What's Up In The Missouri Valley 11/30/2020

San Francisco’s stunner, Richmond’s rise and more: This Week in Mid-Major--The Athletic

Mid-bits 

• OK, it’s time to take my lumps. I had Northern Iowa ranked first in the preseason mid-major top 10, putting myself on a bit of an island. The Panthers are now 0-3 after a disastrous showing in the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic, and they didn’t even face a power-conference opponent. After losing to Western Kentucky, they blew a 16-point second-half lead to Saint Mary’s and an eight-point second-half advantage against Utah State. Not great, Bob!

I am by no means out on this team yet. It should be pointed out that Trae Berhow, who was the team’s second-leading scorer and one of the best 3-point shooters in the nation last season, did not play in South Dakota because of COVID-19 protocols. If he’s in the lineup, UNI might hold on in the two games in which it held a late lead. But the margin of error is all but gone now for an at-large bid, and some of the concerns about this team — namely, defense, rebounding and toughness — were on display last week. For now, the Panthers are out of the mid-major top 10.

Mid-major top 10

5. Loyola Chicago (0-0): The Ramblers will restart team activities this week after a two-week pause for positive COVID-19 tests. When will they actually play? Good question, as the team has yet to release a schedule. We’re still looking forward to seeing this bunch play … whenever that is. PR: 5

Crazy Covid Season Has Begun--Valley Hoops Insider
Illinois College Basketball Power Rankings: November 28--Off The Inbound

2. Bradley (2-1)

Bradley was close to a perfect 3-0 weekend at the Xavier MTE, but the Braves still turned in a good showing, with victories coming over Toledo (61-59) and Oakland (74-60). The newcomers were the story, though. Redshirt junior George Washington transfer Terry Nolan, Jr. hit the game-winning putback against Toledo and made the all-tournament team, and freshman Darius Hannah threw down a dunk that shook Cincinnati. 

DARIUS HANNAH!!!! #justafreshman 🅱️🏀 #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/UyecuGW1Rf

— Bradley Basketball (@bradleyumbb) November 27, 2020

With senior Elijah Childs leading the way, Bradley could make noise in the Missouri Valley once again this season.

6. Illinois State (1-1)

Illinois State managed to get into the Ohio State MTE to start the year and struggled mightily, falling to a tough No. 23 Ohio State team 94-67. The Redbirds shook it off to beat UMass Lowell 82-72, despite nearly blowing a 20-point lead.

The Redbirds have a lot of question marks this year, especially after lone senior Keith Fisher III opted out of the season due to COVID-19 concerns. It’s hard to see them doing much in the MVC, and Dan Muller’s crew could be in for another rough go this season.

Bradley men's basketball game with St. Joseph postponed because of positive test on Hawks--Peoria Journal Star
Bradley's Hersey Hawkins headed to National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame--Peoria Journal Star
Bradley’s Game Against Saint Joseph’s Postponed--bradleybraves.com
Hawkins Earns National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame Call--bradleybraves.com

Bulldogs Week In Review - Nov. 23-29--godrakebulldogs.com

Berg Named MVC Women’s Basketball Newcomer of the Week--godrakebulldogs.com

Evansville women's basketball team expects to be better this season--Evansville Courier & Press

Watch now: Illinois State to entertain high-scoring Division III Greenville on Wednesday--The Pantagraph
Redbirds add Greenville at home for Wednesday--Vidette Online

Sycamore women win at Detroit Mercy--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Latu’s Six Triples Lead Sycamores Past Titans, 84-79--gosycamores.com

Raca leads Wake Forest women over No. 24 Missouri State--Associated Press
11/30 Women's Basketball Players of the Week--College Sports Madness

Missouri Valley

Brice Calip

G

Missouri State

No. 24 MSU Lady Bears have letdown loss to Wake Forest--Springfield News-Leader
Wake Forest Upsets No. 24 Lady Bears, 68-59--missouristatebears.com
MSU’s Calip Named MVC Player of the Week--missouristatebears.com

