Valparaiso University men's basketball fifth-year senior Owen Dease (Evansville, Ind. / Evansville Reitz) was tabbed the Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week for the third time this season on Monday.
 
Dease had another huge week as he continued to lead the league in conference-only scoring average. Dease poured in 22.0 points per game and 5.0 rebounds per game, while draining eight 3s and going 8-for-8 at the free-throw line in two games this week. He made a season-high five 3s and poured in 24 points on Tuesday at Belmont before leading Valpo to Saturday's win over UNI with 20 points and seven rebounds, the latter tying a season high. He has scored 20 points or more in five of his last eight games.
 
Dease is the only MVC player with multiple MVC Newcomer of the Week honors this season and he owns three. Valpo leads the league outright in MVC Newcomer of the Week honors and is tied for the league lead (with Murray State) in MVC Freshman of the Week honors with three this season. Valpo has collected six total MVC weekly awards in 2025-26 and this marks the 11^th time a Valpo player has won the MVC Newcomer of the Week honor since the program joined The Valley.