Missouri Valley Conference Notebook
by Neal Heston
Missouri Valley gaining strength
As only one team carries a losing record, the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) boasts a No. 5 ranking in the latest RPI. Through Nov. 28, Southern Illinois led all MVC teams with its No. 11 rank, followed by Drake (the lone team in the conference below .500) at No. 21, Creighton at No. 59 and Illinois State at No. 60. Victories over teams from major conferences, such as Missouri, Ohio State, Penn State and Iowa State have propelled the Valley up the RPI ladder in the early stages of the season.
RPI (Through Nov. 28)
1. SEC
1. Big East
3. ACC
4. Big Ten
5. MVC
6. Big 12
7. Conference USA
8. Pac-10
Iowa State disagrees
Prior to Northern Iowa’s contest with Iowa State on Dec. 1, Cyclone players had a few comments to make about the strength of the MVC – and the Panthers. ISU guard Will Blalock made a comment in the Ames Tribune to downplay the Panther’s NCAA appearance last season.
“They didn’t play in the Big 12, so it’s different,” Blalock said. “If we played in their league, I’m sure we would have done the same thing. We’ll get there this year.”
UNI players used the comment as motivation and cruised to a 99-82 victory. Three players on the Panthers set career marks in scoring, and Brooks McKowen also set a career-high with seven assists.
“I thought by now the eyes had been opened enough by our program and the Valley to keep those comments out of people’s mouths,” UNI junior guard Ben Jacobson said, who scored 27 points Wednesday.
Pregame comments led to some tension on the floor Wednesday as both teams came out and played very physical. When the Panthers led 69-41 midway through the second half, Jared Homan was called for an intentional foul on UNI forward Grant Stout while Stout was attempting a dunk. ISU Head Coach Wayne Morgan and UNI Head Coach Greg McDermott had a few choice words to exchange with each other after the incident and were assessed technical fouls which offset.
Creighton, Southern Illinois getting votes for top 25
With respective records of 6-0 and 4-1, the Creighton Bluejays and Southern Illinois Salukis are inching toward the ESPN/USA Today Coaches top 25 and Associated Press top 25. In the AP poll, Southern Illinois sits at No. 28 with Creighton close behind at No. 30. The Salukis are perched at No. 29 in the Coaches poll, and the Bluejays sit a little lower at No. 34. Creighton hasn’t been ranked since its 12-0 start last season. Southern Illinois finished last season in the top 25.
Hoopville’s MVC Player of the Week
This award actually goes from the beginning of the season until now and should go to Wichita State’s Jamar Howard. Howard has fought through injury and has helped lead the Shockers to a 3-0 start. He is averaging 13 points per game and scored 15 points in just 12 minutes in Wichita State’s season-opening win against Eastern Washington.
Hoopville’s Newcomer of the Week
You can’t look through the box score for a Bradley game without seeing Patrick O’Bryant’s name. The freshman center scored in double figures during Bradley’s first three games and has also totaled 18 rebounds in the Braves’ last two games. His effort has been a huge part of a surprising 3-1 start for the Braves.
MVC Standings (Through Dec. 2)
Creighton 0-0 6-0 Wichita St. 0-0 3-0 Southern Ill. 0-0 4-1 Bradley 0-0 3-1 Evansville 0-0 3-1 Illinois St. 0-0 4-2 Northern Iowa 0-0 2-1 SW Missouri St. 0-0 2-1 Indiana St. 0-0 2-2 Drake 0-0 1-2
Touring the Valley
Creighton Bluejays (6-0)
Last week: defeated Alcorn State 74-40, defeated Iona 68-62, defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff 83-58, defeated Missouri 78-54, defeated Ohio State 65-63 and defeated Xavier 73-72.
This week: Saturday, Dec. 4 vs. High Point, 3:05 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 7 vs. Kent State, 7:05 p.m.
