Valley NIT Success--Valley Hoops Insider
Bruins Win First-Ever WBIT Game, Down Ball State 77-59--belmontbruins.com
Bradley women's basketball team loses all-Valley player to NCAA transfer portal--Peoria Journal Star
'Thank you': Bradley Braves hold off Loyola Chicago for first-round NIT victory--Peoria Journal Star
Five mid-majors that can make the Final Four--Mid-Major Madness
Drake Bulldogs (10 Seed, East Region)
After a hard fought Missouri Valley Championship game victory eight days before Selection Sunday, Drake didn’t have to sweat out if they’d be in the field of 68, unlike its conference mate Indiana State. Head coach Darian DeVries led the Bulldogs to a 28-6 record this season a year after they made the NCAA Tournament last season as a 12-seed. Drake has multiple wins against teams in the field and took two of three from the Sycamores, the second team out of the tournament.
When looking at the Bulldogs, you have to start with the coach’s son Tucker DeVries. The junior guard averages 21.8 PPG and leads the team in assists and steals while being second in rebounds. He’s been there before, but he had a rough performance in last year’s first-round loss to Miami with three points on 1-of-11 from three, so he’s due for some redemption.
Drake draws 7-seed Washington State in the first round in Omaha. This game is already a popular upset pick, so let’s move the Bulldogs on. A second round matchup likely with 2-seed Iowa State would be challenging as the Cyclones have the No. 1 defense on KenPom, but the Bulldogs have a better offense. The rest of the way wouldn’t be much easier with potentially either BYU or Illinois in the Sweet 16 and likely UConn, Auburn or San Diego State in the Elite Eight. The East Region is loaded, but there’s always a Cinderella run somewhere. Why not Drake?
NCAA Tournament 2024: Intrigue rankings for all 32 first-round games--Heat Check CBB
4 — No. 7 Washington State vs. No. 10 Drake (Thursday, 10:05 p.m., truTV)
In what looks to be the best of the 7-vs.-10 matchups, this one features a huge frontcourt matchup between Washington State’s Isaac Jones and Drake’s Tucker DeVries. Last season, DeVries was held in check by a Miami team he had the theoretical mismatch over. This year, he will not have nearly the same advantage on paper. Meanwhile, Washington State earned its 7-seed largely on the back of two wins over Arizona. Its defense should hold Drake to one shot one most possessions, putting extra pressure on DeVries & Co. to find the best shots.
Drake Basketball: Bulldogs with tall order in 1st round matchup with Washington State--Busting Brackets
Conor Enright's impact on Drake men's basketball extends beyond the court--Des Moines Register
Carlos Rosario looks ahead to Drake's NCAA Tournament matchup against former team, Washington State--Des Moines Register
DeVries Named Finalist for Hugh Durham Coach of the Year Award--godrakebulldogs.com
Women's Basketball Preview: NCAA Tournament First & Second Rounds--godrakebulldogs.com
NCAA snub was 'gut punch' for Indiana State. Sycamores got off the mat, hit SMU with a KO.--Indianapolis Star
Hey, Selection Committee: UVA scored 42 in NCAA loss, Indiana State scores 101 in NIT win.--Indianapolis Star
ISU wins NIT opener with 2nd-half explosion in booming Hulman Center--Terre Haute Tribune-Star
BLUE & WHITE: ISU, fanbase obliged for 40 more minutes--Terre Haute Tribune-Star
Sycamores to host Minnesota in the NIT Second Round; Ticket Information Announced for Game--gosycamores.com
ISU Women's Basketball Season is Over--Indiana Statesman
Missouri State basketball standout Alston Mason enters transfer portal--Springfield News-Leader
Missouri State women's basketball falls to Illinois to end season in WBIT first round--Springfield News-Leader
Racers ready for trip to Southern Miss--Racer Basketball
Sycamores end UNI’s Arch Madness run--Northern Iowan
Panthers fall to Bulldogs in Hoops in the Heartland--Northern Iowan
DAILY DIRT – 3/21/24--HoopDirt
I mentioned the search at SIU in yesterday’s DAILY DIRT. I’ve now been told that Morehead State head coach Preston Spradlin has to be added to this list. His squad captured the OVC Championship (26-8) this season, and will face Illinois in the NCAA Tournament today. In his 8 seasons at MSU, Spradlin is 142-115 (.553), and he has won 22+ games in four seasons in a row.
Women’s Basketball Falls at Southern Indiana in WNIT First Round--uicflames.com
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