Wednesday the Missouri Valley released its men’s basketball preseason poll.  Bryan Mullins’ Salukis were picked to finish 5th finishing behind fourth-place Missouri State, third-place Northern Iowa, second-place Loyola, and first-place Drake.  Its the first time the Drake Bulldogs have ever been selected as the preseason favorite in the Missouri Valley.

The Salukis return all 5 starters from last season, including 2019 Freshman of the Year Marcus Domask after a 12-14 season and 5-13 trip around the Valley.

Domask was selected to the MVC Preseason Second Team while SIU guard Lance Jones earned a Third Team nod.

 

Here’s a look at the Preseason Poll and Preseason Teams:

Rank	School (First Place Votes)	Total Points
1	Drake (29)	411
2	Loyola (8)	363
3	UNI (6)	354
4	Missouri State	325
5	Southern Illinoi	228
6	Bradley	171
7	Valparaiso	151
8	Evansville	148
9	Indiana State	147
10	Illinois State	68

 

2021-22 MVC Preseason Teams

First Team
A.J. Green, UNI	Jr.	G	6-4	Cedar Falls, Iowa
Tyreke Key, Indiana State	Sr.	G	6-3	Celina, Tenn.
Isaiah Mosley, Missouri State	Jr.	G	6-5	Columbia, Mo.
Roman Penn, Drake	Sr.	G	6-0	Calumet City, Ill.
Gaige Prim, Missouri State	Sr.	F	6-9	Aurora, Colo.

 

Second Team
Marcus Domask, Southern Illinois	Jr.	F	6-6	Waupun, Wisc.
ShanQuan Hemphill, Drake	Sr.	F	6-6	Gary, Ind.
Ben Krikke, Valparaiso	Jr.	F	6-9	Edmonton, Alberta
Austin Phyfe, UNI	R-Jr.	F	6-9	Waverly, Iowa
Lucas Williamson, Loyola	Gr.	G	6-4	Chicago, Ill.

 

Third Team
Shamar Givance, Evansville	Sr.	G	5-10	Toronto, Ontario
Ja’Shon Henry, Bradley	Sr.	F	6-6	Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Lance Jones, Southern Illinois	Jr.	G	6-1	Evanston, Ill.
Rienk Mast, Bradley	So.	F	6-9	Groningen, Netherlands
Braden Norris, Loyola	R-Jr.	G	6-0	Hilliard, Ohio

Preseason Player of the Year: A.J. Green, UNI