Conference Preview: MAC

The Teams Assumption (19-7): The Knights obviously have a massive hole to fill following the graduation of Emarion Ellis, now at Marquette. They also lost three other key senior pieces who were major contributors last season, but the cupboard isn’t…

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The Teams

Assumption (19-7): The Knights obviously have a massive hole to fill following the graduation of Emarion Ellis, now at Marquette. They also lost three other key senior pieces who were major contributors last season, but the cupboard isn’t bare for new coach Joe Ewen, who takes over for Matt Fitzpatrick. Ewen was the head coach at Davenport North from 2013-19, and an assistant for Assumption last year, so he has plenty of familiarity with the returning pieces, headlined by senior wing Noah Mack Noah Mack 6'0" | SG Assumption | 2022 State IA (11.4), a knockdown shooter with great length. He’ll be tasked with being a primary scoring threat this year, and has worked to improve his ability to create his own looks. JJ Stratman JJ Stratman 6'2" | SG Assumption | 2022 State IA (8.7, 39.4 3P%) and Jay Costello (4.0) both started at least 10 games last year and return with plenty of experience as well. The big addition for Assumption will be 6-9 foreign exchange student Ivan Prug, who comes over from Croatia. He’s a big who runs the floor and can stretch out to the arc, and he figures to be a major piece for the Knights this year. Losing Ellis and a handful of role players is a blow, but the Knights still have a good amount of talent in the system and should contend for the MAC crown.

Bettendorf (4-11): The Bulldogs got had a very late start to the season, not playing in any games until after the holiday break, and they struggled to get going once they took the floor, dropping their first five games before knocking off a solid Central DeWitt team. They lose their top two scorers from that group but bring back ten players who averaged at least 1.9 points a game last season, so expect this year’s Bulldogs team to be deep and balanced. They’ll be led by sophomore wing Caden Wilkins Caden Wilkins 6'7" | SG Bettendorf | 2024 State #69 Nation IA (5.4), our top-ranked player in the state in the 2024 class. Wilkins is a big, physical, and athletic wing who can score from all three levels, and he’s just scratching the surface of his potential. He could have a breakout year this season for the ’Dogs. Senior TJ Bogan (5.9) is the team’s top returning scorer, while fellow senior forward Tynan Numkena Tynan Numkena 6'2" | SF Bettendorf | 2022 IA (5.8, 7.8 rebounds) is a bouncy forward who rebounds at a high level. With plenty of experience back, Bettendorf should be improved this year. Just how improved may depend on the leap that Wilkins makes.

Central DeWitt (12-11): The Sabers first season in the MAC went fairly well, as they notched quality wins over Davenport North, Assumption, and North Scott. With three of their top four scorers returning, they should have an even better time in their second trip through the league. Senior big man Shawn Gilbert Shawn Gilbert 6'7" | PF Central DeWitt | 2022 State IA (13.6) is one of the most uniquely talented players in the state, a big body who can handle it, shoot from deep, and pass it. Senior guard Gibson McEwen Gibson McEwen 6'1" | SG Central DeWitt | 2022 State IA (7.8) is a capable 3-point shooter, and junior wing Matthew Watters Matthew Watters 6'2" | SF Central DeWitt | 2023 State IA (5.9) is an athletic, slashing wing who looks to attack the bucket. A number of role players from last season graduated, but their returning trio will be among the best in the conference and should make them very competitive.

Clinton (1-19): The River Kings struggled to compete last year, with only four of their losses coming by single digits. They should be more competitive this year, bringing back their top two scorers in a league decimated by graduations. Seniors Jai Jensen Jai Jensen 6'3" | SG Clinton | 2022 State IA (11.3) and Isiah Struve (9.3) are a solid tandem to start building around. Jensen is an athletic wing who can score and rebound, while Struve led the team in assists last season. Junior forward Lucas Weiner Lucas Weiner 6'8" | PF Clinton | 2023 State IA (7.1) could have a breakout year for Clinton, a long forward who can protect the rim a bit. This team turned it over nearly 18 times a game last year, and that number will need to improve if they want to be more competitive this year.

Davenport Central (5-11): The Blue Devils got off to an 0-7 start last year, but improved down the stretch, giving them a bit of momentum heading into this season. They lose their only double-figure scorer from last year’s team, but bring back the next three in junior Tracy Hayslett Tracy Hayslett 5'9" | PG Davenport Central | 2023 State IA (9.6) and seniors Donovan Wakefield Donovan Wakefield 6'5" | SF Davenport Central | 2022 State IA (7.9) and Kaden Johnson Kaden Johnson 6'3" Davenport Central | 2022 IA (6.9). Johnson impressed during some showcase events in the fall, an athletic playmaking wing who can defend multiple positions, and he could be in line for a breakout year. Hayslett buried 58% of his 3-point attempts last season, albeit on limited attempts, and gives them some shooting. Expect to see increased production out of sophomore big man Anthony Gott Anthony Gott 6'8" | C North Scott | 2024 State IA (0.9) this year. Gott is a 6-8 forward who can do a little bit of everything on the floor and could be a difference-maker as early as this season.

