What's Up In The Missouri Valley 2/17/2021

Bracketology 2021: The midseason bracket reveal is in the rearview mirror...--Blogging The Bracket

Once again, the Selection Committee’s emphasis on marquee wins heavily influenced its top 16 choices and have been reflected in the remainder of this bracket. That’s bad news for the assorted mid-majors fighting for an at-large bid, as truncated non-conference schedules this fall reduced their opportunities to grab those types of victories, particularly on neutral floors.

• Drake, blown out by Loyola Chicago on Saturday before salvaging a home win over the Ramblers on Sunday, is a victim of this phenomenon.

First Four OUT: Drake, St. John’s, Richmond, Ole MissBids by Conference

Wednesday

Mid to late evening

Drake at Northern Iowa, 8 p.m. (ESPN+ ($))
Valparaiso at Loyola Chicago, 8 p.m. (FS Midwest/NBCS Chicago Plus/ESPN+ ($))

The Missouri Valley’s top two are also in action following their weekend split, with Loyola and Drake taking on its typical travel partners in midweek showdowns.

Key scores 34 to carry Indiana State past Evansville 87-73--Associated Press

Four suspended Bradley University basketball players appear on Springfield police report; no arrests--Springfield News-Leader
Four suspended basketball players named in Springfield, MO police report- investigation ongoing, no charges or arrests--Bradley Scout
Braves Host I-74 Rival Illinois State Thursday--bradleybraves.com

Women’s Basketball Closes Road Slate At #20/25 Missouri State--bradleybraves.com

Drake basketball's historic 2020-21 season--Des Moines Register
Men’s Basketball Travels To UNI--godrakebulldogs.com

Best case, worst case: Where Evansville could finish in the MVC standings--Evansville Courier & Press
Purple Aces can't stop hot-shooting Sycamores in fourth straight loss--Evansville Courier & Press
Road Trip To Terrible Haute--Eville-Ways
Men’s basketball falls short in second-half rally--gopurpleaces.com

Watch now: MVC notebook: Loyola, Drake positioning themselves for NCAA Tournament berths--The Pantagraph
Watch now: Bradley out for revenge, but could be short-handed against Illinois State--The Pantagraph
ISU Travels to Peoria for Second Game of Series against Braves--goredbirds.com

Bittersweet Senior Day for Sycamores--Terre Haute Tribune Star
ISU rides Key’s ‘takeover mode’ to overwhelm Aces--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Key Shines on Senior Night to Lead Sycamores to Victory--gosycamores.com

Loyola Heads To UNI For Big Road Series--loyolaramblers.com

No. 20 Lady Bears Host Bradley Friday and Saturday at The Q--missouristatebears.com
Saturday Women's Basketball Moved to 5 p.m. Start--missouristatebears.com

UNI men's basketball looking to 'grow and improve' with another game vs. Drake up next--Cedar Rapids Gazette
Panthers vs Bulldogs : Feb 17--unipanthers.com

Salukis could go big against Missouri State--Southern Illinoisan
Saluki Basketball 5@5: Dreaming of warmer weather, Indiana State Blacks Out Cancer and defending Gaige Prim--Southern Illinoisan
Game Notes: Men's Basketball vs. Missouri State--siusalukis.com

Men's Basketball splits series against Braves--Valpo Torch

Valley Announces WBB Tournament Schedule Adjustment--The Missouri Valley