Thursday, October 17, 2024

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 10/17/2024

College basketball rankings: CBS Sports Top 100 And 1 best teams for the 2024-25 season--CBSSports.com

48. Bradley

It's time for the Braves to ascend to the top of the Missouri Valley — and become one of the best mid-major teams in the process. Brian Wardle, in this his 10th season in Peoria, Illinois, has his best team. And consider: Bradley ranked 64th at KenPom last season. 

Thanks to returning much of his roster (led by point guard Duke Deen and 5-man Darrius Hannah), Wardle can rely on veteran experience and a locker room with great chemistry. The Braves have to overcome losing their leading scorer (Connor Hickman) and best defender (Malevy Lyons), but seem to have most boxes checked for a mid-major darling. Great size, culture established, good guard play, capable 3-point shooting. The Braves have two MVC tourney championships under Wardle but just one NCAA appearance because 2020 was ripped away. Drake had been the Cinderella candidate in the Valley in recent years, and now Bradley should take that mantle. 


80. Northern Iowa

Ben Jacobson has been ping-ponging between good and bad seasons for almost a decade. Here's UNI's win totals, starting in 2016 and up through last season: 23, 14, 16, 16, 25, 10, 20, 14, 19. The Panthers haven't won at least 19 games in back-to-back seasons since their two most recent NCAA Tournament showings in 2015/16. While Bradley is clearly the preseason No. 1 in the MVC, Northern Iowa is a fair pick to finish second — and have its best two-year push since 2016. Well-rounded power wing Tytan Anderson and 6-4 point guard Trey Campbell will guide the way in Cedar Falls. 



96. Murray State

Over the past 20 years, with only a few exceptions, the MVC has placed at least three teams in the top 100 of a variety of metrics by season's end. I think 2025 will sustain the pattern. I've got Bradley in the top 50, Northern Iowa 16 spots north of this, and now we welcome the Murray State Racers back into the top-100 club. 

The team is one of my picks for one of the biggest turnarounds in the sport. Steve Prohm's program won only 12 games last season. So, why so much faith? Eight juniors and seniors will take up the entirety of the rotation, with a reasonable expectation that this will be a top-two defense in the Valley. At the 1 is JaCobi Wood, who won't exactly be Ja Morant, but I think he's poised to be one of only a handful of guys in D-I to average 15/5/5. If it all comes together, he could do that and creep up on 40% shooting from 3-point range.  



Belmont could be hard pressed to duplicate its past success--Main Street Media of Tennessee



Preseason NIT Bracketology--NIT Bracketology

Projected NIT Bracket:

1. Miami FL
8. Loyola Chicago
4. Utah St.
5. San Francisco
3. San Diego St.
6. Notre Dame
2. South Carolina
7. Syracuse

1. Dayton
8. Wichita St.
4. Vanderbilt
5. UAB
3. SMU
6. Colorado St.
2. LSU
7. Georgia Tech

1. Oklahoma
8. Saint Louis
4. Virginia
5. George Mason
3. Boise St.
6. Washington St.
2. Missouri
7. Bradley

1. Georgia
8. Virginia Tech
4. Nevada
5. Saint Joseph's
3. Louisville
6. North Texas
2. NC State
7. UNLV

Bradley basketball star forward sidelined for 2-3 weeks with injury--Peoria Journal Star



Illinois State transfer Abbie Aalsma finds home with Drake women's basketball--Des Moines Register



3 takeaways from Missouri State basketball coach Cuonzo Martin during 2024-25 MVC media call--Springfield News-Leader
Missouri State basketball sophomore guard will miss the 2024-25 campaign--Springfield News-Leader



Norlander: Racers a Top-100 team in country--Racer Basketball
Prohm hoping for 'significant' season from Wood--Racer Basketball

Turner: Young is in best shape of her life--Racer Basketball



UNI men’s basketball has pieces to end NCAA tournament drought--Cedar Rapids Gazette
Panthers: UNI's identity starts with its veteran returners--Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
Panthers: Defense and a deeper look at UNI's transfers--Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier

UNI’s Kayba Laube: One of the nation’s best 3-point shooters is expanding her game--Cedar Rapids Gazette



