MSU Lady Bears picked to win Valley

The Missouri State Lady Bears have been picked to win the Missouri Valley Conference following a break through season in 2009-10. Fourth-year head coach Nyla Milleson has 10 letterwinners and four starters back from last year’s team that went 22-11, including the back-court duo of Casey Garrison and Jaleshia Roberson.

Both Garrison and Roberson were picked first-team All-MVC. They return as two of the conerence’s top three returning scorers. Garrison, the reigning conference player of the year, averaged 20.4 points per game, and Roberson averaged 15.7. The Lady Bears have been picked to win the Valley eight times, seven of those years they took the crown.

Preseason Valley Poll

1. Missouri State – 385 (27)
2. Northern Iowa – 329 (3)
3. Creighton – 328 (7)
4. Illinois State – 258
5. Wichita State – 226
6. Bradley -204
7. Drake – 180
8. Indiana State – 150
9. Southern Illinois – 83
10.Evansville – 57

Preseason All-MVC Squad

Casey Garrison, Missouri State
Jaleshia Roberson, Missouri State
Jacqui Kalin, Northern Iowa
Lizzie Boeck, Northern Iowa
Sam Schuett, Creighton