The preseason Kenpom rankings are out-
https://kenpom.com/
The highest ranked MVC team is at #87, and it is not who most might think.
Here are the MVC rankings-
Illinois State #87
Loyola #93
Missouri State #99
UNI #129
Valpo #131
Bradley #133
SIU #148
Evansville #160
Indiana State #203
Drake #223
The preseason rankings are based on a computer algorithm that takes into account where the team finished last season, the quality of the players who left and returned, and weighs in the quality of the new recruits or transfers have been added to the team. It also takes into account injuries. Pomeroy admits the method has a large margin for error.
https://kenpom.com/blog/2018-pre-season-top-ten/
His algorithm is the same one he used in 2016, explained here-
https://kenpom.com/blog/preseason-ratings-now-with-transfers/
I suspect this is the lowest that the top MVC team has been ranked (ISU at #87). But it is still strange that ISU is ranked the top team.