What's Up In The Missouri Valley 3/22/2020

Daily Top 5: Key or LaRavia? ISU's best player of the season isn't as easy as it seems--Terre Haute Tribune Star

‘Our lives, it’s about playing basketball overseas’: For US athletes, the coronavirus brings travel — and financial — concerns as leagues shut down--Chicago Tribune

Former Loyola star Ben Richardson, who played in the Czech Republic, said teams and players came to a mutual agreement about a lump-sum payment when their season ended early. His career is in limbo, he said.

“The negative effects this could have on the economy won’t help,” Richardson said. “I can’t go six months of an offseason without a paycheck. I’m a free agent. I’m not going to get a paycheck until another season starts. That’s something I have to think about. I’m hoping all these precautions will bring (the coronavirus) to an end.”

Former Loyola guard Marques Townes had enjoyed the local beaches in Murcia, Spain, before the nation’s lockdown. Now he passes time indoors, using apps to communicate with friends playing on other international teams.

“We’ll see what will happen,” Townes said. “If the league wants to start again, it’s good for us to finish that. But if they decide anything else, I’ll just ride it out.”

Richardson called his experience leaving the Czech Republic for Kansas City, Mo., “chaotic.”

He practiced March 12, preparing for a game two days later. By the evening, it seemed unlikely his league would continue playing as public places began shuttering amid the government’s declaration of a state of emergency.

Worry set in as Richardson began hearing news of travel restrictions from several countries or anyone who had visited certain countries within 14 days before their U.S. trip. He was unclear as to whether U.S. citizens could return but learned he could as long as he flew into designated airports.

The Czech Republic closed its borders Monday, although it allowed some exceptions.

Richardson booked four flights — two were canceled and one went to waste — to ensure he could depart. He left Prague at 10:25 p.m. Saturday local time, flew to London, landed at O’Hare on Sunday and stayed overnight at a friend’s in the suburbs. He flew Monday afternoon out of Midway and arrived in Kansas City at 4:30 p.m. to return to his parents’ suburban home in Overland Park, Kan.

When Richardson landed in Chicago, he rewarded himself with a slice of Giordano’s deep-dish pizza.

“My first meal back here,” he said. “It was great.”

While it was a relief to step on U.S. soil, his travel brought new concerns.

“I’ve heard people coughing,” he said. “Am I going to breathe something in and take it where I’m going next? I’m going through big (airport) hubs. I’m going to lock myself up for a while now.”

2020 Season In Review: Saluki Basketball took on coach's defensive mentality--The Southern Illinoisan