Way Too Early 2026-27 Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Rankings (Post-Transfer Portal)
- Tesh
- May 24
- 4 min read
Updated: May 25
The MVC has historically been a strong mid-major conference (often top 10-12 in average KenPom). League-wide AdjO in 2025-26 was competitive in the 105–115+ range. These rankings are ordered primarily by 2025-26 KenPom offensive efficiency (AdjO + national rank), with returning production, net portal impact, and specific player movement (including PPG, RPG, APG, and awards where relevant) as key factors. Each team includes both offense and defense.
1. Bradley Braves
Net Change: Neutral to slightly better.
Solid core retention from a strong season, but significant portal activity.
Biggest additions: Power forward Xander Alarie (6-8, 235 lbs, son of former NBA first-round pick Mark Alarie) — brings size, scoring, and family pedigree from the portal.
Biggest losses: All-MVC 1st Team / MVC Defensive Player of the Year Jaquan Johnson (sophomore PG, elite defender and playmaker) to Iowa State; All-MVC Bench Montana Wheeler (fr PG) to Kansas State; junior SG Demarion Burch to Illinois State; plus Handy Toussaint III (jr PF), Kai Yu (soph C), and others.
Clear favorite with one of the best offensive foundations in the league and good continuity despite key losses.
2. Belmont Bruins
Net Change: Neutral to worse.
Biggest additions: Kayden Fish (6'6 F, from Ball State/Iowa State) — Physical frontcourt piece,
Aleksa Ristic (6'3 G, from Indiana) — Perimeter addition, Vincent Neugebauer (7'1 C, from FAU) — Size in the paint, Ethan Sage (6'7 G/F, from Pittsburg State), Matthew Zobrist (6'5 G, from Bradley).
Biggest losses: MVC Player of the Year Tyler Lundblade (sr SG, 15.6 PPG, elite 3-point shooter at ~44% on high volume) to Tennessee; All-MVC 2nd Team Sam Orme (soph PF, 12.7 PPG, 55.9% FG, 39.7% 3PT) to Nebraska; All-MVC 1st Team Drew Scharnowski (soph PF) to Duke; plus Win Miller, Brigham Rogers, and others.
Strong contender but faces a massive rebuild after losing their top offensive talent.
3. Illinois State Redbirds
Net Change: Neutral. Good retention of key pieces with targeted portal additions.
Biggest additions: Guard Demarion Burch (6-4 junior from Bradley) — brings scoring, athleticism, and familiarity with the league.
Biggest losses: Ty'Reek Coleman, Jack Daugherty, and Ty Pence entered the transfer portal. Competitive upper tier with system stability and immediate help from Burch.
4. Murray State Racers
Net Change: Neutral to better. Veteran scorers back plus portal activity.
Biggest additions: Transfer talent including guards and wings for pace and scoring (specific high-impact names finalizing).
Biggest losses: Several all-conference caliber players, including Brigham Rogers (jr PF) to elsewhere in the portal.
Potential to climb with new pieces.
5. Drake Bulldogs
Net Change: Neutral. Balanced returning production.
Biggest additions: Dre Kindell from Wichita State (perimeter scoring and athleticism).
Biggest losses: Braden Appelhans (jr SG), Wilguens Exacte Jr. (jr SF), Okku Federiko (soph SF) to Northwestern, Heri Bukinga (fr C) to Omaha, plus Jaehshon Thomas, Jalen Quinn, and Isaiah Carr. Battle for middle of the standings with solid portal replacement.
6. Northern Iowa Panthers
Net Change: Neutral to worse. Some scoring losses.
Biggest additions: Transfer guards for playmaking and perimeter creation.
Biggest losses: Multiple rotation players entered the portal.
Rebuilding but retains enough tools for competitiveness.
7. Indiana State Sycamores
(2025-26 AdjO: 106.1, #227 | AdjD: 109.3, #175)
Net Change: Neutral to worse. Significant turnover.
Biggest additions: Freshmen and portal depth for guard and forward spots.
Biggest losses: Multiple key scorers entered the transfer portal.
Lower-mid projection with heavy reliance on new pieces.
8. Valparaiso Beacons
(2025-26 AdjO: 108.0 , #189 | AdjD: 107.4, #137)
Net Change: Neutral to better. Portal-focused rebuild.
Biggest additions: Athletic perimeter talent and frontcourt depth.
Biggest losses: Leading scorers and rotation players including Cooper Schweiger, All Wright, Isiaiah Stafford, and others. Potential upside if transfers mesh.
9. Southern Illinois Salukis
(2025-26 AdjO: 103.7, #276 | AdjD: 99.4, #29)
Net Change: Worse. High turnover losing their top 4 scorers to the transfer portal or graduation.
Biggest additions: Lower-level transfers and freshmen.
Biggest losses: Quel'Ron House (leading scorer, 15.2 PPG), Drew Steffe (9.9 PPG), Rolyns Aligbe (9.5 ppg, 7.4 rpg).
10. UIC Flames
(2025-26 AdjO: 110.4 , #147 | AdjD: 105.0, #91)
Net Change: Neutral to worse. High turnover.
Biggest additions: Lower-level transfers and freshmen for guard and wing positions.
Biggest losses: Rotation players including key contributors who entered the portal.
Bottom-half outlook.
11. Evansville Purple Aces
(2025-26 AdjO: 101.8 , #306 | AdjD: 115.0, #291)
Net Change: Neutral to worse. Heavy roster changes.
Biggest additions: Portal role players and depth scorers.
Biggest losses: Weston Aigner (jr SG), Leo Amari IV (jr PG), Marlon Barnes Jr. (soph SF), Kaia Berridge (soph PG), Dakota Candler (jr SF), Josh Hughes (jr C), Leif Moller (fr SG) to UTEP, Connor Turnbull (sr PF), and more. Likely near the basement.
Missouri Valley Conference Big Picture for 2026-27
Bradley holds the top offensive spot with strong retention and key additions like Xander Alarie despite losing Defensive Player of the Year Jaquan Johnson. Belmont faces the toughest rebuild after losing MVC Player of the Year Tyler Lundblade and multiple All-MVC performers. The league remains competitive mid-major territory with heavy portal turnover. Expect 2-3 NCAA bids, with Bradley as the favorite.
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