The Morning Dish – Thursday, January 4, 2018--
Hoopville
Side Dishes
...
In the Missouri Valley Conference, Drake continues to be the early surprise, going to 3-0 with an 87-62 blowout of Illinois State behind 28 points from Reed Timmer.
Tonight’s Menu
...
A good matchup is on tap in the Missouri Valley as Northern Iowa travels to Missouri State (9 p.m.)
http://www.hoopville.com/2018/01/04/scanning-nation-notebook-jan-4-three-point-shot-tennessee-western-kentucky/--
Hoopville
Speaking of UNI, it is right there with UTA for the title of most schizophrenic team out there. The Panthers had early wins against SMU, N.C. State, UNLV and UT Arlington, but since have slipped into another of their funks that have popped up periodically the last three years. With Northern Iowa, it’s pretty clear: when its seniors play well, so do the Panthers. Klint Carlson and Bennett Koch have been notably up and down throughout their careers, though, and when the two combine for five points and just three field goal attempts, total (as they did in a 72-53 loss at Bradley), UNI is going to have a hard time winning games. In fact, including point guard Juwan McCloud, three of the Panthers’ five starters combined for just five points in that loss to Bradley, an almost unfathomably low number from the team’s top three scorers over the course of the year.
The Morning Dish – Friday, January 5, 2017--
Hoopville
Side Dishes:
...
Missouri State is tied with Drake for first in the MVC early on, with the Bears now 3-0 after a 62-55 grinder over now-struggling Northern Iowa. Alize Johnson continues to hit his stride, and he had 24 points and 20 rebounds in this one. The Bears are starting to look like the conference favorites they were expected to be before the season.
Johnson's second 20-20 game helps Missouri St. beat N. Iowa--
CBS Sports
At Evansville, the motion offense is alive and well--
Peoria Journal Star
Braves Travel to Evansville for Weekend Matchup--
bradleybraves.com
Kent Named Bradley Athlete of the Month--
bradleybraves.com
First Place Men's Basketball Travels To Indiana State--
godrakebulldogs.com
Aces host Bradley in Saturday’s Courier & Press game--
gopurpleaces.com
ISU women look to rebound at Valpo--
The Pantagraph
Reggie's Kids Club Day Set For January 28--
goredbirds.com
ISU SPECIAL SECTION: Hughes embraces energy role and playing time gained by providing spark--
Terre Haute Tribune Star
TODD AARON GOLDEN: An open letter to new ISU president Curtis--
Terre Haute Tribune Star
ISU SPECIAL SECTION: MVC parity still leaves some unanswered questions about league teams--
Terre Haute Tribune Star
ISU hopes surprising Drake doesn't get the better of them--
Terre Haute Tribune Star
Indiana State Returns Home To Face Drake Saturday Afternoon--
gosycamores.com
Keister hoping to find a way to spark Sycamore women--
Terre Haute Tribune Star
Loyola Travels to UNI for Sunday Matinee--
loyolaramblers.com
UNI basketball: Panthers' skid hits five in loss at Missouri State--
Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
UNI, Loyola Set For Sunday Clash In McLeod--
unipanthers.com
Men's Basketball plays first game at Valparaiso since 1980--
siusalukis.com
Saluki women welcome Northern Iowa in battle of Valley leaders--
The Southern Illinoisan
Men's Basketball Hosts Southern Illinois In Saturday Matinee--
valpoathletics.com
The Morning Dish – Wednesday, January 3, 2018--
Hoopville
Tonight’s Menu
Wednesday is usually a busy night at this time of the year, and that’s certainly the case this time around.
...
Missouri Valley Conference play features a matchup of 2-0 teams as Illinois State visits Drake (8 p.m.)
Mid-Major Madness Twitter Mailbag: New year, same us--
Mid-Major Madness
Let’s exclude the WCC, Atlantic 10 and Mountain West from this discussion as those leagues still have a chance at being multi-bid leagues. Of the remaining conferences, here are the five I’m most intrigued by this year:
Missouri Valley: It’s damn near impossible to pin down who the favorite is. Missouri State, Northern Iowa and Loyola are probably the favorites, but I could easily be talked into somebody like Bradley winning it.
