Disappointing Weekend for the Missouri Valley

(St. Louis, MO) – Crucial, non-conference defeats may have doomed the Missouri Valley Conference to ‘one-bid league’ status. With Wichita State’s loss to Oklahoma State, the Shockers have dropped from national consideration in the polls, their RPI has tumbled to 70 and their resume will be questionable come selection Sunday. No other Valley team could warrant consideration if WSU wins Arch Madness.

Northern Iowa’s chance at reclaiming some of the mystic they have created over the past few years was in the balance on Saturday, but being dominated by the University of Iowa as part of the Hy-Vee Big Four Classic put an end to the Panthers’ opportunity to play in the four-letter Spring tournament.

Indiana State has had some dramatic victories and a Top 25 win, but dropping a decision to fellow mid-major power Valparaiso dropped their record to 5-6.

So what does it all mean? Valley teams are playing for Valley pride and for secondary tournament status.

While that is disappointing to MVC fans, it actually makes the Valley season and tournament twice as meaningful. A Wednesday in Des Moines, a Saturday in Peoria or a Sunday in Springfield now mean twice what they might mean if several teams had a solid shot at the NCAA Tournament.

The conference is actually deeper and better than it was a year ago, but the top end teams are just below where they’ve been in recent seasons.

Wichita State’s 9-3 record is good enough, but the lack of signature wins has virtually ended their ‘at-large’ opportunities. UNI’s 5-5 record means they will have to be a dominant team in conference play to return to the 20-win plateau, something they’ve achieved seven of the last eight seasons.

Loyola is 10-2, but their weak strength of schedule will greatly hinder the Ramblers’ chances for a Big Dance invitation.

The dogfight that is about to ensue in conference play, is something that we can relish. Every game will be life or death for any post season opportunities. There are several non-conference games left. Illinois State plays three games in Hawaii. Northern Iowa has one gigantic opportunity left when they travel to Chapel Hill for a game with North Carolina.

There is one last incredible long shot that could rescue the league from one bid status. Missouri State (8-3) needs to roll through the Las Vegas Classic (teams involved are USC, DePaul & Wyoming). Illinois State has to do the same at the Diamond Head Classic. UNI upsetting the Heels and even Bradley upsetting TCU could go miles to help the cause of the league. If those things happen, then the Valley could see their chances bounce back, but like ‘swing state’ victories in a presidential election, they all must break the right direction form the Valley to receive a nomination.

The league race will be thrilling. The newcomers like Alize Johnson, Aundre Jackson, Ryan Taylor are game changers for Missouri State, Loyola and Evansville respectively. Holdover stand outs like Jeremy Morgan (UNI), Milton Doyle (Loyola) and Brenton Scott (Indiana State) are performing at ‘player of the year’ levels and the deep and athletic rosters at Wichita State and Illinois State can be transcendent squads.

While disappointed by the idea that just one MVC team will play in the NCAA Tournament, the upside is a conference season that means more than ever.

Do Good