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Midwestern Collegiate overview

Bulldogs try for return NCAA trip with new coach

Special to CNNSI.com

LaVall Jordan and the Butler Bulldogs are aiming for a return NCAA trip. Craig Jones/Allsport

Order of Finish 1. Butler 2. Detroit 3. Cleveland State 4. Wright State 5. Wisconsin-Milwaukee 6. Illinois-Chicago 7. Wisconsin-Green Bay 8. Loyola

Top storylines

Butler, the defending MCC champ that's a preseason pick of many to repeat, knew bigger programs would keep trying to steal coach Barry Collier, and Nebraska finally got him last March to replace the ousted Danny Nee. The Bulldogs didn¹t have to look far in finding Collier's successor, Thad Matta, a tried and true Butler man. Matta played for Collier, and has been his lead assistant and top recruiter the last three years. Matta wisely won¹t change a system that has netted 20 wins in each of the last four years. The Bulldogs will still play rugged defense and ball-control offense.

Detroit coach Perry Watson was relieved when 1999-2000 MCC Player of the Year Rashad Phillips decided to return for another season. Phillips took advantage of an NCAA rule that allows former partial-qualifiers to play a fourth season if they graduate on time. Watson said a big factor in Phillips' decision was the fact the other guards coming out into the 2000 NBA draft had more experience playing point guard. Phillips, who moved to the point just a year ago, needs another year to showcase his skills. If Phillips wants to impress NBA scouts, he's going to have to show that, at 5-9, he can handle the position well enough to make up for his lack of size.

Players to Watch

Top Three Players

Rashad Phillips, G, Detroit • Phillips (23.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg) has the whole package. He led the MCC in scoring and assists (5.2 per game) and three-point baskets (102). He was second in free-throw percentage (.870) and third in three-point percentage (.405). LaVall Jordan, G, Butler • Jordan (11.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg), a 6-2 senior, was the only Bulldog to average double-figures a year ago. He's a well-rounded player who's a great defender and can shoot (.389 from three-point range last season). Chad Angeli, C, Wisconsin-Milwaukee • Angeli, the league's top big man, was a first-team All-MCC pick last season after averaging 16.7 points and 5.2 rebounds.

Top Newcomer

Greg Grays, G, Detroit • Grays, a 6-0 transfer from Penn State, would have started a year ago for the Nittany Lions. He averaged six points as a sophomore, and in his freshman season had a 6-for-11 three-point game against Michigan. Grays played high school basketball in the Detroit area (where he was a prolific scorer) and wanted to return home.

Coaches

Hot Coach

Bo Ryan, Wisconsin-Milwaukee • Ryan has been around for years, but after getting a chance at the Division I level last season, he turned a perennial loser into a MCC contender.

Coach on the Hot Seat

Ed Schilling, Wright State • With a 30-53 record after three years of unfulfilled promise, Schilling needs to have a good season. The MCC Tournament is in Dayton this year, which could help.

Mark Your Calendar

Dec. 23, TCU at Butler • Billy Tubbs' running and gunning team runs into defensive-minded Butler. Should be interesting. Jan. 13, Detroit at Butler • The first of two matchups between the conference kingpins. Feb. 8, Butler at Detroit • This return engagement could determine the regular-season championship and No. 1 seed in the MCC Tournament.

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