What's Up In The Missouri Valley 10/31/2020

Colonial, MAC, MVC faves, sizing up BYU, UNLV and more in the mid-major mailbag--The Athletic

Who will take the MVC? Loyola or UNI? Loyola appears to be the deepest team in the conference while UNI has a very strong group of starters. They both beat each other in overtime last year, Loyola only loses Bruno Skokna (low-minute player), while gaining two great shooters in Cooper Kaifes and Braden Norris. Meanwhile UNI loses arguably its best defensive player in Isaiah Brown. On paper it appears as though Loyola should be better, but most have them as the underdogs. What’s your take? — Mark P.

Well, Mark, I ranked Northern Iowa No. 1 and Loyola Chicago fourth in my way-too-early mid-major top 10 back in June. So that tells you which way I’m leaning. Both teams should be loaded, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they split their two meetings again this season in instant classic fashion. It’s going to be a great race for the regular season title – though we know Arch Madness belongs to Bradley until proven otherwise.

I like Northern Iowa’s starting lineup and offensive firepower just a bit more. But the Ramblers should be deeper and better defensively and on the boards. Both are NCAA Tournament caliber teams, though it’s unlikely both will get bids. Can’t wait to watch both of them get after it.

Valley’s Top Six Sophomore Duos--Valley Hoops Insider

NCAA Basketball: Best games from 2019-20 season – Kentucky vs. Evansville--Busting Brackets
Sam Cunliffe opts out of upcoming Evansville basketball season--Evansville Courier & Press
Nonconference Scheduling Rumors And Suggestions--Eville-Ways
Sam Cunliffe Leaves The Program--Eville-Ways

Tanaeya BoClair's journey just getting started--gopurpleaces.com

Watch now: Illinois State's basketball team hopeful to get back to full practice starting Monday--The Pantagraph
Watch now: Josiah Strong brings 'mental toughness' to ISU basketball team thanks to year at Navy--The Pantagraph
ISU men's basketball player tests positive for COVID-19; eight must self-quarantine--Vidette Online

Stephens brings size on the wing and junkyard dog mindset to ISU--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Sycamores Add Purdue Back to 2020-21--Indiana Statesman

MVC Men’s Basketball Coaches Hope for Multi-Bid League--Loyola Phoenix

UNI men's basketball adds third 2021 commit in Landon Wolf of Cedar Falls--Cedar Rapids Gazette
UNI pursues waiver for Goanar Mar--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
Panthers seek waiver for Goanar Mar--Northern Iowan

Annual Hoops and Heels Event Postponed--unipanthers.com

Evansville's Cunliffe elects to opt out of upcoming season, will transfer--Southern Illinoisan

Valparaiso to meet Purdue this season as NCAA scheduling remains moving target--NWI Times