Podcast: Over-reacting to Northern Iowa, Western Kentucky, and Richmond--Mid-Major Madness

MVC Power Rankings: Drake rises, UNI falls in opening days--Southern Illinoisan

Women’s Basketball Drops Season Opener at BGSU--valpoathletics.com

MVC MBB Notebook (N30)--The Missouri Valley

MVC Women's Basketball Weekly Notebook - Nov. 30--The Missouri Valley

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 11/29/2020

Bradley men's basketball team encouraged about 2-1 weekend at the Xavier Invitational--Peoria Journal Star

Foul trouble costs Bradley in loss to Milwaukee--Bradley Scout
Braves Fall To Milwaukee 65-60--bradleybraves.com

Women’s Basketball Falls at Green Bay, 69-61--godrakebulldogs.com

Worst Loss Since…?--Eville-Ways

Strong carries Illinois St. past Mass.-Lowell 82-72--Associated Press
News, Notes, and Highlighted Games: Saturday, Nov 28th--Hoops HD

HIGHLIGHTED GAMES

-UMASS LOWELL VS ILLINOIS STATE (Columbus, OH).  With UMass Lowell being 1-0 with a win over San Francisco, who just knocked off Virginia, we will put the spotlight on them!  We will keep it on them as long as they keep winning!  I don’t know how long that will be, but for now the spotlight is theirs!

Watch now: Illinois State takes big early lead, earns first victory by beating UMass Lowell --The Pantagraph
Redbirds soar past River Hawks 82-72 in Columbus MTE--Vidette Online
Redbirds Start Strong in First Win of Season--goredbirds.com

Loyola Women’s Basketball Opens Season With Win Over Chicago State--Loyola Phoenix
Balanced Attack Sees Loyola Past Chicago State, 70-57--loyolaramblers.com

Calip, No. 24 Missouri St. women beat No. 12 Maryland 81-72--Associated Press
No. 24 MSU Lady Bears rally from down 16 to beat No. 12 Maryland--Springfield News-Leader
MSU Lady Bears show why they're a 'special group' in historic win over No. 12 Maryland--Springfield News-Leader
Lady Bears Rally From 16 Down to Beat No. 11/12 Maryland, 81-72--missouristatebears.com

Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic Takeaways--Mid-Major Madness

Northern Iowa really missed Trae Berhow

UNI also came into the season with hopes of an at-large bid. And while those hopes weren’t completely dashed in Sioux Falls, they certainly took a big blow. The Panthers didn’t suffer any bad losses, falling to Western Kentucky, Saint Mary’s, and Utah State, but not getting a single resume-boosting win is tough.

The Panthers still have non-conference outings at Richmond and at Wisconsin, which should provide for two more chances at a good win... so long as Berhow is back. A.J. Green was his usual high-scoring self, but outside of freshman Bowen Born there wasn’t a lot of consistent shot creation from the rest of the team. Noah Carter, also a freshman, burst out of the gates with 28 points (9-13 from three!) in his first career game, but then scored four points total in the next two outings. With Berhow, the team’s second-leading scorer last season, back in the fold, the offense should be more effective.

UNI secures gritty win over Creighton as athletics resume on campus--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
UNI Holds Off Creighton 55-52--unipanthers.com

Valpo to Renew Series with UIC on Tuesday--valpoathletics.com

Lady Bears Rally From 16 Down to Beat No. 11/12 Maryland, 81-72--The Missouri Valley

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 11/28/2020

News, Notes, and Highlighted Games: Thursday, Nov 26th--Hoops HD

NEWS AND NOTES

-Drake is a team that we felt would be around the middle of the Missouri Valley this year.  They went into Kansas State and picked up a nice early season win.  We all think K State is terrible, but it’s still a nice win for a UTR team that we didn’t think would be anywhere near the top of the standings.

