Friday, January 31, 2020

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 1/31/2020

S. Illinois looks to extend streak vs Drake--Associated Press


Bradley officially set for Paradise Jam field--Peoria Journal Star
What to look for when Bradley plays at Loyola--Peoria Journal Star
With the Braves: Halfway into Valley and Bradley is on the way to peaking--Peoria Journal Star
Bradley basketball reacts to loss of Kobe--Bradley Scout
Braves Battle Rival Loyola Saturday on ESPN2--bradleybraves.com
Bradley Earns Invitation to 2020 Paradise Jam--bradleybraves.com


Men's Basketball Hosts SIU For Des Moines' Hometown Team Weekend--godrakebulldogs.com


Evansville basketball to celebrate '92, '93 NCAA tournament teams during UNI game--Evansville Courier & Press
Is The Missouri Valley A Two-Bid League This Year?--Eville-Ways
UE men ready for Orange Out on Saturday against UNI--gopurpleaces.com


Antonio Reeves hopes shooting slump in rearview mirror as Illinois State visits Valparaiso--The Pantagraph
Men's Basketball Travels to Battle Crusaders--goredbirds.com


ISU would love to change its Missouri State fortunes--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Sycamores Travel To Missouri State For Key Valley Road Test--gosycamores.com


Missouri State 0-4 against Northern Iowa under Ford--The Standard
Bears Begin Pivotal Home Stand Saturday vs. Indiana State--missouristatebears.com

No. 21 MSU Lady Bears host Bradley in critical Valley matchup--Springfield News-Leader


Men's Basketball On The Road Against Evansville--unipanthers.com

Cats look forward after 65-67 fall to Redbirds--The Northern Iowan


Where’s Barry? The whereabouts of Barry Hinson and a few reasons why he deserved better from Saluki fans--Daily Egyptian
SIU starts second half of league play at Drake--siusalukis.com


Mamba Mentality fuels Valpo Victory--Valpo Torch
Kobe Bryant: player, competitor, teacher--Valpo Torch

Thursday, January 30, 2020

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 1/30/2020

Evansville looks to end streak vs Northern Iowa--Associated Press
The Morning Dish – Thursday, January 30, 2020--Hoopville
Side Dishes
Other results of note: Northern Iowa blew out Missouri State 95-66, while Loyola-Chicago entered the night tied with them but lost 68-63 at Southern Illinois, who is also now 6-3; Bradley beat Valparaiso 80-69 to keep pace with the leaders in the Missouri Valley, while Drake tried to join them at 6-3 but lost at the buzzer at Indiana State 58-56
MVC – Playing Through the Post – Updated--Valley Hoops Insider



Bradley holds off Valpo charge with a strong finish, 80-69--Peoria Journal Star
Henry, Braves survive second half scare from Valparaiso--Bradley Scout
Bradley Tops Valparaiso, 80-69--bradleybraves.com

Women perfect at home and fittingly perfect in the Valley--Bradley Scout
Women’s Basketball Hits The Road--bradleybraves.com


Drake men's basketball loses to Indiana State on last-second layup--Des Moines Register
Indiana State Clips Drake Men's Basketball At The Buzzer, 58-56--godrakebulldogs.com

Drake to Host National Girls & Women in Sports Day Sunday, February 9--godrakebulldogs.com
Women’s Basketball Starts Season-Long Homestand Friday Night against Valparaiso--godrakebulldogs.com


Former Evansville coach Walter McCarty accused of sexual assault by student--College Basketball Talk
Who is Michelle Simpson Tuegel, an attorney with sexual abuse and assault case experience--Evansville Courier & Press
Evansville remains winless in Valley play at the midpoint following Illinois State loss--Evansville Courier & Press
Game Recap: Yet Another Loss--Eville-Ways
Cunliffe and Hall leads Aces at Illinois State--gopurpleaces.com

In-State Rivalry Matchup on tap for Friday--gopurpleaces.com


Jaycee Hillsman shows the way as Illinois State breaks seven-game losing streak--The Pantagraph
ISU breaks losing streak with 77-66 win over Evansville--Vidette Online
Redbirds Snap Skid with 11-Point Win over Aces--goredbirds.com

JuJu Redmond finding comfort zone as Illinois State women head to Carbondale to face Southern Illinois--The Pantagraph
Redmond honored with MVC Newcomer of the Week award--Vidette Online
Redbirds Finish First Half of MVC Slate on the Road--goredbirds.com


