NORMAL - Compared to a year ago, this figures to be a quiet basketball off-season in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Half of the league's head coaches were new this past season, although three (Drake's Keno Davis, Evansville's Marty Simmons and Indiana State's Kevin McKenna) came in with deep Valley roots. Illinois State's Tim Jankovich and Wichita State's Gregg Marshall were the only true newcomers to the sights and sounds of the Valley.

The only change on the bench for the 2008-09 season figures to be at Missouri State. The Bears fired Barry Hinson after nine years and replaced him with Cuonzo Martin, an East St. Louis native and former Purdue star who was on the Boilermakers' coaching staff the last eight years.

For the second straight year, there will be plenty of change on the court as 26 of 50 starters are gone. However, three of the league's top five scorers and two of the top three rebounders will be back.

League champion Drake and runner-up ISU are graduating three senior starters each. Southern Illinois loses two stalwarts, forwards Randal Falker and Matt Shaw, who played in six NCAA Tournament games. Bradley must find replacements for standout guards Daniel Ruffin and Jeremy Crouch, who combined for more than 2,500 career points.

Yet, as Drake proved, players who sat and mostly watched for a couple years can quickly turn into stars when given their chance. The biggest challenge for the Valley and Commissioner Doug Elgin will be trying to get at least two teams into the NCAA tourney after becoming a one-bid league for the first time in 10 years.

Following is a sneak preview of the league for the 2008-09 season. A couple additions in the spring signing period which begins Wednesday could change things, but for now this is what fans can look forward to come fall.

Predicted finish

1. Creighton: If guard play separates the contenders from the pretenders, Coach Dana Altman figures to have his Bluejays (22-11 overall, 10-8 Valley) poised for a return to the top of the league.

Flashy, and sometimes flakey, Valley Freshman and Newcomer of the Year P'Allen Stinnett will lead the backcourt charge, with Sixth Man of the Year Booker Woodfox and Cavel Witter ready to supply plenty of offense.

Josh Dotzler is a steady defender who doesn't like to shoot, but he won't have to. Center Kenny Lawson Jr. showed flashes as a freshman and will need to become a 30-minute player.

2. Southern Illinois: The Salukis' Valley record-tying string of six straight NCAA tourney appearances was snapped. Southern Illinois (18-15, 11-7) was offensively challenged, but help seems on the way for all-Valley second-team guard Bryan Mullins in his senior season.

Kevin Dillard of Homewood-Flossmoor is a high-level point guard who averaged 23.3 points while capturing Illinois Mr. Basketball honors. Forward Anthony Booker and shooting guard Torres Roundtree are top recruits from the same St. Louis high school, while Nick Evans, a 6-foot-11, 250-pound center, and Bloomington High School graduate Justin Bocot, a 6-3 left-hander, sat out this past season and could contribute immediately.

Still, the Salukis will need some veterans to step up. Tony Boyle and Carlton Fay must become more productive inside, while Wesley Clemmons and Josh Bone need to deliver from the perimeter.

3. Drake: If Josh Parker can become the next Adam Emmenecker, the Bulldogs (28-5, 15-3) might not be a one-year wonder. Parker, who will be a sophomore, has more end-to-end speed than Emmenecker and is a better outside shooter, but replacing the Valley Player of the Year and all the intangibles he provided will be a difficult chore.

Drake will remain a contender with long-range bomber Josh Young, a first-team all-Valley choice, and all-Valley second-team forward Jonathan Cox returning.

Whether the Bulldogs will be able to spread the floor with a point guard who can drive to the basket or kick it out to four shooters on the perimeter is unknown.

4. Illinois State: The Redbirds tied a school record with 25 victories in Jankovich's first season. Coming close to that will be a challenge with two-year starters Boo Richardson and Dom Johnson gone from the backcourt along with energetic Anthony Slack in the paint and 6-11 Levi Dyer bringing bigger defenders out on the arc.

