What's Up In The Missouri Valley: What's Up In The Missouri Valley 11/4/2018

The Morning Dish – Saturday, November 3, 2018--Hoopville

The beat goes on in the Missouri Valley Conference, where the names and faces may change but the conference is well-run and the basketball product is solid. Last season’s big story in the NCAA Tournament, Loyola-Chicago, won’t sneak up on anyone this year, as the Ramblers are a clear favorite to win the conference, be a ranked team and win a game or two in the Big Dance. Illinois State and Southern Illinois, the latter of whom is the only team in the conference to return all five starters, look like the best bets to push them, and don’t sleep on Bradley, who returns four starters from a team that made a big leap to 20 wins and a semifinal appearance in the conference tournament.

Braves Cruise To 91-62 Exhibition Win Over Quincy--bradleybraves.com

Men's Basketball Cruises Past Coe In Exhibition--godrakebulldogs.com

Women’s Basketball Cruises in Final Exhibition Contest--godrakebulldogs.com

What we learned from our first look at a Walter McCarty coached Evansville basketball team--Evansville Courier & Press
Men’s basketball earns 83-61 exhibition win--gopurpleaces.com
ACES INSIDER - UE Men impressive in Walter McCarty's debut on bench--gopurpleaces.com

The Morning Dish – Sunday, November 4, 2018--Hoopville

Side Dishes
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A number of other results were much closer. Colorado squeezed past Colorado School of Mines 66-57, while MAAC favorite Rider also got a challenge from NCAA Division II West Chester (Pa.) 87-81, and Rider coach Kevin Baggett was not happy about it after. Also, Illinois State got a good push from Augustana (Ill.) in an 82-74 win over the No. 3-ranked team in NCAA Division III, and Detroit Mercy needed a buzzer-beater from Josh McFolley to defeat Wayne State (Mich.) 79-76.

ISU near full strength for final exhibition against Augustana--The Pantagraph
Redbirds survive Augustana rally to earn exhibition win--The Pantagraph
Redbirds Use Big Run in Victory over Augustana--goredbirds.com

Beck, ISU women 'excited' for exhibition against Quincy--The Pantagraph
Redbirds Soar Past Hawks--goredbirds.com

Where 2018-19 Happens: Reason #4 We Love College Basketball--Rush The Court
Here are 68 thoughts and predictions to get you excited for the 2018-19 college basketball season--CBS Sports

38. The MVC race

Loyola-Chicago
Illinois State
Southern Illinois

I'm not as high on the Ramblers as those who are ranking them in the Top 25 because they lost a lot from that team that made the Final Four. But I still think they'll be back in the NCAA Tournament via the MVC's auto-bid. Long live Sister Jean!

38. Loyola-Chicago

One thing I don't think most realize about the Ramblers is that even though they advanced to the Final Four, they still only finished 31st at KenPom and never, at any point in the season, cracked the top 25. Now three of the top six scorers from that team are gone -- among them also the leading rebounder and the player who made the most 3-pointers. So when I say I'm not as high on the Ramblers as some, that's why. Simply put, that run to the Final Four skewed the perception of them a little too much.