Christian Williams’ layup at the gun gives ISU a dramatic win--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Down In The Valley: Drake home musings--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Indiana State men’s basketball looks to bounce back--Indiana Statesman
Christian Williams Beats The Buzzer As Sycamores Win 11th Consecutive Home Contest--gosycamores.com

ISU, Evansville seeking first MVC women's win Friday--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Sycamores Conclude Home Stand with Evansville--Indiana Statesman
In-State Rival Evansville Travels to Hulman Center on Friday--gosycamores.com


Loyola Falls To Southern Illinois, 68-63--loyolaramblers.com
Checking In On Former Ramblers Playing Pro Basketball--loyolaramblers.com
Loyola Returns Home For Key Matchup With Bradley Saturday Night--loyolaramblers.com

Ramblers Close Out First Half Of Valley Play At UNI, Drake This Weekend--loyolaramblers.com


Northern Iowa basketball beats Missouri State by 20 or more for third straight time--Springfield News-Leader
Missouri State point guard Tyrik Dixon will have season-ending surgery--Springfield News-Leader
UNI Deals Bears Difficult Road Loss--missouristatebears.com

No. 21/24 Lady Bears Conclude MVC's First Half with Two Big Home Games--missouristatebears.com


Root's (Power) Rankings: 2020 Week 4--Three-Man Weave

Mid-Major Five

We wave goodbye to Liberty, who lost at North Florida (eh, okay) and Stetson (*pukes*) while getting 30-14’d in the second half by the Hatters. You don’t come back from that.

3. Northern Iowa

The Purple Panthers ran in place last week, threatening to drop out of these rankings with a disappointing loss at Southern Illinois on Wednesday night, but they bounced back with a huge win over first-place (at the time) Loyola-Chicago. That put Ben Jacobson’s squad back in the Missouri Valley driver’s seat, and while the road ahead is littered with landmines – UNI is somehow still Illinois State’s only conference win, so the Panthers can lose to anyone – UNI is still very much in control of its tournament destiny – both MVC and NCAA.
Bubble Banter: Did Texas Tech play their way onto the right side of the bubble?--College Basketball Talk

WINNERS

NORTHERN IOWA (NET: 49, NBC: 12): Their strong NET and wins at Colorado (17) and over South Carolina (89) on a neutral keep the Panthers in the conversation, but loss at Southern Illinois (166) and Illinois State (214) are killers. Beating Missouri State (165) at home was a must on Wednesday. UNI cannot lose another game unless it is against Loyola-Chicago (91) in the MVC tournament if they really want a chance at an at-large.
UNI men's basketball shows first blowout of Missouri State wasn't a fluke--The Gazette
On UNI Podcast: Another blowout of Missouri State, AJ Green's workload, at-large hopes--The Gazette
UNI blitzes Missouri State--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
Panthers down Loyola, move into first place--Northern Iowan
Men's Basketball Handle Missouri State 95-66--unipanthers.com

UNI Women Host Loyola, Valparaiso--unipanthers.com


Surprising Salukis--Valley Hoops Insider
Saluki Basketball 5@5: SIU remarkably composed in close contests, and preparing for Loyola--The Southern Illinoisan
Loyola at SIU: 3 things to watch--The Southern Illinoisan
SIU Men's Basketball | Salukis hang on for 68-63 win over Loyola--The Southern Illinoisan
Saluki Basketball 5@5: Recruiting winners, defending Cameron Krutwig, and Missouri State and Indiana State headed for ESPNU--The Southern Illinoisan
SIU Men's Basketball | Salukis believe they're Valley championship contenders--The Southern Illinoisan
Southern stuns Ramblers behind McGill’s 27-point performance--Daily Egyptian
McGill powers SIU to fourth-straight MVC win--siusalukis.com

Salukis return home to face Illinois State and Bradley--siusalukis.com


VU men’s basketball notes: Whitney Young product Javon Freeman-Liberty returns to form in Valparaiso’s loss at Bradley--Post-Tribune
Crusaders falter late in another Valley road loss--NWI Times
Second-Half Surge Comes Up Shy at Bradley--valpoathletics.com
Men's Basketball to Start Home-Heavy Stretch on Saturday--valpoathletics.com

Valpo Women Face Off With Drake Friday Evening--valpoathletics.com


MVC Announces Partnership With TicketSmarter--The Missouri Valley

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 1/29/2020


What to watch for when Valparaiso plays at Bradley--Peoria Journal Star
Danya Kingsby Named COUNTRY Financial Scholar-Athlete Of The Week--bradleybraves.com