As always, the Bluejays are off to a quick start and have knocked off some fairly good teams in the process, including a 78-54 drubbing of Missouri and a 65-63 squeak by Ohio State. The win against Missouri propelled the Bluejays into the championship game of the Guardians Classic against unbeaten Ohio State. With less than seven minutes remaining in the championship contest, Ohio State led by nine points until the Bluejays rallied.
Johnny Mathies nailed a trey, and Tyler McKinney used a lay up and free throw to cut the deficit to three. Jeffrey Day tied the contest at 48 with less than five minutes remaining. The game went back-and-forth from there until McKinney hit the eventual game-winning basket with 15 seconds left. McKinney was named Guardians Classic MVP for his effort. Despite the victory, Creighton converted less than 70 percent of its free throws for the third time in five games.
The Bluejays were involved in another nail-biter Tuesday in a 73-72 win over Xavier. Again, the ‘Jays had to rally as they trailed by as many as 11 in the first half. And again, it was McKinney who nailed the game-winning shot to keep Creighton unbeaten.
Wichita State Shockers (3-0)
Last week: defeated Eastern Washington 80-62, defeated Austin Peay 72-62 and defeated San Francisco 65-55
This week: Wednesday, Dec. 8 at Drake, 7:05 p.m.
You didn’t think a little back injury would keep Jamar Howard out did you? The Shockers are glad it hasn’t because the senior has averaged 13 points per game during a 3-0 start. While only playing 12 minutes in the season-opening win over Eastern Washington, Howard tallied 15 points and grabbed six rebounds. Paul Miller, Randy Burns and Sean Ogirri also reached double figures in that game with 16, 12 and 11 points, respectively.
WSU had to travel to an NCAA caliber team’s home court last weekend and walked off by ending the nation’s second longest home-winning streak with a 72-62 win at Austin Peay. Howard and Burns each hit double figures again with 15 and 13 points, and Kyle Wilson also gave a strong effort with 14 points and nine rebounds.
Wednesday’s game was ugly, but nevertheless, a victory as the Shockers held on for a 65-55 win over San Francisco. WSU managed to shoot just 37 percent from the field, but San Francisco’s 17 percent shooting in the first half was enough to help the Shockers to a 10-point lead by halftime. Both teams came out in the second half to hit just more than one-third of their attempts. Paul Miller led the defensive struggle with 13 points and seven boards, while Rob Kampman, Ogirri and Matt Braeuer added 10 apiece.
Southern Illinois Salukis (4-1)
Last week: defeated Augustana (Ill.) 83-59, defeated Tennessee State 83-60, defeated Vanderbilt 67-53, defeated UTEP 68-62 and lost to Hawaii 66-64
This week: Tuesday, Dec. 7 at Arkansas-Little Rock, 7 p.m.
After tuning up against Augustana and Tennessee State, where neither team ever gave the Salukis a scare, Southern Illinois faced a potential NCAA Tournament team at the Las Vegas Tournament against Vanderbilt. SIU never trailed from tipoff and used an 11-0 run to take a 19-6 lead and never look back. LaMar Owen put a double-double in the books with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Stetson Hairston followed with a 15-point effort, and Darren Brooks chipped in 11.
A 68-62 win over UTEP in the Las Vegas Tournament championship gave the Salukis their first non-conference tournament title since 1991. UTEP led by as many as six for much of the contest, but clutch free throws by Brooks down the stretch aided the Southern Illinois comeback and win. Brooks was named Tournament MVP for his effort. He scored 14 in the final, but the Salukis’ leading scorer was Hairston with 16. Owen added another 11 points and seven rebounds.
Bradley Braves (3-1)
Last week: defeated Southeast Missouri State 77-73, defeated Loyola-Chicago 64-62, lost to Bowling Green State 85-61 and defeated Northern Illinois 76-74 (OT)
This week: Saturday, Dec. 4 vs. DePaul, 7:05 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 7 vs. Butler, 7:05 p.m.
The Braves have been on the good side of several close battles so far this season, with three of four games being decided by four points or less. All three of those contests have resulted in victories.