Handing out the Hardware: All-Conference Awards of 2017 (Part 2 of 2)--
Hoops HD
MVC
G: Keyshawn Evans (Illinois State)
G: Reed Timmer (Drake)
F: Alize Johnson (Missouri State)
F: Phil Fayne (Illinois State)
C: Kavion Pippen (Southern Illinois)
POYSF: Alize Johnson (Missouri State)
Under the Radar Game of the Day: Missouri State at Northern Iowa--
Hoops HD
S Illinois holds off Evansville 65-63--
CBS Sports
Scott lifts Indiana St over Loyola Chicago 61-57--
CBS Sports
Thomas scores 19 as Bradley beats Valparaiso 80-71--
CBS Sports
Timmer hits 6 3s, scores 28; Drake beats Illinois St. 87-62--
CBS Sports
Trends Are Being Set--
Valley Hoops Insider
What’s Next On MVC Expansion?--
Valley Hoops Insider
Bradley shows toughness, defends home court with 80-71 win over Valpo--
Peoria Journal Star
Wessler: Bradley crushes Valpo with rebounds, mental toughness--
Peoria Journal Star
Reynolds: Ray Giacoletti back in the game in the broadcast booth--
Peoria Journal Star
Darrell Brown Named COUNTRY Financial Scholar-Athlete Of The Week--
bradleybraves.com
Braves Win 10th-Straight Home Game, Top Valpo--
bradleybraves.com
Vote Bradley Athlete of the Month--
bradleybraves.com
Women’s Basketball Continues Valley Road Swing--
bradleybraves.com
Drake 87, Illinois State 62: What we learned in Drake's move into Missouri Valley lead--
Des Moines Register
Drake's Reed Timmer has one to beat for Bulldogs' scoring record--
Des Moines Register
Men's Basketball Throttles Illinois State, 87-62, To Improve To 3-0 In The MVC--
godrakebulldogs.com
Hittner and McGlynn Named Enterprise Bank MVC Scholar-Athletes of the Week--
godrakebulldogs.com
Women’s Basketball Visits Missouri State and SIU--
godrakebulldogs.com
Turnovers, late-game execution cost UE at Southern Illinois--
Evansville Courier & Press
Men’s basketball drops 65-63 decision at SIU--
gopurpleaces.com
ACES INSTANT REPLAY - UE Men battle SIU down the stretch, before falling--
gopurpleaces.com
Aces head to Terre Haute for first MVC road contest--
gopurpleaces.com
Drake routs Redbirds 87-62 in Des Moines--
The Pantagraph
Redbirds bit by Drake for first loss in conference play--
Vidette Online
Illinois State Falls to Hot-Shooting Bulldogs 87-62--
goredbirds.com
MVC Tournament Tickets and Hotel Fan Blocks Now Available--
goredbirds.com
Former ISU women's basketball player named to MVC 25-Year Team--
Vidette Online
Women’s Basketball “Pack the Arena” Game Set for Jan. 14--
goredbirds.com
Redbirds Begin Two-Game Road Swing at Valparaiso--
goredbirds.com
ISU blows lead, but gathers itself to knock off Loyola--
Terre Haute Tribune Star
ISU's defense clicks at right time in road win at Loyola--
Terre Haute Tribune Star
Boeglin named to MVC's 25th anniversary team--
Terre Haute Tribune Star
Bank Open Late In Sycamores Road Victory Over Loyola--
gosycamores.com
Keister, Sycamores look to begin turnaround with Taia back--
Terre Haute Tribune Star
Melanie Boeglin Honored as Part of The Valley’s 25th Anniversary of Women’s Sports--
gosycamores.com
Sycamores Host Evansville Friday Evening--
gosycamores.com
Sycamores Slip By Loyola, 61-57--
loyolaramblers.com
Men’s Basketball Game At Valparaiso To Air Live On ESPNU--
loyolaramblers.com
Ramblers Back Home To Host Bradley, Illinois State--
loyolaramblers.com
Tough defense earns Missouri State fourth straight win in victory over Northern Iowa--
Springfield News-Leader
Missouri State dominates a desperate Northern Iowa to start 3-0 in MVC--
The Standard
