ST. LOUIS – Two returning standouts on the Indiana State men's basketball team received preseason recognition on Thursday as the Missouri Valley Conference announced its preseason teams and poll in advance of the 2020-21 season. The preseason poll and individual awards are decided by a voting panel consisting of coaches, sports information directors and media.
Tyreke Key was named First Team while
Jake LaRavia was named to Second Team. Indiana State was picked fourth in the preseason poll, while Northern Iowa collected 30 first-place votes and was tabbed as the preseason favorite. Loyola, and Bradley were picked ahead of the Sycamores.
A senior guard for the Sycamores, Key paved the way for ISU a year ago, averaging a team high 15.6 points per contest. Along with his scoring output Key also pulled down 4.6 rebounds per game and 1.7 assists per game. A consistent shooter at the charity stripe, Key set a program record and the 14
th-longest streak in MVC history with 32 consecutive makes at the free throw line from Nov. 17-Dec. 3. The fourth-fastest player to join the 1,000-point club in program history, Key sits 16
th all time with 1,255 career points scored with a chance to jump into the top-10 -- needing just 200 points.
LaRavia was named to the MVC All-Freshman Team and All-Newcomers Team after seeing action in 30 games, including 25 starts. Averaging 9.4 points per game for the Sycamores, LaRavia also ranked ninth best in the league in rebounding with a mark of 5.9 per game. He has hit 53 percent of his shots this season which is 10
th-best in the Valley. His 35 blocked shots ranked fourth in the league and his 2.5 offensive rebounds per game are fourth.
The Sycamores are scheduled to begin their season at the Gulf Coast Showcase Nov. 25 with the bracket yet to be announced.
Awards and Poll
Preseason Player of the Year
AJ Green, UNI
FIRST TEAM
Elijah Childs, Bradley
AJ Green, UNI
Tyreke Key, Indiana State
Cameron Krutwig, Loyola
Austin Phyfe, UNI
SECOND TEAM
Donovan Clay, Valparaiso
Marcus Domask, Southern Illinois
Jake LaRavia, Indiana State
Roman Penn, Drake
Gaige Prim, Missouri State
THIRD TEAM
Trae Berhow, UNI
Keith Fisher III, Illinois State
Tate Hall, Loyola
Marquise Kennedy, Loyola
Tremell Murphy, Drake
Rank, School, 1st Place Votes, Total Points
1. UNI, (30), 426
2. Loyola, (13), 405
3. Bradley, (1), 341
4. Indiana State, 282
5. Southern Illinois, 235
6. Missouri State, 210
7. Drake, 207
8. Valparaiso, 148
9. Illinois State, 112
10. Evansville, 54
