In the preseason , Northern Iowa was the conference favorite – returning all five starters and 9 of the top 10 players from their MVC championship team . UNI received all but one first-place vote in the preseason poll of MVC coaches , media , and sports information directors . Creighton received the other first place vote . The preseason player of the year was 2009 MVC conference tournament MVP Osiris Eldridge of Illinois State – who tested the NBA Draft waters over the offseason
2009 MVC conference tournament
2009 Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Tournament
2009–10 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball season