Valley Season Getting Rolling

Five MVC Games Today

(St. Louis, MO) – Loyola finally plays a Division 1 team and Northern Iowa plays nationally ranked Richmond. Half of the Missouri Valley Conference teams are in action. While Indiana State (a win over D2 Truman State) was able to launch their season yesterday it feels like the Valley season is truly getting rolling.

Nine of the ten conference schools have now played games, we’re still waiting for Missouri State! Four teams, Drake, Southern Illinois, Indiana State and Loyola are undefeated and only Evansville is winless. Records are less important than simply playing games and today there are good ones.

UNI’s Nationally Ranked Opponent

Give Northern Iowa coach Ben Jacobson, he has put together a demanding schedule. Nineteenth ranked Richmond is on the docket tonight after already playing Western Kentucky, St. Mary’s and Utah State. Wisconsin and others are still on the horizon.

Unfortunately, UNI (1-3) is playing without reigning ‘Player of the Year’ A.J. Green. A hip injury is keeping the star guard on the shelf.

Game Time – 5:00 pm – ESPN+

MVC/OVC Competition

Two games feature our valley conferences. MVC teams Valparaiso and Evansville host OVC foes. The Crusaders (1-3) entertain Southern Illinois Edwardsville (2-3) and Eastern Illinois (2-3) visits the Ford Center for a game with the Purple Aces (0-3).

Both games tip at 6:00 pm. The game from Valpo is on ESPN+ and the SIUE/UE tilt is on ESPN3.

OVC teams are 2-1 against the Valley this season.

Loyola Plays a D1

Missouri Valley teams have played nine games against non-D1 foes and unlike Kansas State they have won all nine of those contests. Numerous D1 programs are simply getting games in by playing these teams. It replaces ‘closed scrimmages’ and exhibition games. The Ramblers opened with a win over D2 Lewis University and they entertain Chicago State today at 2 pm. That game is on ESPN+.

Drake Looks for Fifth Win

Darian DeVries’ team is looking to go 5-0 as they host McKendree for their second straight non-D1 opponent. If the Bulldogs prevail they will start the season with five straight wins for the first time since the 1979-80 season.

Game time – 7:00 pm – ESPN3

Southern Illinois (Carbondale) hosts the OVC’s Murray State on Friday and six teams play on Saturday. The Valley season is truly getting rolling.

Do Good

 

 

You can send a life-saving gift during this Christmas Season. West African refugees are being displaced by the thousands. Click here to learn more and to give.