 

HIGHLIGHTED GAMES

-BRADLEY AT XAVIER (Xavier Invitational).  A lot of people are keeping their eyes on Bradley because they’ve won back-to-back MVC Tournaments.  A win today would really get everyone’s attention.  Xavier had no trouble at all with Oakland yesterday.  They weren’t expected to have any trouble, but from what I saw Xavier looked really good.

-NORTHERN IOWA AT SAINT MARY’S (Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic).  Both teams are coming off losses and looking to rebound.  I think both are capable of making the NCAA Tournament and picking up a win today would be huge.  I don’t want to say this game has a pivotal feel to it because it’s still very early, but it kind of does.  The winner gets a nice win on their resume, and the loser drops down to 0-2.

News, Notes, and Highlighted Games: Friday, Nov 27th--Hoops HD

NEWS AND NOTES

-Xavier survived a scare from Bradley, but managed to hold on to win after Bradley missed what would have been a game tying freethrow on the front end of a 1-and-1.

-Northern Iowa desperately needed a bounce back win yesterday against Saint Mary’s, and didn’t get it.  Neither of Northern Iowa’s losses are potentially damaging, but they are two missed opportunities for a team that isn’t likely to have too many more chances at committee-impressing-caliber-wins the rest of the way.

 

HIGHLIGHTED GAMES

-UTAH STATE AT NORTHERN IOWA (Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic).  Both teams come into this game 0-2 and both really need this win.  Both teams have the potential to have big seasons, but starting off 0-3 means they’ll have a steeper up hill climb the rest of the way.

Here's where Indiana products are playing Division I men's basketball--Indy Star

Ball State and IU lead the in-state programs with nine homegrown Hoosiers each. Then it's Purdue (eight), Indiana State (seven), Valparaiso (four), IUPUI (three), Butler and Evansville (two) and Purdue Fort Wayne (one). Notre Dame has no Indiana products on its 2020-21 roster.

Of out-of-state schools, Army has the most Indiana products with seven. Drake and Division I new boys Bellarmine have five each, and Miami (Ohio), coached by former Purdue assistant Jack Owens, has four.

CATHEDRAL (4)

Eron Gordon, Valparaiso, R-Sr.

CLOVERDALE (2)

Cooper Neese, Indiana State, Jr.

CULVER ACADEMY (3)

Nick Hittle, Indiana State, Fr.

FLOYD CENTRAL (1)

Cobie Barnes, Indiana State, So.

GREENFIELD-CENTRAL (1)

Tate Hall, Loyola-Chicago, R-Sr.

GRIFFITH (1)

Tremell Murphy, Drake, R-Sr.

HAMMOND BISHOP NOLL (1)

Roman Penn, Drake, R-Jr.

LAKE CENTRAL (1)

Keon Sellers, Indiana State, So.

LAWRENCE CENTRAL (3)

Jake LaRavia, Indiana State, So.

LAWRENCE NORTH (5)

Jared Hankins, Indiana State, R-Fr.

MERRILLVILLE (5)

D.J. Wilkins, Drake, Jr.

Jonah Jackson, Drake, Sr.

Mileek McMillan, Valparaiso, Sr.

MICHIGAN CITY (2)

Shanquan Hemphill, Drake, Sr.

NEW ALBANY (2)

Sean East, Bradley, So.

SOUTH BEND RILEY (1)

Damezi Anderson, Loyola-Chicago, Jr.

SOUTH KNOX (1)

Gage Bobe, Evansville, So.

UNIVERSITY (1)

Sam Mervis, Indiana State, Fr.

VALPARAISO (3)

Steven Helm, Valparaiso, R-So.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP (1)

Brock Pappas, Valparaiso, Jr.

ZIONSVILLE (4)

Will Alcock, Loyola-Chicago, Jr.

