The three new coaches in the Missouri Valley Conference have contributed mightily to the league’s wild and unpredictable first week.
All three — Drake’s Darian DeVries, Evansville’s Walter McCarty and Missouri State’s Dana Ford — inherited rebuilding situations. But, thanks to some key incoming transfers, the three coaches have their teams in the thick of the early league race.
Drake was 11-2 in the nonconference season, capturing the Las Vegas Classic title with big wins over New Mexico State and San Diego. Fifth-year transfer Nick Norton, a point guard from UAB, was a key figure, averaging 14 points and a league-leading 5.