Time to Shine – Valley Opportunities

Where to Find These Big Games

(St. Louis, MO) – Today could be the most important date on the Missouri Valley Conference calendar. This is the league’s time to shine. Valley schools will play six games today and four of them have major implications.

While league members struggled during the early portion of the non-conference schedule, they have won 16 straight games, have moved up one notch in the conference NET standings and today is their last major opportunity to make a statement to the NCAA Selection Committee.

Two of the games are Quad One contests against West Coast Conference teams. Bradley plays in the championship of the Sun Bowl Invitational and Northern Iowa is beginning the Diamond Head Classic with a shot at some highly regarded teams.

Taking Care of Business

Valparaiso and Drake just have to ‘take care of business’ today. The Beacons host William and Mary, while Drake entertains Chicago State.

William & Mary @ Valparaiso – Noon – ESPN3

Matt Lottich’s team continues to improve and they host a team that is 350th in the latest NET rankings. This is no resume builder, but the Beacons must take care of business. Valpo is 212 in both the NET and in  Kenpom.

Chicago State @ Drake – 5 pm – No television

This is a make up game of sorts. Chicago State’s original date with the Bulldogs was canceled due to covid protocols and when Drake’s game with Saint Louis was canceled for the same reason, the two teams reconnected. Chicago State is 323 in the NET and Drake 105.

Major Time to Shine

Southern Illinois and Missouri State are in the spot light.

Southern Illinois @ San Francisco – 4 pm – WCC Network

SIU is taking on an 11-1 San Francisco team that is 8-0 at home and carries a 33 NET ranking and 34 KenPom number. This is a Quad One game against a West Coast Conference squad. The WCC is eighth in the latest KenPom Conference ratings and the Valley is eleventh.

Missouri State @ St. Mary’s – 9 pm – WCC Network

Rinse and repeat. The Bears visit another WCC power house. St. Mary’s is 10-3 and 7-0 at home and are 53rd in the NET. It is a Quad One opportunity for Dana Ford’s Bears. MSU has been searching for that statement-making win and perhaps today is their time to shine.

Under the Radar, But Important

UNI’s game in Hawaii and Bradley’s contest in Texas are important.

Northern Iowa v. Liberty – 2 pm – ESPNU

While Liberty (124 NET) isn’t a ‘power six’ conference team, this game is a gateway opportunity for the Panthers and the league. Win or lose, UNI will meet Stanford (125 NET) or Wyoming (19 NET) in the Diamond Head Classic’s second round. BYU and Vanderbilt are two significant teams on the other side of this tournament’s bracket. This would UNI’s perfect time to shine.

Bradley v. UTEP – 8 pm – YouTubeLive

The Sun Bowl Invitational title is at stake and winning tournaments goes a long way to catapulting teams forward. Bradley (158 NET) and UTEP (161 NET) are similarly rated teams, so winning this contest has a tie-breaking way of moving the team and the league forward.

Do Good