Bradley men's basketball loses in final seconds at Xavier, 51-50--Peoria Journal Star
Darius Hannah shakes off freshman jitters to help Bradley past Oakland--Peoria Journal Star
Bradley narrowly falls to Xavier in defensive battle--Bradley Scout
Childs, Hannah lead Braves past Oakland--Bradley Scout
Braves Fall to Xavier on Last-Second Shot--bradleybraves.com
Braves Cruise Past Oakland to Finish off Xavier Invitational with Win--bradleybraves.com

Gabi Haack sets career mark for 3-pointers for Bradley women's basketball team--Peoria Journal Star
Women’s Basketball Closes Home Stand Saturday Against Milwaukee--bradleybraves.com

Yesufu scores 14 to carry Drake over South Dakota--Des Moines Register
Yesufu’s 14 Points Leads Drake To a 69-53 Win and a 2-0 Start--godrakebulldogs.com

UE Insider: Aces drop 21st straight game in loss to Prairie View A&M--Evansville Courier & Press
Game Recap: Here We Go Again--Eville-Ways
Men’s Basketball Game Versus IUPUI Moved to Next Season--gopurpleaces.com
Frederking posts 20-point effort against Prairie View A&M--gopurpleaces.com

Watch now: Illinois State tries to bounce back from opening loss, set for UMass Lowell--The PantagraphSp
Illinois State Looks to Rebound Against River Hawks--goredbirds.com

TODD AARON GOLDEN: Stinks to wait, but once ISU starts, good things should come--Terre Haute Tribune Star

ISU women look to bounce back on road--Terre Haute Tribune Star
ISU Looks to Bounce-Back at Detroit Mercy on Sunday--gosycamores.com

Ramblers Raise Curtain On 2020-21 Season At Chicago State Saturday--loyolaramblers.com

MSU vs. Evangel canceled. Positive COVID-19 cases at MSU pause team activities for 2 weeks--Springfield News-Leader
Here are three up-and-coming area hoops prospects drawing interest from Missouri State--Springfield News-Leader
Missouri State men's basketball taking 2 week pause due to COVID-19--The Standard
Bears vs. Evangel Game Canceled--missouristatebears.com

No. 24 MSU Lady Bears open season with blowout win at Florida Gulf Coast--Springfield News-Leader
No. 24 Lady Bears Impress in Season Opener, Top FGCU 74-49--missouristatebears.com

UNI's 16-point lead evaporates during loss to Saint Mary's--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
College men's basketball: UNI leaves Sioux Falls winless after Utah State rally--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
Men's Basketball Fall to the Gaels 66-64--unipanthers.com
Men's Basketball Fall 82-71 to Utah State--unipanthers.com

Panther Women Face Creighton in Home Opener--unipanthers.com

Salukis looking at 'all options' with non-conference schedule--Southern Illinoisan
Bryan Mullins tests positive for COVID-19--Southern Illinoisan
Coach Bryan Mullins tests positive for COVID-19--Daily Egyptian
Men's Basketball update--siusalukis.com

Salukis pause due to positive COVID-19 test, will miss next 3 games--Southern Illinoisan
Todd Hefferman: Saluki women thankful for game--Southern Illinoisan
Saluki Women’s Basketball player tests positive for COVID-19, team takes pause from next three games--Daily Egyptian
SIU Women’s Basketball begins seven-day pause and cancels next three games--siusalukis.com

Scouting the 2020-21 Valparaiso men's basketball team--NWI Times
Crusaders let late lead slip away in season opener--NWI Times
Valpo Drops Tight Battle with SEC Foe Vanderbilt in Season Opener--valpoathletics.com

Valpo Women's Basketball Poised For Sunday Season Opener--valpoathletics.com

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 11/26/2020

United States of College Basketball 2020-21: Where every team ranks in each state, from top to bottom--CBS Sports

Illinois

The rest:

2. Loyola Chicago
5. Bradley
6. Illinois State
7. Southern Illinois

State of the state: In the past half-decade this state has seen Illinois State and Loyola Chicago plastered across the outline of state borders. But now not only have things returned to what they should be, Illinois is set up for its best season in a decade and a half. Loyola Chicago is the only other somewhat safe bet to be in the NCAA Tournament. The Illini will carry Illinois college hoops this season.

