2024-25 Ohio Valley Basketball Preview

Conference Overview

Join us for our 2024-25 Ohio Valley Basketball Preview as we dive into an exciting season in a conference packed with impactful newcomers. Last season, Morehead State claimed the conference tournament title for the second time in four years and has consistently stayed at the top of the standings. This year, the title race is wide open, as last season ended with a three-way tie for first place and other teams close behind.

Little Rock suffered a major setback with star player and Player of the Year favorite KK Robinson ruled out indefinitely due to a significant injury. Despite this, the Trojans remain conference favorites, supported by two high-major transfers with significant experience. Mwani Wilkinson, who started his career at LSU, and Johnathan Lawson, formerly at Creighton and Memphis, are both expected to be high-impact players, especially in Robinson’s absence.

Morehead State enters the season with a new coach and a refreshed lineup featuring four transfers alongside returning center Dieonte Miles, a standout defender. The Eagles aim to maintain their consistency and defend their title.

Tennessee State brings in a completely new starting lineup, including Rhode Island standout Brandon Weston, who brings experience from the A10, along with Charleston transfer Khali London and Tulsa’s Carlous Williams, both of whom look poised for breakout seasons in the OVC.

Lindenwood may be one of the conference’s underrated teams, featuring a promising backcourt led by Reggie Bass from Kent State and Markeith Browning from Milwaukee, a strong defender and capable scorer, while freshman Jadis Jones, a high school standout, could make an early impact.

Western Illinois returns only one starter from last season, Ryan Myers, with the rest of the projected lineup comprising transfers. They’ll rely on their newcomers, especially in the frontcourt, to fill key roles. SIUE returns Player of the Year candidate Ray’Sean Taylor, one of the conference’s top scoring guards, joined by top JUCO prospect Ring Malith, who is expected to contribute immediately.

SEMO returns lead guard Rob Martin and adds a strong transfer in Teddy Washington, Jr. from Texas A&M CC, but will likely lean on JUCO transfers in the frontcourt. Eastern Illinois retained two double-digit scorers in Nakyel Shelton and Kooper Jacobi, providing a solid foundation. While efficiency questions remain for the rest of the roster, the Panthers have the potential to surprise.

Tennessee Tech will likely depend on two new transfers with JUCO experience, including Mekhi Cameron from Northern Colorado and JUCO standout Jaylon Johnson at point guard. Southern Indiana adds top JUCO transfer Braxton Jones, who is expected to quickly become a key contributor.

UT Martin brings in an entirely new projected starting lineup of JUCO transfers, and with a new coach, they aim to replicate last season’s success that resulted in a three-way tie for first.

With so many fresh faces and talent entering the conference, our 2024-25 Ohio Valley Basketball Preview highlights a season packed with potential and fierce competition, where every team has a chance to make a meaningful impact.

Ohio Valley Basketball Preview: Projected Standings

1. Little Rock
2. Morehead State
3. Tennessee State
4. Lindenwood
5. Western Illinois
6. SIUE
7. SEMO
8. Eastern Illinois
9. Tennessee Tech
10. Southern Indiana
11. UT Martin

Ohio Valley Basketball Preview: Projected Award Winners

Player of the Year: Ray’Sean Taylor, SIUE

Defensive Player of the Year: Dieonte Miles, Morehead State

Newcomer of the Year: Reggie Bass, Lindenwood

Freshman of the Year: Jadis Jones, Lindenwood

Coach of the Year: Darrell Walker, Little Rock

Ohio Valley Basketball Preview: Projected All-Conference First Team

Ray’Sean Taylor, SIUE

Reggie Bass, Lindenwood

Mwani Wilkinson, Little Rock

Brandon Weston, Tennessee State

Johnathan Lawson, Little Rock

Eastern Illinois Panthers

Projected Starters:

PG: Artese Stapleton (4.1 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 1.9 apg @ Kansas City)

SG: Nakyel Shelton (11.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.9 apg)

SF: Corey Sawyer, Jr. (8.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.6 apg)

PF: Kooper Jacobi (10.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.6 apg)

C: Rodolfo Bolis (1.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 0.5 apg)

6M: Zion Fruster (18.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.6 apg @ D2 Virginia Wise)

Lindenwood Lions

Projected Starters:

PG: Markeith Browning II (8.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.5 apg @ Milwaukee)

SG: Reggie Bass (8.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.5 apg @ Kent State)

SF: Jadis Jones (FR)

PF: Jeremiah Talton (7.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 0.4 apg)

C: Jordan Wildy (14.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 0.9 apg @ JUCO Coffeyville)

6M: Jaylon McDaniel (7.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 0.3 apg)

Little Rock Trojans

Projected Starters:

PG: Isaiah Lewis (14.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.9 apg @ JUCO Murray State)

SG: Jordan Jefferson (6.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.3 apg)

