Missouri Valley Basketball – Another Big Weekend

(St. Louis, MO) – A win over a Top 25 team and some other solid wins have propelled the Missouri Valley Conference back into national relevance and this weekend’s games will play a significant role in the MVC’s ability to remain in the national conversation.

A significant number of so-called ‘statement games’ await the members of the nation’s second oldest conference west of the Mississippi. As Arch Madness 2017 tickets go on sail today, Valley teams are vieing for post season consideration right now.

 

 

This weekend is an important preamble the following weekend that we have outlined in a previous article for MidMajorMadness.com. But first, what’s at stake THIS weekend?

According to kenpom.com, Valley schools should win all ten games in which they are playing. When is the last time that happened.

Wichita State (8-2) @ Oklahoma  (6-2) – 3 pm ESPN2

Wichita State’s game at Oklahoma is huge. The Shockers (8-2) have a well-earned national reputation, but have won just one of three games against ‘power 6’ conferences this year. Gregg Marshall’s team is still looking for a rhythm in their rotation and a signature win to announce that they are still the Shockers. A road victory at a Big 12 campus could do just that.

WSU owns the third best defensive efficiency rating (89.6) according to Kenpom.com. Oklahoma has already lost a neutral floor game to the Valley’s Northern Iowa.

MVC versus OVC

Two very important games find Valley schools hosting Ohio Valley Conference powers.

UT Martin (8-2) @ Illinois State (4-3) – 2 pm Valley on ESPN3

Dan Muller’s Redbirds are still looking for some traction after a frustrating narrow loss at Tulsa and a home game against the tenacious Skyhawks could be just what they need. Under first year coach Anthony Stewart, UTM is off to a great start. ISU has gone from dramatic win, to disappointing loss. The Redbirds are 4-0 at home, lost at OVC member Murray State to start the season. That is the only loss in this season’s eight encounters for a Valley school to an OVC member. ISU is 13th in this week’s Mid-Major Top 25 Poll and the Skyhawks are a team that is ‘receiving votes.’

Murray State (4-4) @ Evansville (5-4) – 3 pm Valley on ESPN3

Another OVC/MVC clash. Murray State is the pre-season favorite to win the OVC’s West Division, and while they are 0-3 on the road, they are extremely talented. Guard Jonathan Stark has won the ‘Newcomer of the Week’ in each of the four weeks it’s been awarded and leads the OVC in scoring.

UE is 5-0 at home and have played a hearty schedule. Jaylon Brown has emerged as their go-to scorer along with their solid newcomer Ryan Taylor.

North Dakota (5-2) @ Northern Iowa (4-4) – 7 pm ESPN3

Preseason Big Sky favorite North Dakota is coached by a UNI graduate, Brian Jones and has most of their lineup back from last season. UNI opened its season with three straight wins including victories over Arizona State and Oklahoma, but have fallen on hard times since then. Back-to-back games against Xavier could start a team down that path. Narrow losses to George Mason and at Wyoming deepened the slide, but a convincing win over defending Summit League champion South Dakota State has helped change the mood in Cedar Falls.

There are other preseason favorites visiting Valley teams.

Valparaiso (7-2) @ Missouri State (5-2) – 7 pm Valley on ESPN3

Horizon League champ and favorite Valpo visits Springfield with preseason conference player of the year Alec Peters leading the way. The 6’9 senior is averaging over 25 points and nine rebounds per game and will be a match up problem for the Bears if Obadiah Church, who has missed the last two games, is still out with a minor knee injury. Valpo’s only two losses have come at the hands of Oregon and Kentucky.

Sam Houston State (5-3) @ Southern Illinois (5-4) – 1 pm Valley on ESPN3

Southland Conference favorite Sam Houston State visits Carbondale for a game with the very interesting Salukis. Three of their four losses have come at the hands of ‘power 6’ conference teams and Barry Hinson’s team is 4-1 at home. The triumvirate of Mike Rodriguez, Armon Fletcher and Sean O’Brien have been very good this season. Fletcher is a rising MVC star.

Milwaukee (4-5) @ Loyola (8-2) – 3 pm Valley on ESPN3

The Ramblers are tied with Wichita for the best non-conference record in the MVC, but their RPI is poor because of their strength of schedule. Milwaukee’s 231 RPI rating won’t help, so they can’t afford a hiccup against the Panthers. Porter Moser’s team continues to play without the injured Donte Ingram and have two impressive wins on their resume. Their victories over Washington State and San Diego State, along with their narrow loss to North Carolina State are giving Rambler fans a reason for optimism.

The rest of the weekend.

Jackson State (2-6) @ Drake (1-7) – 2 pm Valley on ESPN3

Jeff Rutter’s first game after taking over for Ray Giacoletti as the Bulldogs’ head coach.

Chicago State (3-4) @ Bradley (4-5) – 8 pm Valley on ESPN3

A win would tie Bradley’s win total from all of last season.

Western Kentucky (3-5) @ Indiana State (5-4) – 3:30 pm – Sunday Valley on ESPN3

Can the Sycamores build on their upset win of Butler, and win their fourth straight game?

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