(St. Louis, MO) – There are some foregone conclusions as we head to media day for the Missouri Valley Conference. Wichita State is a beast. D.J. Balentine will score. Northern Iowa will execute and the whole league will be better. But what do we need to know about the Valley as the season is about to start?
Is anyone good enough to challenge the Shockers? Wichita State is vulnerable in the front court. They will be athletic and physical, but are they talented? If they lack skill up front can any Valley team make them pay?
How Quickly will all those new and talented players blend in at Bradley and Illinois State? Both programs have added some significant talent, size and athleticism. Will it work and does that make them ‘dark horses’ in the MVC race?
DJ Balentine – gopurpleaces.com
Which player will ascend as the Valley’s ‘Player of the Year’? Balentine is the league’s returning scorer. Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet are elite type players and Anthony Beane Junior had a spectacular finish. There are several other players in the running.
Did the MVC teams schedule well enough to make any national waves? Some of the schedules are admirable and exciting and some, well, not so much.
Early season injuries have brought shadows to the programs at Loyola and Bradley. Their health and recovery are huge stories in the early going.
We’ll look for answers for you today.
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Three more road wins so far in @ValleyHoops as @BradleyUMBB @BelmontMBB & @UIC_MBB capture road wins. Looks like @DrakeBulldogsMB will do so too. #FatherHarry
Well @RacersWBB followed the men's example and swept Iowa in the @ValleyHoops race! Racers are 6-1 & if @BelmontWBB holds on to their Iowa sweep, the Bruins and Racers will be tied for first. What a trip for those two teams! #FatherHarry
After today's action, @EIUWBB is 8-0 in @OVCSports play. 4 teams @usiwbb @TTUWBB @LRTrojans @LindenwoodWBB are tied at 6-2. Six other teams are under .500. Great race to the finish lies ahead. #FatherHarry
Really entertaining game between @BelmontMBB & @UEAthletics_MBB. Under four minutes left in a one point game. Gabriel Pozzato back in the Aces' lineup. Rogers is playing like I've expected. Triples are dropping. It's fun and @kylejpeach bringing it on #ThePlus #FatherHarry
