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Top 5 Shooters in the Missouri Valley Conference for 2014-15 College Basketball Season

Top 5 Shooters in the Missouri Valley Conference for 2014-15 College Basketball Season

D.J. Balentine prepares
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The three-point shot has made it easier for smaller programs to compete with the biggest programs of college basketball. The only thing that beats great defense is a great shot. Although most shooters are like slot receivers with their high boom-or-bust potential, the Missouri Valley Conference has some snipers who are at the top of the game.

5. Nate Buss

Nate Buss drive
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5. Nate Buss, Northern Iowa

Nate Buss drive
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If there is one team in the Valley known for its shooters, it would be the Panthers of Northern Iowa. No one player exemplifies this more than Buss. He shot 50 percent from three-point range last season. With Seth Tuttle gone from the team, I expect that Buss will see more than 83 attempts next year.


4. Devon Turk

Devon Turk celebrates
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4. Devon Turk- Loyola (Ill.)

Devon Turk celebrates
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Although the Loyola Ramblers didn’t have a great win-loss record last year, they possessed some good pieces. Turk can shoot the lights out and is on the good end of the spectrum of being a streaky shooter. He can make a couple shots from the three-point line or he can go off for five or six from beyond the perimeter any given night.

3. D.J. Balentine- Evansville

D.J. Balentine shoots
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3. D.J. Balentine- Evansville

D.J. Balentine shoots
Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

Not only is Balentine the most electric scorer in the conference, he is also one of its best shooters. He finished the 2013 season making 2.4 shots per game from beyond the arc, which was good for second place in the Valley. I wouldn’t be surprised if he leads the nation in scoring his junior year.

2. Austin Ruder- Missouri State

Austin Ruder defends
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2. Austin Ruder- Missouri State

Austin Ruder defends
Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

In his freshman year, Ruder saved the Missouri State season with his shooting after stud point guard Marcus Marshall went down to injury. Ironically, he was prepared for every situation as a shooter despite experiencing college basketball for the first time. In pressure situations, this kid wants the ball and expects to make the shot every time.

1. Matt Bohannon- Northern Iowa

Matt Bohannon spots up
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1. Matt Bohannon- Northern Iowa

Matt Bohannon spots up
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Panthers hang their hats on their shooters. If the team wanted to, it could rely solely on Bohannon as its perimeter threat -- he’s that good. However, this team is blessed with many shooters and Bohannon leads the assault.

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