SF: Mwani Wilkinson (2.1 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 0.3 apg @ LSU)

PF: Johnathan Lawson (0.6 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.3 apg @ Creighton)

C: Creed Williamson (2.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.7 apg)

6M: Ante Beljan (2.1 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 0.4 apg) 2022-2023 Stats

Morehead State Eagles

Projected Starters:

PG: Jalen Breazeale (6.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 3.2 apg @ USC Upstate)

SG: Tyler Brelsford (6.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.6 apg @ Bryant)

SF: Jalen Windham (5.9 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 0.8 apg @ Ball State) 2022-2023 Stats

PF: Kenny White, Jr. (6.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 0.9 apg @ UT Martin)

C: Dieonte Miles (5.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 0.7 apg)

6M: Khouri Carvey (12.4 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.9 apg @ JUCO Brunswick)

SEMO Redhawks

Projected Starters:

PG: Rob Martin (11.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 3.5 apg)

SG: Teddy Washington, Jr. (6.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.0 apg @ Texas A&M CC)

SF: Braxton Stacker (7.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 0.7 apg)

PF: Saxton Hoepker (13.5 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 2.2 apg @ JUCO Southwestern Illinois)

C: Elliot Lowndes (10.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 0.6 apg @ JUCO John A. Logan)

6M: Troy Cole, Jr. (16.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.9 apg @ JUCO Highland)

SIUE Cougars

Projected Starters:

PG: Ray’Sean Taylor (13.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.8 apg)

SG: Desmond Polk (4.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 0.5 apg)

SF: Jordan Hamilton (7.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 0.5 apg @ JUCO Southern Idaho)

PF: Ring Malith (12.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.2 apg @ JUCO Barton)

C: Arnas Sakenis (3.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.4 apg)

6M: Kyle Thomas (2.1 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 0.3 apg @ Bradley)

Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles

Projected Starters:

PG: Jack Campion (6.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.8 apg)

SG: Braxton Jones (18.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.5 apg @ JUCO Garden City)

SF: Jayland Randall (7.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 0.8 apg @ Alabama A&M)

PF: Jack Mielke (8.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 0.6 apg)

C: Stephen Olowoniyi (7.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 0.3 apg @ VMI)

6M: Jadyn Shider (8.6 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.5 apg @ Northwest Florida State)

Tennessee State Tigers

Projected Starters:

PG: Justus Jackson (7.0 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 2.0 apg @ UT Martin)

SG: Khali London (3.0 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 0.6 apg @ Charleston)

SF: Brandon Weston (5.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.4 apg @ Rhode Island)

PF: Carlous Williams (5.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 0.8 apg @ Tulsa)

C: Ahmir Langlais (8.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 0.7 apg @ USC Upstate)

6M: Travis Harper II (17.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.7 apg @ D2 Clayton State)

Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles

Projected Starters:

PG: Jaylon Johnson (15.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.8 apg @ JUCO Southern Idaho)

SG: Mekhi Cameron (1.6 ppg, 0.6 rpg, 0.3 apg @ Northern Colorado)

SF: Rodney Johnson, Jr. (10.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 0.7 apg)

PF: Daniel Egbuniwe (7.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.8 apg)

C: Ola Ajiboye (3.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 0.4 apg @ Valparaiso)

6M: Grant Slatten (4.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.7 apg) 2022-2023 Stats

UT Martin Skyhawks

Projected Starters:

PG: Tarence Guinyard (21.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.3 apg @ JUCO Florida State at Jacksonville)

SG: Josué Grullon (20.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.5 apg @ JUCO Daytona State)

SF: Matija Zuzic (12.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.1 apg @ JUCO Eastern Florida State)

PF: Vladimer Salaridze (4.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.4 apg @ UC Riverside)

C: Stefano Faloppa (10.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.4 apg @ JUCO Monroe)

6M: Carlos Cortijo (9.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 4.6 apg @ JUCO Eastern Florida State)

Western Illinois Leathernecks

Projected Starters:

PG: Ryan Myers (13.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.1 apg)

SG: AJ Dixon (16.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.7 apg @ JUCO Triton)

SF: Marko Maletic (2.3 ppg, 0.4 rpg, 0.1 apg @ Toledo)

PF: Julius Rollins (3.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 0.3 apg @ Kent State)

C: Massal Diouf (2.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 0.3 apg @ UTSA)

6M: Kimahri Wilson (2.2 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.7 apg @ Stephen F. Austin)

Coming Next

Thank you for reading the 2024-25 Ohio Valley Basketball Preview. To view the conference preview release schedule, keep up to date with us on X @collegehoopsrpt. If you haven’t already, feel free to check out one of our other conference previews linked below! Next up is the Patriot League. Thank you for reading, and we appreciate all the support!

• America East Conference Preview
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Cover Image: Photo Credit: Ohio Valley Conference