Valley’s Opening Days

‘Happy Days’ or ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’?

(St. Louis, MO) – Basketball seasons open with optimism and hopeful wishes, but after the Missouri Valley’s opening days are we still optimistic or are we looking for hope? During the first four days of the season MVC teams have won ten of 13 games. Six of those victories have been against non-Division 1 opposition.

While going four-and-three against D1 opponents isn’t as awe-inspiring last the 10-3 record sounds, there are many positive take-aways as we head into a busy weekend of hoops. Don’t let the small sample size fool you. We’ve already learned a lot about the Valley squads.

Each of the non-D1 games were blow outs. This isn’t always the case and the fact that all six of those seemingly unimportant games were never truly in doubt, speaks of good things for teams like Valparaiso, Evansville, Southern Illinois and Illinois Chicago. The teams picked at the bottom of the league drilled their lower-level opponents.

All three of the losses were road losses to good teams. UIC and Missouri State each played Big Ten teams respectably and the Bears actually could have won their tight contest with West Virginia. The Flames’ loss to Cincinnati was by eleven points.

UIC’s Toby Okani recorded a double-double in the Flames’ loss at Cincinnati and Chance Moore racked up 24 points in the Bears’ loss in Morgantown.

Northern Iowa was an overtime loser on the road at North Texas. The reigning National Invitation Tournament champions pulled way from the Panthers in OT but UNI forced that extra session by fighting back from a double-digit second half deficit.

Nate Heise is more than just back. He’s better than ever.

Valley’s Opening Day’s D1 Victories 

Belmont, Bradley, Drake and Evansville triumphed over D1 teams with Bradley’s win over Alabama-Birmingham being the league’s best win of the early season. Malevy Leons and Darius Hannah were outstanding in the win as Hannah’s late lay up was the winning basket.

Belmont took care of business against a tough Georgia State team as Cade Tyson and newcomer Malik Dia dominated the game offensively. Tyson finished with 29 points and Dia’s late free throws were the difference in an 89-87 victory.

Evansville (2-0) looks like a different team and newcomer Ben Humrichous is a game-changing kind of player. The Purple Aces followed up their opening night win over Miami of Ohio with a walkover against an NAIA team. Humrichous is a 6’8 wing who plays both ends and has outstanding offensive skills.

Tucker DeVries started the season the right way. The Valley’s reigning ‘Player of the Year’ scored 36 points during Drake’s 13-point win over Lipscomb.

Valley’s Opening Day’s Lower Level Lessons

While Illinois State’s 19-point win was the closest of the non-D1 games, both Valparaiso and Evansville topped the 100-point mark. Newcomer Isaiah Stafford (20 points) led five Beacons in double figures during coach Roger Powell’s first coaching win.

Newcomer Nick Ellington recorded a double-double (22 points & 12 rebounds) as Murray State spanked Midway. Seven Racers reached double figures during the 91-58 final.

Indiana State has opened the season waiting on both of their big men. Star Robbie Avila is battling some back stiffness and hasn’t played or practiced in a couple of weeks. Derek Vorst is closer to being game ready than Avila.

Newcomers Isaiah Swope (26) and Ryan Conwell (25) were brilliant during the Sycamores’ crushing of St. Mary of the Woods.

SIU played great defense and wiped out Kentucky State. Scottie Ebube recorded a double-double and Xavier Johnson scored twenty points.

This weekend’s games will give us a better read on Valley teams, but for now, we’re choosing ‘Happy Days’ over ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’.

Do Good