MVC Release
 
ST. LOUIS – Missouri State forward Gaige Prim (Sr., Aurora, Colo.) was named to the Preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference Team, the league announced Thursday (Oct. 15) as part of its annual men's basketball release.
 
Prim, who landed on the second team of The Valley's 2020-21 preseason squad, earned MVC All-Newcomer Team distinction in 2019-20. He averaged 13.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game in his debut season in Springfield a year ago while converting 49.3 percent of his field goal attempts. Prim, who was the Valley's top-scoring newcomer last year, was named as an All-MVC third-team member at season's end.
 
"This is a great recognition for Gaige and all the hard work he has committed to becoming a leader on our team," said head coach Dana Ford. "He has continued to work hard over the summer, and I feel he has the potential to become one of the most consistent players in the league this season."
 
Along with Preseason All-MVC squad announcement, the league also released its preseason poll, as voted on by the conference coaches, media and information directors. Missouri State was picked sixth in the 2020-21 preseason poll, receiving 210 total votes. 
 
With 30 first-place votes and 426 total points, Northern Iowa is this season's preseason favorite, followed by Loyola Chicago, which earned 13 first-place votes and 405 points. Bradley earned the other first-place vote to earn the No. 3 spot in the poll (341 points), followed by Indiana State (282), Southern Illinois (235) and Missouri State (210) to round out the top six. 
 
Drake (207), Valparaiso 9148), Illinois State (112) and Evansville (54) round out this year's poll.
 
Ford's squad has 10 newcomers on the 2020-21 roster with Prim leading a cast of three returnees with starting experience. Joining Prim, who scored in double figures in 16-of-18 MVC games as a junior, are guards Isiaih Mosley (So., Columbia, Mo.) and Ja'Monta Black (So., Columbia, Mo.) who both saw significant time as freshmen. Mosley started 10 games last year -- all in league play -- and averaged 10.4 points per game against Valley foes. Black started 20 games in his first season at Missouri State, contributing 5.3 points per game and 46.3 percent from 3-point range in league play.
 
The Bears will be co-hosting a free open practice in the annual Sneak Preview event on Saturday at Hammons Student Center. The session that also includes the Lady Bears will begin at 1 p.m.