MVC Men's Basketball Media Day Zoom (Oct. 17)--Missouri Valley

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 10/16/2024

2024-25 Men’s College Basketball Multi-Team Events (MTEs)--Blogging the Bracket

Bracketed MTEs (With Full Schedules)

Myrtle Beach Invitational

Nov. 21, 22, and 24: Conway, S.C. (PDF bracket)

Quarterfinals (Thurs., Nov. 21)

Ohio (MAC) vs. Middle Tennessee (CUSA), 12 p.m. (ESPN2 or ESPNU)
South Florida (American) vs. Portland (WCC), 2:30 p.m.* (ESPN2 or ESPNU)
Bradley (MVC) vs. Texas State (Sun Belt), 5:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
Princeton (Ivy) vs. Wright State (Horizon), 8 p.m.* (ESPN+ ($))

Semifinals (Fri., Nov. 22)

Top half, 2 p.m.* (ESPN2)
Bottom half, 5 p.m. (ESPNU)

Consolation Semifinals (Fri., Nov. 22)

Top half, 11:30 a.m. (ESPNU)
Bottom half, 7:30 p.m.* (ESPN+ ($))

Finals (Sun., Nov. 24)

Championship: Semifinal winners, 5:30 p.m. (ESPN)
3rd/4th Place: Semifinal losers, 1 p.m.* (ESPN2)
5th/6th Place: Consolation semifinal winners, 8 p.m.* (ESPN2)
7th/8th Place: Consolation semifinal losers, 10:30 a.m. (ESPNU)

Shriners Hospitals Charleston Classic

Nov. 21, 22 and 24: Charleston, S.C. (PDF bracket)

Quarterfinals (Thurs., Nov. 21)

Miami (Fla.) (ACC) vs. Drake (MVC), 12 p.m. (ESPN2 or ESPNU)
Oklahoma State (Big 12) vs. Florida Atlantic (American), 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2 or ESPNU)
Seton Hall (Big East) vs. VCU (A 10), 5 p.m. (ESPN2)
Vanderbilt (SEC) vs. Nevada (MW), 7:30 p.m.* (ESPNU)

Semifinals (Fri., Nov. 22)

Top half, 11:30 a.m. (ESPN2)
Bottom half, 5 p.m. (ESPN2)

Consolation Semifinals (Fri., Nov. 22)

Top half, 2 p.m.* (ESPNU)
Bottom half, 7:30 p.m.* (ESPN+ ($))

Finals (Sun., Nov. 24)

Championship: Semifinal winners, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)
3rd/4th Place: Semifinal losers, 3* or 5:30 p.m. (ESPN or ESPN2)
5th/6th Place: Consolation semifinal winners, 3* or 5:30 p.m. (ESPN or ESPN2)
7th/8th Place: Consolation semifinal losers, 12:30 p.m. (ESPN+ ($))

Boardwalk Battle

Nov. 21–23: Daytona Beach, Fla. (Bracket)

Quarterfinals (Thurs., Nov. 21)

James Madison (Sun Belt) vs. UIC (MVC), 11 a.m.
La Salle (A 10) vs. UC San Diego (Big West), 1:30 p.m.*
East Carolina (AAC) vs. Jacksonville State (CUSA), 4 p.m.*
Toledo (MAC) vs. Stetson (ASUN), 6:30 p.m.*

Semifinals (Fri., Nov. 22)

Top half, 4 p.m.*
Bottom half, 6:30 p.m.*

Consolation Semifinals (Fri., Nov. 22)

Top half, 11 a.m.
Bottom half, 1:30 p.m.*

Finals (Sat., Nov. 23)

Championship: Semifinal winners, 6:30 p.m.*
3rd/4th Place: Semifinal losers, 4 p.m.*
5th/6th Place: Consolation semifinal winners, 1:30 p.m.*
7th/8th Place: Consolation semifinal losers, 11 a.m.

U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam

Nov. 22–25: St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. (PDF bracket)

ESPN+ ($) will stream all 12 games.