Indiana

The rest:

5. Indiana State
7. Valparaiso
9. Evansville

Iowa

The rest:

2. Northern Iowa
4. Drake
State of the state: The Hawkeyes are so far clear of Iowa State, the teams' annual game might wind up being light on suspense due to Iowa hosting the game. But though the Hawkeyes own this state for this season, Northern Iowa should be the top team in the Missouri Valley and might be good enough to command a single-digit seed if they can play spoiler in the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic later this week in South Dakota.

Missouri

The rest:

3. Missouri State

The Other Top 25: Full preseason rankings--Mid-Major Madness

3. Loyola University Chicago

4. Northern Iowa

 News, Notes, and Highlighted Games: Wednesday, Nov 25th--Hoops HD

HIGHLIGHTED GAMES

-TOLEDO VS BRADLEY (Xavier Invitational).  Two quality UTR Teams

-WESTERN KENTUCKY VS NORTHERN IOWA (Sioux Falls).  These are two of the best UTR teams this year, and both have a shot at making the NCAA Tournament without having to win the conference tournament.  Obviously winning this game would be a huge step toward making that happen.  This one should be fun!

All the buzzer-beaters and game-winners from college basketball’s opening night--Mid-Major Madness

Bradley 61 vs Toledo 59

The Braves enter the season with hopes of cutting down the nets in St. Louis to win the MVC auto-bid for the third straight year. This was the start they were looking for.

TERRY NOLAN JR!!!!!!!

🅱️🏀 pic.twitter.com/92nTRhggKg

— Bradley Basketball (@bradleyumbb) November 25, 2020

Xavier v. Bradley: Preview, matchup, keys to the game--Banners On The Parkway
Big East What To Watch: Week 1--Anonymous Eagle

Thursday, November 26: Xavier Musketeers vs Bradley Braves (11am Central, FS1) — Yes, that’s right, the Fightin’ Brian Wardles are in Cincinnati to take on the Musketeers bright and early on Thanksgiving....... 24 hours after Xavier plays Oakland. This is notable because of that quick turnaround for Paul Scruggs and the guys, but Bradley (#126) is also the highest ranked KenPom team facing a Big East team this week that’s not from a high major conference. This is quietly a pretty big game for both sides of the equation. By the way, it’s a quicker turnaround for Bradley than it is for Xavier, as Bradley is playing Toledo at Cintas Center 3 hours after Xavier’s game against Oakland.

Good health a factor as Bradley men's basketball gets set for season-opening tournament at Xavier--Peoria Journal Star
'It's different': Bradley basketball team gets first look at travel, distanced seating changes--Peoria Journal Star
What to expect in the Missouri Valley Conference this men's basketball season--Peoria Journal Star
'I'm not missing this again': Bradley newcomer plays hero in 61-59 win over Toledo--Peoria Journal Star
Back with a bang: Nolan’s late game heroics boost Bradley over Toledo--Bradley Scout
Last-Second Basket Leads Bradley Past Toledo in Season Opener--bradleybraves.com
Braves Play Xavier in Thanksgiving Matinee Game--bradleybraves.com

Season of high expectations starts strong for Braves--Peoria Journal Star
Braves Blow By Kansas City 84-70 In Opener--bradleybraves.com

Slate: Basketball Cometh--Bring On The Cats
Wildcats drop opener to Drake 80-70--Bring On The Cats
Sturtz's double-double helps send Drake past Kansas State--Associated Press
Men’s Basketball Opens Season By Defeating K-State--godrakebulldogs.com
Men's Basketball Faces USD In Little Apple Classic--godrakebulldogs.com

Women’s Basketball Wins Season Opener at Creighton, 75-62--godrakebulldogs.com

Season preview: Aces follow a season of trouble with an opener in the bubble--Evansville Courier & Press
UE Insider: Examining the Aces' blowout loss at Louisville--Evansville Courier & Press
Game Preview: Louisville Cardinals--Eville-Ways
Game Recap: Louisville 79, Evansville 44--Eville-Ways
Game Preview: I’m More Than A Little Worried About Prairie View--Eville-Ways
UE men wrap up season opener; set sights on Friday--gopurpleaces.com