Woman who claims Walter McCarty sexually assaulted her hires well-known attorney--Evansville Courier & Press
Game Preview: Illinois State Redbirds--Eville-Ways


Jaycee Hillsman says better communication on defense could help Illinois State end losing streak--The Pantagraph


Walk-on Sellers puts the work in to help the Sycamores--Terre Haute Tribune Star


MSHSAA adjusts state basketball schedule for Lady Bears--The Standard


Bubble Watch: Breaking down every team in at-large contention--College Basketball Talk

BUBBLE WATCH FOR EVERYONE ELSE

NORTHERN IOWA (NET: 49, NBC: 12): Their strong NET and wins at Colorado (17) and over South Carolina (89) on a neutral keep the Panthers in the conversation, but loss at Southern Illinois (166) and Illinois State (214) are killers. UNI cannot lose another game unless it is against Loyola-Chicago (91) in the MVC tournament if they really want a chance at an at-large.
UNI basketball takeaways: Defensive improvement, keeping AJ Green in rhythm, scouting Missouri State--The Gazette


Complete game next step for Saluki men--The Southern Illinoisan
MVC Power Rankings: Drake jumps injury-riddled Bradley--The Southern Illinoisan


Whitney Young grad now at Valpo returns to Peoria as Valley scoring leader--Peoria Journal Star
‘I’m done’: Ryan Fazekas feared his basketball career was over after another injury in Valparaiso’s second game of the season. But the Chesterton native has returned for the Crusaders’ stretch run.--Post-Tribune
Valpo Basketball Weekly: Jan. 29--valpoathletics.com


Enterprise Bank MVC Scholar-Athlete Spotlight (Jan. 29)--The Missouri Valley

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 1/28/2020

Illinois St. looks to extend streak vs Evansville--Associated PressS. Illinois seeks revenge on Loyola-Chicago--Associated Press
Missouri St. seeks revenge on Northern Iowa--Associated Press
Drake looks to extend streak vs Indiana St.--Associated Press
Kennell, Bradley host Valpo--Associated Press
The Other Top 25: Conference USA returns to the rankings--Mid-Major Madness

The Other Top 25: Week 13

Rank School Record Change Our reasoning This week's games
6 Northern Iowa 17-3 -2 UNI's loss to Southern Illinois significantly lowers its at-large chances. Not a problem, though. The Panthers are still the best team in the Valley. vs. Missouri State (1/29), @ Evansville (2/1)
24 Loyola University Chicago 14-7 - The Ramblers took Northern Iowa to overtime on Sunday but couldn't quite finish the job. In spite of the loss, Porter Moser's team is still tied for first with the Panthers. If Loyola wins its next five games, then they can get another crack at UNI on Feb. 15 — this time with the MVC's regular-season title on the line. @ Southern Illinois (1/29), vs. Bradley (2/1)


Ranking the state’s Division I basketball teams: Can Loyola stay atop the Missouri Valley? Will Bradley or Southern Illinois challenge?--Chicago Tribune
HappeningHoops.com CBI/CIT Bracketology Number 6 January 27th 2020--Happening Hoops

CIT (26 teams last season)

Midwest
  • Valparaiso (11-10 MVC)
  • Northern Kentucky (14-7 Horizon)
  • Ball State (11-8 MAC)
  • Southern Illinois (11-10 MVC)
  • Omaha (12-10 Summit)
  • South Dakota (14-8 Summit)
The Ballots Are Completed--Valley Hoops Insider

Missouri Valley Conference

Ironically the Valley’s preseason POY, Cameron Krutwig, earned just his second ‘Player of the Week‘ award. The Loyola junior was outstanding, posting two double-doubles and just missed a triple double. His 13-point, 12-rebound, nine assist performance led the Ramblers to a home win over Indiana State and his 19-point and career high 14-rebound effort nearly allowed LUC to steal an overtime win at Northern Iowa.
Southern Illinois is the Valley’s surprise team and freshman Marcus Domask is a key reason for the Salukis’ competitive play. While SIU was sweeping their two games, Domask was amassing 30 points, fifteen rebounds and eight assists. The 6’6 Wisconsin native earned his second ‘Newcomer of the Week‘ award while providing some late game heroics in SIU’s rare road win at Illinois State.
While the ballots are completed for two of the OVC’s three awards, the Valley’s season-ending trophies are far from decided.