Bears Pounce Panthers, Improve to 3-0 in Valley--
missouristatebears.com
Bears host nemesis UNI Thursday--
Springfield News-Leader
Lady Bears senior calls it a career due to multiple concussions--
Springfield News-Leader
After her 14th concussion, Lady Bear hopes to be a role model as she leaves basketball--
Springfield News-Leader
MSU Senior Holt’s Career Cut Short by Concussions--
missouristatebears.com
Key Early-Season MVC Weekend Up Next for Lady Bears at JQH--
missouristatebears.com
UNI basketball: Struggling Panthers look to contain streaking Bears--
Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
Bears Score 62-55 Win Over Panthers--
unipanthers.com
UNI Travels to SIU, MSU for Pair of MVC Contests--
unipanthers.com
Salukis try to snap back against Evansville--
The Southern Illinoisan
Evansville's Taylor a tough guy to stop--
The Southern Illinoisan
Salukis to finish 2017-18 with 9 players, Wiley and McGill done--
The Southern IllinoisanMVC Power Rankings--
The Southern Illinoisan
SIU Men's Basketball | Salukis hold off Evansville 65-63--
The Southern Illinoisan
Saluki guards could be in for heavy minutes the rest of the season--
The Southern Illinoisan
Saluki basketball inches past Evansville Purple Aces--
Daily Egyptian
Saluki men's basketball hosts scout night on Jan. 21--
siusalukis.com
Men's Basketball slips by Evansville, 65-63--
siusalukis.com
Giebelhausen 1 of 30 candidates for Senior CLASS Award--
The Southern Illinoisan
Brockmeyer earns MVC Player and Newcomer of the Week--
Daily Egyptian
Women's Basketball hosts Northern Iowa on Friday--
siusalukis.com
Giebelhausen Named Senior CLASS Award Candidate--
siusalukis.com
Non-Conference Opponents’ Update January 3--
Hammer and Rails
Valparaiso Crusaders (9-6, 0-2 MVC) RPI: 176, KenPom: 157 – Since coming to Purdue with an 8-0 record and a strong RPI Valparaiso has fallen off a cliff. This week they started Missouri Valley play with a 73-64 loss at Indiana State and a 67-50 home loss to Missouri State. It was hoped this could be a tier 2 win in the end, but now they will be lucky to climb out of tier 4.
New year, old problems: Slow start dooms Valparaiso in loss at Bradley--
Post-Tribune
Valparaiso can’t overcome Bradley’s hot shooting in road defeat--
NWI Times
25 Points From Walker Not Enough For Men’s Basketball Wednesday--
valpoathletics.com
Home Game Versus Loyola Selected For ESPNU Telecast--
valpoathletics.com
NWIU NOTES: Bus breaks down, leaving Crusaders stranded on New Year’s Eve--
NWI Times
Women's Basketball to Play First Valley Home Game on Friday--
valpoathletics.com
MVC / ESPN Announce Jan. 21 Netflex--
The Missouri Valley
Hittner, McGlynn Named Enterprise Bank MVC Scholar-Athletes of the Week--
The Missouri Valley
SIU's Giebelhausen Named Senior CLASS Award Candidate--
The Missouri Valley
NBC Sports Midseason Mid-Major Power Rankings--
College Basketball Talk
4. MISSOURI STATE
Off to a positive start in Missouri Valley Conference play, the Bears have already knocked off Loyola and Valparaiso — two of the league’s stronger teams. Senior forward Alize Johnson is perhaps the best pro prospect of any player on this list as the double-double threat can carry Missouri State on his back during certain stretches. Around Johnson, there is plenty of balance, including senior guard J.T. Miller and junior forward Reggie Scurry. Playing at a slow tempo, Missouri State can to grind out wins using its solid eight-man rotation, or they can score and go more uptempo when the game calls for it.
