After already going through and ranking the Mountain West Conference guards, wings, and big men, it’s time to continue making our way through the college basketball world and look at some of the top conferences.
Up now, another one of the best “mid-major” conferences that has been headlined by one of the most successful programs, in recent years, that the country has to offer in Wichita State. First, we look at the guards.
1. Fred Van Vleet, Wichita State Shockers
This shouldn’t come as much of a shock to anyone, though some could surely argue that his backcourt mate deserves to be right there with him. Don’t worry, he is. Van Vleet has established him as one of the most well-rounded guards in the country with his ability to score, distribute, compete with more physically gifted players, and effect the game without the ball in his hands. He’s the heart and soul of WSU, and the conference’s best overall player.
2. Ron Baker, Wichita State Shockers
As mentioned earlier, Baker certainly has a claim to the top spot on this list. Over the past few seasons, he’s gone from a perimeter guy who can knock down some shots while he plays hard as hell to a legitimate threat at all times against anyone in the country. Baker is a legitimate All-American candidate, and a no-brainer for this list.
3. D.J. Balentine, Evansville Purple Aces
There’s little question that Balentine is deserving of being on this list, as he’s a returning first team all-conference returnee, and he’s one of the reasons that Evansville has a chance to take the next step in the conference standings. Balentine also has a chance to be another 20 points per game scorer, yet I wouldn’t be surprised to see him improve his all-around floor game as well.
4. Anthony Beane, Southern Illinois Salukis
Beane was a second team All-MVC selection last season, and was the conference’s second-leading scorer with 16.1 points per game. A big development for him, as the season went on, was his improved shooting from beyond the arc. If he can continue that trend into his final season at SIU, he’ll have a chance to sneak into the conference’s first team award list along the likes of the three names above him.
5. Devonte Brown, Indiana State Sycamores
Another returning All-MVC selection from last season, Brown has a chance to take on a serious scoring load for Indiana State next season after showing his ability to be an all-around stat sheet stuffer. Brown shot a career high from the field and improved in every other area as well a year ago, and if that continues, he could be in for a true breakout season.