Quarterfinals (Fri., Nov. 22)

Longwood (Big South) vs. UAB (American), 12:30 p.m.
Illinois State (MVC) vs. McNeese (Southland), 3 p.m.*
Louisiana (Sun Belt) vs. Liberty (CUSA), 5:30 p.m.*
George Washington (A 10) vs. Kansas State (Big 12), 8 p.m.*

Consolation Semifinals (Sat., Nov. 23)

Top half, 3 p.m.
Bottom half, 5:30 p.m.*

Semifinals (Sun., Nov. 24)

Top half, 5:30 p.m.
Bottom half, 8 p.m.*

Finals (Mon., Nov. 25)

Championship: Semifinal winners, 8 p.m.*
3rd/5th Place: Semifinal losers, 5:30 p.m.*
4th/6th Place: Consolation semifinal winners, 3 p.m.*
7th/8th Place: Consolation semifinal losers, 12:30 p.m.

Cayman Islands Classic

Nov. 24–26: George Town, Cayman Islands (Bracket)

FloHoops ($) will stream all 12 games.

Quarterfinals (Sun., Nov. 24)

Hampton (CAA) vs. Boise State (MW), 11 a.m.
South Dakota State (Summit) vs. Duquesne (A 10), 1:30 p.m.*
Missouri State (MVC) vs. High Point (Big South), 5 p.m.
Old Dominion (Sun Belt) vs. Boston College (ACC), 7:30 p.m.*

Semifinals (Mon., Nov. 25)

Top half, 1:30 p.m.*
Bottom half, 5 p.m.

Consolation Semifinals (Mon., Nov. 25)

Top half, 11 a.m.
Bottom half, 7:30 p.m.

Finals (Tues., Nov. 26)

Championship: Semifinal winners, 7:30 p.m.*
3rd/4th Place: Semifinal losers, 5 p.m.
5th/6th Place: Consolation semifinal winners, 1:30 p.m.*
7th/8th Place: Consolation semifinal losers, 11 a.m.

CancĂșn Challenge

Nov. 26 and 27: CancĂșn, Mexico (+ 1 game on-campus) (PDF bracket)

Mayan Division (Visitors) Semifinals (Tues., Nov. 26)

Southeastern Louisiana (Southland) vs. Gardner-Webb (Big South), 12:30 p.m. (FloHoops ($))
Bethune-Cookman (SWAC) vs. North Dakota (Summit), 3 p.m.* (FloHoops ($))

Riviera Division (Hosts) Semifinals (Tues., Nov. 26)

Wyoming (MW) vs. Tulane (American), 6 p.m. (CBSSN)
Loyola Marymount (WCC) vs. Belmont (MVC), 8:30 p.m.* (CBSSN)

Mayan Division Finals (Wed., Nov. 27)

Championship: Semifinal winners, 3 p.m.* (FloHoops ($))
Consolation: Semifinal losers, 12:30 p.m. (FloHoops ($))

Riviera Division Finals (Wed., Nov. 27)

Championship: Semifinal winners, 8:30 p.m.* (CBSSN)
Consolation: Semifinal losers, 6 p.m. (CBSSN)

NIT Season Tip-Off

Nov. 28 and 29: Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (PDF bracket)

Semifinals (Thurs., Nov. 28)

Utah State (MW) vs. St. Bonaventure (A 10), 5:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Northern Iowa (MVC) vs. North Texas (American), 8 p.m.* (ESPNU)

Finals (Fri., Nov. 29)

Championship: Semifinal winners, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Consolation: Semifinal losers, 9 p.m.* (ESPNU)

Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic

Dec. 22, 23, and 25: Honolulu (PDF brackets, Eastern Time and Hawai’i Time)

Quarterfinals (Sun., Dec. 22)

Oregon State (WCC, associate) vs. Charleston (CAA), 3 p.m. (ESPNU)
Loyola Chicago (A 10) vs. Oakland (Horizon), 5:30 p.m.* (ESPNU)
Nebraska (Big Ten) vs. Murray State (MVC), 9 p.m. (ESPN2)
Charlotte (American) at Hawai‘i (Big West), 11:30 p.m.* (ESPN2)

Semifinals (Mon., Dec. 23)

Top half, TBD (ESPNU)
Bottom half, 11:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

Consolation Semifinals (Mon., Dec. 23)

Top half, TBD (ESPNU)
Bottom half, 2 a.m. 12/24* (ESPN2)

Finals (Wed., Dec. 25)

Championship: Semifinal winners, 9 p.m.* (ESPN)
3rd/4th Place: Semifinal losers, 6:30 p.m.* (ESPN2)
5th/6th Place: Consolation semifinal winners, 1:30 or 4 p.m.* (ESPN2)
7th/8th Place: Consolation semifinal losers, 1:30 or 4 p.m.* (ESPNU)


Multi-Site MTEs With Pre-Determined Matchups (Basic Format/Schedule Info)

Note: Teams in full-round robin events are listed by the number of games they will host.

