Semifinal Day is the Best Day – Part Two

Saturday in St. Louis is Amazing

(St. Louis, MO) – Semifinal Saturday at Arch Madness is special. Whether underdogs have shocked the better teams or the favorites have prevailed, Saturday in St. Louis is amazing. Missouri Valley Conference teams have battled all year with the thin hopes of getting to this game and dreaming of a big dance.

The Valley’s top four teams were separated in the regular season standings by one game. It took a tie-breaker to determine second through fourth position, and those four are still standing, setting up a uniquely competitive semifinal round.

Game One – The Tie-Breaker

Northern Iowa (19-10) won the regular season title on the strength of a 102-96 overtime home win over Loyola and they meet in Saturday’s first game. The two teams split their two meetings this season. LUC beat the Panthers by 27 points in the first game. Each team won in front of their home fans.

But it was more than home-cooking that determined these contests.

Loyola was outstanding offensively in both games, but their defense determined the outcome in round one of this Missouri Valley MMA fight. The Ramblers (23-7) held UNI to 23, second half points and turned a close game into a route. Chris Knight, Aher Uguak and Lucas Williamson were too strong and physical for the the Panthers that day. Knight finished with 12 points and nine rebounds, Uguak tallied 17 and Williamson scored 18 points and dished out six assists.

While A.J. Green scored 20 points, the rest of the UNI offense was hamstrung. Noah Carter had two points and six turnovers. As a team, the Panthers had more turnovers (12) than assists (6).

Game two was completely different.

Loyola was amazing offensively, scoring 96 points in the overtime thriller, but their defense, impacted by 32 fouls called against it, couldn’t contain the Panther offense. Green scored 32 points (16 from the free throw line) and Carter rebounded with a 24-point effort. Bowen Born played 35 minutes (to just 19 in the first game) and scored 20 points.

Three Ramblers fouled out and three more finished with four fouls. LUC players and coach Drew Valentine were frustrated and bewildered by the massive number of infractions incurred.

So, two key factors seem obvious for today’s game (2:30 pm on CBS Sports Network). The play of Noah Carter seems like a likely indicator. During Thursday’s shoot around, Carter was the team’s ‘music director’ and if the 6’6 sophomore is playing the right tunes, UNI has a great chance to win.

How the game is officiated is huge for Loyola. During their five conference losses, they have averaged 24 fouls per game. In all of their other games, they have averaged under 16. Their physical brand of defense requires a slower whistle.

These are highly successful programs facing off for the chance at Sunday’s title game.

Game Two – Teams Trying to Elevate

Drake last won an Arch Madness title in 2008 and have played in one championship game (last year) since then. Missouri State hasn’t taken home the tournament trophy since 1992 and haven’t been in the title game since 2011.

The teams carry identical 23-9 records into today’s semifinal game. Missouri State swept the regular season games by five and by four points. Drake defeated MSU in the semifinals of last year’s conference tournament.

Neither team is very deep but both are playing winning basketball. Drake has won six straight games while the Bears of won six of their last seven. With the injury to D.J. Wilkins, Drake played five players at least 30 minutes during their quarterfinal win over Southern Illinois. ShanQuan Hemphill started for Wilkins and played 39 minutes and recorded a double-double (19 points & ten rebounds). He and Roman Penn, who played 34 minutes are both playing with injuries. Their ability to play heavy minutes Saturday will go a long way to determining this outcome.

Fifty-one of Missouri State’s 67 Friday night points came from three players. Isiaih Mosley (18), Donovan Clay (17) and Gaige Prim (16) carried the offensive load. The Bears typically play just eight guys. Jaylen Minnett and Jamonta Black have been prolific three-point shooters this season, but have struggled lately and placed that heavier offensive load on Mosley and Prim.

Dana Ford’s team will need to find some additional offense somewhere else to prevail. Prim can and should dominate the paint against Drake, but three-point shooting is typically difficult in St. Louis’ Enterprise Center, so Missouri State’s perimeter game will be challenged again in this semifinal.

These two tip at 5:00 pm on CBS Sports Network.

Semifinal Day is the Best Day.

Do Good

 

Editor: Feature photo courtesy of the Missouri Valley Conference.