MVC – Opening Weekend

(St. Louis, MO) – Eight and four isn’t a bad start for the Missouri Valley Conference basketball season. The marathon that is the college hoops season got underway with a mixture easy home contests and challenging opponents.

Loyola and Southern Illinois both won their two opening games. Wichita State, Bradley, Drake and Evansville were weekend winners. Illinois State, Missouri State, Northern Iowa and Indiana Sate were curtain raising losers.

Early Positives

SIU looks like a different team with true point guard Mike Rodriguez running the show. The Marshalltown Community College transfer is averaged 12 points and four assists in the Salukis first two wins. Edwardsville High School’s Armon Fletcher, a red-shirt freshman has chipped in with two double-digit scoring performances and of course Anthony Beane is Anthony Beane.

Fred VanVleet playing three minutes in the Shockers’ opening victory, means he is close to being 100%. That brings a sigh of relief to WSU fans. Three newcomers joined Ron Baker as double-figure scorers in Wichita State’s 14^th straight season opening win.

Loyola’s Milton Doyle looked hail and hearty in two Gentile Arena victories, scoring 20 and 18 points respectively. During the Ramblers late season run to a CBI tournament championship the Chicago native came off the bench to protect a gimpy ankle.

Weekend Questions

Illinois State drew the most difficult opener by playing at San Diego State in one of the MVC/Mountain West Challenge games. The Aztecs almost never lose at home (16-1 last year) and high lighted a possible weakness in the Redbird attack. ISU was outrebounded (45-32) and had eight of their shots blocked. The absence of a solid post presence is an issue to be addressed for Head Coach Dan Muller.

Enduring Northern Iowa strengths were not on display Saturday. The Panthers’ formidable home court advantage and stellar defensive play were not in effect. UNI allowed 84 points and a 48% shooting percentage and lost at McLeod Center for the first time in 19 games.

What’s Next?

MVC teams went eight and two at home and 0-2 on the road. There are significant challenges ahead. With seven games Monday and Tuesday (four at home), Valley teams battle some tough competition. On Monday alone, Indiana State hosts Wyoming in the MVC/MWC Challenge and Bradley travels to Arizona.

MVC and Ohio Valley Conference teams square off often this year. Sunday Evansville defeated Southeast Missouri. Monday Morehead State visits Illinois State.

Do Good