MVC – Buzzer Beaters Shaping the Season

Illinois State Victimized Twice

(St. Louis, MO) – Buzzer beaters, exhilaration, fans storming the court, ESPN #SCtop10 is part of what we love about college basketball. But what about the other side of the equation? Illinois State has been victimized twice during Valley season by half-court buzzer beaters and now find themselves two games out of first place. The Redbirds are two half-court shots away from being spoken of as Loyola’s rival for the title.

On the Winning Side

Missouri State scrambled to retrieve a loose ball and senior Jarred Dixon saw his half-court prayer answered.   http:/

This is the epitome of @ValleyHoops and now also @MSUBearsHoops basketball! https://t.co/DzkNatYr28

— Harry Schroeder (@FatherHarry1) February 11, 2019

  Players have to learn to turn the page after a difficult defeat and Missouri State coach Dana Ford says teams can’t let a buzzer beating defeat define them.     Earlier in the season Valparaiso dashed the Redbird hopes.   http:/

Unbelievable win by @ValpoBasketball on this shot. pic.twitter.com/e1dGs9pEql

— Harry Schroeder (@FatherHarry1) January 3, 2019

  Southern Illinois (12) and Northern Iowa (11) have had an inordinate amount of their Valley games decided by single digits. The Salukis have won six of those contests while the Panthers have picked up four such decisions. Not all of those decisions were buzzer beaters, but league games have been extremely close.

From the Losing Side

Illinois State’s Dan Muller has been in the unenviable position of having to address his team under these circumstance twice. He says his team responded well after the Valpo loss and he’s hoping they do the same after the crushing loss to Missouri State.     Seven of the last 11 Valley games have been decided by ten or less points, including the last four straight conference games. Tonight Illinois State tries to bounce back after their latest buzzer beater defeat. They travel to Cedar Falls, Iowa for a game with Northern Iowa. The Redbirds picked up an early January, one-point win over the Panthers 70-69. Valley teams are winning on the road and virtually every game comes down to a coin flip. This league and these kinds of games are what college basketball is about. There are four games tonight and we could seen our next buzzer beater. Do Good