Missouri Valley Newcomers Learning the Ropes

Eyes Opened for New Programs and Coaches

(St. Louis, MO) – Missouri Valley newcomers are adjusting to their new surroundings and new competition. Belmont, Illinois-Chicago and Murray State have played twenty percent of their conference games and those coaches tell me the Missouri Valley is a tough place to play.

To no one’s surprise, Murray State (3-1), Belmont (2-2) and UIC (1-3) are proving they belong in their new league. Former Ohio Valley Conference members Belmont and Murray State are proven winners and are not used to struggling at all during conference play. The two dominated the OVC over the past ten years they both toiled in the 75-year old league.

UIC is a program that is attempting to duplicate the success of fellow Chicago-land program Loyola. A move from the Horizon League to the Valley and a boost in visibility is part of the equation put together by UIC athletics.

The MVC is far more than a quaint, tradition-rich league. Valley teams routinely win NCAA Tournament games and typically ranks between tenth and twelfth in the national metrics.

Newcomers Belmont

Belmont is one of the most successful basketball programs in the country. The Bruin resume is impeccable. Belmont is one of four D1 programs to win at least 19 games over the past 17 seasons.

Head coach Casey Alexander has an .802 winning percentage at Belmont and .606 overall. While the Bruins have not been overwhelmed by playing the Valley, Alexander admits that life in the Valley is unlike anything he’s faced. He says play in the Valley is a ‘blood bath’.

 

 

Newcomers Murray State

Murray State coach Steve Prohm won 104 games during his first four seasons in Murray, Kentucky. After six seasons at Iowa State where he won two Big Twelve Tournaments, he has returned to lead the Racer program.

MSU is coming off a 31-win season and its home record over the past ten seasons at the CFSB Center is 130-21. They’ve already lost a home MVC game this season. Without a hint of complaint, Prohm calls play in the Valley a ‘rock fight’.

 

 

Newcomers UIC

Flames coach Luke Yaklich is in his third season at the Chicago-based university. Yaklich previously assisted at power conference schools and at the MVC’s Illinois State. After stints at Texas and Michigan, Yaklich is coaching in his third season in the Windy City. During his previous stops his teams were generally regarded (and statistically verified) as some of the nation’s top defensive teams.

Yaklich loves the rivalries and history of the MVC.

 

 

Current Illinois State coach Ryan Pedon is enjoying his first season in the Valley. Pedon says Missouri Valley newcomers need to learn how to win close games.

 

 

There are 16 conference games left for these Missouri Valley newcomers prior to Arch Madness. These newcomers are learning the ropes of their new basketball worlds. They seem to fit in just fine.

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