What's Up In The Missouri Valley: What's Up In The Missouri Valley 2/23/2021

Jones scores 21 to lift S. Illinois past Valparaiso 67-64--Associated Press
The Other Top 25: Here’s some Colgate appreciation--Mid-Major Madness

The Other Top 25: Week 14

Rank School Record Change Our reasoning

2 Loyola University Chicago 19-4 - Was there a bit of a hangover from a pair of emotional tilts against Drake? Possibly. Nonetheless, the Ramblers escaped with a two-point win over Valpo in their lone game of the week to keep their strong resume without a major blemish.
9 Drake 22-2 2 Three straight wins for Drake have the Bulldogs back in the NCAA Tournament at-large picture. They need to sweep their three remaining regular season games.

Rank	School	Record	Change	Our reasoning
2	Loyola University Chicago	19-4	-	Was there a bit of a hangover from a pair of emotional tilts against Drake? Possibly. Nonetheless, the Ramblers escaped with a two-point win over Valpo in their lone game of the week to keep their strong resume without a major blemish.
9	Drake	22-2	2	Three straight wins for Drake have the Bulldogs back in the NCAA Tournament at-large picture. They need to sweep their three remaining regular season games.

Bubble Watch: It’s time to start the math, which means it’s getting real--The Athletic

Others
Should be in: Loyola Chicago, BYU, San Diego State
Work to do: Boise State, Drake, VCU, St. Bonaventure, Colorado State, Saint Louis, Utah State, Richmond, SMU, Wichita State, Western Kentucky

Loyola Chicago (17-4, 14-2; NET: 11, SOS: 137): Loyola still hasn’t played since last week’s narrow escape against Valpo, but it’s worth reiterating what we wrote Friday: In addition to having been safely inside the adjusted efficiency top 10 for weeks now, this is also the top per-possession defense in all of Division I. Not Baylor. Not Tennessee. Not Alabama. Or Houston. Or Michigan. Loyola Chicago. Thanks to a truly elite defense — and not just elite relative to competition, but adjusted for competition; this team can just plain guard — Rambler Fever™ rolls on.
Drake (20-2, 13-2; NET: 33, SOS: 257): Bad development for the Bulldogs: On Monday, news broke that point guard Roman Penn, an absolutely vital piece in Drake’s breakthrough season, had broken his foot and would miss the remainder of the year. Nor was this even the first unfortunate injury Drake has suffered; leading score Shanquan Hemphill has been missing since before mid-February games against Loyola, though he is expected to return in time for the NCAA Tournament — if Drake is playing in the NCAA Tournament. That is an “if,” by the way. We think the Bulldogs have been worthy to date, and one bad loss against Valpo (and a split with Loyola) shouldn’t be enough to keep them out of the tourney, even if there’s still a reasonable bubbly conversation to be had there. But if things go south without Penn? If they lose to Evansville or Bradley or both? No amount of college hoops Twitter goodwill may be able to salvage the dream of the two-bid Valley then.

Valley Hoops Insider Postgame--Valley Hoops Insider

News, Notes, and Highlighted Games: Monday, Feb 22nd--Hoops HD

HIGHLIGHTED GAMES

-EVANSVILLE AT DRAKE (Missouri Valley). Drake appears to be cruising toward the NCAA Tournament. So long as they win out and avoid an early loss in the MVC Tourney I think they’ll be inside the bubble even if they don’t win the automatic bid.

Drake point guard Roman Penn out for the season--NWI Times
Drake point guard Roman Penn out for season with broken foot--Des Moines Register
'We can't fuss about it': Assessing the rest of Drake's basketball season without Roman Penn--Des Moines Register
Drake basketball pulls away from Evansville in first game without Roman Penn--Des Moines Register
Men’s Basketball Wins 23rd Game Behind 36 Points From Yesufu--godrakebulldogs.com
Yesufu’s Historic Week Earns MVC Co-Player of the Week Honor--godrakebulldogs.com