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Tuesday, November 7
Midwestern Collegiate Breakdown

ESPN.com

HOW THEY'LL STACK UP

DETROIT: Phillips' decision to pass on NBA makes all the difference.

BUTLER: Oh, if Mike Miller had only missed that shot ...

CLEVELAND STATE: Fifth year for Rollie, so far he's 51-62 at CSU.

WRIGHT STATE: Still haven't made jump into upper echelon.

WIS.-MILWAUKEE: Went from eight to 15 wins last season under Bo Ryan.

ILL.-CHICAGO: Another season of starting from scratch; 7 newcomers.

WISCONSIN-G.B.: Went 1-10 on the road last season.

LOYOLA: JC transfers provide depth, but that's about all.

Tuesday, Nov. 7
Rashad Phillips' return to the Titans make them a legit candidate to win the Midwestern Collegiate Conference.

Phillips leads a crew that includes Willie Green and Greg Grays, both potential all-league players. Terrell Riggs gives the Titans an all-league candidate inside. And Perry Watson is one of the top unheralded basketball minds.

Butler shouldn't drop with Thad Matta replacing Barry Collier, who left for Nebraska. But the return of Phillips gives the Titans the necessary push to get past the Bulldogs for first.

Spots three through eight should be as competitive as the league has seen in years.

ESPN.com All-MCC

Guard: Rashad Phillips
Senior, 5-10, Detroit

Guard: LaVall Jordan
Senior, 6-2, Butler

Forward: Kevin Melson
Senior, 6-6, Wright State

Forward: Chad Angeli
Senior, 6-9, Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Center: Israel Sheinfeld
Junior, 6-10, Wright State

Player of Year ...
Rashad Phillips, G, Detroit
Phillips just might have been the best point guard in Michigan last season ... Okay, we're getting a little carried away. But still, averaging 23 points and 5.2 assists did make some argue his case against Michigan State fans. A few more numbers to consider: 102 3-pointers, 40 percent from behind the 3-point arc and 51 steals.

Introducing ...
Greg Grays, G, Detroit
Should get time next to Phillips at the point after transferring in from Penn State. No strangers to Detroit, where he averaged 32.2 points at Southfield Lathrup. The 6-foot bomber should fit in nicely if his 6 of 11 shooting from behind the 3-point arc against Michigan as a freshman is any indication.

Best backcourt ...
Butler: Brandon Miller and LaVail Jordan. Miller really shined during a summer trip to Finland, where he averaged 13.6 points a game. The transfer from SW Missouri State was part of the Sweet 16 season. Jordan is overlooked at times, but his 162 assists were second only to Detroit's Phillips and he added 11.7 points a night to the offense. Thomas Jackson is making a case with his practice for the Bulldogs to try a three-guard offense.

Best frontcourt ...
Wright State: Keith Melson, Isreal Sheinfeld and Thomas Hope. Melson averaged 18.6 points and 7.3 rebounds as a 6-6 forward last season, while Sheinfeld is a 6-10 force at center who can simply score (17 ppg.). Hope will fill the other forward spot, but look for 6-6 freshman Michael Doles to get plenty of minutes.

Team on way up ...
Wright State: The top three are pretty set, but don't be surprised if the Raiders don't knock off at least one of the trio off during the season with a frontline that can take over games.

Team on way down ...
Wisconsin-G.B.: The Phoenix just get younger, as two 1,000-point seniors leave the lineup.

Tournament tough ...
NCAA: Detroit.
NIT: Butler.

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