Post Season Runs Through the Valleys

(Charleston, IL) – The busy postseason for Valley Hoops teams continues. So I’ve made the trek to Charleston, Illinois to see Eastern Illinois (Ohio Valley) host Evansville (Missouri Valley) in the College Insider.com Tournament.

Evansville (20-12) Head Coach Marty Simmons returns to some of his roots, coaching in a venue where he won a lot of games as a prep star. EIU (18-14) tries to become the third OVC team to reach the quarterfinals of the CIT. Eastern Kentucky (21-11) and UT-Martin (20-12) have already earned their spots.

Both leagues are 6-1 in postseason play, and have multiple games tonight (Monday).

Including the game here in Charleston, Murray State (28-5) and Illinois State (22-12) both play on the road in the National Invitation Tournament. The Redbirds are at Old Dominion, while the Racers toil in Tulsa.

Loyola (20-13) hosts Oral Roberts in the College Basketball Invitational.

The game here in Charleston should be interesting. EIU has to figure out a way to handle Evansville’s high scoring D.J. Balentine, who scores 19 points per game and netted 35 in their opening round win. If they can slow him down, how do they handle the double-double machine Egidijus Mockevicius in the post? They are a dangerous duo.

UE’s challenge is the depth and persistent defense of the Panthers. St. Louisan Trae Anderson (Hazelwood Central) is EIU’s leading scorer (13.3), and does it by coming off Jay Spoonhour’s bench. Former MVC performer Chris Olivier (Northern Iowa) is a 6’8″ post player (12.8 ppg & 5.3 rpg) who can be a threat.

Personally, I’m looking forward to watching Cornell Johnston again. I saw the freshman from Ladue High School in St. Louis often during his prep career and in one of his first college games this season. As the ‘Freshman of the Year’ in the OVC, I’m looking forward to seeing how his game has evolved.

We’ll have more from Charleston tonight!

Do Good