What's Up In The Missouri Valley: What's Up In The Missouri Valley 1/31/2018

News, Notes, and Highlighted Games: Wednesday, Jan 31st--Hoops HD

HIGHLIGHTED GAMES
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-LOYOLA-CHICAGO AT BRADLEY (Missouri Valley). Loyola currently leads Bradley by 2 games in the Valley and a surprising Southern Illinois team by a game and a half. This is one of the Ramblers’ toughest tests remaining – Bradley is a perfect 10-0 at home against D-I competition this season.

Yarbrough, Evans lead Illinois St. over Missouri St. 76-60--CBS Sports
Southern Illinois uses late surge to top Drake 78-67--CBS Sports

MVC Spotlight: There's a 'Movement' afoot at Bradley — right up the standings--The Athletic
Rare meaningful game this late awaits Bradley--Peoria Journal Star

Women’s Basketball Opens Second Half Of League Play At Home--bradleybraves.com

First go-around in MVC has been tough for Valpo--Terre Haute Tribune Star

Sycamores Withstand Rally for Win In Windy City--Statesman Online

6 mid-majors not named Gonzaga competing for at-large bids in the 2018 NCAA Tournament--The Comeback

6. Loyola Chicago (23.2 percent)

Record: 18-4, 8-2 MVC

TCB Bracketology: No. 12 seed (MVC auto bid)

The Ramblers have a big road win against Florida, which is easily the most alluring win for any team on this list. The Gators haven’t been quite as good as expected, but they’re still nationally ranked in the polls and No. 37 in RPI.

Other than that, Loyola is riding on victories over borderline top 100 teams. The Ramblers are 3-1 against Group 2 teams, with the best of those wins coming at 12-11 Illinois State. They’ll have three more chances for Group 2 wins in the deep MVC before the regular season, and possibly a few more in the MVC Tournament.

The Ramblers are two losses away from their bubble bursting, and even one loss in the MVC championship game could send them packing for the NIT. Their non-conference strength of schedule, which ranked No. 281, and losses to Indiana State and Milwaukee leave Loyola almost no room for error.