5. LOYOLA-CHICAGO
The road win at then-No. 5 Florida got the nation’s attention as the Ramblers look like one of the teams to watch in the Missouri Valley Conference. Blessed with a team that loves to move the ball, this unselfish group is very deep and balanced. Seniors like Aundre Jackson and Donte Ingram have been solid. Junior point guard Clayton Custer and junior transfer Marques Townes have also shown flashes of strong play. Freshmen like center Cameron Krutwig continue to develop. Loyola has a high ceiling, but they have to navigate a very difficult league that knows how good they can be.
Standouts from Drake, Northern Iowa honored among best women's basketball players in Missouri Valley history--
Des Moines Register
LISTEN: Valley views with Valparaiso beat reporter Paul Oren--
Peoria Journal Star
Braves Host Valpo to Open 2018--
bradleybraves.com
New Drake A.D.'s mission is to bring heat back to Bulldogs--
Des Moines Register
MVC Leaders To Clash At the Knapp Center Wednesday Evening--
godrakebulldogs.com
Three Former Women’s Basketball Standouts Named to MVC 25-Year Anniversary Team--
godrakebulldogs.com
Consistency on Marty's mind as Aces head to Carbondale to face rival SIU--
Evansville Courier
ACES INSIDER - UE Men continue search for first MVC win at Carbondale Wednesday--
gopurpleaces.com
Aces look to end skid Wednesday at SIU--
gopurpleaces.com
Courier & Press $5 vouchers available for Saturday--
gopurpleaces.com
ISU's Hein looks to continue making impact in road game at Drake--
The Pantagraph
Yarbrough takes home MVC Newcomer and Player of the Week awards for second time this season--
Vidette Online
Milik Yarbrough Sweeps MVC Honors For Second Time this Season--
goredbirds.com
College Report 1/3/18: Cirone earns spot on MVC 25-year team--
The Pantagraph
Cirone Named to the MVC 25-Year Team--
goredbirds.com
Barnes wants to cut down turnovers as ISU visits Loyola--
Terre Haute Tribune Star
Road Trip To Loyola On Deck For Sycamore Basketball--
gosycamores.com
Joey Wells Resigns as Head Coach at Indiana State--
gosycamores.com
Melanie Boeglin Honored as Part of The Valley’s 25th Anniversary of Women’s Sports--
gosycamores.com
One MSU basketball player will remain suspended, teammate has suspension lifted, Lusk says--
Springfield News-Leader
Hungry Bears Host Perennial Valley Power UNI--
missouristatebears.com
Howard, Koch and Stiles Selected to MVC 25-Year Anniversary Team--
missouristatebears.com
Panthers, Bears Square off Thursday in Springfield--
unipanthers.com
Kalin Named to MVC 25-Year Anniversary Team--
unipanthers.com
Men's Basketball hosts Evansville on Wednesday--
siusalukis.com
Gallery: Top 10 SIU sports stories of 2017--
The Southern Illinoisan
SIU's Brockmeyer named MVC player and newcomer of the week--
The Southern Illinoisan
Brockmeyer Named MVC Player and Newcomer of the Week--
siusalukis.com
Family time: Valparaiso's Marten Linssen puts on show for parents' visit--
Post-Tribune
Valpo Returns To Road For Wednesday Night Matchup at Bradley--
valpoathletics.com
MVC MBB Weekly Notes (Jan. 2)--
The Missouri Valley
MVC Women's Basketball Weekly Notebook (Jan. 2)--
The Missouri Valley
NIT Bracket Projection: Jan. 1, 2018--
Hoopville
NIT Tournament Bracket (italics for bubble):
...
2. UCLA
7. Northern Iowa
...
2. Minnesota
7. Loyola (IL)
Podcast: Debating the No. 1 team--
Mid-Major Madness
After that, we delved into the Missouri Valley and discussed what to make of that mess. Without Wichita State, there does not appear to be a dominant team, and, even stranger, there are no really bad teams either. In other words, Arch Madness will be a ton of fun.
