What's Up In The Missouri Valley: October 2019

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 10/30/2019

United States of College Basketball: Where every team ranks in each state, from top to bottom--CBS Sports

Illinois

The rest
...
4. Loyola Chicago
...
6. Bradley
...
8. Illinois State
9. Southern Illinois

Indiana

The rest
...
6. Indiana State
7. Evansville
8. Valparaiso

Iowa

The rest
...
3. Northern Iowa
4. Drake
...
Missouri

1. Missouri St.

Dana Ford's Bears are the class of the Valley this season. Get in on the ground floor as opposed to catching up that Sunday morning when the Valley's conference title game airs on CBS. Names to know: senior SG Keandre Cook; senior PF Tulio Da Salva; senior forward Lamont West; wing Josh Hall. Nine players are transfers, including West (West Virginia) and Hall (Nevada). Rare is the year when the Missouri Tigers aren't the best team in this state. The 2019-20 spell looks like an exception.

Looking For an Education--Valley Hoops Insider

The Watch List: 25 up-and-coming college basketball coaches--The Athletic

Brian Wardle, Bradley head coach. Maybe after nine seasons as a head coach, you’re not an according-to-Hoyle up-and-comer. But Wardle is still only 40. He took the Braves to the NCAA Tournament last season after an Arch Madness win. In a span of just four years, the program has gone from an abysmal five wins in Wardle’s first season to consecutive 20-win campaigns. Where the Illinois native and Marquette alum might make sense is an interesting question, as there aren’t any obvious step-up jobs in that region about to come open.

What to watch in Bradley’s exhibition game with Millikin--Peoria Journal Star
Bradley basketball gets commitment from another 6-9 recruit--Peoria Journal Star
Exhibition game, but Hall of Fame effort for Bradley basketball--Peoria Journal Star
Bradley Announces Hall of Fame Class of 2020--bradleybraves.com
Bradley Basketball Runs Past Millikin, 91-52--bradleybraves.com

'He's just got so much potential': With Nick McGlynn gone, Drake's Liam Robbins poised for big sophomore year--Des Moines Register
Drake basketball player not yet with team after being charged for accidental shooting at house party--Des Moines Register
After catching fire late last season, Drake's Anthony Murphy ready to lead in 2019-20--Des Moines Register
Men’s Basketball Embarking On A Busy Few Days--godrakebulldogs.com
Men's Basketball Previews Upcoming Season at Media Day--godrakebulldogs.com

Rhine Selected to McClain Award Preseason Watch List for Second Consecutive Season--godrakebulldogs.com
Women’s Basketball Cruises in First Exhibition Win--godrakebulldogs.com

What to expect from Evansville basketball's crosstown exhibition with USI--Evansville Courier & Press
Evansville basketball holds off USI in overtime to win crosstown exhibition--Evansville Courier & Press
UE Insider: Purple Aces get a wake-up call from close win over USI--Evansville Courier & Press
Aces grind out overtime win over USI--gopurpleaces.com

Feit's 32 power Evansville past Mighty Oaks in exhibition--gopurpleaces.com

Illinois State Survives a Scare in Exhibition--Happening Hoops
Antonio Reeves, Illinois State's freshmen anxious to finally play a game at Redbird Arena--The Pantagraph
Illinois State basketball rallies past Truman State for exhibition triumph--The Pantagraph
Ricky Torres' ankle sprain could keep senior point guard from playing in Illinois State opener--The Pantagraph
Depleted Redbirds edge Truman State 74-68 in exhibition game--Vidette Online
Redbirds Battle Back in Gritty Win over Truman State--goredbirds.com
Redbirds to Tip Off Season with Strong Promotions--goredbirds.com

Illinois State women host Lindenwood in exhibition--The Pantagraph
ISU women's basketball looks to build off last year, exceed expectations--Vidette Online
Illinois State Hosts Lindenwood for Wednesday Night Exhibition--goredbirds.com

Indiana State – Balanced For Success--Valley Hoops Insider
Bacote wants to bring killer instinct to ISU backcourt--Terre Haute Tribune Star
ISU's Barnes suited for new wave of basketball thinking--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Center Hittle commits to Sycamores--Terre Haute Tribune Star