DePaul MTE

Dates: Nov. 19–29
Format: Full round-robin, 6 total games
Teams: DePaul (Big East, 3 home games), Valparaiso (MVC, 2 home games), Eastern Illinois (OVC, 1 home game), Northern Illinois (MAC, 0 home games)

Ohio State MTE

Dates: Nov. 22, 24, and 25
Format: Visitors at hosts, 4 total games
Hosts: Evansville (MVC), Ohio State (Big Ten)
Visitors: Campbell (CAA), Green Bay (Horizon)


Single-Site MTEs With Pre-Determined Matchups (Basic Format/Schedule Info)

Gulf Coast Showcase

Dates: Nov. 25–27
Site: Estero, Fla.
Format: TBD
Teams: Ball State (MAC), Eastern Kentucky (ASUN), Louisiana Tech (CUSA), Richmond (A 10), Southern Illinois (MVC)

Baha Mar Hoops Nassau Championship

Dates: Nov. 29, 30, and Dec. 1
Site: Nassau, Bahamas
Format: 3 games per team, 9 total games
Teams: Arkansas State (Sun Belt), Hofstra (CAA), Indiana State (MVC), Iona (MAAC), Rice (American), Tarleton State (WAC)



Drake basketball's Nate Ferguson goes against the crowd in decision to stay in Des Moines--Des Moines Register
Three takeaways from Bulldogs coach Ben McCollum during Drake men's basketball media day--Des Moines Register
Drake Men's Basketball Announces 2024-25 Non-Conference Schedule--godrakebulldogs.com



UNI feels it has all the right pieces to challenge for MVC title--Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
Panthers: Kayba Laube is more than just a 3-point shooter--Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier



Women's Basketball Virtual Media Day (Oct. 16)--The Missouri Valley

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 10/15/2024

Best of the Rest preview, predictions: Top teams, players and coaches outside basketball's power conferences--CBSSports.com

Sixteen sweet non-Big Five teams for '24-25

9
Few things bring me more joy as a college basketball enthusiast than watching a diminutive point guard on a mid-major team just shred his opponents, size be damned. Bradley's got a guy that fits the part: 5-8 Duke Deen, a senior floor general who averaged 14 points and four assists for a Braves group that was third in the Valley and slightly outclassed by the likes of Indiana State and Drake. With those two programs undergoing coaching changes, and Bradley now in its 10th season under Brian Wardle, everything is aligned for BU to break through. 

Projected regular-season conference champions

Missouri Valley Bradley Braves



Drake women's basketball takeaways: What's next for the Bulldogs? A run in March--Des Moines Register



Sycamore Athletics Announces 32nd Hall of Fame Class--gosycamores.com

Kelsey Luna – Women's Basketball (2006-10)

    Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year (2007)
    First team All-Missouri Valley Conference (2009)
    2nd team All-Missouri Valley Conference (2010)
    Two-time Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2009, 2010)
    CoSIDA 1st team Academic All-American (2010)
    District V All-Academic Team (2009)
    2nd team Missouri Valley Conference All-Academic (2008)
    Led team scoring (14.5 - 2009, 14.4 - 2010), assists (3.28 - 2010), steals (1.70 – 2007, 1.62 – 2008, 2.13 – 2009, 2.12 - 2010)
    Career records: 2nd three-pointers made (263), 3rd three-point percentage (.394), 3rd free throw percentage (.834); 7th steals (210); 8th scoring (1,429)
    Season records: 1st free throw percentage (.933 – 2010); 3rd three point field goal percentage (.462 – 2007), three point field goals made (79 – 2007)
    Tied 3rd points in game (37 at Kansas State 11-14-2009); field goals in game (15 at Kansas State 11-14-2009); three pointers attempted (13 at Central Michigan 11-15-2008); tied 7th free throws made (12 at USC Upstate 11-21-2009, vs. Southern Illinois 3-11-2010)



Episode 150: My thoughts on the KenPom preseason rankings--Racer Basketball