NCAA Basketball Missouri Valley Basketball

Top 5 Incoming Missouri Valley Basketball Freshmen

Top 5 Incoming Missouri Valley Basketball Freshmen

Bradley defense
Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Mid-majors have become known for producing teams that are lead by senior leadership. Their philosophy against one-and-done talent is to beat them with experience. This season, the Missouri Valley will have few impact seniors and freshmen who are expected to shoulder large roles.

5. Wyatt Lohaus, UNI, PG

Northern Iowa drive
Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

5. Wyatt Lohaus, UNI, PG

Northern Iowa drive
Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

This young man can be one of the steals of the Missouri Valley recruiting class. He won Mr. Iowa as the best high school basketball player in the state, which is shared by successful NBA talents like Harrison Barnes. Lohaus is an excellent spot-up shooter and has shown flashes of having the ability to create his own shot.

4. Rashard Kelly, WSU, PF

Shockers block
Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports

4. Rashard Kelly, WSU, PF

Shockers block
Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports

Kelly is expected to be the high-energy defender and finisher to supplement the Shockers’ bench. He is an explosive athlete and is a key component to an undervalued WSU draft class.

3. Jordan Caroline, SIU, PF/SF

Saluki posts
Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jordan Caroline, SIU, PF/SF

Saluki posts
Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports

Much is unknown about the frontcourt athlete, but he does have professional athletic genes. Caroline is the son of former standout NFL defensive player Simeon Rice. Caroline also played for the No. 1 high school program last season, Montverde (Fla.) Academy. Due to Southern’s height deficiency, he will probably see time at both forward positions.

2. Zach Brown, WSU, SF

Early dunk
Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

2. Zach Brown, WSU, SF

Early dunk
Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Coach Gregg Marshall lavished praise upon Brown when he signed to the Shockers. Brown will try to replace Cleanthony Early in WSU’s undefeated 2013 regular season lineup. He will have to improve his defense to meet Early’s prowess, but he appears to be an even better shooter coming out of high school.

1. Josh Cunningham, BU, PF

Bradley block
Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

1. Josh Cunningham, BU, PF

Bradley block
Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Even though the Braves haven't seen much success within the Missouri Valley, Cunningham highlights a 2014 class that may help change Bradley’s fortunes. He is a “tweener” type that can score in a myriad of ways. He reminds me of someone with a mix of the skillsets of Jabari Parker and Cleanthony Early.

Share Tweet