The MVC is No. 9 in the conference rankings in the NCAA NET ratings. Belmont (50) headlines six MVC programs who rate in the Top 130. The Bruins are joined by Illinois State (63), Murray State (70), and UNI (73) in the Top 100.
MVC Player of the Week
Jaquan Johnson, Bradley
G, 5-11, 195, So., Milwaukee, Wis. (Pius XI)
Johnson led the Braves to a 2-0 week with wins against Indiana State and Southern Illinois. He ended his week with a final line of 20.0 PPG, 4.0 APG, 4.0 SPG, and 3.0 RPG while shooting 47.8 percent from the floor and 40 percent from three. He collected back-to-back contests of scoring at least 20 points for the first time in his career. Johnson led the Braves in points, assists, and steals, while having only three turnovers in roughly 66 minutes played.
MVC Newcomer of the Week
Fred King, Murray State
C, 6-9, 267, Sr., Mangrove Cay, Andros, Bahamas (NBA Acad. Latin America) | Creighton
King led the Racers to two wins last week (vs. Drake and at Valpo). He averaged 17.5 points and 8.0 rebounds while shooting 53.8 percent from the floor (14-of-26) and 87.5 percent from the line (7-of-8). He added four assists and led the league last week with six blocks. His 16-point, 11-rebound effort in the win against Drake was the second double-double for King this year.
MVC Freshman of the Week
Roman Domon, Murray State
G/F, 6-9, 225, Fr., Dreuil Les Amiens, France (BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque)
Murray State won both of its game last week (vs. Drake and at Valparaiso) and Domon averaged 14.5 points while connecting on 5-of-9 field goal tries. He was exceptional at the free throw line (18-of-22), and he added six rebounds and two assists last week for the Racers. He scored 20 points with three rebounds and two steals in the win at Valparaiso, making 11-of-14 free throw tries against the Beacons.
CollegeInsider.com has announced the ‘Early Season Watch List’ for the 2025-26 Lou Henson award, which is presented annually to the top player in Division I college basketball. The recipient of the annual award is determined by a 10-member voting committee, which consists of current and former head coaches, as well as two senior staff members of collegeinsider.com. Five MVC players are on the list. Clayton Custer of Loyola Chicago is the only MVC player to win the award (2018).
- Leon Bond III, UNI
- Javon Jackson, Murray State
- Jaquan Johnson, Bradley
- Tyler Lundblade, Belmont
- Jalen Quinn, Drake