What's Up In The Missouri Valley: What's Up In The Missouri Valley 1/30/2020

Evansville looks to end streak vs Northern Iowa--Associated Press
The Morning Dish – Thursday, January 30, 2020--Hoopville

Side Dishes
Other results of note: Northern Iowa blew out Missouri State 95-66, while Loyola-Chicago entered the night tied with them but lost 68-63 at Southern Illinois, who is also now 6-3; Bradley beat Valparaiso 80-69 to keep pace with the leaders in the Missouri Valley, while Drake tried to join them at 6-3 but lost at the buzzer at Indiana State 58-56

MVC – Playing Through the Post – Updated--Valley Hoops Insider

Bradley holds off Valpo charge with a strong finish, 80-69--Peoria Journal Star
Henry, Braves survive second half scare from Valparaiso--Bradley Scout
Bradley Tops Valparaiso, 80-69--bradleybraves.com

Women perfect at home and fittingly perfect in the Valley--Bradley Scout
Women’s Basketball Hits The Road--bradleybraves.com

Drake men's basketball loses to Indiana State on last-second layup--Des Moines Register
Indiana State Clips Drake Men's Basketball At The Buzzer, 58-56--godrakebulldogs.com

Drake to Host National Girls & Women in Sports Day Sunday, February 9--godrakebulldogs.com
Women’s Basketball Starts Season-Long Homestand Friday Night against Valparaiso--godrakebulldogs.com

Former Evansville coach Walter McCarty accused of sexual assault by student--College Basketball Talk
Who is Michelle Simpson Tuegel, an attorney with sexual abuse and assault case experience--Evansville Courier & Press
Evansville remains winless in Valley play at the midpoint following Illinois State loss--Evansville Courier & Press
Game Recap: Yet Another Loss--Eville-Ways
Cunliffe and Hall leads Aces at Illinois State--gopurpleaces.com

In-State Rivalry Matchup on tap for Friday--gopurpleaces.com

Jaycee Hillsman shows the way as Illinois State breaks seven-game losing streak--The Pantagraph
ISU breaks losing streak with 77-66 win over Evansville--Vidette Online
Redbirds Snap Skid with 11-Point Win over Aces--goredbirds.com

JuJu Redmond finding comfort zone as Illinois State women head to Carbondale to face Southern Illinois--The Pantagraph
Redmond honored with MVC Newcomer of the Week award--Vidette Online
Redbirds Finish First Half of MVC Slate on the Road--goredbirds.com

Christian Williams’ layup at the gun gives ISU a dramatic win--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Down In The Valley: Drake home musings--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Indiana State men’s basketball looks to bounce back--Indiana Statesman
Christian Williams Beats The Buzzer As Sycamores Win 11th Consecutive Home Contest--gosycamores.com

ISU, Evansville seeking first MVC women's win Friday--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Sycamores Conclude Home Stand with Evansville--Indiana Statesman
In-State Rival Evansville Travels to Hulman Center on Friday--gosycamores.com

Loyola Falls To Southern Illinois, 68-63--loyolaramblers.com
Checking In On Former Ramblers Playing Pro Basketball--loyolaramblers.com
Loyola Returns Home For Key Matchup With Bradley Saturday Night--loyolaramblers.com

Ramblers Close Out First Half Of Valley Play At UNI, Drake This Weekend--loyolaramblers.com

Northern Iowa basketball beats Missouri State by 20 or more for third straight time--Springfield News-Leader
Missouri State point guard Tyrik Dixon will have season-ending surgery--Springfield News-Leader
UNI Deals Bears Difficult Road Loss--missouristatebears.com

No. 21/24 Lady Bears Conclude MVC's First Half with Two Big Home Games--missouristatebears.com

Root's (Power) Rankings: 2020 Week 4--Three-Man Weave

Mid-Major Five

We wave goodbye to Liberty, who lost at North Florida (eh, okay) and Stetson (*pukes*) while getting 30-14’d in the second half by the Hatters. You don’t come back from that.

3. Northern Iowa

The Purple Panthers ran in place last week, threatening to drop out of these rankings with a disappointing loss at Southern Illinois on Wednesday night, but they bounced back with a huge win over first-place (at the time) Loyola-Chicago. That put Ben Jacobson’s squad back in the Missouri Valley driver’s seat, and while the road ahead is littered with landmines – UNI is somehow still Illinois State’s only conference win, so the Panthers can lose to anyone – UNI is still very much in control of its tournament destiny – both MVC and NCAA.

Bubble Banter: Did Texas Tech play their way onto the right side of the bubble?--College Basketball Talk

WINNERS
NORTHERN IOWA (NET: 49, NBC: 12): Their strong NET and wins at Colorado (17) and over South Carolina (89) on a neutral keep the Panthers in the conversation, but loss at Southern Illinois (166) and Illinois State (214) are killers. Beating Missouri State (165) at home was a must on Wednesday. UNI cannot lose another game unless it is against Loyola-Chicago (91) in the MVC tournament if they really want a chance at an at-large.