Two Bradley players expected to return for Wednesday game--Peoria Journal Star
Bradley Hosts Valparaiso Wednesday--bradleybraves.com

Women’s Basketball Receiving Votes In USA Today Poll--bradleybraves.com


Men's Basketball Closes Season Series With Indiana State--godrakebulldogs.com

City Council Proclaims Jan. 31 - Feb. 1 As Weekend Of The Bulldogs--godrakebulldogs.com


Mailbag: What changes will UE see during the Todd Lickliter era? How's DeAndre Williams?--Evansville Courier & Press
Arch Madness Simulator: Week 13--Eville-Ways
UE men continue road trip at Illinois State--gopurpleaces.com


Redbird streak up to seven games after loss to Salukis--Vidette Online
Redbirds to Battle Aces on Wednesday--goredbirds.com

Redmond honored with Newcomer of the Week--Vidette Online


Indiana State men’s conference record improves to 4-4--Indiana Statemen
Indiana State Men’s Basketball set to host Drake--Indiana Statemen
Sycamore Basketball Home Game Against Missouri State Picked Up By ESPNU--gosycamores.com
Sycamores Finish First Half Of Valley Play At Home Against Drake On Wednesday--gosycamores.com

MSU and SIU Defeat ISU at Home--Indiana Statemen


Ramblers Continue Busy Week, Visit Southern Illinois Wednesday--loyolaramblers.com
Loyola Announces Sellouts For Games Versus Bradley, Northern Iowa--loyolaramblers.com


Men’s basketball drops a one-possession game in Des Moines--The Standard
Bears Close Out First Half of Valley Slate Wednesday at UNI--missouristatebears.com

MSU hoops: Are the Bears a play-in team? Can the Lady Bears host the NCAA Tournament?--Springfield News-Leader

No. 22 Lady Bears complete Indiana road-trip sweep with win over Evansville--The Standard


Bubble Watch: Everything is still up for grabs — for now--The Athletic

Other at-large candidates

Northern Iowa (15-3, 6-2; NET: 49, SOS: 92): Ruh-roh. Northern Iowa lost by a bucket on the road, to Southern Illinois. Is this a totally forgivable situation that happens to basically every team, no matter the conference, from time to time? Yes. Is holding mid-majors to some elevated “don’t lose even once, even on the road, even on a coin flip, or risk your bubble status then and there” litmus test entirely unfair? Yes. Is that nonetheless how these things tend to work? Yes. Fortunately for UNI, there are at least a handful of other decent wins on this team sheet, such that we won’t boot the Panthers for dropping another close league road game. But we’re getting close.
Phyfe brings coveted interior presence for UNI--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
Men's Basketball Host Missouri State--unipanthers.com


Salukis' Domask named MVC newcomer of the week--The Southern Illinoisan
Saluki Basketball 5@5: Domask honored, SIU offers $8 tickets for Wednesday and Evansville's Williams still day-to-day--The Southern Illinoisan
Salukis tough out first road win in Normal since 2006--The Southern Illinoisan
Salukis host Loyola on Wednesday at 7 p.m.--siusalukis.com


Fazekas returns to Valparaiso lineup for one last ride--NWI Times
Men's Basketball to Visit Defending Champs on Wednesday--valpoathletics.com

Podcast: Union Street Hoops (The Kobe Episode)--NWI Times


MVC Men's Basketball Coaches Teleconference (Jan. 27, 2020)--The Missouri Valley
MVC Announces Wildcard Selections for Feb. 16--The Missouri Valley

MVC Women's Basketball Notebook - Jan. 28--The Missouri Valley

Monday, January 27, 2020

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 1/27/2020

The Morning Dish – Monday, January 27, 2020--Hoopville
Side Dishes
The Missouri Valley is all tied up at the top after Northern Iowa took control in overtime to beat Loyola-Chicago 67-62 in Cedar Falls. Three teams are just a game back, including Drake, who held off Missouri State 71-69.
News, Notes, and Highlighted Games: Sunday, Jan 26th--Hoops HD
HIGHLIGHTED GAMES
-LOYOLA CHICAGO AT NORTHERN IOWA (Missouri Valley).  Our UTR Game of the Day – Northern Iowa is coming off a loss to Southern Illinois, and I think that was their last strike.  If they win out through the regular season they will likely be inside the bubble.  If they don’t, then they’ll need to win the conference tournament.
Drake slips past Missouri State 71-69--Associated Press
Berhow helps Northern Iowa top Loyola Chicago 67-62 in OT--Associated Press
McMillan, Freeman-Liberty help Valpo beat Evansville 67-65--Associated Press


