What's Up In The Missouri Valley 3/31/2025

Belmont riding high into WBIT Final Four--The Next

Iowa basketball coach Ben McCollum wins national honor for impressive season at Drake--Des Moines Register

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 3/30/2025

Third-Seeded Bruins Among Final Four Teams in WBIT, Headed to Indianapolis for Semifinals--belmontbruins.com

Illinois State women's basketball freshmen play critical reserve roles--The Pantagraph

MBB: Isaac Bourne hops on to talk about new Murray State Head Coach Ryan Miller--RacerBasketball.com

Chaney commits to Valparaiso--The Victory Bell

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 3/29/2025

NCAA Transfer Portal tracker: See the offseason moves for each Local 6 team--WPSD Local 6

PADUCAH, Ky. -- Monday marked the beginning of the transfer portal window for NCAA men's college basketball, a window that will remain open until April 22. Below is the latest on each Local 6 team.

MURRAY STATE

Outlook: New head coach Ryan Miller will have plenty of work to do. The Racers will have to replace the bulk of their starting lineup. AJ Ferguson and Nick Ellington will have one more year of eligibility due to the NCAA allowing one extra year of eligibility to those who played at a junior college and exhausted their final year in the 2024-25 season.

Arrivals

G Tristian Ford (Chicago, Ill.)

• Signed with Racers over Arizona State, Texas A&M, App State, and others.

F Kaden Rickard (Madison, Ala.)

• Signed with Racers over Belmont, Troy, UT Chattanooga, UIC and Lipscomb.

F Mason Miller (Creighton)

• Appeared in 101 games with 37 starts over the past three seasons at Creighton. Led the Big East by shooting 45% from three in 2023-24. Saw limited action this season, averaging 11.8 minutes per game but appeared in 32 games.

Departures

G JaCobi Wood (Graduation)

G Kylen Milton (Graduation)

G Terence Harcum (Graduation)

In Transfer Portal

F KyeRon Lindsay

F John McCrear

F Chiang Ring

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

Outlook: Head Coach Scott Nagy received a major boost when freshman Drew Steffe announced his intention to return to the Salukis next season. Nagy will enter year two looking to add more depth after losing top-scorer Ali Dibba to graduation and potentially Kennard Davis, who's in the portal.

Arrivals

G Luke Walsh (St. Louis, Mo.)

• Signed with Salukis over SEMO, UT Arlington, and Missouri State among others.

F Daniel Pauliukonis (Darien, Ill.)

Departures

G Ali Dibba (Graduation)

F Jarrett Hensley (Graduation)

In Transfer Portal

G Kennard Davis

Belmont women's basketball routs James Madison 90-45, advances to WBIT semifinals--Nashville Tennessean
Belmont Blows Out James Madison University in WBIT Quarterfinals--Belmont Vision
Bruins Double Up Dukes, 90-45, To Advance to WBIT Semifinals--belmontbruins.com

Bradley sophomore enters NCAA basketball transfer portal--Peoria Journal Star

Drake’s New Coach Eric Henderson--Valley Hoops Insider
Drake basketball hires Eric Henderson from South Dakota State as new head coach--Des Moines Register
Eric Henderson Named Drake Men's Basketball Coach--godrakebulldogs.com

NCAA basketball: Which Evansville and Southern Indiana players have entered the portal?--Evansville Courier & Press

Check out how the Illinois State women emerged from a home game at Illinois Wesleyan--The Pantagraph
Electric atmosphere carries Illinois State women's basketball to 78-68 win over Abilene Christian--The Vidette
Redbirds Ride Shirk Crowd to Super 16 Win Over Abilene Christian--goredbirds.com
Lady Techsters Visit CEFCU Arena Monday for WNIT Great Eight--goredbirds.com

