Season Preview: MVL Miami Division

<p>Photo Credit: Josh Brown</p> <p>The Miami Valley League will debut in 2019-20 but the inaugural season will not be a true example of the potential within the league. The Miami Division was hit extremely hard by graduation. The top team from last year (Butler) graduated everybody and even the bottom dweller (Greenville) lost some of their key guys. This first season will be about setting the tempo. While teams like Tippecanoe and Troy bring back their better players, teams like Piqua, Greenville, and Butler will have to show they can still compete even with less guys. Today, I take a look at the Miami Division.</p> <p>1st Team<br /> <strong>Nolan Mader</strong> (2020) Tippecanoe- Averaged 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 assist. Arguably the top scoring threat in the division, Mader was a top 5 player in scoring for most of last season in the GWOC. A consistent scorer, Mader has the potential to be a 20+ scorer per game and could put up a few double-doubles as well.</p> <p><strong>Ben Knostman</strong> (2021) Tippecanoe- Averaged 12 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals. A menace on both ends of the floor, Knostman is lengthy and disruptive on the help side defense. Also able to score the ball on the offensive end, he should compliment Mader and give Tippecanoe a duo unmatched in the division.</p> <p><strong>Tyler Beyke</strong> (2020) Greenville- Averaged 9 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist. Beyke is the top returning scorer for the Green Wave after Noah Walker graduated. The 5’11 guard is a little unknown as he was not used much in the offense last season. Now with their best offensive player last season gone, Beyke must step into a leadership role quickly and improve, especially on his 3PT shooting.</p> <p><strong>Austin Stanaford</strong> (2020) Troy- Averaged 7 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block. Stanaford was one of the Trojans best rebounding threats last year and will likely be one of the top rebounders in the division this year. Not overly tall standing at 6’1, Stanaford was not the tallest post player at times last year and will need to continue to improve if they are going to challenge Tipp.</p> <p><strong>Shaedon Olden</strong> (2021) Troy- Averaged 9 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists. Olden didn’t play right away to start the year in 2018-19 but he quickly made his presence known for the Trojans. Listed as a Forward at 6’1, he is the top returning scorer from a year ago, but must become more consistent scoring the ball if the Trojans are going to improve from last year.</p> <p>2nd Team<br /> <strong>Ben Sauls</strong> (2020) Tippecanoe- Averaged 14 points, 4 rebounds. An under-the radar type of player that brings intensity on both ends of the floor.</p> <p><strong>Cooper Justice</strong> (2020) Butler- Averaged 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists. A role player off the bench last year that must know evolve into a more dangerous perimeter player.</p> <p><strong>Tyler Montague</strong> (2021) Butler- Averaged 6 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists. Quick point guard that came off the bench a year ago. Good playmaker.</p> <p><strong>Marcus Wood</strong> (2020) Greenville- 7 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists. Great distributing guard that must stay healthy and play a full year for the Green Wave to improve.</p> <p><strong>Garrett Schrubb</strong> (2021) Piqua- Averaged 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal. Big interior presence known more for his rebounding skill than scoring capabilities.</p> <p>Predictions<br /> 1. Tippecanoe- They return the most talent and have arguably the best 1-2 punch in the league.<br /> 2. Troy- Return 2 of their best players from a year ago, but how will they perform with a new coach?<br /> 3. Butler- Lose all 5 starters, but have some bench guys a year ago that can compete.<br /> 4. Greenville- The talent is there, but the Green Wave have not been able to finish out games in conference.<br /> 5. Piqua- Almost all of their scoring has graduated and lose the majority of their</p>