUT Illinois State's schedule so far has been abysmal. They have only played 2 road games, and the RPI for those two opponents is 291 (SIUE) and 322 (UIC). Could the extremely weak opposition have something to do with the big numbers OE has put up so far? Time will tell, but IMO for now there is no debating he is the POY.

All-MVC 1st team
Osiris Eldridge ISU- averaging 20.3 ppg - POY
Taylor Brown BU- 16.6 ppg and 6.8 rpg -#2 in scoring and #4 in rebounding in the MVC. Also shooting at 53.1% from the floor.
Adam Koch UNI- 16.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, and the top 3-point shooter in the MVC at 60%
Kevin Dillard SIU- 15.6 ppg (4th in scoring) and 4.8 apg (2nd in assists)
Kyle Weems MSU- he has been the top player for MSU as they are undefeated, so far. 15.0 ppg (6th in the MVC) and 5.8 rpg (12th in rebounds)

2nd team-
Kwadzo Ahelegbe UNI- 15.2 ppg (5th in the MVC)
Toure Murry WSU- 14.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg
Andrew Warren BU- quietly putting together an All-MVC season- 12.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg, good defense and clutch shooting
Jordan Eglseder UNI- 12.3 ppg and a league leading 9.3 rpg- I don't think he will sustain those numbers through the whole season, but they look good now.
Tie: Dinma Odiakosa ISU- 12.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg (3rd in the MVC), and tops with FG% of 72.9%
and James Haarsma UE- 14.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg -some surprising numbers for the undersized sophomore forward. I believe these numbers will also slip when Evansville plays tougher opposition.


Newcomer of the Year- Adam Leonard MSU- A junior guard, transfer from Eastern Kentucky U.- he has been another key part of the surprising MSU undefeated start. 13.3 ppg, 47.6% on threes.

Freshman of the Year- Colt Ryan Evansville- 14.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 39.1% on threes

Notice that I couldn't find anyone from Creighton to put on these lists, and that may be a first if it happens.
Also, nobody from Drake (none even close), or Indiana State.
Jake Kelly [10.7 ppg, 0.9 apg] and Harry Marshall [10.4 ppg, 2.0 apg] have not lived up to their hype.

Others who were expected to be possibilities for these lists and who have been a bit of a disappointment include-
Tony Freeman- he received a lot of votes for preseason POY but is averaging just 10.2 ppg and 1.5 apg.
Josh Young- 10.0 ppg and 26.7% from three.
P'Allen Stinnett- 9.3 ppg (5th on their team) and just 25% from three.
Ali Farokhmanesh UNI- 9.5 ppg, and 33.3% from three.
Clevin Hannah WSU- 8.8 ppg
Nafis Ricks MSU- last seaon's juco POY- just 5.1 ppg, and an amazingly low 1.4 apg for a point guard.
Cavel Witter CU- 5.8 ppg, 1.7 apg- another awful line for a point guard
Anthony Booker SIU- 5.6 ppg and 2.6 rpg- he was one of the highest rated players to come to the MVC in a long time.
Craig Stanley DU- a senior point guard averaging just 3.4 ppg and 1.3 apg.
Lucas O'Rear UNI- only 2.8 ppg and 3.0 rpg- he gave up baseball for this?
Isiah Martin InSU- 2.4 ppg, 1.8 rpg- he a junior and he is getting worse each year.

Anyone else you'd include on any of these lists?

[Big Mike]

IF TB can keep it up he should be in the hunt!

[shaunguth]

POY- Osiris Eldridge is averaging 20.3 ppg, almost 4 ppg more than anyone else. He is clearly the POY so far, BUT Illinois State's schedule so far has been abysmal. They have only played 2 road games, and the RPI for those two opponents is 291 (SIUE) and 322 (UIC). Could the extremely weak opposition have something to do with the big numbers OE has put up so far? Time will tell, but IMO for now there is no debating he is the POY.

He also plays 33 minutes/game, against far less competition in my opinion.

[BradleyBrave]

I think TB's best is yet to come once we get into conference play.

[tornado]

Hard to know how good either Missouri State or ISU's players are ...
can you guess how many road games Missouri State has played yet, or ISU?

Can you imagine how good BU's stats would look if all we played were home games?

Wichita State is 7-1 but the 7 wins are against a D-II and six teams whose combined record is 11-40
Missouri State is 7-0 against 7 opponents whose record is 19-24 but 6 are home games
ISU is 7-0 against 7 opponents whose record is 15-37

[SFP]

I'm giving the MSU team the benefit of the doubt. They did beat a pretty good Tulsa team.

[Garland 22]

We will probably find out how good MSU is the next two weeks. Road games vs. SLU and Arkansas before Christmas. ISU is just flat good, I think it is stupid they played the schedule they did, but hey, they are undefeated.

In reality it doesn't really matter. We will find out who is who as soon as the Valley season starts. According to Tornado we should have no trouble with either MSU or ISU, I guess we will see soon enough.

[SFP]

Garland if you have not noticed ripping on ISU is a sport around here and especially when they lend themselves to it by creating one of the most horrendous schedules by a top MVC team in decades.

[Braves4Life]

ISU is just flat good, I think it is stupid they played the schedule they did, but hey, they are undefeated.

Illinois is not that bad either. However, we saw how their weak schedule prepared them for Bradley. You're right about ISU though. We'll see how ISU's schedule prepared them for the Valley soon enough.

[BradleyBrave]

Illinois is not that bad either. However, we saw how their weak schedule prepared them for Bradley. You're right about ISU though. We'll see how ISU's schedule prepared them for the Valley soon enough.

It's going to be the same story for ISU - 13-0 or something, and then MVC play where they go 10-8 or 11-7 or something. Unless they win the tournament, they'll once again be one of the teams with a lot of wins getting zero NCAA consideration.

[versace4pres]

Watched ISU yesterday and this team plays a very uptempo, exciting brand of ball. I was not very impressed with them overall. They lean on the three ball too much when they should be pounding it inside. I thought O pressed too much again. Tries to do too much, but when he gets hot...yikes! The new guys have potential to make a lot of trouble come March.

I guess they played two road games already, as they have. They will be in the mix with us, SIU(although bad loss yesterday to SLU), CU, WSU, UNI, and MSU. Could be a really interesting Valley season.

Ok, tornado and shaunguth, it's time to chime in and rip ISU. Starting...

[SFP]

Vercase what is there to rip on what you said. I concur 100% except the SIU statement. I still say that the top teams will be us, ISU and UNI with MSU and CU going for the 4th spot. If Lawson can prove that he can be a true big they also will contend.

[versace4pres]

I just find it hard to underestimate SIU. And tornado and shaunguth always rip on ISU. I just figured I was setting the table.

[shaunguth]

Watched ISU yesterday and this team plays a very uptempo, exciting brand of ball. I was not very impressed with them overall. They lean on the three ball too much when they should be pounding it inside. I thought O pressed too much again. Tries to do too much, but when he gets hot...yikes!
Ok, tornado and shaunguth, it's time to chime in and rip ISU. Starting...

I'll simply say that description sounds a LOT like the isu team that came to Carver last season. I was not too impressed with after seeing them in person, when they were one of the last undefeated teams in the country. Sorry, but it's true!

[tornado]

..According to Tornado we should have no trouble ...

where did I ever say that? I am saddened to see you join the ranks of those who make things up to take personal swipes at other posters...


and versace- if citing their RPI and SOS and even quoting their own coach or press is "ripping", then so be it...I can take the heat, but you fail to actually dispute a single fact posted, as usual.