11/25 Big Ten Preview: The Season Officially Begins--BT Powerhouse

-Illinois State Redbirds at #23 Ohio State Buckeyes

• Time/TV: 2:00 PM ET (ESPN)

Ohio State will look considerably different this season after losing Kaleb Wesson, Andre Wesson, Luther Muhammad and D.J. Carton. The Buckeyes will still bring back a strong backcourt with CJ Walker and Duane Washington, though the frontcourt will look considerably different. The drop in experience in the frontcourt could prove problematic when faring against some of the more talented Big Ten programs, but it shouldn’t be a huge issue today against Illinois State. The Redbirds won 10 games last year and lost two of their best players. It’ll be a large task if they want to pick up the upset.

• Pick: Ohio State

11/25 Big Ten Recap: Big Ten Rolls--BT Powerhouse

-No. 23 Ohio State Buckeyes 94, Illinois State Redbirds

The Buckeyes played a lot of new faces in the team’s opener, but the results looked the same. Ohio State cruised to a convincing win over Illinois State and will now prepare for a matchup against UMass Lowell at home on Sunday. California transfer Justice Sueing led the way with 19 points and eight rebounds. The team’s defense also held up well, holding Illinois State to 0.88 points per possession.

Ohio State men’s basketball vs. Illinois State: Game preview and prediction--Land Grant Holy Land
Watch now: Antonio Reeves, Illinois State ready to get things going at No. 23 Ohio State--The Pantagraph
Watch now: Quick start propels Ohio State to rout over Illinois State in basketball season opener--The Pantagraph
Five things to know before men's basketball's opening week--Vidette Online
Redbirds flounder after slow start, fall 94-67 to Ohio State--Vidette Online
Slow Starts Dooms Redbirds at Nationally-Ranked Ohio State--goredbirds.com

Lansing – Part Two – Processing Current Events--Valley Hoops Insider
Paoli's Bosley makes Indiana State his basketball home--Terre Haute Tribune Star
ISU men's basketball moves opener to Dec. 8--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Sycamore Men Adjust Nonconference Schedule--gosycamores.com

Sycamore women open season at Illinois--Terre Haute Tribune Star
ISU women fall in season opener at Illinois--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Sycamores Fall to Illinois in Season Opener--gosycamores.com

Preseason Awards: The All-Mid-Major Madness Second Team--Mid-Major Madness

Cameron Krutwig, Sr., Loyola University Chicago

While the college basketball normies clung to Sister Jean during the 2018 NCAA Tournament, Noted Large Gentleman Cameron Krutwig stole our hearts. As Loyola made its unforgettable Final Four run, Krutwig was a sturdy presence in the middle, causing us to marvel that he was only a freshman. In the years since, he has increased his scoring output and rebound average all while taking an increasingly significant role in the Ramblers’ offense. Last year, he ranked in the top five in the Missouri Valley in both percentage of possessions used and percentage of shots taken. While that led to a slight dip in efficiency, he still posted 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, while shooting 56 percent from the field. Those are the numbers you’d expect from the first player in program history to post a triple-double — though his 6’9, 255-pound frame might not be the package in which you’d expect it to be delivered.

Loyola returns all five of its starters from last year and is, at worst, the second-best team in the Valley. Expect Krutwig and fellow senior Lucas Williamson to play a pivotal role as they take one last crack at March Madness.

