‘Must Games Everywhere’

MVC’s First Full Weekend of Games

(St. Louis, MO) – For the first-time since conference play began, all ten Missouri Valley Conference teams will be in action. Due to this weekend’s matchups, there are ‘must games’ everywhere.

Bradley and Valparaiso play their first conference games and two undefeated teams face off in Des Moines when Loyola (7-2, 2-0) visits Drake (13-0, 4-0). For the next three days, these ‘must games’ will help form the narrative of the rest of the Valley season.

First Place At Stake

While Loyola played a non-conference game last week in place of their series with Illinois State, Drake was adding to the historic start of their season. The 13-0 start is the Bulldogs’ best ever and the league’s best since the 2013-14 Wichita State team started 35-0. Click here for more on Drake’s start.

Since non-conference games were hard to come by, the notion of earning an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament is perilous. Drake is 13^th in the latest NCAA National Evaluation Tool and Loyola Chicago is 57^th. Neither can afford very many defeats and then have reasonable hopes to be favorably looked upon by the NCAA Selection Committee.

If either teams swept this weekend’s series, not only would they take a stranglehold on first place in the Valley, but would secure two, Tier 1 or Tier 2 wins and secure a solid NET ranking.

Both are veteran-laden teams and they are the MVC’s top two shooting teams. Things to watch for during these contests include, LUC’s obvious advantage in the post and its obvious disadvantage at the free-throw line.

How Drake’s Darnell Brodie contends with the Ramblers Cameron Krutwig is huge. If Brodie can hold his own, then Drake can prevail and it gives hope about future encounters with Missouri State’s Gaige Prim and Northern Iowa’s Austin Phyfe. If he is overmatched, it could spell trouble this weekend and raise concerns about the rest of the Valley season.

LUC continues to struggle from the charity stripe. This has been a several year problem. The disconnect for a team that shoots so well from the floor and so poorly from the line is baffling. During a tight contest for first place, could be the difference between first and second-place or playing in March Madnes or in the NIT. These are must games.

First Game: Sunday – 5:30 pm – ESPN2

Defending Champions Clash

Defending Arch Madness champion Bradley (6-3) travels to reigning regular season champion Northern Iowa (2-7,1-3). While Bradley has been waiting to start conference play, UNI has struggled during its first two weekends of Valley action.

Northern Iowa lost the league’s ‘Player of the Year’ to an injury and another key player to covid concerns. UNI was picked to win the league again, but now is shorthanded and having to re-figure roles and rotations. These factors have found them struggling on both ends of the floor. Losing A.J. Green’s offense is devastating, but Antwan Kimmons’ defense is clearly missed.

Bradley hasn’t played a game since their one-point loss at Missouri (12/22), but Brian Wardle’s team is deep and talented. How quickly they can adjust to ‘game speed’, is a key component in this contest. Like Krutwig, BU’s Elijah Childs and UNI’s Austin Phyfe are lefties that can score in a variety of ways. Their matchup will interesting theater.

Don’t count out the Braves for a run at the regular season title, or to be dancing this March. If UNI is going to be a factor in the league race they can do no worse than split this weekend’s games. Bradley can split, but cannot get swept this weekend. Brian Wardle’s team is in the enviable position of playing both Loyola and Drake at home.

First Game: Sunday – 3:00 pm – ESPN+

3-1 Teams In ‘Must Games’

Surprising Evansville (5-5, 3-1) and suddenly dominating Missouri State (6-1, 3-1) are poised to grab a share of first place. UE has won three straight and host winless Illinois State (3-5, 0-2). The Redbirds sat out last weekend due to covid protocols. MSU travels to Valparaiso where the Crusaders are opening their league schedule.

After Keith Fisher opted out of the season, the Redbirds have struggled to find a new and effective rotation. They lost both of their conference games at Loyola by 30. This is a ‘must win’ weekend. Even close losses would be a hopeful sign. If Todd Lickliter’s Aces could manage a sweep, they could be securing a non-Thursday night game at Arch Madness. Evansville’s 10.6 made threes per game average, is 13^th best in the nation.

First Game: Saturday – 1:00 pm – MVC TV

Missouri State rules the paint and Valpo is trying to figure out their post position Mileek McMillan is a bit undersized to begin with, and has struggled getting into shape after bouts with coronavirus. The Bears will look to utilize Prim, Nik Tata and others to beat the Crusaders into submission with interior offense. MSU is sixth in the nation at making two-point baskets (.621) and look to wear down their opposition.

Sophomore guard Isiaih Mosley is making a push for player of the year honors, by leading the league in scoring (22.1 ppg). Valpo (3-5) needs a solid start to the conference season.

First Game: Saturday – 1:00 pm – ESPN+

Determining the Trajectory

Indiana State (3-6, 0-4) and Southern Illinois (7-3, 1-3) are in dangerous spots. There are times when teams get acclimated to losing. The Salukis have lost three straight and the Sycamore have dropped four consecutive games. ISU’s Greg Lansing has the pieces to compete at a high level in the Valley and three of their four league losses (swept by Drake and Missouri State) have been by ten or fewer points. They have struggled to score. ISU is ninth in the ten team league, at both field goal and three-point percentages.

SIU which opened with seven straight wins, has been uncharacteristically poor defensively during the three-game streak. The Egyptian Dawgs are allowing 81 points per game over their past three outings.

These two teams are in ‘must games’.

First Game: Saturday – noon – ESPN3

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