New Era Ramblers--Valley Hoops Insider
Loyola Picked to Finish Fourth, Krutwig Preseason POY--Loyola Phoenix
Chicagoland Tip-off Luncheon Signifies Start of Basketball Season--Loyola Phoenix
Creating Coaches: Porter Moser and the ‘Best Thing That Ever Happened’--Loyola Phoenix
New Online Ticket Policy for 2019-20 Men’s Basketball Season--Loyola Phoenix
Loyola Point Guard Keith Clemons Sidelined With Knee Injury--loyolaramblers.com
Loyola To Provide Audio Stream For All Men’s Basketball Games In 2019-20--loyolaramblers.com
Former Rambler Donte Ingram Acquired By Greensboro Swarm--loyolaramblers.com
Late Rally Falls Short In Exhibition Loss To Indianapolis--loyolaramblers.com

O’Connor, Stifling Defense Help Loyola Roll Past St. Francis (Ill.), 71-27--loyolaramblers.com

Preseason: Seven non-majors that could crash the Dance in March--Bracketville

MISSOURI STATE
In what should be a contested Missouri Valley race, the Bears bring back all-league performer Tulio Da Silva and add a quartet of potentially impactful transfers – most notably Lamont West (a West Virginia graduate transfer). The others include Anthony Masinton-Bonner (Colorado State, graduate), Josh Hall (Nevada), and Tyrik Dixon (Middle Tennessee). The question, of course, is how well the pieces blend together for coach Dana Ford.
Key non-conference games:
• November 15 (at Xavier)
• November 21 (vs. Miami – at Charleston Classic)
• November 29 (at LSU)
• December 3 (Murray State)
• December 15 (at VCU)
Analysis:
Whether it’s good planning, good timing, or both, Missouri state’s non-conference schedule is loaded with opportunities to build an at-large resume ahead of its MVC campaign. Winning a trio of the tilts listed above could look awfully good on Selection Sunday. The fact that last year’s MVC tourney champion Bradley and perennial power Northern Iowa bring back key pieces helps, too. There are no guarantees, but if the talent in Springfield gels, the Bears will be an unwelcome opponent for someone during the first weekend of March Madness.

The top 20 mid-major players in college basketball--The Athletic

12. Tulio da Silva, 6-foot-8 redshirt senior forward, Missouri State

The versatile Brazilian was the newcomer of the year in the Missouri Valley Conference last season after transferring from South Florida. He scored 14.3 points per game along with 7.4 rebounds, made 37 percent of his 3s and played solid defense. He’s a big reason why the Bears are favorites to win the Valley in his senior year, and he’ll get paid to play somewhere in 2020-21.

Northern Iowa – Finally Old Again--Valley Hoops Insider
Athletic Department Announces Men's Basketball Attendance Incentive--unipanthers.com

Panther Scholarship Club Kicks Off 15 Days of Giving on Nov. 3--unipanthers.com

UNI women's basketball: Panthers lock down Upper Iowa in Oakland's return--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
Women’s basketball 2019-2020 season preview--Northern Iowan
Panthers Roll Past Upper Iowa 67-40 in Exhibition Opener--unipanthers.com

Valparaiso Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for the Crusaders--Busting Brackets
Valparaiso basketball players seeing green after NCAA says athletes can profit off their name--NWI Times
Nick Robinson Feature--Valpo Torch
"One Team, One Boat"--Valpo Torch

White Receives NCAA Waiver, Immediately Eligible for Valpo--valpoathletics.com

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 10/22/2019

32×32: 2019-20 Missouri Valley Preview--CBB Central
Ranking every college basketball team from No. 1 to 353 for 2019-20 and an interesting fact on every team--CBS Sports

69. Missouri State: Could be a powerhouse at the mid-major level, thanks to a bevy of big-time transfers, led by former West Virginia PF Lamont West.
...
108. Loyola Chicago: Junior center Cameron Krutwig -- a throwback personality with a throwback game -- is the only starter left from the 2018 Final Four team.
...
131. Northern Iowa: UNI needs to get its act together on both sides of the boards. The Panthers ranked 319th in offensive rebounding last season but were 12th in defensive rebounding -- the greatest disparity in the sport.
...
133. Bradley: Can flirt with back-to-back 20-win seasons in large part because of a small guy: senior PG Darrell Brown (14.8 ppg), one of the five best Missouri Valley Conference players.
...
153. Drake: Darian DeVries was one of the five most impressive first-year coaches last season, driving Drake to a 24-10 mark and second in the MVC.
...
174. Indiana State: Tyreke Key led the Valley in scoring (17.4) -- and he's only a junior! Sycamores' issue is lack of 3-point attack.
...
192. Illinois State: So many new faces for the Redbirds this season, but league coaches should beware of freshman Abdou Ndiaye, who could wind up being first team All-MVC.
...
218. Evansville: Walter McCarty's team is learning an unusual habit: refuse the 3-point shot as much as possible (seventh-stingiest 3-point defensive rate in college hoops) and get back on defense at the expense of offensive rebounding (where it ranked 351st).
...
233. Valparaiso: Pilfered by up-transfers, Valpo is unfortunately assembled, roster-wise, to have its poorest season in more than a decade.
...
254. Southern Illinois: The Bryan Mullins era can begin for the Salukis, who are yet another example of a new coach this season guiding his alma mater. Mullins is 32 and graduated from SIU in 2009.