Miller looking for 'instant success' after introduction at Murray State--WPSD Local 6
Creighton's Mason Miller commits to Murray State--WPSD Local 6
‘All in … all together!’; New Racer men’s skipper Miller meets Racer Nation--Murray Ledger and Times
Mason Miller commits to Murray State--Murray Ledger and Times

WBB: Here's our exit interview with Murray State's Katelyn Young--RacerBasketball.com
WBB: Here's our senior exit interview with Trinity White--RacerBasketball.com

Whar'a Up In The Missouri Valley 3/27/2025

Third-Seeded Bruins Head to Top-Seeded JMU for WBIT Quarters Thursday Night--belmontbruins.com

Bradley basketball roster 2025-26: Who has eligibility remaining and where might new faces come from--Peoria Journal Star

Drake men’s basketball sees March Madness second round for first time in 54 years--The Times-Delphic
Drake University sees men’s basketball head coach departure postseason--The Times-Delphic

Caden Boser's powerful performance off the bench sends Illinois State to CBI crown--The Pantagraph

WATCH LIVE: Murray State introduces Ryan Miller as new head men's basketball coach--WPSD Local 6
Here's your Thursday morning 'Fast Break' ahead of Ryan Miller's official introduction--RacerBasketball.com
Miller: "We're ready to get to work"--RacerBasketball.com
Players waiting on roster decisions for next year--RacerBasketball.com
Coach Ryan Miller Era Begins In Murray--goracers.com

Three Racer men’s players, two women’s players enter transfer portal--Murray Ledger and Times

Billington enters transfer portal--RacerBasketball.com

Four Flames Named to College Sports Communicators Academic All-District® Team--uicflames.com

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 3/26/2025

Two Belmont Players Enter Transfer Portal--Belmont Vision
Three Men's Basketball Players Earn Academic All-District Honors--belmontbruins.com

'Regret this one': Bradley Braves NIT run ends with quarterfinals loss to Chattanooga--Peoria Journal Star
‘We might regret this one a little bit one day’: Braves blow 16-point lead in NIT Quarterfinals--The Bradley Scout
Corey Thomas named Busey Bank Scholar-Athlete of the Week--bradleybraves.com
Bradley MBB season comes to a close in NIT Quarterfinals--bradleybraves.com

Drake guard Bennett Stirtz to follow Ben McCollum to Iowa--Zagsblog
Drake Basketball – What’s Next?--Valley Hoops Insider
Drake basketball's Bennett Stirtz will enter transfer portal, follow Ben McCollum to Iowa--Des Moines Register
Drake basketball's Isaia Howard enters transfer portal after Ben McCollum's departure--Des Moines Register
Drake basketball's Cam Manyawu enters transfer portal after Ben McCollum's departure--Des Moines Register
Drake basketball's Kael Combs enters transfer portal after Ben McCollum's departure--Des Moines Register
Recapping the Drake men's basketball 2024-25 season, success under Ben McCollum--Des Moines Register

Drake basketball programs see post-season MVC tournament games--The Times-Delphic

Dinnebier One of 50 Finalists for WBCA Coaches' All-America--godrakebulldogs.com
Drake Foursome Recognized on College Sports Communicators Academic All-District List--godrakebulldogs.com

3/26/25 NIT/CBI NOTES--Staring at the Floorboards

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CBI CHAMPIONSHIP

• Not a particularly impressive performance last night from either finalist in Daytona Beach, as Cleveland State had to squeeze past a severely shorthanded FGCU team, and really only scored consistently at the FT line and the offensive glass. Illinois State meanwhile predictably couldn’t stay in front of UIW’s dribble penetration for the vast majority of the game and were outplayed everywhere except for Chase Walker’s paint production...

