Prominent newcomers abound in the Missouri Valley Conference this season.
Evansville guard Ryan Taylor is among the Valley's top scorers. Loyola's Aundre Jackson is averaging nearly 15 points while shooting an uncanny 71 percent from the field.
Austin Reaves of Wichita State leads the league in 3-point field-goal percentage and Shocker forward Darral Willis is averaging 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and shooting 56 percent.
Drake's De'Antae McMurray and Loyola's Clayton Custer are among the leaders in assists and Southern Illinois' Thik Bol is shooting 55 percent and is second in the league in blocked shots. UNI guard Spencer Haldeman is among the Valley's 3-point leaders.