MVC – No Undefeated Teams

Chaos Reigns Supreme

(St. Louis, MO) – There are no undefeated teams in the Missouri Valley race. With Loyola’s loss at Drake the league that saw matching 12-6 records win the conference crown last season, is looking at more chaos this year.

After winning over 90% of their non-conference home games, Valley home teams are 11-3 with one game left in ‘round three’ of league play. Southern Illinois was picked to finish last in the league’s preseason poll and the Salukis are in a five-way tie for first.

Bradley (1-1) plays at Evansville (0-2) tonight.

Hidden Factor – Number One – Injuries

Injuries have played a big role in the unpredictability of this season. Bradley, picked second in the preseason poll has been without leading scorer and rebounder Elijah Childs. His broken hand side-lined him for two games. While returning to the lineup against Northern Iowa, he reinjured the hand and may be lost for the season.

Valparaiso’s Ryan Fazekas injured a wrist in the Crusaders’ second game and hasn’t returned and according to coach Matt Lottich, he won’t be back very soon. Loyola’s Lucas Williamson has been in and out of the lineup and is playing at less than 100%. While the Ramblers do have the services of their 6’4 junior, many people forget they are playing the entire season without sophomore Cooper Kaifes. He was part of last season’s All-Freshman team.

Missouri State’s highly regarded junior college transfer Gaige Prim plays limited minutes and rarely practices. Southern Illinois is still waiting for the return of point guard Aaron Cook from his broken hand. Bryan Mullins tells us Cook is still experiencing some swelling in his right (shooting) hand.

Northern Iowa senior Spencer Haldeman went out with an ankle sprain last weekend.

Hidden Factor – Number Two – Youth

This is still a young league. Only seven of the top 15 players on the preseason All-Conference teams are seniors. Just two of those seven (Darrell Brown of Bradley and Jordan Barnes of Indiana State) have played with their respective teams more than one season.

The Valley’s top five scorers are underclassmen. Three of the top five are sophomores.

Where this youth glaringly shows up is in the ball handling. While three of the top five MVC assist leaders are seniors, underclassmen are having to handle the rock. League teams committing more turnovers this season (13.4 per team) over last (12.8). Younger Valley players are still learning the college game and adjusting to its speed.

Hidden Factor – Three – Three-Point Line

As we identified in a previous article, Valley teams are shooting and making more three-point baskets. The extension of the three-point line has increased scoring rates, shooting percentages and has reignited the center position.

True centers like Cameron Krutwig, Liam Robbins, Austin Phyfe, Prim and Barrett Benson are seeing their games expand and more offensive opportunities emerge. Krutwig is fifth in scoring and Robbins is 14^th. Phyfe’s return to the UNI lineup gives the Panthers their best inside threat in several years.

Hidden Factor – Four – Winning On the Road

Who can win a road game? So far Loyola, Missouri State and Valparaiso have turned the trick and tonight the Bradley Braves travel to Evansville. While attendance figures are slightly down across the league, the home venues pick up attendees when conference play begins. Nine of the ten teams have seen considerable increases during Valley play, with one team seeing no significant change.

When you mention some of these arenas, the names sound like history lessons because of the great championships won and performances by so many great players. Imagine playing on the same courts as Hersey Hawkins, Larry Bird, Doug Collins and Bryce Drew. If base lines could talk…

After tonight’s game at Evansville, there are 15 rounds left to this marathon of a boxing match. All ten teams play on Saturday. The final game of the weekend finds Bradley hosting SIU. Perhaps after the smoke clears at Carver Arena, we’ll know more about this year’s race.

Or maybe not.

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