Drake receives $5 million donation to improve Knapp Center, help rural Americans--Des Moines Register

Hittner Selected to Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Preseason Watch List--Des Moines Register

Evansville basketball lands first 2020 commitment from Johnathan DeJurnett--Evansville Courier & Press

TeTe Maggett to lead Illinois State women's basketball effort--The Pantagraph

UIC might deserve the most buzz in Chicago — and Loyola isn’t the favorite anymore. A look at college basketball in the city.--Chicago Tribune
Cayman Islands Classic Games To Be Broadcast On FloHoops.com--loyolaramblers.com

Bears, Lady Bears less than pleased with preseason polls--The Standard

UNI women's basketball preview: Karli Rucker, Panthers look to make progress in 2019-20--The Gazette
UNI women's team embraces expectations--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier

Saluki Basketball | New-look Salukis premiere against Minnesota State--The Southern Illinoisan

Drake Men's Basketball 2019-20 Season Preview--The Missouri Valley

Drake Women's Basketball 2019-20 Season Preview--The Missouri Valley
Drake's Hittner Selected to Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Preseason Watch List--The Missouri Valley

Monday, October 21, 2019

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 10/21/2019

Missouri Valley Media Day Recap and Response--Hoops HD

Indianola grad Grace Berg is ready to play for Drake … when the NCAA allows--Des Moines Register

UE Insider: Get to know freshman guards Marcus Henderson, Thomasi Gilgeous-Alexander--Evansville Courier & Press

Illinois State – Will the Face-Lift Work?--Valley Hoops Insider
Kindred: Illinois State's Keith Fisher III seeks to "set example" back home in South Central L.A.--The Pantagraph
ISU basketball selected seventh in MVC preseason poll, Copeland named to MVC preseason team--Vidette Online

Men’s Basketball Announces 2019-20 promotional schedule--goredbirds.com
Redbird Basketball Meets Fans at Hoopfest--goredbirds.com

Tyreke Key and Jordan Barnes Earn MVC Preseason Honors--gosycamores.com

ISU's Key named preseason all-MVC first team--Terre Haute Tribune Star

7 observations and initial reactions from the 2020 KenPom preseason rankings--Mid-Major Madness

4. Missouri State just got some bulletin-board material

Pomeroy’s projections are bearish on the Bears.

Despite boasting some high-major transfers and retaining most of its contributors from last year’s 16-16 campaign, the KenPom preseason projections put Missouri State at 166th with a 14-15 record and a 9-9 finish in the Missouri Valley. That .500 record is in a four-way tie with the likes of Drake, Indiana State and Evansville — four teams that went a combined 24-30 in Valley play last year.

Yet if there’s a silver lining, these are merely one (very important) person’s preseason predictions. The Bears were picked first in the MVC Preseason Poll and are 13th in our Other Top 25 rankings, so people around the sport see the potential of Dana Ford’s team this season.

No Surprise – Missouri State is The Favorite--Valley Hoops Insider
What we learned about Missouri State hoops, the MVC favorite, at media day--Springfield News-Leader

2019 Basketball Media Day--missouristatebears.com
Bears, Lady Bears to Conduct Homecoming Sneak Preview--missouristatebears.com

Coming off a Sweet 16 appearance, the MSU Lady Bears feel 'disrespected' by MVC poll--Springfield News-Leader
MSU Lady Bears land 2021 three-star point guard Taylor Woodhouse--Springfield News-Leader

UNI men's basketball preview: Panthers enter 2019-20 with mix of veterans and newcomers--The Gazette
UNI basketball: Battle-tested Panthers must embrace the fight--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
UNI basketball: Phyfe driven to make an impact--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
UNI, Europe and beyond – Seth Tuttle’s story--Northern Iowan

