10. Wichita State

Preseason poll: 9th

Pull a name from a hat and that's about as scientific as you can be about the "play-in" teams in the Missouri Valley Conference this season. Between Evansville, Indiana State, Missouri State and Wichita State, the bottom of the Valley is filled with question marks this season. If the players gel at Wichita State, then the Shockers could move up to 7th or 8th in the conference. But, I see Wichita State in the cellar of the MVC.

Other than talent, the most important attribute that good teams have when conference play comes around: experience. Every school brings in highly touted recruits that it expects to perform at the highest level. And as teams try to mature throughout non-conference play, young teams can have success. But once you hit Valley play, the intensity level gets turned up to a much higher level.

The Shockers simply don't have the seasoning or talent to be all that successful this season. Wichita State lost four of five starters from a poor 2007-2008 team. Coach Gregg Marshall has only had one season coaching in the Valley and his team will likely be led by a unseasoned JUCO transfer at point guard, Clevin Hannah (5'11" Jr.). Reports say he's looked good running the offense so far, but can any Shocker fans feel confident with Hannah, fellow JUCO transfer guard
Reggie Chamberlain (6'0" So.) or newcomer Toure' Murry (6'4" Fr.)? With the smaller lineups in the MVC, teams can often survive conference play without big trees down low. But, without solid and confident guards, teams flounder. This is the kind of situation I see for the Shockers.

Wichita State does have a few promising players on the team this year. Much of the team's hope will fall upon guard/forward A.J. Hawkins (6'5" Jr.), who is now eligible after transfering from St. Bonaventure. After averaging double figures (12.2 PPG) for another Division I school, it's reasonable to expect that Hawkins will be able to provide some leadership. Hawkins will team up with interior players forwards Ramon Clemente (6'6" Sr.) and J.T. Durley (6'7" So.) to present a formidable starting lineup.

To further complicate the Shockers problems, players like Hawkins, Clemente, Durley and sophomore forward Aaron Ellis all have had a history of either injuries or medical conditions. If any one of the big three breaks down, the chances of a successful season get even slimmer for the Shockers.

Wichita State was a disappointing team last season and there's not many reasons to believe that they're poised to make great leaps in 2008-2009.