Illinois State heads to CBI championship game after downing Incarnate Word--The Pantagraph
Chase Walker’s tremendous performance secures Illinois State men’s basketball a ticket to the CBI Championship--The Vidette
Unlikely hero erases Illinois State’s zero as ISU men’s basketball wins its first-ever postseason championship--The Vidette
Redbird Quartet Earn CSC Academic All-District Honors--goredbirds.com
Strong Finish Sends Redbirds into CBI Championship--goredbirds.com
Redbirds Win 2025 Purple College Basketball Invitational--goredbirds.com

Illinois State women to host next WNIT game, but not at CEFCU Arena--The Pantagraph
Illinois State women branch out to Shirk Center to host WNIT contest--The Pantagraph
Kristen Gillespie signs multi-year extension with Illinois State women's basketball--The Vidette
Gillespie Inks Extension Through 2029-30--goredbirds.com
Knudsen, Thomas Earn CSC Academic All-District Honors--goredbirds.com
Redbirds Eye Wildcats in WNIT Super 16 at Shirk Center--goredbirds.com

Days after Woods' KC trip, McClung moves to Valpo as assistant coach--Terre Haute Tribune-Star
ISU men's basketball preparing to welcome three new players--Terre Haute Tribune-Star

ISU women's roster dwindles in portal exodus; Alderink among 6 departing men--Terre Haute Tribune-Star

Depleted women's BB program 'has tools to be successful,' ISU AD says--Terre Haute Tribune-Star

Four Lady Bears Earn CSC Academic All-District Honors--missouristatebears.com

Murray State set to introduce Ryan Miller as new head men's basketball coach Thursday--WPSD Local 6
Miller set to be introduced Thursday--RacerBasketball.com
Creighton's Miller enters transfer portal--RacerBasketball.com
Miller hints at some Racers returning next season--RacerBasketball.com

WBB: It's our exit interview with Murray State senior Ava Learn--RacerBasketball.com
Koelling is entering transfer portal--RacerBasketball.com
WBB: Our exit interview with Murray State senior Jenna Walker--RacerBasketball.com
Blazquez enters the transfer portal--RacerBasketball.com

Panther Men’s Basketball wraps up season against SMU--Northern Iowan
UNI men’s hoops selected for 2025 Acrisure Series--unipanthers.com

Five Panther basketball players earn CSC Academic All-District recognition--unipanthers.com

Women’s basketball concludes the season with a loss to Florida--Northern Iowan

Jesse McClung Joins Valpo Men’s Basketball Coaching Staff--valpoathletics.com

Four Beacons Earn Academic All-District Recognition--valpoathletics.com

Possible candidates for Valpo women's hoops--The Victory Bell

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 3/25/2025

Which Missouri Valley Conference players are in the NCAA transfer portal? Here's the list--Peoria Journal Star
NCAA Transfer Portal opens for men's college basketball--WPSD Local 6

Drake AD Brian Hardin details Ben McCollum's departure, looks ahead to coaching search--Des Moines Register

Redbirds to Host WNIT Super 16 Thursday at Illinois Wesleyan--goredbirds.com

ISU's men's, women's hoops players enter NCAA transfer portal--Terre Haute Tribune-Star

Former Racer Moore in transfer portal--RacerBasketball.com
Report: Ring enters the transfer portal--RacerBasketball.com

Championship season full of records for Racers--RacerBasketball.com

opinion: In Nagy I trust--The Daily Egyptian

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 3/24/2025

Belmont women's basketball advances to WBIT quarterfinals with huge comeback over Northern Arizona--Nashville Tennessean
Belmont Wins on Last Second Shot After Fourth Quarter Heroics--Belmont Vision
One for the Ages; Bruins Stage Epic Comeback to Defeat Northern Arizona in WBIT Second Round--belmontbruins.com

Tough exit: Injury puts an end to Bradley star forward's college career--Peoria Journal Star

Drake is becoming the best power conference coaching pipeline--Busting Brackets
Where does Drake Basketball program go next after events from this past weekend?--Busting Brackets
Drake basketball coaching candidates: 7 possible options to replace Ben McCollum--Des Moines Register
McCollum Named Head Coach at Iowa--godrakebulldogs.com

