Missouri Valley Conference Notebook
by Neal Heston
Brackets busted indeed
After a rough weekend on the court for the Missouri Valley Conference, the league may have decreased its potential number of tourney bids to two, with an outside chance for three. Southern Illinois continued its dominance after knocking down No. 12 Butler on the road, but Creighton, Missouri State, Wichita State and Northern Iowa were dealt a few blows. Here is a look at the major O’Reilly ESPNU BracketBusters outcomes this weekend.
Southern Illinois: Southern Illinois was the lone Valley team that had nothing to lose on Saturday, but the Salukis gained a lot with a big road win. The Salukis have been the best story of the Valley for seven weeks, but a 68-64 win at Butler proved that another MVC team has the resources to go deep into the NCAA Tournament. Heading back to conference play this week, Southern Illinois has an opportunity to regain the MVC crown with victories against Evansville and Indiana State. NCAA status: Lock.
Creighton: After Creighton stormed to a double-digit advantage, Drexel made a comeback late in the second half to beat the Bluejays 64-58. A victory probably would have punched Creighton’s ticket to the dance, but now the Bluejays will flirt on the bubble through the final week of the season. An important home date with Wichita State awaits on the regular-season finale Saturday. NCAA status: In.
Missouri State: The Bears face trouble heading into the final week. Friday’s loss to Winthrop was critical, as Missouri State was in need of a strong non-conference victory. And the last two games on the regular-season schedule, at Wichita State and home against surging Drake, won’t help the situation. A 2-0 week is a must; otherwise another talented Bears team will be excluded from the party for a fourth consecutive year. NCAA status: Bubble bursts.
Bradley: While Missouri State faces great adversity in its final week, Bradley has the right pieces to finish the puzzle. Everything seems to be fitting nicely now after defeating Colonial Athletic Association leader VCU 73-64. Now the Braves are poised to complete the regular season at home against cellar-dweller Indiana State and reeling Northern Iowa. Saturday’s win at VCU coupled with a 2-0 week would certainly give Bradley a good case to become the Valley’s third team in the NCAA Tournament. NCAA status: In, barely.
Wichita State: Defeating Appalachian State this weekend wouldn’t have propelled Wichita State back into NCAA Tournament conversations, but the 60-58 loss will keep the Shockers far away from the Big Dance unless a run through the conference tournament decides otherwise. With Missouri State and Creighton on the slate to complete the regular season, the Shockers have an opportunity to finish with a statement or continue spiraling toward the NIT. NCAA status: Out.
Northern Iowa: The second half against No. 10 Nevada closely resembled the second half of this season for Northern Iowa: miserable. The Panthers led the Wolf Pack at halftime, but Nevada stormed out of the gates in the second period and never looked back during a 79-64 win. A victory would have been a huge statement for Northern Iowa, but the Panthers enter the final week still searching for answers. A trip to Bradley Tuesday probably isn’t the first choice to find those answers either. NCAA status: Out.
Game to watch this week: Wichita State at Creighton, Saturday, 4:05 p.m.
Every time these two teams play, the contest seems to go down to the final basket. The last meeting in mid-January went in Wichita State’s favor, 62-59. Also add in that both Wichita State and Creighton really need this win. Wichita State needs strong victories to add to the resume, and Creighton needs a solid win to slip on dancing shoes.
