Wyatt Wheeler/News-Leader
ST. LOUIS — Last year's Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Year is now expected to be the upcoming season's player of the year.
The MVC announced Tuesday during the league's annual Tip-Off event in St. Louis that Missouri State forward Alize Johnson is the 2017-18 MVC Preseason Player of the Year.
Johnson, a Williamsport, Pennsylvania, native, led the Bears in scoring and rebounding last season.
He was selected to the All-MVC's first team while being the second consecutive Bear to earn the Newcomer of the Year honor (Dequon Miller).