College basketball: UNI men, women picked to finish third--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier

Men's Basketball | Salukis picked last in MVC preseason poll for 1st time since 2012--The Southern Illinoisan
Saluki Basketball 5@5--The Southern Illinoisan
SIU Basketball | Orlando Christian guard commits to Salukis--The Southern Illinoisan
Saluki Basketball 5@5--The Southern Illinoisan
Lowery never lost admiration for Southern Illinois--The Southern Illinoisan
Saluki Basketball 5@5--The Southern Illinoisan
SIU hosts Minnesota State for an exhibition game on Tuesday--siusalukis.com

Women's Basketball | Salukis picked 5th in MVC preseason poll--The Southern Illinoisan
Women's Basketball picked fifth; Martin selected to Preseason All-MVC team--siusalukis.com

Freeman-Liberty shines for VU in exhibition win--NWI Times
Valpo Downs Cedarville in Exhibition Opener--valpoathletics.com

Bradley Men's Basketball 2019-20 Season Preview--The Missouri Valley

Bradley Women's Basketball 2019-20 Season Preview--The Missouri Valley

Thursday, October 17, 2019

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 10/17/2019

Mid-Majors that will crash the dance in March--College Basketball Talk

BRADLEY (MVC)

Surprisingly winning the Missouri Valley tournament and giving Final Four team Michigan State a tough first-round matchup, the Braves return their three top scorers. Senior guard and first-team All-Valley guard Darrell Brown has nearly 100 starts under his belt as he’s a tough-minded two-way leader. Junior forward Elijah Childs, a third-team all-conference player, also showed flurries of elite play in becoming one of the league’s most improved players last season. And senior sharpshooter Nate Kennel can knock down shots from nearly anywhere on the floor. The Braves lose three vital senior glue guys but figure to replace those minutes with emerging sophomore Ja’Shon Henry and two bigs in Koch Bar and Ari Boya. LSU transfer guard Danya Kingsby is also a potential perimeter option to run alongside Brown.

Bradley Red-White scrimmages Tuesday at Renaissance--Peoria Journal Star
As Kennell’s game has grown, so has the Braves’--Peoria Journal Star
Bradley men picked 2nd in MVC; highest since 2007--Peoria Journal Star
Single-Game Basketball Tickets Now on Sale--bradleybraves.com
Braves Open Season with Red-White Scrimmage--bradleybraves.com
Darrell Brown and Elijah Childs Earn Preaseason All-Valley Honors--bradleybraves.com

Women’s Basketball Makes Season Debut At Red-White Scrimmage--bradleybraves.com
Women’s Basketball Picked Fourth In Preseason Poll--bradleybraves.com

Wilkins Named To Preseason All-MVC Team; Defending Champions Picked Fifth--godrakebulldogs.com

‘We want more’: Drake women’s basketball program ready to take next step in 2019-20--Des Moines Register
Women's Basketball Hosts Media Day--godrakebulldogs.com
Women’s Basketball Is MVC Preseason Favorite for Fourth-Straight Year--godrakebulldogs.com

Evansville men's basketball picked 8th in Missouri Valley preseason poll--Evansville Courier & Press
DeAndre Williams earns preseason MVC recognition--gopurpleaces.com

Zach Copeland likes the energy and competitiveness Illinois State's basketball team bringing--The Pantagraph
Tickets on Sale for Insiders Club Luncheon Series with ISU Head Coach Dan Muller--goredbirds.com
Copeland Earns individual Nod as Redbirds tabbed seventh in preseason MVC poll--goredbirds.com

Illinois State women picked sixth, men seventh in preseason Missouri Valley Conference basketball polls; TeTe Maggett, Zach Copeland net individual recognition--The Pantagraph

TeTe Maggett named to MVC Preseason All-Conference team--Vidette Online
Maggett Earns Spot On 2019-20 MVC Preseason Team--goredbirds.com

School still in as ISU women continue feeling out process--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Sycamore Women’s Basketball Tabbed Ninth in MVC Preseason Poll--gosycamores.com

Loyola Athletics Announces Changes To Student Ticket Policy--loyolaramblers.com
Krutwig Named MVC Men’s Basketball Preseason Player Of The Year--loyolaramblers.com

Loyola Tabbed Seventh In MVC Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll--loyolaramblers.com

