Missouri Valley Conference: Playing Shorthanded

Major Players Missing During the First Week

(St. Louis, MO) – Missouri Valley Conference basketball teams had a disappointing first night and couple of days. Six losses on opening night and a split during night number two, left this league, with such high expectations with a mark of 5-and-7 and just 4-and-4 at home. Valley teams are playing shorthanded.

People attribute losses to many things. ‘Missouri State’s defense wasn’t good.’ ‘Southern Illinois had too many turnovers.’ ‘A.J. Green had an off shooting night.’ All those things are true, but also most of the MVC teams are battling through early season injuries.

These injuries range from season-ending (Tyreke Key) to day-to-day concussion protocols (Keaton Hervey), but very significant players are sitting out early-season, statement-making games.

All-Conference Absences

The absence of Key and Valparaiso’s Ben Krikke are the most significant.

Key’s season (college career?) ending shoulder surgery is the most significant of these losses. While his future is very important to every Valley fan, the blow to Indiana State’s opportunities for success is significant. Key is ISU’s sixth all-time leading scorer and has been a two-time, first team, all-conference player.

Second-team forward Ben Krikke (ankle) is not close to returning to the Valparaiso lineup either. He should return at some point, but is currently spending a lot of time wearing a boot on that injured leg.

Playing Shorthanded – Likely Starters

There are valuable ‘starting-type’ players out too. Bradley’s Ville Tahvanainen, Loyola’s Keith Clemons, Missouri State’s Keaton Hervey, Northern Iowa’s Bowen Born, Southern Illinois’ Trent Brown and Valparaiso’s Kobe King and Connor Barrett were all sitting out on opening night.

While King is waiting on eligibility (he previously signed with an agent and should be eligible in early December) the others are in various stages of recovery. Two different sources told me King’s teammate (Barrett), should be back very soon, perhaps even this weekend.

Brown’s back injury has made much progress and he will likely miss a significant part of the season.

Born has been bothered by a hand injury and the absence of last year’s ‘Freshman of the Year’ hinders the rotation of the 0-2 Panthers. The lack of depth for Missouri State was evident on opening night as Hervey was in street clothes. The Bears largely went with seven players and needed that extra player up front.

First year coach Drew Valentine is exercising great patience and caution where Clemons’ knee is concerned and obviously the Ramblers didn’t need him during their game with Coppin State.

Tahvanainen’s foot injury will potentially keep him out of the Bradley lineup for several games. Late November or early December could be a realistic time frame for his return.

Recent Issues

During Evansville’s Thursday victory over IUPUI, fifth year forward Noah Fredering left the game with what looked to be an ankle injury.

The Schedule

All ten Valley teams play this weekend, with Indiana State playing twice. Friday the Sycamores travel to West Lafayette, Indiana for a game with nationally ranked Purdue. Illinois State visits Eastern Michigan and Southern Illinois entertains Ohio Valley Conference foe, Austin Peay.

Five MVC squads are in action Saturday. Valparaiso, Loyola, Bradley and Missouri State play at home, while Evansville visits future Valley member Belmont.

Three Valley schools play at home on Sunday. Indiana State, Drake and Northern Iowa round out the weekend schedule.

Playing shorthanded is hindering the league members from getting off to the great start they desired. As these players come off the injured list, perhaps we’ll see the true versions of these teams.

Do Good