What's Up In The Missouri Valley: What's Up In The Missouri Valley 2/3/2021

Pandemic lessons, eye tests, the MVC as a two-bid league: College hoops mailbag--The Athletic

Any chance the MVC is a 2-bid conference this year? UNI is probably the most disappointing mid-major in the country; however, Loyola is getting a lot of love from the computer metrics, and Drake of course is undefeated. What would it take for both of those programs to dance next month? — Seth K.

There’s every chance the Missouri Valley Conference is a two-bid league this year? Gaming out the exact scenario in which it happens is tricky, but on the merits, Drake and Loyola both have really good chances to get in. Drake’s adjusted efficiency ranking at KenPom.com is top 50, even if it isn’t quite as high as its top 15 NET — but Loyola’s NET and adjusted efficiency numbers are basically identical, which only helps build the case.

On Feb. 13 and 14, Loyola plays back-to-back games at Drake. (The Valley, like a lot of mid-major leagues, is doing two-game pods at one location, and it just so happens that Loyola is playing at Drake rather than the other way around.) Would it be best for the league if the two teams split? Both teams get a quality win to go with their metrics, both teams win out the rest of the way, and assuming one of the two wins the Valley tournament, if the Valley tournament happens, that’s enough to get in the field after all? Maybe!

The alternative scenario is one of the two teams wins both games, while the loser goes on to get the automatic bid. That works too. Point is, yes: The two-bid MVC has never been more alive.

Who wins it all? Who’s the top freshman? The biggest surprise? Our midseason poll--The Athletic

Braden Norris, left, and the Loyola Chicago Ramblers are one of two excellent teams in the Missouri Valley. (Mary Langenfeld / USA Today)

Which mid- or low-major will make it to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament?

Then: Richmond received five votes, followed by Loyola Chicago with three, Northern Iowa with two and Austin Peay, BYU, Dayton, Saint Louis, San Diego State and Western Kentucky all sharing one.

Now: 1. Loyola Chicago (6); 2. Drake (4); 3. Boise State (2); T4. Western Kentucky and Belmont (1)

What our voters say

• Loyola-Chicago. Yes, that means I like the Ramblers to beat Drake for the Valley title. It’s because of their defense. It’s because of Cameron Krutwig, but mostly because if ever a year called for extended time with Sister Jean, this is it. — O’Neil

• Drake, for sure. One of the last undefeated teams in college basketball. The Bulldogs have been tested, and they’ve survived. I’m not saying they’re going to make a run to the Final Four, but I think a Sweet 16 appearance is possible. — C.J. Holmes
Which team has been the biggest surprise?

Then: Note, we worded this question differently in the preseason, asking our voters which team outside the preseason Top 25 would finish in the top 10. Alabama received five votes, followed by Indiana with three, Memphis and Seton Hall with two each and Auburn, LSU, Oklahoma State and Stanford all getting one vote apiece.

Now: 1. Alabama (5 votes); 2. Michigan (4); 3. Virginia Tech (2); T4. Drake and Florida (1)

What our voters say
• Hmm. If several of us were in on Alabama on the preseason — once again, see my vote for Oats as coach of the year and sing my praises from the mountaintops — then how can the Crimson Tide also be a surprise team at midseason? You know what team absolutely nobody talked about in October and November? Drake. The Bulldogs are 17-0. They’re in the Top 25 for the first time in 13 years. Now that’s what I call a true surprise. — Bennett

With Drake 17-0, many an athletic director is going to be looking at Darian DeVries this spring. (Jeff Curry / USA Today)

Who will be the hot coach everyone on the carousel will be pursuing this offseason?

Now: 1. Darian DeVries, Drake (4 votes); T2. Niko Medved, Colorado State, and Craig Smith, Utah State (2); T4. Pat Kelsey, Winthrop; Todd Golden, San Francisco; Nate Oats, Alabama; Jon Scheyer, Duke (assistant); Wes Miller, UNC Greensboro; John Beilein (1)

What our voters say

• Darian DeVries has Drake undefeated, and it doesn’t appear to be an aberration. Will he stay in Des Moines and try to build the Bulldogs into an annual Missouri Valley contender, or will the native son wait to see what happens at other schools in the Great Plains and Upper Midwest before making a jump? Or will he listen to offers from major programs? — Dochterman

Bigs In the Valley--Valley Hoops Insider

5 categories in which Bradley is struggling after a tough weekend in Indiana--Peoria Journal Star

Women’s Basketball Visits Valparaiso To Close Road Swing--bradleybraves.com

News, Notes, and Highlighted Games: Tuesday, Feb 2nd--Hoops HD

NEWS AND NOTES
-Drake has cracked the rankings, and they had no trouble blowing out Illinois State last night after struggling with them just the day before.

Has Drake played its way into an NCAA Tournament at-large bid? It's iffy. Here's why.--Des Moines Register
Darnell Brodie Named MVC Men’s Basketball Newcomer of the Week--godrakebulldogs.com