What's Up In The Missouri Valley 12/29/2017

The Morning Dish – Friday, December 29, 2017--Hoopville

Side Dishes:
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It hasn’t taken long for cannibalization to start in several leagues. Presumed Missouri Valley favorite Northern Iowa fell at home to Southern Illinois 56-53. Gutsy win by the Salukis, who were led by Scottie Pippen’s nephew Kavion, who scored 14 points, and Marcus Bartley also shook off a back injury to score 12. This was SIU’s first-ever win in UNI’s McLeod Center. The Panthers, meanwhile, were hurt some by a back injury to sparkplug reserve guard Spencer Haldeman, who suffered an injury in practice Wednesday.

Mid-Major Madness Power Rankings: Chaos on top--Mid-Major Madness

Mid-Major Madness Power Rankings: Week 6

RANK    TEAM            RECORD  LAST WEEK       POINTS
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12      Northern Iowa   8-4     8               132
...
18      Missouri State  11-3    NR              71
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21      Loyola Chicago  10-3    15              36

Indiana State holds off Valparaiso in MVC opener--CBS Sports
Southern Illinois holds off Northern Iowa 56-53 in MVC--CBS Sports
Late 3s give Drake a 66-64 win over Bradley in MVC opener--CBS Sports

Bradley’s opening loss at Drake an indicator of what’s in store for league season?--Peoria Journal Star
Braves Fall in MVC Opener at Drake--bradleybraves.com
Braves Club Luncheons and Pregame Party Dates Announced--bradleybraves.com

Haack Powers Braves To 87-80 Win Over Western Illinois--bradleybraves.com

Men's Basketball Wins MVC Opener Over Bradley, 66-64--godrakebulldogs.com

Women's basketball hosts SIU, Missouri State to open MVC slate--gopurpleaces.com

Doyel: Indiana State's 'baby bird' spoils Valpo's Missouri Valley debut--Indy Star
ISU rides defense to victory over Valpo--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Sycamores Ride Strong Second Half Shooting To MVC Opening Win--gosycamores.com

Sycamore women open Valley play against Bears, Salukis--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Valley Play Begins as Sycamores Host Missouri State--gosycamores.com

Bears Set to Battle Valpo on New Year's Eve--missouristatebears.com

MVC Play Begins for Lady Bears With Two Games in Indiana--missouristatebears.com

UNI men's basketball drops MVC opener to Southern Illinois, 56-53--The Gazette
UNI basketball: Panthers struggle during loss to Salukis in MVC opener--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
SIU Snaps Skid in Cedar Falls--unipanthers.com

UNI Opens MVC Play with Loyola, Valpo--unipanthers.com

Pickford an unorthodox 6-4 forward for Panthers--The Southern Illinoisan
Salukis upset Northern Iowa 56-53 to win MVC opener--The Southern Illinoisan
Men’s Basketball snaps 14-game losing streak at Northern Iowa with 56-53 win--siusalukis.com

Saluki women open conference play at Evansville--The Southern Illinoisan
Salukis open Valley play at Evansville, Indiana State--siusalukis.com

Tevonn Walker makes strong return, but Valparaiso loses in Missouri Valley opener--Post-Tribune
Walker’s return isn’t enough to lift Valparaiso past Indiana State--NWI Times
Crusaders Unable to Complete Final Comeback in MVC Opener--valpoathletics.com