NORMAL — Fred VanVleet is the first name that comes up when discussing Missouri Valley Conference guards. Rightly so. The Wichita State senior appears headed for his second Larry Bird Trophy as the league's most valuable player in the last three seasons.
Yet there is no shortage of talented backcourt players across the league. In fact, 10 of the Valley's 11 leading scorers are guards.
That doesn't surprise Southern Illinois coach Barry Hinson.
"I've been in this league for 13 years and everyone's always had great guard play," said Hinson. "It's always been the secret to the Valley.