Guard Osiris Eldridge, who was a first-team all-Valley selection and runner-up for Valley Player of the Year, should be more polished with another season under Jankovich. Eldridge will be helped by 6-5 Oregon transfer Chamberlain Oguchi, a dangerous 3-point threat. Forward Dinma Odiakosa made huge strides after a redshirt year and should continue improving.

The key for the Redbirds (25-10, 13-5) will be the development of junior college transfer Lloyd Phillips and newcomer Kenyon Smith of Chicago Simeon at point guard.

5. Bradley: The Braves (21-17, 9-9) might be hard pressed to win 20 or more games for the fourth straight season after finishing second in the inaugural College Basketball Invitational.

Sam Maniscalco got valuable experience for a freshman as point guard when Ruffin was out and showed to be a capable leader and outside shooter. Guard Andrew Warren enjoyed a banner sophomore season and should step into the leading scorer's role. Forward Theron Wilson is a tough matchup at the No. 4 spot with his versatility from outside the arc. If David Collins or Anthony Thompson develops inside, Bradley has a chance to move up quickly.

6. Indiana State: The Sycamores (15-16, 8-10) showed a lot of progress under McKenna. The biggest key will be replacing four-year starter Gabe Moore at the point. Rashad Reed of Vincennes Junior College could step right in, while swingman Carl Richard of Oak Lawn Richards is another top recruit.

Guard Marico Stinson has the chance to develop into a go-to player, but must become more consistent.

7. Wichita State: Help is on the way for the Shockers (11-20, 4-14), who endured a slew of injuries. Clevin Hannah, a point guard from Chipola (Fla.) Junior College, should start immediately while 6-11 Garrett Stutz brings size inside. Swingman A.J. Hawkins sat out after transferring from St. Bonaventure where he averaged 12.2 points as a sophomore.

However, guard Gal Mekel is gone after signing with a club team in his native Israel, while the status of 7-foot Nigerian Ehimen Orukpe remains unclear.

8. Evansville: Simmons will bring back almost the same crew in his second season at his alma mater. The Purple Aces (9-21, 3-15) only lose reserve Victor Gomez. Shy Ely came on strong during the Valley season and could enjoy a banner senior campaign. If center Pieter van Tongeren gives Evansville a dependable inside presence, Evansville could be a sleeper.

9. Northern Iowa: Leading scorer and rebounder Eric Coleman was a fixture inside for four years with the Panthers (18-14, 9-9). UNI also loses starting guards Jared Josten and Adam Viet. Jordan Eglseder has the size and bulk (7-1, 265 pounds), along with a 3-point touch, to be a monster.

Sophomore point guard Kwadzo Ahelegbe returns after missing the season with a shoulder injury.

10. Missouri State: Martin doesn't walk into a good situation. The Bears (17-16, 8-10) graduate athletic forwards Dale Lamberth and Deven Mitchell along with guard Spencer Laurie and center Drew Richards.

Returning guards Justin Fuehrmeyer and Shane Laurie will have to carry the load as the Bears move into $67 million, 11,000-seat JQH Arena.

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Leading returnees

Here are the players who finished in the top 10 in respective Missouri Valley Conference categories in the 2007-08 season who will be returning next season.

SCORING

Player, school…Pts….Avg.

1. Josh Young, Drake…477…15.9

2. Osiris Eldridge, ISU…554…15.8

5. Shy Ely, Evansville…431…14.4

10. Andrew Warren, Bradley…435…13.2

REBOUNDING

Player, school…Rbs….Avg.

2. Jonathan Cox, Drake…283…8.6

3. Ramon Clemente, Wichita…236…7.9

9. Theron Wilson, Bradley…229…6.2

ASSISTS

Player, school…Ass….Avg.

3. Bryan Mullins, SIU…154…4.97

4. Jason Holsinger, Evansville…123…4.56

6. Justin Fuehrmeyer, Missouri State…134…4.06

9. Josh Dotzler, Creighton…118…3.58