Illinois State shoots to CBI victory over Presbyterian--The Pantagraph
ISU men’s basketball kicks off CBI Invitational with hot shooting from the field, defeating Presbyterian by eight--The Vidette
Redbirds Advance to Semifinals of CBI with Win over Presbyterian--goredbirds.com

Check out how the Illinois State women fared in an in-state WNIT matchup--The Pantagraph
Illinois State women's basketball keeps season alive with 90-80 win in round two of WNIT--The Vidette
Dowell leads Illinois State Past Western Illinois, into WNIT Super 16--goredbirds.com

ISU's Legree, Summers enter NCAA transfer portal--Terre Haute Tribune-Star

March Madness: Missouri State women's basketball season ends in WBIT loss to Minnesota--Springfield News-Leader
Lady Bears’ Comeback Effort Falls Short as Season Ends in Second Round of WBIT--missouristatebears.com

Forrest says he's heard from Racers--RacerBasketball.com

After historic season, Murray State women's basketball looks ahead to offseason--WPSD Local 6
NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament; All good things must end; Iowa stops Racers’ incredible journey on day injury ends Young’s historic run--Murray Ledger and Times
Wright On; No, this wasn’t the end we wanted, but what a great ride!--Murray Ledger and Times
It's our season-ending interview with Murray State Head Coach Rechelle Turner--RacerBasketball.com

Ranking of the top 50 players who have already entered 2025 CBB transfer portal--Busting Brackets

34. All Wright - Valparaiso Beacons

2024-25 season stats: 15.5 ppg and 2.4 apg

The 6'3 guard was one of the top freshmen scorers in all of College Basketball, ranking second on Valpo in scoring. Wright had 13 games of at least 20 points, including averaging 25 ppg through three games in Valpo's surprise MVC Tournament run. 

Ranking of the top 50 players who have already entered 2025 CBB transfer portal--Busting Brackets

25. Cooper Schwieger - Valparaiso Beacons

2024-25 season stats: 15.8 ppg and 7.8 rpg

The 6’9 forward is a former MVC Rookie of the Year, leading the Beacons in both scoring and rebounding. Some of Schwieger’s best games include seven games with at least 20 points, including 33 points and 18 rebounds in a win at UIC.

Schmidt, Scroggins to enter portal--The Victory Bell

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 3/23/2025

Bruins Host Northern Arizona in WBIT Second Round Sunday Afternoon--belmontbruins.com

Bradley vs Chattanooga: What to know, prediction for 2025 NIT quarterfinals--Peoria Journal Star
Braves advance to the 2025 NIT Quarterfinals, will host the Mocs of Chattanooga Tuesday night--bradleybraves.com

Drake’s Ben McCollum could be on the move this offseason after cryptic postgame response--Busting Brackets
Drake basketball falls to Texas Tech in March Madness, eliminated in NCAA second round--Des Moines Register
Despite losing in March Madness second round, Drake basketball earned its Cinderella story--Des Moines Register
Drake basketball coach Ben McCollum responds to questions on his future with the Bulldogs--Des Moines Register
Drake Falls to No. 3 Texas Tech in NCAA Second Round--godrakebulldogs.com

3/23/25 NIT/CBI NOTES--Staring at the Floorboards

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CBI (All games in Daytona Beach)

• It seems like Illinois State is locked in for the CBI with Walker confirming his return for next season and this being Pedon’s first foray into the postseason. Presbyterian isn’t a deeply skilled team, but they can overwhelm you with their ball pressure if you’re not locked in (although a lot of it is just to slow teams down and waste the clock)...