Bradley run sends Braves past N. Iowa 72-53--
CBS Sports
Drake hangs on for 70-67 win over Southern Illinois--
CBS Sports
Missouri State ends Valparaiso's home winning streak, 67-50--
CBS Sports
Illinois State holds on for 84-81 OT win against Indiana St--
CBS Sports
Wessler: Darrell Brown’s game screams for attention in Bradley win over UNI--
Peoria Journal Star
Reynolds: Ferocious 5-minute siege propels Bradley over Northern Iowa--
Peoria Journal Star
3-Pointers Lifts Bradley Past Northern Iowa, 72-53--
bradleybraves.com
Braves Top Illinois State 62-42 To Open Valley Play--
bradleybraves.com
Men’s Basketball Improves To 2-0 In the MVC With A 70-67 Win At SIU--
godrakebulldogs.com
Women's Basketball defeats Loyola, 72-46--
godrakebulldogs.com
Gasper and Lively combine for 37 as Aces fall to Lady Bears--
gopurpleaces.com
ACES INSTANT REPLAY - UE Women fall to Missouri State--
gopurpleaces.com
1/1 Men's Basketball Players of the Week--
College Sports Madness
Missouri Valley Milik Yarbrough F Illinois State
Yarbrough, Redbirds rally to top Indiana State in overtime--
The Pantagraph
Redbirds ring in new year with overtime victory over Indiana State--
Vidette Online
Redbirds Rally in 2017 Finale over Indiana State--
goredbirds.com
Redbird women drop Valley opener at home--
The Pantagraph
ISU women close out 2017 with loss in MVC opener--
Vidette Online
Redbirds Fall to Bradley in MVC Opener--
goredbirds.com
Familiar refrain for Sycamores in OT loss at Illinois State--
Terre Haute Tribune Star
Sycamores Fall At Redbird Arena In Overtime--
gosycamores.com
Sycamores play Santa Claus — twice--
Terre Haute Tribune Star
Sycamores Say So Long to 2017, Fall to Salukis--
gosycamores.com
Loyola Opens New Year By Hosting Indiana State Wednesday--
loyolaramblers.com
Second-Half Surge Pushes Drake Past Loyola, 72-46--
loyolaramblers.com
Bears stay hot going into new year--
Springfield News-Leader
Bears Spoil Valpo’s Home Valley Debut with Solid Road Victory--
missouristatebears.com
Offense Shines in 95-65 Win at Evansville--
missouristatebears.com
The Morning Dish – Monday, January 1, 2018--
Hoopville
For other surprises, let’s look at the Missouri Valley. How about Northern Iowa starting off 0-2 after losing at Bradley on Sunday? The Panthers have lost four in a row now after a great start that included wins over SMU and NC State to reach the championship of the Battle 4 Atlantis and wins over UNLV and UT-Arlington. Granted, the schedule got a bit tougher, but the 0-2 start is a bit surprising.
...
Some of these surprises may end up being something that doesn’t last. Northern Iowa and UT Arlington, for example, seem a little too good to let this set a real tone and lead to finishes near the cellar of their respective conferences. But as the calendar turns over, we have a few surprises, along with reminders of how much it helps to be at home.
UNI basketball: Bradley drops Panthers to 0-2 in Valley play--
Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
2nd-Half Surge Lifts Braves Past Panthers, 72-53--
unipanthers.com
College women's basketball: UNI defeats Valparaiso, 77-56--
Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
Panthers Repel Crusaders to Continue Win Streak--
unipanthers.com
SIU falls to Drake--
The Southern Illinoisan
Late rally falls short as Drake tops Men's Basketball, 70-67--
siusalukis.com
Hefferman: 5 reasons to be excited about Saluki athletics in 2017--
The Southern Illinoisan
1/1 Women's Basketball Players of the Week--
College Sports Madness
Missouri Valley Abby Brockmeyer F Southern Illinois
Saluki women chop down Sycamores to close out 2017--
Daily Egyptian
Southern Illinois uses big fourth quarter to topple Indiana State, 64-45--
siusalukis.com
No happy homecoming: Valparaiso stumbles against Missouri State--
Post-Tribune
Crusaders close out the year with blowout loss--
NWI Times
Crusaders Fall to Missouri State In Valley Home Opener--
valpoathletics.com
Final year of Dani Franklin's standout Valparaiso career takes her back to Iowa--
The Gazette
Franklin Moves to Third on Valpo All-Time Scoring List in Home State--
valpoathletics.com
