What's Up In The Missouri Valley

Friday, June 26, 2026

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 6/26/2026

Ben Humrichous, once of Huntington, signs NBA deal--Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

Thursday, June 25, 2026

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 6/25/2026

Arch Madness Smaller and Larger--Valley Hoops Insider
THE SPORTING LIFE: Arch Madness machinations totally unnecessary--Southern Illinoisan

Bradley Braves pleased with NCAA change in athlete eligibility rules--Peoria Journal Star

Amber Scalia Joins Women's Basketball Staff as Graduate Assistant Coach--gopurpleaces.com

#180: Murray State Men's Basketball Coach Ryan Miller--Full Court Press
Former Racer center, Fred King, signs with German professional basketball club--WPSD Local 6
Shot King award keeps competition alive during Murray State's offseason--WPSD Local 6
Racer men will head to Europe in August--Murray Ledger and Times

SIU to honor legendary teams--Southern Illinoisan

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 6/24/2026

SIU Celebrates Year of Saluki Legends--siusalukis.com

Men's Basketball
60 Years — 1966-67
One of the most celebrated teams in SIU history, the Salukis won the 1967 NIT Championship with a 71-56 victory over Marquette at Madison Square Garden. Led by Saluki Hall of Famers Walt Frazier, Dick Garrett, and head coach Jack Hartman, the Salukis finished 24-2. The team was inducted into the SIU Hall of Fame in 2000.

50 Years — 1976-77
SIU finished 22-7, won the MVC Tournament, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time. The Salukis reached the Sweet Sixteen behind Saluki Hall of Famers Mike Glenn, Gary Wilson, and brothers Corky and Wayne Abrams.

20 Years — 2006-07
The Salukis went 25-5 (15-3 MVC), earned a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and reached the Sweet Sixteen. SIU fell 61-58 to eventual national champion Kansas. The team featured Saluki Hall of Famers Randal Falker, Bryan Mullins, and Jamaal Tatum.

Women's Basketball
40 Years — 1986-87
Coached by SIU and MVC Hall of Famer Cindy Scott, the Salukis went 28-3 and completed their second consecutive undefeated conference season (18-0). SIU finished ranked No. 16 nationally and defeated LSU in the NCAA Tournament before falling to Louisiana Tech, the eventual national runner-up. Key contributors included Ann Kattreh, Mary Berghuis, and Bridgett Williams.

35 Years — 1991-92
Also under Scott, SIU posted a 23-8 record and went 16-4 in the Gateway Conference. Led by Saluki Hall of Famers Kelly Firth and Anita Scott, the Salukis upset No. 7 Colorado in the NCAA Tournament.

All five basketball teams will be recognized during a single home weekend. Dates will be announced following the release of the MVC schedules.

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 6/23/2026

The Basket Under Review Newsletter - June 23, 2026--Basket Under Review

The Missouri Valley Conference announced structural changes to Arch Madness, the league's conference tournament. Starting this season, both the men's and women's tournaments will be held in St. Louis and feature a 10-team format.
Under the new structure, the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds will advance directly to the semifinals, placing greater emphasis on the regular season. Several mid-major leagues have implemented a similar format in recent years to help protect their top teams. As Rocco Miller points out, though, it may not be the best move for this particular conference.
Missouri Valley fans didn't seem too thrilled with the changes, citing the "madness" as the tournament's major draw.

Why the MVC made changes for its college basketball tournaments--Peoria Journal Star
A New Madness: MVC reshapes Arch Madness Tournament Format--The Vidette
MVC tournament changes go forward amid backlash--Terre Haute Tribune-Star
Nico Yantko, Tim Leonard weigh in on MVC changes to Arch Madness--WPSD Local 6
Head coaches of both Murray State basketball teams praise MVC tournament changes--WPSD Local 6
MVC makes unpopular changes to men's tourney--Southern Illinoisan
Jackson addresses Arch Madness changes--The Victory Bell