Davenport North (13-6): The Wildcats got off to a bit of a slow start last year, sitting at just 2-3 after five games, but they were one of the hottest teams in the state down the stretch, closing the regular season on a six-game winning streak. They lose their top two scorers from that group but bring back enough talent to keep them competitive in the league. Senior point guard Michael Lowery Jr Michael Lowery Jr 6'1" | PG Davenport North | 2022 State IA . (7.9) is the top returning scorer, but it’s sophomore wing Kyle Lamonte Kyle Lamonte 6'3" | SF Rock Island | 2024 IL Jr. (6.2) who looks primed to be the team’s star this season. Lamonte is a hyper-athletic and talented wing who can get to the rim seemingly at will, and his jumper is rapidly developing. Senior forward Cade Guinn (1.9) has plenty of experience in the paint and should be a key contributor as well. In Lamonte, North may have one of the conference’s best players already, and that will win them some games. If they can find some solid tertiary pieces, they could be a team that surprises at the top of the league.

Davenport West (7-8): Like some of their counterparts in the conference, West didn’t get started until after the holiday break last year. They came out of the gates hot, jumping out to a 5-2 record before going 2-6 down the stretch. Sophomore lead guard Jermaine Gardner Jermaine Gardner 5'11" | PG Davenport West | 2022 State IA (10.8) is the top returnee. He finished second on the team in scoring and assists last season, showing his ability to get into the paint and either score or dish it. He’ll pair with seniors NaZion Caruthers NaZion Caruthers 6'0" | CG Davenport West | 2022 State IA (6.7) and Phearless Caruthers (3.1) to give the Falcons a quick backcourt. Expect to see freshman Cailen Shadrick among the key contributors for this group as well. Size and rebounding could be an issue for this group, but they’ll be one of the fastest and most athletic teams in the league. Look for them to try and push the tempo as often as possible and use that speed to create turnovers.

Muscatine (10-11): Last year was the best season for the Muskies since Joe Wieskamp graduated, notching quality wins over North Scott (twice), Davenport North, and Assumption en route to a 10-win finish. Unfortunately for them, they lose the top three scorers from that group, leaving senior wing Braden Hufford (8.0) as the top returnee. Hufford is a decent shooter who can stretch the defense, while fellow senior wing Dante Lee (7.5) is a slasher who can get to the bucket. Outside of Hufford and Lee, not much experience returns, so it will be interesting to see who steps up for the Muskies.

North Scott (12-8): The Lancers got off to a strong 10-3 start last year before stumbling down the stretch. Coach Shamus Budde will always have the Lancers locked in on the defensive end, and last year was no exception, allowing just 43.3 points a game. Some of that can certainly be attributed to the deliberate style they play offensively, but watch them play and you’ll see – they really get after it defensively on every possession. They lose leading scorer Landon Eiland, now at Truman State, but the next three scorers from last season return in Oliver Hughes Oliver Hughes 5'11" | PG North Scott | 2022 State IA (11.7), Drew Kilburg Drew Kilburg 5'10" | PG North Scott | 2023 State IA (7.0), and Cole Kilburg Cole Kilburg 5'11" | PG North Scott | 2023 State IA (6.2). Hughes is a good shooter, while the Kilburg boys are both quality defenders and lead guards who protect the ball and get others involved. They also get a major boost with the addition of Caden Dewey Caden Dewey 6'10" | C North Scott | 2022 IA , a 6-10 move-in from Colorado who runs the floor, protects the rim, and has shown some flashes of being a talented scorer around the bucket as well. They’ll need to find some new pieces to fill the holes left by a slew of graduated role players, but the Lancers will always be tough to play with their hard-nosed defense and style of play.

Pleasant Valley (19-4): The Spartans play the most deliberate style in the state, taking plenty of time off the clock to look for an efficient shot on the offensive end while locking down on the defensive end. That style wins them a lot of games, but can also make them vulnerable against teams that they have more talent than. They lose four of their top five scorers from last year’s team but return senior guard Ryan Dolphin Ryan Dolphin 5'8" | PG Pleasant Valley | 2022 State IA (11.0), a good shooter who can get to the rim and who also distributes it well. Joel Lawlor Joel Lawlor 6'0" | PG Pleasant Valley | 2022 State IA (4.7), Bryce Rubel (2.7), and Zach Boekhoff (1.1) also saw significant time last year. Despite not having many players with experience returning, PV is the type of program that re-loads, not rebuilds. With their lockdown defense and deliberate offensive style, they’re bound to win plenty of games again and frustrate opposing teams on a nightly basis.

Projected Order of Finish

1. Assumption
2. North Scott
3. Pleasant Valley
4. Central DeWitt
5. North
6. Central
7. Bettendorf
8. West
9. Muscatine
10. Clinton

Analysis: This should be a strong three-horse race among the teams at the top of the league, and both Central DeWitt and North have the talent to make things interesting as well. Assumption gets the slightest edge over two dynamic defensive teams due to their ability to score.

Preseason Player of the Year

2022 Ryan Dolphin Ryan Dolphin 5'8" | PG Pleasant Valley | 2022 State IA , Pleasant Valley: The MAC was arguably the most hard-hit league in the state with graduations, as eight of the top nine scorers from last season graduated. We expect PV to battle with North Scott and Assumption to remain the top team in the conference, and if they get there, it’s largely because of Dolphin, a versatile two-way guard with a high IQ on both ends of the floor.