Braves Edge Drake 77-76 To Stay Perfect In Valley Play--bradleybraves.com

Haack Repeats As MVC Player Of The Week--bradleybraves.com


Drake men hold off Missouri State rally, win 15th straight game at the Knapp Center--Des Moines Register
Men's Basketball Wins 15th Straight Game At the Knapp Center--godrakebulldogs.com

Women’s Basketball Edged by Bradley, 77-76, Sunday--godrakebulldogs.com


Evansville shows progress despite losing to Valparaiso, dropping eighth in a row--Evansville Courier & Press
Game Recap: Valparaiso 67, Evansville 65--Eville-Ways
Week 13 Power Rankings: Shania Twain Songs--Eville-Ways
Aces show resiliency in 67-65 loss at Valparaiso--gopurpleaces.com

Aces fall to No. 22 Missouri State, 81-55--gopurpleaces.com


Hy-Vee to Host Illinois State Basketball Coaches Shows Tonight--goredbirds.com

Huge third quarter lifts Illinois State women's basketball past Northern Iowa--The Pantagraph
Redbirds bounce back with 65-57 win over UNI--Vidette Online
Second Half Surge Lifts Illinois State Over UNI, 65-57--goredbirds.com
Redmond Tabbed MVC Newcomer of the Week--goredbirds.com


"Worst quarter of the year" sinks the Sycamores--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Quick Start Pushes Salukis Past Sycamores--gosycamores.com


Spirited Effort Falls Short In Overtime Loss At Northern Iowa--loyolaramblers.com
Cameron Krutwig Named MVC Player Of The Week--loyolaramblers.com

Loyola Women’s Basketball Coach Kate Achter Says Baby Daughter, Reese, Has Changed Her Perspective--CBS 2 Local


Missouri State basketball's late comeback comes up short at Drake--Springfield News-Leader
Bears Roar Back Late, Fall by Two at Drake--missouristatebears.com

No. 22 MSU Lady Bears take care of Evansville to finish off road trip--Springfield News-Leader
No. 22 Lady Bears Pull Away to 81-55 Win at Evansville--missouristatebears.com


This Week in Mid-Major: Wright State is Dayton’s other marquee team, Merrimack makes a splash, the top 10 and more--The Athletic

The Mid-Major Top 10

4. Northern Iowa (17-3, 6-2 Missouri Valley): After a disappointing loss at Southern Illinois earlier in the week, the Panthers bounced back with an overtime win against Loyola-Chicago on Sunday. UNI and the Ramblers are tied for first in the Valley; they’ll play again Feb. 15 in Chicago in what might decide the regular-season title. LW: 3
UNI men's basketball back in tie for first with OT win over Loyola-Chicago--The Gazette
UNI fights off Loyola in OT--The Gazette
Panthers suffer road loss against SIU Salukis--Northern Iowan
Panthers Defeat Loyola 67-62 in Overtime--unipanthers.com
UNI Sweet 16 Retro Jersey & Memorabilia Auction--unipanthers.com

Illinois State runs away from UNI women--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
Panther fall to Bradley, move 3-3 in MVC play--Northern Iowan
UNI Falls to Illinois State 65-57--unipanthers.com


1/27 Men's Basketball Players of the Week--College Sports Madness

MVC College Basketball LogoMissouri ValleyLance JonesGSouthern Illinois
Moving On Up: Saluki MBB climbs valley standings after defeating ISU and No. 1 UNI--Daily Egyptian
SIU offering $8 tickets for Wednesday's game vs. Loyola--siusalukis.com
Marcus Domask named MVC Newcomer of the Week--siusalukis.com

1/27 Women's Basketball Players of the Week--College Sports Madness

MVC College Basketball LogoMissouri ValleyMakenzie SilveyGSouthern Illinois
Saluki women run away from Indiana State, 78-55--The Southern Illinoisan
Salukis earn wire-to-wire win over Sycamores--siusalukis.com


VU men’s basketball notes: Merrillville graduate Mileek McMillan’s blocked shot helps Crusaders hold off Evansville--Post-Tribune
Valpo embraces 'Mamba mentality,' McMillan shines in win over Evansville--NWI Times
Valpo Fends Off Evansville Surge for Home Victory--valpoathletics.com


MVC MBB Weekly Notes (J27)--The Missouri Valley

Women's Basketball Player/Newcomer of the Week (Jan. 27)--The Missouri Valley