Illinois State men’s basketball is ready to make a statement at the CBI Invitational--The Vidette
Redbirds Open Postseason Against Blue Hose--goredbirds.com

Missouri State women's basketball vs Minnesota score: How to watch, updates from WBIT--Springfield News-Leader

Creighton falls, Miller now 100% a Racer--RacerBasketball.com

Women’s Basketball Falls Short In WNIT Second Round Match-Up at Butler, 71-64--uicflames.com

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 3/22/2025

3/22/25 NIT NOTES--Staring at the Floorboards

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Just a few quick NIT notes as an appetizer for today’s NCAAT second round action…

• Bradley survived the opt out drama with ease against UNA, who turned out to be down their only floor spacer in Ortiz. The Braves now hit the road for the ferocious hard hedge of GMU, who will take the ball out of Duke Deen’s hands by and large....

Bradley basketball vs George Mason score today: NIT live updates, game highlights--Peoria Journal Star

March Madness games today: Breaking down eight men's NCAA Tournament matchups--USA TODAY

No. 3 Texas Tech vs. No. 11 Drake

Time/TV: 6:10 p.m., TNT

Like low-scoring rock fights? This is your game. Tech isn't as proficient on defense but still is able to limit opponents. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are second in fewest points allowed – a product of their ball-possession game reliant on screening. JT Toppin is the top option for the Red Raiders after a breakout season. Drake will counter with star guard Brandon Stirtz in his first season with the team after following coach Ben McCollum from Division II.

Quick Takes: Top 5 storylines from the NCAA tournament’s first round--Bracketville

Three double-digit seeds advance
McNeese and Drake are the real storylines, as red-hot Colorado State was a trendy pick to knock out Memphis. Regardless, McNeese and Colorado State (12-seeds) and Drake (11-seed) remain alive with a chance to create a more lasting legacy by reaching the tournament’s second week. Drake systematically handled Missouri, while McNeese held off a late Clemson rally to advance. Colorado State led for much of its game against the Tigers.

The Breakfast Buffet: March Madness Edition--College Hoops Today

On The Side

• Four of Drake’s starters — Bennett Stirtz, Mitch Mascari, Isaiah Jackson, and Daniel Abreu — played Division II basketball last season. Today, they’ll play against Texas Tech for the right to go to the second weekend of March Madness. Anarchy? Nope. Just college basketball.

Can McNeese, Drake keep marching to the Sweet 16? Here are their upset chances.--The Athletic

No. 3 Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. No. 11 Drake Bulldogs

Upset Chance: 26.4 percent

While we were relaxing on our couch at Bracket Breakers Central, TruTV cut to an interview with Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland. And something deep in the recesses of our stats-saturated (stats-urated?) brains clicked.

McCasland came to Lubbock from North Texas, where he famously led the Mean Green to a 13-4 upset of Purdue in the first round back in 2021. That team combined a plodding pace with a disruptive defense that forced turnovers on 21 percent of opponents’ possessions. That’s an unusual marriage, as pressure defense is typically associated with a fast tempo. But now, four years later, he’s about to meet an underdog that features a more extreme — and better — version of that North Texas scheme: Drake

Of course, it all makes sense. McCasland is close friends with Drake coach Ben McCollum and tried to get him to join his staff in Lubbock after landing the job in 2023. Instead, he stayed at Division II Northwest Missouri State before jumping to the head job at Drake this year. The Bulldogs, fresh off an upset of Missouri, play at the nation’s slowest tempo, yet generate the 10th-highest turnover percentage (22.2 percent). They don’t run a full-court press or overplay the passing lanes. Instead, they switch every exchange, help quickly and effectively and wall up inside, forcing discombobulated offenses to drive into a crowd or to throw ill-advised passes. It’s beautiful to watch, and it’s their best route to an upset.

Not beautiful? Drake’s offense, which struggled to run anything effectively against Missouri and was fortunate to score at the end of the shot clock off several broken plays. That won’t cut it against a Texas Tech team that is better defensively than the Tigers were and also adds a strong dose of offensive rebounding (34.3 percent) to protect against poor shooting.

