MTE Second Wave

Belmont, Evansville and UIC Get Started

(St. Louis, MO) – Two Missouri Valley Conference teams finish their multi-team events and three begin the Valley’s MTE second wave. Indiana State looks to become the MVC’s third MTE champion and Belmont, Evansville and Illinois Chicago are just getting started.

Northern Iowa hopes to salvage one win from its appearance in the Battle 4 Atlantis and Indiana State is hoping to sweep the Gulf Coast Classic.

Closing Out Their Events

High-scoring Indiana State faces Toledo in its final contest in Las Vegas. The Sycamores (4-1) have reached at least 90 points in all four of their wins and are seeking to join Missouri State and Bradley as MTE champions. Toledo (3-2) lost its first two games of the Ball Dawgs Classic and the Rockets face Indiana State at 1:00 pm.

Northern Iowa has played two outstanding first halves in the Battle 4 Atlantis and two disastrous second stanzas. UNI outscored North Carolina and Texas Tech 80-66 during their opening periods and have been overwhelmed 97 to 58 after intermission.

The Panthers face another ‘money conference’ team in tonight’s 7:30 contest. Ben Jacobson’s team takes on Stanford on ESPN+.

MTE Second Wave

Illinois Chicago begins play in the Baha Mar Hoops Nassau Championship. A formidable Middle Tennessee Blue Raider team awaits. UIC (3-1) has won three straight after a opening night respectable loss to Cincinnati. Middle Tennessee (3-2) is ranked 133 in the latest Kenpom computer rankings. Game time in Nassau is set for 3:30 pm.

Belmont begins play in the Cathedral of College Basketball Classic at 1 pm. The Bruins play three games in three days. After today’s game with Monmouth the 2-2 Bruins play Penn and then Lafayette. Belmont’s game with Monmouth (2-2) can be seen on ESPN+.

Undefeated Evansville is participating in the Coke Zero Sugar Classic. The Chattanooga-based tournament includes the hometown Mocs and Southeast Missouri. UE faces Chattanooga today and has a rematch with SEMO Saturday. The Redhawks then play the Mocs on Sunday. Both games begin at 1:00 pm and can be seen on ESPN+.

Valley teams are 14 and nine in these mid-season tournaments. The MTE second wave will determine if MVC teams improve on last year’s 17 and 17 record.

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