The Missouri Valley Conference Tournament returns to St. Louis for the 27th consecutive year. The action begins tonight (March 2) at the Scottrade Center.
The teams in the Missouri Valley Conference usually have numerous players from the St. Louis area on its rosters. Here’s a quick preview of some of those players participating in this year’s tournament.
Ronnie Suggs Jr. – Bradley University, 12-19 overall (7-11 MVC) – It has been a disappointing season for Ronnie Suggs Jr. After being one of the best players on the team last season, Ronnie has only played in 15 games this year while playing a total of 112 minutes during the 2017 campaign.
In 2015-16, Suggs started 19 of the Braves 32 games while playing a whopping 932 minutes (30.1 minutes per game) and averaging 8.5 points as a freshman.
However, this year has been very frustrating to say the least for Suggs and his family. According to his mother Cassandra Suggs, there have been whispers of why her son hasn’t been playing this year around Bradley circles among other parents. In addition, meetings have taken place with Head Coach Brian Wardle and Suggs’ family regarding some accusations against coach Wardle that I have confirmed.
According to a May 2013 ESPN.com article written by Myron Medcalf and Andy Katz, Wardle was cleared in a 39-page investigative report regarding allegations of verbal abuse and homophobic language toward his players while he was the head coach at Wisconsin-Green-Bay. Wardle was the coach at Wisconsin Green-Bay from 2010-15 prior to being hired at Bradley.
One thing is for sure: The Suggs family are quality people who have had boys play major college basketball without any character issues. It should be noted that Ronnie Suggs Jr. is an Honor Roll student and made the Dean’s List while at Bradley. I will pay more attention to this story after the season as it unfolds.
C.J. Rivers – Drake University 7-23 overall (5-13 MVC) – The Cahokia High product returned late last season after a knee injury playing in 30 games during the 2016-17 season starting 10. The 6’2 junior is averaging 17.8 minute and 3.5 points a game. On December 3 against Fresno State, Rivers had 12 points in the 78-76 loss to the Bulldogs.
The Sycamores of Indiana State have three local products playing for them, and they all are balling despite their overall record. Assistant Coach Marcus Belcher has made his mark in St. Louis and is well respected in the black community. Here’s a look at the Sycamores of Indiana State.
Jordan Barnes – The CBC graduate has appeared in 30 games for Indiana State averaging 20.7 minutes while shooting 90 percent from the charity line and averaging 6.5 points. In addition, Barnes has 17 steals on the season along with 31 assists.
Donovan Franklin – The O’Fallon, Illinois native along with Barnes played for the prestigious St. Louis Eagles Basketball Club and attended O’Fallon High School of the powerful Southwestern Conference. Franklin played last season at Gulf Coast State before joining the Sycamores. Donovan has played in 26 games with two starts.
Emondre Rickman – the East St. Louis native played his high school ball at Collinsville High School. Rickman is a former teammate of University of Missouri defensive tackle Terry Beckner Jr. at East St. Louis Lincoln Middle school were they won a state championship. Rickman has played in 28 games with eight starts. Rickman has recorded an impressive 36 blocks in his sophomore season.
De’Antae McMurray of Drake – The former Alton High standout has started 21 of 30 games for the Bulldogs. McMurray is currently averaging 26 minutes a game while averaging nine points for a much improved Drake team.
Jordan Martin and Robin Thompson – Missouri State 16-15 overall (7-11 MVC) – Martin has played in 30 games for the Bears with six starts. The former Hazelwood Central Hawk is averaging nine minutes per game. Robin Thompson, formerly of MICDS, played an awful lot last season, but with the abundance of junior college transfers Thompson has only appeared in nine games this season.
Aaron Cook, Armon Fletcher, Brendon Gooch – Southern Illinois 16-15 overall (9-9 MVC) – Aaron Cook played his High school ball at Westminster Christian in St. Louis. Cook has played in 30 games as a freshman for one of the great guys in collegiate basketball in Barry Hinson. Armon Fletcher played his high school ball for legendary head coach Mike Waldo at Edwardsville High School. Fletcher’s play has been quite a surprise for the Salukis appearing in 28 games this season with an impressive 27 starts. The 6’4 red-shirt freshman is averaging 11.5 ppg. Brendon Gooch played for the defending Illinois Class 3-A State Champions Belleville Althoff Crusaders and a former teammate of Saint Louis University superstar recruit Jordan Goodwin. The 6’5 swingman is majoring in accounting for the Salukis.