The Other Top 25 preseason rankings: No. 13 Missouri State Bears--Mid-Major Madness
Missouri State men's basketball picked to win Valley; Lady Bears picked second--Springfield News-Leader
Bears Picked First in Valley Preseason Hoops Poll--missouristatebears.com

Lady Bears Picked Second in MVC Preseason Poll--missouristatebears.com

Panthers Selected 3rd in MVC Preseason Poll--unipanthers.com

Panthers Picked Third, Rucker Named Preseason All-MVC--unipanthers.com

Hefferman: My preseason MVC ballot--The Southern Illinoisan
Hinson joins Oklahoma State staff as analyst--The Southern Illinoisan
SIU Men's Basketball | Mullins out for together defense in first year--The Southern Illinoisan
Salukis picked last in MVC preseason poll for 1st time since 2012--The Southern Illinoisan
Coach Mullins at Saluki Basketball Media Day--siusalukis.com

SIU Women's Basketball | Women's team has maturity, confidence and depth--The Southern Illinoisan
Saluki women's basketball team picked 5th in MVC preseason poll--The Southern Illinoisan
Women’s Basketball Media Day Transcript--siusalukis.com

Freeman-Liberty ready to lead Valpo--NWI Times
Freeman-Liberty, Fazekas Earn MVC Preseason Second-Team Recognition--valpoathletics.com

MVC Releases Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll--valpoathletics.com

2019-20 MVC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll--The Missouri Valley

2019-20 MVC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll--The Missouri Valley

Monday, October 14, 2019

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 10/14/2019

Highlighting the biggest mid-major games from CBS Sports’s loaded TV schedule--Mid-Major Madness

In addition to the usual dose of Power 5 conferences, CBS and CBS Sports Network will also air games from the Atlantic 10, CAA, Conference USA, Missouri Valley, MAC, Mountain West, NEC, Patriot League, Southland and West Coast Conference.

Here are some of the biggest games to mark on your calendar.
...
Dec. 3: Bradley at Memphis, CBSSN
...
Feb. 22: Loyola Chicago at Missouri State, CBSSN

Indiana Pacers sign ex-Bradley guard Lemon--Peoria Journal Star

Evansville Doing a 180--Valley Hoops Insider

Sean Selig Named Loyola Women’s Basketball Video Coordinator--loyolaramblers.com

Webster Signs with G League Squad in Austin--missouristatebears.com

Basketball Single-Game Tickets on Sale Monday--missouristatebears.com

Saluki Basketball announces Fan Fest Oct. 30, Community Appreciation Night--The Southern Illinoisan

Community Appreciation Night set for October 22--siusalukis.com

Time for Tipoff: 2019-2020 Campaign Set to Begin for Valpo Basketball--valpoathletics.com

Saturday, October 12, 2019

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 10/12/2019

Season preview: HoopsHD interviews Bradley SR PG Darrell Brown--Hoops HD

Bradley Basketball Teams Host Red-White Scrimmage, Presented by Crusens, Tuesday--bradleybraves.com

Get to know the recruits Evansville basketball has recently offered--Evansville Courier & Press
'We've got some pieces': Purple Aces show their hand at annual UE Hoopfest--Evansville Courier & Press

Hoopfest set for Thursday evening on UE campus--gopurpleaces.com
Hoopfest kicks off 2019-20 Aces basketball seasons--gopurpleaces.com

College Report 10/11/19: ISU basketball tickets go on sale Monday to the public--The Pantagraph
Single-Game Tickets to go on Sale for Redbird Basketball--goredbirds.com
Illinois State Basketball to Host Hoopfest on Friday, Oct. 18--goredbirds.com

Tickets To Sycamores & Ball State At Bankers Life Go On Sale Friday Morning--gosycamores.com

ISU dreams big with Sycamore Sports District--Terre Haute Tribune Star

METRO ROUNDUP: ISU women's basketball team adds Hall of Famer to staff--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Alan Vickrey Joins Indiana State Women’s Basketball as Assistant Coach--gosycamores.com

Porter Moser’s love of Chicago kept him at Loyola — despite a tougher NCAA Tournament road: ‘They’re making it to where it will be hard to leave’--Chicago Tribune

Monthly Lunches with Coach Ford Get Underway Oct. 14--missouristatebears.com

Sonnen returns to UNI men's basketball--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
Marc Sonnen and Ike Hermer Added to Men's Basketball Staff--unipanthers.com