What's Up In The Missouri Valley: What's Up In The Missouri Valley 10/24/2026

2026-27 Missouri Valley Men’s Basketball Conference Preview--Mid-Major Madness

Meet the Valley: 11 Teams to Know--Valley Hoops Insider

Evan Bradds coached in the NBA and at Duke before turning 32, and now Belmont's future is in his hands--Busting Brackets
The coaches behind the coaches: 10 college basketball assistants who deserve more recognition--Busting Brackets

9. Brian Ayers, Belmont
Brian Ayers represents a different kind of valuable assistant coach. Rather than building his reputation through frequent moves between prominent programs, he has spent much of his career contributing to Belmont's sustained success. Ayers previously coached Evan Bradds during his playing career and remains on the Bruins' staff as the former Belmont star begins his first season as head coach. That relationship creates an interesting dynamic, with an experienced assistant helping a younger head coach navigate the responsibilities of leading a Division I program.
Belmont has established one of the most consistent winning traditions in mid-major basketball, and Ayers has been part of the program through important stages of that development. His familiarity with the university's expectations, recruiting philosophy and basketball culture provides continuity during a significant coaching transition. The Bruins are attempting to maintain their success while adjusting to Bradds' leadership and the challenges of the Missouri Valley Conference. Ayers' experience could prove especially valuable when Belmont encounters the inevitable difficulties associated with a new coaching staff.

Scout Team: Meet Belmont head coach Evan Bradds--Basket Under Review

How Bradley Braves men's basketball fared in exhibition vs Saint Louis Billikens--Peoria Journal Star

Five takeaways from Bradley women’s basketball’s exhibition against North Central--The Bradley Scout

Five forgotten college basketball seasons that were more remarkable than most fans realize--Busting Brackets

1. Drake's 1968-69 team nearly changed college basketball history
The 1968-69 Drake Bulldogs produced one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college basketball history, emerging as a national contender only two years after finishing last in the Missouri Valley Conference. Under head coach Maury John, the Bulldogs developed into an outstanding team that finished 26-5 and advanced to the Final Four. Their greatest achievement nearly came against one of the most dominant programs the sport has ever seen. Drake faced UCLA in the national semifinals, challenging a Bruins team led by Lew Alcindor that was pursuing its third consecutive national championship. The Bulldogs pushed UCLA throughout the contest before suffering an 85-82 defeat, finishing just three points away from one of college basketball's greatest upsets.
Drake responded to that disappointment by defeating North Carolina 104-84 in the national third-place game, providing a remarkable conclusion to an extraordinary season. Willie McCarter scored 28 points and distributed 10 assists in the victory, while Willie Wise and Dolph Pulliam also played significant roles throughout the team's historic campaign. Their accomplishments helped establish a standard that remains important to Drake basketball decades later. Although the Bulldogs never captured the national championship, their performance against UCLA demonstrated that they belonged among the nation's elite. The fact that Drake came so close to defeating Alcindor's Bruins makes the season even more fascinating in retrospect.

3 takeaways from Drake women's basketball media day--Des Moines Register
Mylea Monahan ready to make long-awaited Drake debut--Des Moines Register

When college basketball shocked the world: 10 regular-season upsets that still seem impossible--Busting Brackets

2. Evansville 67, Kentucky 64 (November 12, 2019)
Kentucky entered its November 2019 matchup against Evansville ranked No. 1 nationally and playing at Rupp Arena, one of college basketball's most intimidating home environments. The Wildcats were considered overwhelming favorites against a Missouri Valley Conference opponent that had little national recognition. Evansville, however, refused to follow the expected script and produced a stunning 67-64 victory. The result immediately became one of the biggest regular-season upsets in recent college basketball history.
The Purple Aces received 18 points from K.J. Riley and 17 from Sam Cunliffe, whose late free throws helped secure the victory. Evansville also had an unusual connection to Kentucky because its head coach, Walter McCarty, had played on the Wildcats' 1996 national championship team. The Purple Aces were approximately 25-point underdogs entering the contest, making the result especially remarkable. Their victory demonstrated how quickly national championship expectations can collide with the unpredictability of a single basketball game.

Aces Open 2026-27 Season with Exhibition Against IU East--gopurpleaces.com

Illinois State falls to Green Bay in second exhibition match--The Vidette
Redbirds Fall in Exhibition Finale--goredbirds.com

Heralded freshman adjusting well for Illinois State women's basketball--The Pantagraph

Engineers expect tall task in 'big, talented' Sycamores on Saturday--Terre Haute Tribune-Star
Sycamores close out exhibition season with win over Rose-Hulman--gosycamores.com

Which mid-majors have the most expensive rosters?--Mid-Major Madness

Finally, Murray State is lapping the field in the Missouri Valley in terms of spending. They spent big money to retain French star G/F Roman Domon, who averaged 14.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game as a 6-foot-9 freshman last season. He is expected to be a frontrunner for MVC Player of the Year. The Racers brought in a few more Europeans this offseason in Talis Soulhac and Mark Padgen, both expected to be notable contributors. Brayden Shorter is back, and Kaden Magwood comes in from Auburn. Murray also added GW transfer Christian Jones and Belmont transfer Brigham Rogers. Ryan Miller’s squad, if reading between the lines of Norlander’s follow-up, could be spending upwards of $8 million.

Rauf Report: Five Mid-Majors to Monitor--Basket Under Review

Murray State Racers
Murray State has been to 16 NCAA Tournaments since 1988, but none since 2022. Ryan Miller was hired to change that, and he's been aggressive in his first two offseasons...[Subscriber Content]

Roman Domon leads Murray State's comeback win over FIU to finish exhibition play 3-0--WPSD Local 6
Racer men use foul line to overcome FIU in final preseason game--Murray Ledger and Times
Second Half Effort Pulls Racers Past FIU--goracers.com

Murray State women take lessons from early scrimmages into final preseason test--WPSD Local 6