After taking a 15-point lead into halftime against Southeast Missouri State, Bradley held on to beat SEMS 77-73. Marcellus Sommerville led the Braves’ attack with 20 points, followed by Tony Bennett’s 15-point effort and Patrick O’Bryant’s 13 points. Win No. 2 was hard-fought as well, as the Braves were involved in a seesaw battle with Loyola-Chicago. Sommerville’s 27 points and 12 boards were a key in the two-point triumph. O’Bryant added another 17.
Three players hit double figures against Bowling Green last weekend, but it wasn’t enough to claim victory. Bowling Green led for the majority of the contest and eventually pulled away midway through the second half.
Overtime was needed to put Northern Illinois away Wednesday in a 76-74 overtime win. Free throws were the difference as the Braves hit nine of 12 in overtime to earn their third win of the season. Lawrence Wright and Sommerville chipped in 19 points apiece, and O’Bryant fought for 10 rebounds.
Evansville Purple Aces (3-1)
Last week: defeated Central Michigan 100-85, defeated Coastal Carolina 87-80, lost to Eastern Illinois 79-74 and defeated Tennessee-Martin 81-75
This week: Saturday, Dec. 4 vs. Austin Peay, 7:05 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 6 at Western Illinois, 7:05 p.m.
Offense certainly hasn’t been a problem for the Purple Aces so far this season. One of its largest weaknesses last season, Evansville has yet to score less than 70 points. On the other side, the defense might be a concern, as it also has yet to allow less than 70 points this season.
Evansville put points on the board from the season’s first tip, reaching the century mark in a game for the first time in six seasons while defeating Central Michigan, 100-85. Five players scored in double figures, led by Lucious Wagner with 16 points and 15 apiece from Andre Burton, Matt Webster and Dupree Fletcher.
The outcome looked bleak against Coastal Carolina two days later with UE trailing 36-24. A 14-0 run to end the first half propelled the Aces to victory though and sent Evansville to its first 2-0 start since reaching the NCAA Tournament five seasons ago. Bradley Strickland put a double double in the books with 23 points and 10 boards. Burton added another 12 points, and four others scored 10.
Every offensive category was dominated by the Purple Aces in their 79-74 loss to Eastern Illinois, except free throws. Evansville managed to hit just 10 of 22 from the charity stripe – costly in a loss this close. Lucious Wagner helped the team rebound Wednesday with his 23 points in an 81-75 win over Tennessee-Martin.
Illinois State Redbirds (3-1)
Last week: defeated Penn State 82-73, lost to Marquette 60-32, defeated Mississippi 70-52, defeated Truman State 82-47, defeated Tennessee-Martin 80-51, lost to Illinois-Chicago 60-56
This week: Saturday, Dec. 4 vs. St. John’s, 7:05 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 7 vs. Alcorn St., 7:05 p.m.
If not for a terrible shooting performance against Marquette, Illinois State might have been champions of the 2004 Black Coaches Association Classic. The third place trophy they brought home wasn’t bad, though.
ISU’s first round win over Penn State gave the Redbirds their first victory over a Big 10 opponent since 1996. The humiliating loss in the semifinals to Marquette was the team’s worst offensive performance since dropping a 51-31 yawner to Tulsa in 1988. The 70-52 win over Mississippi clinched third place in the Classic. Lorenzo Gordon earned 22 points and 10 rebounds.
Easy wins over Truman State and Tennessee-Martin this week were overshadowed by a poor shooting performance against Illinois-Chicago Tuesday. The Redbirds managed a meager 39 percent from the field and was never really in the game until the last few minutes when a 7-0 run tied the contest at 56. A lay up and two free throws in the closing minutes sent the Flames to the win on the Redbird’s home court.
Northern Iowa Panthers (2-1)
Last week: defeated Wayne State 84-66, lost to Cincinnati 76-70 (2 OT), defeated Iowa State 99-82
This week: Saturday, Dec. 4 at Loyola-Chicago, 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 7 at Iowa, 7:05 p.m.
