4 Questions 4 Arch Madness

(St. Louis, MO) – It’s my favorite time of the year! Arch Madness leads into March Madness. What could be better than that? Here in the St. Louis area we get the Missouri Valley Conference tournament and then the second two rounds of the NCAA tournament.  We’re living the dream!

So what am I waiting to see from the tournament in downtown St. Louis?

1. Will Wichita State Go All Out For the Title?

I believe the Shockers need to win the MVC tournament title to secure a number one seed for the upcoming NCAA tournament. So I think the desire for the championship will still be huge for Gregg Marshall’s team.

Marshall told me prior to last season’s St. Louis tournament that his team wants to win championships no matter where and when they are.  This rendition of Arch Madness will be no different.

Some think the Shockers may let up a bit, feeling like this is a coronation rather than a competition, but those people don’t know Marshall, nor his hard-working, grinding team. His teams fight, scratch and compete, but this is the one incomplete part of Marshall’s resume. He has never won an Valley tournament title.

Oh yeah, and they are making history if they hit 34-0.

Answer – Yes

2. Will Evansville’s D.J. Balentine Light Up Scottrade Center?

The Valley’s leading scorer has been as good as any scorer in the nation and in fact, is the leading sophomore scorer in the USA. He has scored on the road, at home and at neutral courts. Head Coach Marty Simmons told me his versatility is a key to his ability to get the rock in the rack.

However, Scottrade Center rims have not been kind to jump shooters. Arch Madness is often a defensive clinic as teams are playing one another for the third time and often have scores to settle. Balentine will have a good, but not a great tournament.

Not only will D.J. face those issues, but if they win an opening round game with Drake he has to face that wrecking crew called Wichita State in the second round.

Answer – No

3. How Many Teams Will Play ‘Post Season’ Basketball?

This is always the question people are asking when Arch Madness tips on Thursday night. If the Shockers win the championship, then no other team will make it to the NCAA tournament and obviously if they get upset the Valley will have two in “The Big Dance.”

Beyond that scenario, who else could play in the other various tournaments? As many as four other teams carry winning records into St. Louis. Second place Indiana State has 21 wins and a respectable RPI (72 last time I checked) and a bit of a name player in Jake Odum. They will be playing in March.

Missouri State and Northern Iowa both have sub 100 RPIs and with one win, the Bears would have 20 wins. I believe they will still be playing after this weekend’s festivities.

That brings us to Northern Iowa and Illinois State. They are both 16 and 14 and sit precariously on the post-season bubble even for those lesser known tournaments.  If either team could win two games in St. Louis that would go a long way toward their seasons continuing.

Answer – Counting Wichita State – Four

4. Which Player Will ‘Arrive’ This Weekend?

There are strong contenders. Southern Illinois’ Anthony Beane Jr  has been on a scoring roll. 6’10” Freshman center Reggie Lynch Illinois State) is starting to figure out the college game. I am counting the minutes until I get to see freshman Milton Doyle up close, but the guy outside of the Shocker demolition crew that I believe will make a mark is Northern Iowa’s Seth Tuttle.

The 6’8” junior has become the most complete forward in the Valley outside of Cleanthony Early. Missouri State has candidates in Jarmar Gulley and freshman Austin Ruder, but Tuttle is the choice here.

Answer – Seth Tuttle

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