• 2023-24 OVC Men's Basketball Preseason Release (PDF) | OVC Women's Basketball Release | Photo Gallery
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - In a vote of Ohio Valley Conference head men’s basketball coaches and communication directors, Morehead State has been picked the preseason favorites for the 2023-24 season. It marks the second-straight year the Eagles have been tabbed the favorites.
The Eagles picked up 20 of 22 first-place votes (teams could not vote for themselves); Tennessee State picked up the other votes. MSU tallied 200 points and was followed by SIUE (162), who was picked second. Tennessee State (153) was picked third and followed by UT Martin (149), Southeast Missouri (124), Tennessee Tech (120), Little Rock (85), Western Illinois (80), Southern Indiana (63), Lindenwood (40) and Eastern Illinois (34).
This season marks the first for Western Illinois who became official members on July 1 and pushed membership to 11 squads. This season teams will play an 18-game Conference schedule.
The 2023-24 OVC Preseason Men’s Basketball Team was headlined by Preseason Player of the Year Mark Freeman, who was named 2022-23 OVC Player of the Year at the conclusion of last season. The fifth year Morehead State guard averaged 15.0 points and 3.7 assists/game in leading the Eagles to the OVC Regular Season Championship and a NIT victory over Clemson.
Overall, seven different schools were represented on the Preseason Team which included 12 individuals.
2023-24 OVC Men’s Basketball Predicted Order of Finish
1. Morehead State (20 first-place votes) – 200 points
2. SIUE - 162
3. Tennessee State (2) - 153
4. UT Martin - 149
5. Southeast Missouri - 124
6. Tennessee Tech - 120
7. Little Rock - 85
8. Western Illinois - 80
9. Southern Indiana - 63
10. Lindenwood - 40
11. Eastern Illinois - 34
2023-24 Preseason All-OVC Men’s Basketball Team
Preseason OVC Player of the Year: Mark Freeman, Morehead State
Keenon Cole, Lindenwood
KK Curry, UT Martin
Marcus Fitzgerald Jr., Tennessee State
Mark Freeman, Morehead State
DeAntoni Gordon, Little Rock
Jayvis Harvey, Tennessee Tech
Kinyon Hodges, Tennessee State
Damarco Minor, SIUE
Jordan Sears, UT Martin
Ray’Sean Taylor, SIUE
Drew Thelwell, Morehead State
Shamar Wright, SIUE