The Missouri Valley Conference has seen better times than this season’s non-conference slate. While the conference has seen many changes and continued to put out a quality product, and remains as well-run as any operation in college sports, this season hasn’t been the best on the court. It hasn’t been bad, but it not what was expected, either.
It’s in that vein that we note that Sunday was a great day that could help salvage this stretch a little bit.
The first disappointment in the conference has to do with Loyola-Chicago. Fresh off their Final Four run, many expected – probably unfairly – that the Ramblers would barely miss a beat this season and build right on last season. Injuries haven’t helped, but this has simply not been the same team in terms of results. The Ramblers are 7-5 and are right smack in the middle of the pack in the NET rating. They don’t have a bad loss, but it’s hard to view them as favorites based on non-conference performance. They at least appear to be turning a corner, having held their last two opponents below 50 points.
Illinois State is another one. They are one of those teams that you expect to be better, but they aren’t able to break through and be better. The Redbirds have knocked off BYU, and like Loyola, they don’t have a dreadful loss, but they haven’t been able to beat a team or two they should if they are to look like a contender. They have also lost four out of five as we speak. Plus, let’s not forget the promise they have shown since alum Dan Muller took over, but haven’t fully harnessed.
Those are just the two teams from whom the most was expected, although you can toss Southern Illinois in there to a lesser degree. The Salukis have been well-tested and have been far from a bad team, but they have been just okay. That’s kind of the sum of the conference. It hasn’t been bad, or a disappointment, but it’s fair to figure a little more was expected of them – fairly or (as in the case of Loyola) unfairly.
Well, except for Drake, who beat San Diego 110-103 to win the Las Vegas Classic in a double overtime thriller. And Indiana State may join them, as the Sycamore are into the Diamond Head Classic championship game after knocking off UNLV 84-79.
Drake was already a bright spot before they went to Las Vegas and beat New Mexico State and San Diego, two good wins. They were the only team to beat Texas State before Saturday (when the Bobcats lost at Arkansas) and had wins over Boise State (who is down this year) and other good mid-majors like Rider. They almost certainly won’t be in the conversation for an NCAA Tournament at-large bid, but they have had a good run, led by the likes of the Nicks – McGlynn and Norton, the latter of who had a career-high 31 points on Sunday, 14 in the second overtime.
Further west, Indiana State did a nice job of responding to just about every little rally UNLV attempted after they went up by 12 early in the second half. Jordan Barnes was at the nerve center of it all, and he’s having quite a couple of days in Honolulu. He had 28 points on Sunday, going 11-15 from the field, and in the two games he’s scored 47 points on 17-29 shooting, including 7-13 from deep. While UNLV has been without key forward Shakur Juiston for two weeks with what could be a season-ending knee injury, the Sycamores took advantage.
Indiana State has a tall task ahead as they will take on TCU, who pulled away from Bucknell 82-65 in the other semifinal. However, the Sycamores have already set the stage to salvage the end of non-conference play.
Drake was picked ninth in the preseason coaches and media poll. Indiana State was picked sixth. Right now, though, they look like the two best teams. And they might be the ones to bring the best close to non-conference play as well.
Side Dishes
Orleans Arena was the place to be for thrillers on Sunday, because the consolation game right after Drake’s win had quite a finish. Washington State got a game-tying three-pointer from an offensive rebound with 14.3 seconds left, then New Mexico State came down and got the ball to JoJo Zamora, who had five three-pointers already on the night, and he hit a three from the corner in front of his bench with 1.9 seconds left to give New Mexico State a 75-72 win over the Cougars and two wins over them this month. Earlier in the day there, SIU-Edwardsville sent Northern Colorado home with an 0-2 mark as they won 82-72, and Cal State Northridge held off Rider 81-80.
In consolation action in the Diamond Head Classic, the Pac-12 took another hit as Hawaii beat Colorado 70-62 in overtime and Rhode Island beat former conference rival Charlotte 75-61.
Houston remained undefeated by running away from Coppin State 75-44, holding the 0-14 Eagles to 21.5 percent shooting for the game.
Tonight’s Menu
It’s a clean slate tonight ahead of Christmas, so enjoy time with your families and come back to mix in some college basketball on Tuesday alongside NBA and bowl games.
