Missouri Valley Conference Notebook
by Neal Heston
Looking into the postseason
With Missouri State winning five of its last six games, including contests against Bradley and at Northern Iowa, the Missouri Valley now has another team worthy of grabbing an at large bid to the NCAA. Will the committee see it that way, though? Northern Iowa, Wichita State and Creighton appear to be in, no matter what happens in the regular season’s final week or in the conference tourney. Missouri state and Southern Illinois still have some work to finish, and Bradley is close behind. Here is who I have getting in the NCAA’s with two games left for each team before the MVC Tourney:
Dancing: Northern Iowa, No. 17 RPI
Big non-conference wins: Iowa, LSU, Bucknell
The Panthers needed Saturday’s win against Bucknell. If UNI can grab a home win vs. Bradley or at Southern Illinois during the final week of the regular season, it shouldn’t have to sweat out Selection Sunday if the team goes one-and-out in the conference tourney. Senior guards John Little and Erik Crawford have not been 100 percent lately, so as time goes on, expect the Panthers to become even more dangerous.
Dancing: Wichita State, No. 21 RPI
Big non-conference wins: Northwestern State, Miami (Ohio) and a near miss of Illinois
Out of the six teams from the upper division, WSU has the best round robin record at 6-4. Two of those losses have come to Northern Iowa, which is why the Shockers appear second on this list. Unlike last season, WSU has remained hot during February – going 4-2 after a loss to George Mason Saturday. That can change this week. The Shockers will head to Drake (12-16, 5-11) on Tuesday, where UNI, Creighton, Southern Illinois and Missouri State have all narrowly escaped defeat this year. If WSU manages a 2-0 week, it is not only the MVC champion, but also an NCAA lock.
Dancing: Creighton, No. 29 RPI
Big non-conference wins: at George Mason, Nebraska, Xavier
If UNI and Wichita State are locks, then it makes no sense not to include Creighton. The Bluejays own a 3-1 record against the Panthers and Shockers – the one loss a buzzer beating loss at Wichita State. Defeating Fresno State on Saturday evening/Sunday morning was a plus as well.
However, one thing that may hurt the Bluejays is a bad week. After going 8-2 in January, CU is just 3-2 this month. Losses to Indiana State and Missouri State this week would make the MVC Tourney very important for this team.
Dancing: Missouri State, No. 25 RPI
Big non-conference wins: at Wisconsin-Milwaukee, at Oral Roberts
Look what we have here. To no surprise, the Bears are hot at the right time of the year. MSU has won six of seven to get back in the race for the Valley title after struggling through mid-season. With its best record through 25 games in almost seven seasons, the Bears won’t have to worry about winning out in the league tournament to punch a ticket to the dance. With wins over Southern Illinois, at UNI and most recently at Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the Bears at-large profile looks very strong.
Dancing: Southern Illinois, No. 24 RPI
Big non-conference wins: at Murray State
I’m being a little kind with this pick. If the Valley were to get just four bids, SIU would be the odd man out due to its latest struggles – losing four of six and two of three at home.
It doesn’t seem right to keep a team out of the NCAA that is in second place from a conference ranked sixth in the nation, but the Salukis are flirting with that line. Saturday’s finale with Northern Iowa will be huge. A loss might mean a little anxiety heading into St. Louis next weekend.
NIT: Bradley, No. 63 RPI
Big non-conference wins: Western Kentucky
As of now, the Braves are the sixth-best team in the MVC. Unfortunately, the Valley most likely will not receive six bids. The good news: BU has a chance to improve its resume this week with a game at Northern Iowa on Wednesday. If the Braves can squeeze out a win in Cedar Falls and knock off Drake on Saturday, and if Southern Illinois falls just once, it would be hard not to put BU in ahead of SIU.
If the Valley Tournament started on Monday (Feb. 20)
No. 8 Indiana State vs. No. 9 Illinois State
No. 7 Drake vs. No. 10 Evansville
No. 1 Wichita State vs. Indiana State/Illinois State
No. 4 UNI vs. No. 5 Missouri State
No. 2 Southern Illinois vs. Drake/Evansville
No. 3 Creighton vs. No. 6 Bradley
Hoopville’s Player of the Week: Eric Coleman, Northern Iowa
It’s pretty plain and simple. Without Coleman’s play late on Saturday – nine points in overtime, the Panthers lose their third consecutive game with two very tough contests on the slate this week.
Big games this week:
Any game involving Wichita State
With a one-game lead over Creighton, Southern Illinois and Northern Iowa, all the Shockers have to do is win (at Drake and against Illinois State) to capture the Valley crown. Any slipup makes this a very interesting week. With that said, don’t be surprised if Drake upsets the Shockers on Wednesday.
Bradley at Northern Iowa, Wednesday, 7:35 p.m., FSN
Bradley started UNI on the wrong foot in the conference opener during December, and now it can put to rest any hopes of the Panthers claiming their first ever MVC regular season title. If this contest comes down to the wire similar to the last meeting (Bradley won in overtime), expect UNI to strike the win column. The Panthers are 3-0 in overtime games at home this season.
Northern Iowa at Southern Illinois, Saturday, 1:05 p.m., ESPN2
This is a gem on the MVC’s final day of the regular season and could very well be for the conference title. UNI rallied back to defeat SIU in the UNI-Dome in the last meeting, and the Panthers confidence should be a little higher with the Salukis surprisingly struggling on its home floor.
Creighton at Missouri State, Saturday, 7:35 p.m., FSN
It may be clinging on, but don’t forget that Missouri State is still in the Valley race. Creighton’s hopes are a little higher, but certainly don’t expect another 22-point win the Bluejays put together in the first meeting.
