Ranking the MVC through Week 1 (Games through Nov. 17)
- Creighton Bluejays (3-0)
On the surface, the Bluejays are cruising, nearly hitting the century mark in scoring the first two games and winning easily on the road in game three. Sophomore Doug McDermott is also just warming up, increasing his point totals from 13 to 21 to 27. The Bluejays will experience some close, heartbreaking losses this season though if they continue to shoot poorly at the free-throw line – a total of 44-for-66 through three games. Creighton will face a stronger test when traveling to play Iowa on Sunday afternoon.
- Wichita State Shockers (2-0)
Different players have stepped up, as the Shockers looked strong through their first two contests. It was David Kyles and Demetric Williams leading the way with 19 and 12 points when WSU breezed by Charleston Southern in the season-opener, 85-57. Ben Smith sank 17 points and grabbed six rebounds, and Garrett Stutz added 14 points and 11 rebounds, as the Shockers impressed with a 67-58 win over Colorado on Thursday. We’ll know how strong WSU really is on Friday night when they face No. 15 Alabama in the second round of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off.
- Evansville Aces (1-1)
An overtime win over national runner-up Butler to begin the season dazzled fans last Saturday, but the Aces followed that with a 94-73 defeat at the hands of Indiana. However, the bright spot is a consistently strong trio that includes Kenny Harris, Denver Holmes and Colt Ryan. The three have combined for 47.5 points in the first two contests. UE has two winnable games on the slate this week before its Thanksgiving break.
- Indiana State Sycamores (2-0)
The Sycamores haven’t exactly impressed in their first two victories, but they are doing exactly what they did last season – winning. Jake Odum has given two strong efforts, combining for 27 points, 11 rebounds, 13 assists and 5 steals. Carl Richard has added a pair of 15-point efforts and is averaging 8 rebounds a game. Indiana State has a busy week ahead, beginning with a contest Friday night against Ball State and ending with a tilt against Texas Tech on Thanksgiving Day.
- Drake Bulldogs (2-0)
Rayvonte Rice returned to the lineup on Tuesday, and he was needed to help the Bulldogs upset Iowa State 74-65. Five different players have chipped in during strong offensive efforts for the Bulldogs that also included a season-opening 83-58 win over Upper Iowa. Several of their upcoming contests will test the young group though, beginning with Mississippi on Friday. The next two weeks will certainly tell whether Drake will be a factor in the MVC this season.
- Northern Iowa Panthers (1-1)
The Panthers’ two toughest non-conference matchups are finished, and we are still left a little confused after an impressive win and a forgettable loss. Is UNI’s offense really as terrible as we witnessed during the 1 a.m. tip-off on Tuesday? Or was it just the time difference factoring in? One thing is for sure: the defense will be as strong as it has always been in head coach Ben Jacobson’s tenure. Northern Iowa allowed just 46 points in a season-opening win at Old Dominion and still managed to keep Saint Mary’s at 57 points in the 57-41 loss on Tuesday morning. A week that includes four games begins when the Panthers welcome Northern Colorado to Cedar Falls, Iowa, on Sunday afternoon.
- Missouri State Bears (2-0)
The Bears have responded very well to the amount of talent lost from last season. Led by senior center Caleb Patterson’s 15.5 points per game, MSU has cruised in two blowout wins – a 68-46 triumph at Nevada and a 77-46 victory at Arkansas State. Emporia State travels to MSU on Saturday.
- Bradley Braves (2-0)
After missing last season, the return of senior forward Taylor Brown has helped the Braves begin with two victories, a 68-58 win against UMKC and a 66-65 survival over Southeast Missouri State. Brown has averaged 15 points and 5 rebounds in the efforts and has combined with Jordan Prosser and Dyricus Simms-Edwards for a fearsome trio. Prosser is averaging 13.5 points and 12.5 rebounds a game, and Simms-Edwards is sinking 17 points a contest.
- Illinois State Redbirds (1-1)
The Redbirds have fielded a defense so far that can compete in the Missouri Valley, allowing just 46.5 points in two games. Junior forward Jackie Carmichael has been the lone bright spot on offense though, sinking 14 points a game. Lipscomb visits Normal, Ill., on Saturday, while Rutgers is on the horizon for a Tuesday night contest.
- Southern Illinois Salukis (0-2)
More than half of SIU’s points and rebounds during the first two games have come from two players: Mamadou Seck and Justin Bocot. The duo combined for 36 points and 20 rebounds, but it meant little in the end with a 64-63 home defeat to Ohio Dominican. Saint Louis had little trouble taking care of the Salukis 61-42 on Tuesday. SIU’s first road test will be at Northeastern on Saturday, as the Salukis search for their first victory.
