Salukis unanimous choice to win MVC

~ Southern illinois is the favorite to win its sixth conference title in seven seasons.

ST. LOUIS -- The rest of the Missouri Valley Conference believes Southern Illinois is the class of the league this year, even if the Salukis have to replace two top players.

Southern Illinois, which has won five of the last six regular-season titles and gone to the NCAA tournament six straight seasons, was a unanimous choice Tuesday to win the conference again. The favorites also have the preseason player of the year, senior forward Randal Falker.

"I think our pressure is about replacing people, not so much about the target on our back," Southern Illinois coach Chris Lowery said at the league's media day. "Learning to deal with success is something we've done.

"Now we've got to deal without having two integral parts of our program."

The 6-7 Falker is the conference's active leader with 152 career blocked shots, and was named the conference's defensive player of the year last season. Southern Illinois, 29-7 last year and seeking a league record seventh straight NCAA tournament appearance, also has forward Matt Shaw and guard Bryan Mullins back.

Jamaal Tatum, the Valley player of the year last year, and fellow guard Tony Young must be replaced.

League coaches, media and sports information directors participated in the balloting.

Bradley was the consensus choice to finish second, followed by Missouri State, Creighton and Illinois State. Wichita State was picked for sixth with Northern Iowa, Indiana State, Drake and Evansville rounding out the poll.