What's Up In The Missouri Valley: What's Up In The Missouri Valley 1/11/2021

Mosley scores 29, leads Missouri State over Valparaiso 78-68--Associated Press
Reeves carries hot-shooting Redbirds past Evansville 73-68--Associated Press
Phyfe scores 18 to lead N. Iowa over Bradley 78-72--Associated Press
Key carries Indiana St. past Loyola of Chicago 76-71--Associated Press
Northern Iowa looks to sweep Bradley--Associated Press
Davidson’s Korean connection, Louisiana blackout: This Week in Mid-Major--The Athletic

The Mid-Major Top 10
9. Drake (13-0, 4-0 Missouri Valley): When we wrote about the undefeated Bulldogs last week, we noted that they were one of the few teams in the country not to miss any time because of COVID-19 since players returned in the summer. Welp. Win No. 13 in a row must have been unlucky, because positive tests in the Drake camp led to the postponement of what would have been a huge series against Loyola Chicago. The team is aiming to return Jan. 21. Still, the dominating performances in a two-game sweep of Southern Illinois last week convinced us these guys are for real. LW: Not ranked

Dropped out: Loyola Chicago, Western Kentucky

Bradley basketball opens Valley play with loss at Northern Iowa--Peoria Journal Star
Rapid Recap: Bradley falls in MVC opener at Northern Iowa--Bradley Scout
Northern Iowa Edges BU in Valley Opener--bradleybraves.com

1/11 Women's Basketball Players of the Week--College Sports Madness

Missouri Valley Lasha Petree G Bradley

NCAA basketball Week 8: 5 things college basketball fans need to know this week--Fansided

Cinderella Watch: Drake Bulldogs
There are few undefeated teams left in college basketball but one of the biggest surprises has to be Drake, which is off to a 13-0 start on the year, including a 4-0 record in the Missouri Valley Conference. Picked to finish seventh in the conference’s preseason polls, Drake has exceeded expectations on the strength of an explosive offense that averages 83.9 points per game and knocks down 43 percent of its three-point attempts.
The Bulldogs are currently on a COVID pause but a 13-0 start is nothing to sneeze at. Start keeping an eye on Drake and see how they come back from the pause because a team that can get hot from the perimeter is a dangerous out in March.

Berg Named MVC Newcomer of the Week for Fourth Time--godrakebulldogs.com

Illinois State snaps Evansville basketball's winning streak, splitting weekend series--Evansville Courier & Press
Winning Streak Snapped--Eville-Ways
Aces drop weekend finale at the Ford Center--gopurpleaces.com

Benson's Three-Point Play from Illinois State's Win Over Evansville--The Pantagraph
Watch now: Antonio Reeves carries Illinois State to first Missouri Valley Conference win--The Pantagraph
Redbirds rally late, secure first conference win over Evansville 73-68--Vidette Online
Sy Chatman opts out according to Muller--Vidette Online
Redbirds Rebound for Road Win at Evansville--goredbirds.com
The Illinois State Basketball Coaches Shows Presented by Bud Light Air Tonight--goredbirds.com

Sycamores surge past Loyola--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Second Half Comeback Fuels Sycamores 76-71 Win Over Loyola--gosycamores.com

Under The Radar Game of the Day: Sunday, January 10th (and other News and Notes)--Hoops HD

OTHER NEWS, NOTES, AND HIGHLIGHTED GAMES
-LOYOLA CHICAGO AT INDIANA STATE (Missouri Valley). Loyola Chicago is a team to pay attention to. The focus is on Drake, but Loyola also has a chance of making some noise in March.

Indiana State Rallies To Hand Loyola First League Loss, 76-71--loyolaramblers.com
Ramblers Look To Bounce Back, Wrap Up Series With Sycamores Monday Night--loyolaramblers.com