Valparaiso University men's basketball sophomore Cooper Schwieger (Overland Park, Kan. / Blue Valley Southwest [Link Year]) followed his eye-opening freshman season with an even better sophomore campaign.
 
After being named the Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year in 2023-24, Schwieger was named to the MVC Most-Improved Team this year, as announced by the league office on Tuesday.
 
Schwieger, who started all 31 regular-season games, is averaging 15.5 points per game, an increase of 2.3 points per game after averaging 13.2 ppg last season. He has made significant strides in the rebounding area, increasing his rebounding average by over two per game from 5.4 last season to 7.6 this season.
 
Schwieger's blocked shot numbers have also made a significant jump as he finished with 28 last year (0.9 per game) and has 55 this year (1.77 per game). He has improved his free-throw percentage from .789 last season to .843 this season. Schwieger has 16 steals this season after 11 as a rookie. He has an active streak of 22 straight games with 12 points or more.
 
Schwieger tallied eight double-doubles this season after two last season. He was named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week on March 3 after posting a 33-point, 18-rebound, five-assist game in Sunday's regular-season finale vs. UIC, becoming the first Division-I player nationally to record that stat line in a regulation contest since 2011 while setting career highs in all three areas.
 
This is the seventh time since joining the Missouri Valley Conference that Valpo has had a Most-Improved Team selection and Schwieger became the sixth different Beacon to earn that honor. Most recently, Ben Krikke was tabbed to the Most-Improved Team in 2022-23 for the second time in his career. Derrik Smits, Javon Freeman-Liberty, Mileek McMillan and Sheldon Edwards are other Valpo players who have earned this honor.
 
The MVC will release its all-conference teams and major awards on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.
 
ALL BENCH TEAM
*Tavion Banks, Drake, Jr., G/F
Jack Daugherty, Illinois State, Fr., F
Jaden Daughtry – Indiana State – So. – F
Jaquan Johnson, Bradley, Fr., G
Modestas Kancleris, UIC, RS-Sr., F
Brody Peebles, Belmont, Gr., G
 
MOST-IMPROVED TEAM
*Chase Walker, Illinois State, So., F
Jaden Daughtry – Indiana State – So. – F
Kennard Davis Jr., Southern Illinois, So., G
Cam Haffner, Evansville, Jr., G
Cooper Schwieger, Valparaiso, So., F
Isaiah Walker, Belmont, Jr., G
 
*designates team captain