Loyola Ranked No. 3 In College Insider Mid-Major Top 25 Poll--loyolaramblers.com

Loyola Women’s Basketball Announces Pair of Non-Conference Games--Loyola Phoenix
Loyola Women’s Basketball Announces Opening Two Games Of 2020-21 Non-Conference Schedule--loyolaramblers.com

6 things we're looking for throughout Missouri State's non-conference schedule--Springfield News-Leader
Who is on the 2020-21 Missouri State men's basketball roster?--Springfield News-Leader
Bears Kick Off New Season with Weekend Home Games--missouristatebears.com

Who is on the 2020-21 Missouri State Lady Bears' basketball roster?--Springfield News-Leader
No. 24/25 Lady Bears Open Season in Sunshine State--missouristatebears.com

Western Kentucky and Northern Iowa played one of the most entertaining games of college basketball’s opening day--Mid-Major Madness
UNI men's basketball ready for season opener vs. Western Kentucky--Cedar Rapids Gazette
UNI basketball: Carter could help Panther attack reach another level--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
College basketball: Berhow to miss UNI's opening week due to COVID protocol--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
College basketball: UNI falls to Western Kentucky despite record-setting effort from distance--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
Men's Basketball Fall to the Hilltoppers 93-87--unipanthers.com

For Iowa women's basketball, there's no easing into this season--Cedar Rapids Gazette
Caitlin Clark debuts with 27 points; Iowa tops UNI, 96-81--Cedar Rapids Gazette
College women's basketball: Big third quarter carries Iowa past Northern Iowa--Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
Panther Women Fall to Iowa in Season Opener--unipanthers.com

SPORTS: Salukis struggle to score, lose to EMU--Southern Illinoisan
Notebook: Timely triples help Eagles pull away from Saluki women--Southern Illinoisan
Salukis fall to Eastern Michigan in season opener--Daily Egyptian
Salukis fall to Eagles, 65-52--siusalukis.com

Vanderbilt basketball season opener to be televised on SEC Network--Anchor Of Gold
Merrillville native Mileek McMillan continues to improve for Valparaiso--NWI Times
Valpo Basketball Announces Schedule Change--valpoathletics.com
Valpo Set to Open Season at Vanderbilt on SEC Network--valpoathletics.com

Valpo Women’s Basketball Announces Nonconference Slate--valpoathletics.com

MVC Men's Basketball Weekly Notebook (N24)--The Missouri Valley

State Farm MVC Scholar-Athlete Spotlight (Week 12)--The Missouri Valley

MVC Women's Basketball Notebook - Nov. 24--The Missouri Valley

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 11/23/2020

Xavier welcomes Bradley in 2020-21 season opener--Associated Press
Braves Open 2020-21 Campaign Wednesday Against Toledo--bradleybraves.com

After tumultuous year, Drake's Tremell Murphy is 'excited to show what he can do'--Des Moines Register

Grace Berg to make long-awaited debut for Drake women--Des Moines Register

Lindskog: Get ready for another unpredictable University of Evansville basketball season--Evansville Courier & Press
Lickliter details preparations for upcoming season--gopurpleaces.com

Watch now: Harouna Sissoko feeling like himself again, hopes to help Illinois State's frontcourt--The Pantagraph

The Other Top 25 Preseason Rankings: No. 3 Loyola University Chicago Ramblers--Mid-Major Madness

Who is Ecclesia? Breaking down Missouri State's weak non-conference basketball schedule--Springfield News-Leader

The Other Top 25 Preseason Rankings: No. 4 Northern Iowa Panthers--Mid-Major Madness
Wisconsin men’s basketball: non-conference preview--Bucky's 5th Quarter

Northern Iowa Panthers

• Wednesday, Dec. 16th, TBA, TBA, Madison
• 25-6 (14-4 MVC) last season
• Ranked No. 76 by KenPom
• Leading returning scorer is PG AJ Green (19.7 ppg, reigning MVC Player of the Year).

AJ Green

Joe Puetz-USA TODAY Sports

• Leading returning rebounder is PF Austin Phyfe (8.2 rpg, first team all-MVC last year).
• An intriguing newcomer to watch is true freshman guard Bowen Born who was named Iowa’s Gatorade Player of the Year after averaging 37.4 ppg and leading his high school to the Class 3A state title.

No Fans Allowed at Crossover Classic--unipanthers.com

Women's Basketball opens 2020-21 season against Eastern Michigan on Wednesday--siusalukis.com

Signee Spotlight: Lovie Malone--valpoathletics.com