Drake’s pace and defensive commitment should keep the Bulldogs in the game, and our model also loves their underrated offensive rebounding (36 percent). That’s why Slingshot gives them a better than one-in-four shot of reaching the Sweet 16. But they’ll have to generate better looks on offense and shoot better than 12-of-24 at the line (their mark against Missouri) to beat a really good Texas Tech team — even if the Red Raiders don’t get Chance McMillian back from injury.

Men’s March Madness 2025: What to watch for on Day 3, including St. John’s-Arkansas, Purdue-McNeese--The Athletic

No. 3 Texas Tech vs. No. 11 Drake

6:10 p.m. ET on TNT

This game will be decided by who dictates the pace. Drake plays at the slowest pace in college basketball, while the Red Raiders love to space the floor and shoot 3s.

Big 12 Player of the Year JT Toppin and the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year Bennett Stirtz will showcase their skills in this matchup, but whose impact will give their team the edge?

The Red Raiders shot 46 3s in Thursday’s win over UNC Wilmington but only made 13 (28.3 percent). If they shoot that poorly again, they will be in trouble. Tech must find Toppin early and often in the low post. He can play in and out of double-teams and score at will. If the Red Raiders want to advance to their first Sweet 16 in the Grant McCasland era, letting Elijah Hawkins and Darrion Williams operate in the pick-and-roll is key.

As for Drake, it’s comfortable playing late into the shot clock, which causes defensive breakdowns. The Bulldogs rank in the top 40 in adjusted defensive efficiency as they are adept at forcing turnovers and limiting possessions.

I expect the Bulldogs to mimic what UNC Willmington did and throw multiple bodies at Toppin, forcing him to make decisions.

McCasland and Drake coach Ben McCollum are close friends and know each other’s tendencies. Who will go deep into his coaching bag and exploit the other’s weaknesses?

3/22 SATURDAY NCAAT 2ND ROUND NOTES--Staring at the Floorboards

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3 TEXAS TECH vs 11 DRAKE (Wichita)

• ...

Drake vs Texas Tech men’s basketball how to watch, odds, injuries, series history, and prediction--Busting Brackets
Secret Scrimmage & National Stage--Valley Hoops Insider
3 things to watch ahead of Drake basketball vs Texas Tech in the NCAA Tournament--Des Moines Register

Illinois State basketball opens play in CBI against Presbyterian--The Pantagraph

Illinois State women grateful for opportunity to extend season--The Pantagraph

ISU studying athletic facilities, program needs, first-year president and AD say--Terre Haute Tribune-Star

Creighton assistant Ryan Miller to take over Murray State program--Mid-Major Madness

Five women’s mid-major players to watch in NCAA Tournament--Mid-Major Madness

Katelyn Young, Murray State

Young is also a top scorer, ranking 11^th in the nation at 22.2 points a game. The graduate forward has six 30-point games this season, including in the Missouri Valley semifinal and championship games. She poured in 34 points on a blistering 13-for-18 shooting night in the title game against Belmont. She also dished out seven assists. One day earlier, the program’s all-time leading scorer tallied 30 points, six assists and six rebounds against Drake. All the Racers can score the ball as they lead the country with 87.8 points a night.

Murray State brings high-octane offense to Big Dance--The Next
Murray State relying on unsung heroes in hopes of deep NCAA Tournament run--WPSD Local 6
Thomas continues to impact Murray State after season ending injury--WPSD Local 6
Heiden scores 15 as sixth-seeded Iowa routs No. 11 Murray State 92-57 in first round--WPSD Local 6
Learn dabs her way to the Big Dance--RacerBasketball.com
It's the 'Ride Home' after Murray State's 92-57 loss to Iowa in the NCAA Tournament--RacerBasketball.com
Iowa ends Racers' magical run, 92-57--RacerBasketball.com
Record Season Ends For Racers at NCAA Tournament--goracers.com

Flames Ride Dominant Fourth Quarter To First WNIT Win in Program History--uicflames.com
Women’s Basketball Gears Up For WNIT Second Round Match-Up at Butler--uicflames.com