(St. Louis, MO) – America’s Renaissance Conference (as Mitch Holthus calls it) is splashing all over the college basketball postseason schedule. Half of the Missouri Valley Conference teams are playing second season basketball.
For the third time in the last four years the Valley is sending two teams to the NCAA Tournament. Nationally ranked and tournament champion Northern Iowa is joined in the ‘big dance’ by nationally ranked and regular season champ Wichita State.
Many feel UNI (5) and Wichita State (7) were under seeded, but it is the second time in conference history that two teams are seeded at eight or better. The Panthers (30-3) open tournament play against Wyoming (25-9) on Thursday in the East Regional in Seattle. WSU (28-4) battles Indiana (20-13) in the Midwest Region.
UNI Head Coach Ben Jacobson says selection Sunday was a fun and unique experience for his team and their fan base.
Three other Valley members are still playing basketball. Illinois State (21-12) is playing in the National Invitation Tournament. The Redbirds host Green Bay (24-8) on Wednesday. It’s the second straight post season for ISU and their tenth appearance in the NIT.
Head Coach Dan Muller says getting his young team more ‘tournament type’ experience is invaluable, and playing at home is truly a bonus.
Loyola (19-13) is playing postseason basketball for the first time since 1985. The Ramblers are participating in the College Basketball Invitational. They host Rider (21-11) on Tuesday night. Head Coach Porter Moser says the Ramblers are working to keep their program moving in the right direction.
Moser says Chicago is looking for a college team to get behind, and he’s hoping this extra exposure will help the Ramblers get a slice of that interest.
Evansville (19-12) is hosting a tournament game too. The Purple Aces are entertaining IPFW (16-14) in an opening round game of the College Insider.com Tournament. It’s the fifth time in nine seasons under Marty Simmons, the Aces have reached post season play.
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