UNI is a meltdown from being 3-0. An 18-point lead was blown in the final seven minutes at Cincinnati and eventually resulted in a double overtime loss. Erik Crawford attempted to win the game in the final seconds after Cincinnati stormed back to tie the game at 56, but his shot bounced out. Crawford and the other four starters for UNI scored in double figures.
Wednesday’s contest with Iowa State was filled with a lot of motivation. After Iowa State players and coaches questioned the strength of UNI and the MVC, UNI proved it on the court during a 99-82 thumping. Iowa State was never in the game from the tip, as the Panthers jumped out to leads of 7-0 and 20-5. An 8-0 run got the Cyclones to within seven, but that was the closest the game ever got. UNI just missed scoring 100 points for the first time since the 1997-98 season, as it shot 60 percent from the field and nailed 12 treys – tying a home record. Four players set career marks with Crawford scoring 28, Ben Jacobson 27, Eric Coleman 24 and Brooks McKowen dishing out 11 assists.
Southwest Missouri State Bears (2-1)
Last week: lost to Detroit 76-65, defeated Northern Illinois 65-63 and defeated Texas-Pan American 88-63
This week: Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3 and 4 DePaul (SMS Price Cutter Classic)
The first game of the season put a difficult task in front of SMS. Detroit boasted a 37-1 all-time record on its home court and wasn’t about to let the Bears put a second loss in the books. SMS had the lead until early in the second half when Detroit used an 18-4 run to run away with the game. Blake Ahearn gave a 12-point effort and hit four of four from the line to extend his active streak to 28 consecutive free throws.
Deke Thompson stepped up while filling the role of the graduated Merrill Andrews during the second game of the season. Thompson hit the game-winner in a 65-63 victory over Northern Illinois. NIU rallied after trailing by nine for most of the game. Kellen Easley led the Bears’ attack with 14 points.
Four players reached double figures in SMS’ 88-63 whooping of Texas-Pan American. Tamar Maclin was good for 17 points, Thompson added 14, Nathan Bilyeu chipped in 12 and Tyler Chaney scored 10.
Indiana State Sycamores (2-2)
Last week: defeated Coastal Carolina 70-46, lost to Indiana 56-52, lost to Buffalo 92-64 and defeated Birmingham Southern 62-55
This week: Saturday, Dec. 4 vs. Eastern Illinois, 7:05 p.m.
It’s the same story as last season so far. Defense is doing good, offense – not so good. Yet, the Sycamores are still 2-2 and have given up more than 60 points just once. The offense can struggle all it wants if the defense will keep doing that. David Moss has had a stellar season so far, averaging just more than 14 points per contest. Eric Gray has also scored in double figures in three of four contests.
Indiana again just managed to squeeze by Indiana State last week. After the Sycamores tied the game at 50, the Hoosiers held on for dear life to avoid having the Big Ten fall to another Valley foe.
Drake Bulldogs (1-2)
Last week: defeated Akron 90-88, lost to Iowa State 73-46 and lost to Iowa 91-75
This week: Saturday, Dec. 4 at Colorado St., 8:05 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 8 vs. Wichita St., 7:05 p.m.
Surprisingly, the Bulldogs haven’t been as good as expected on defense so far. Akron managed 88 points against the stingy defense, and intrastate rivals Iowa and Iowa State had their way with the ‘Dogs too.
If not for a six-point rally in the closing minute against Akron, Drake would have been staring at an 0-3 start. Lonnie Randolph and Klayton Korver combined for nine treys and 39 points in the win. Drake hit 12 total. Iowa State had the Bulldogs on a leash four days later. They committed 23 turnovers and shot only 31 percent from the field.
Iowa came to Des Moines Tuesday and took advantage of a few cold spells from Drake. One 10-minute stretch included just one Bulldog basket and enabled the Hawkeyes to take a double-digit lead and soar. Aliou Keita was good for 23 points, seven rebounds and five blocks in the losing cause. Korver added another 18.
