Missouri Valley Conference Notebook
by Neal Heston
The conference schedule is here, and it’s time to separate contenders from pretenders. That has been accomplished so far, as my top three picks from the preseason have yet to lose a Valley contest. (Yes, it’s still very, very early.) Recent play from Illinois State, Evansville and Southwest Missouri State also gives reason to scare the rest of the conference, and Drake’s strong non-conference schedule seems to be paying off, as the Bulldogs haven’t been easy to put to sleep in their first three conference games.
Valley games to watch this week
Saturday, Jan. 8: Wichita State at Southwest Missouri State, 7:05 p.m.
Wichita State dominated this series last season and will be favored to win this game, but look for this contest to go down to the wire. How does this game go against SMS? The Shockers will attempt to rebound from a home defeat on Monday to Manhattan.
Sunday, Jan. 9: Southern Illinois at Creighton, 2:05 p.m.
This game will give Creighton a chance to do one of two things: prove that it is still a force to be reckoned with in the MVC or prove that the once dominating Bluejays won’t fly very high this season. Excluding last season, Southern Illinois typically hasn’t fared well in the Qwest Center. This game also provides a clash between two very strong players: SIU’s Darren Brooks and Creighton’s Nate Funk.
Hoopville’s MVC Player and Newcomer of the Week: Kyle Wilson, Wichita State
Wilson had a career week, leading the team in scoring in two of its three contests. The sophomore guard scored 14 against Wyoming and added a career-high 24 as the Shockers rolled past Evansville.
Touring the Valley
Wichita State Shockers (9-1, 2-0)
Last week: defeated UMKC 81-68, defeated Evansville 91-81, lost to Manhattan 64-59
This week: Saturday, Jan. 8 at Southwest Missouri State, 7:05 p.m.
Manhattan traveled to Kansas on Monday and handed the Shockers their first loss of the season to end the best start in WSU history. With its only loss coming to an NCAA Tournament-caliber team, Wichita State doesn’t have too much to worry about though. Five WSU players scored in double figures in each win last week, proving how balanced this team is. Randy Burns enjoyed a successful week, scoring in double figures in all three games – the only Shocker to do so. He averaged 13.7 points per game and passed Terrell Benton’s career record for 3-pointers (197).
There’s no time to think about this last loss with a date at Southwest Missouri State Saturday. WSU won both battles last season by double digit margins, but SMS is much stronger and experienced this season.
Southern Illinois Salukis (11-2, 2-0)
Last week: defeated Wyoming 81-69, defeated Drake 51-45
This week: Wednesday, Jan. 5 at Louisiana-Lafayette, 7:05 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 9 at Creighton, 2:05 p.m.
Southern Illinois is rolling right now. After getting a smack in the face from Arkansas-Little Rock, the Salukis have reeled off seven consecutive victories while jumping out to a quick 2-0 start in MVC play. The most recent victory didn’t come easily, as Drake nearly snapped SIU’s 28-game home winning streak in conference play. In the final minute, SIU nursed a 47-45 lead, but prevailed after the Bulldogs missed their last five shots. A 26-point effort from Wyoming’s Jay Straight wasn’t enough to knock SIU down in another win for the Salukis last week. Senior Darren Brooks led the SIU charge with 17 points. In two victories, Brooks averaged 14.5 points.
This week poses a large threat to the Salukis’ winning streak with road trips to Louisiana-Lafayette and Creighton. The Qwest Center is never an easy place to spell victory.
Northern Iowa Panthers (10-2, 1-0)
Last week: defeated Valparaiso 67-49, defeated Northwestern St. 69-62, defeated Illinois State 75-55
This week: Friday, Jan. 7 at Evansville, 7:05 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 9 at Indiana State, 2:05 p.m.
The offense wasn’t as explosive for UNI last week, but that doesn’t matter since three tallies went in the win column. UNI extended its winning streak to seven games with a win over Illinois State Monday. A balanced attack allowed the Panthers to dominate the Redbirds after traveling to Las Vegas last Thursday and Friday for a pair of tournament games. Sophomore Grant Stout led the Panther attack with 18 points, and UNI shot better than 50 percent for the tenth time this season. Stout led the team in scoring for two of UNI’s victories last week. Ben Jacobson, the conference’s leading scorer, averaged 14.3 points in three wins.
UNI will have strong tests this weekend at Evansville and Indiana State. These two teams sat at the bottom of the Valley last season, but definitely won’t in this campaign. Even though contests with SMS and Creighton loom next week, it’s important for the Panthers not to look ahead.
Bradley Braves (8-2, 1-1)
Last week: lost to Creighton 71-62, defeated Evansville 76-66
This week: Wednesday, Jan. 5 vs. Southwest Missouri State, 7:05 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 8 at Drake, TBA
Bradley is one poor half away from being tied with Wichita State – not bad for a team many picked to fall through the Valley standings. The Brave’s lone MVC loss came at Creighton. The game was tied at halftime, but Creighton stormed out in the second frame on a 17-7 run and never looked back. Marcellus Sommerville recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 boards in a moral victory for Bradley.
Indiana State caused pains Sunday when it led 39-36 at the half, but the Braves were able to rebound in the second half this time. A 9-2 run with about 10 minutes remaining lifted BU to victory. Patrick O’Bryant and Daniel Ruffin each posted double doubles. O’Bryant sunk 10 points and grabbed 13 boards, while Ruffin scored 11 and dished out 10 assists for his first career double-double.
Two conference games are in the books, and the Braves still look impressive. This week will tell more though. If Bradley is able to pull off two wins against SMS and Drake, look out.
Southwest Missouri State Bears (7-3, 1-1)
Last week: lost to Illinois State 62-61, defeated Evansville 78-75
This week: Saturday, Jan. 8 vs. Wichita State, 7:05 p.m.
Nothing new for the Bears: close game here; close game there. An attempt to take down Illinois State on its home court fell short on Dec. 30, but SMS avoided a home loss Sunday after rallying against Evansville. Evansville led by as many as 10 points in the second half, but a 20-8 SMS run gave the Bears a 64-62 lead that wouldn’t crumble. The Purple Aces managed to tie the game at 75 but couldn’t get over the hump. The win raised spirits after a rally at Illinois State fell short a few days earlier.
A gem is scheduled this Saturday as MVC-leading Wichita State visits Hammons Student Center. You can bet this contest will go down to the wire.
Creighton Bluejays (9-4, 1-1)
Last week: defeated Bradley 71-62, lost to San Diego 82-70
This week: Wednesday, Jan. 5 at Drake, 7:05 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 9 vs. Southern Illinois, 2:05 p.m.
Creighton still has yet to prove it will be a force in the MVC, as it has been the last several years. After jumping to a 7-0 start against struggling competition, the ‘Jays have dropped four of six games, which could have been five had Bradley played stronger in the second half last Tuesday. A trip to California on New Year’s Eve definitely wasn’t a dream, as San Diego used a 10-1 run in the first half to run away with a win. The lead stretched to as many as 16 points in the second half. Creighton committed an un-Creighton-like 19 turnovers.
Nate Funk continues to lead this team with 22- and 17-point effort last week, but someone else desperately needs to step up and help the junior guard. A tough date at the Knapp Center and a contest with Southern Illinois could spell trouble for the Bluejays this week.
Illinois State Redbirds (9-4, 1-2)
Last week: defeated Southwest Missouri State 62-61, lost to UNI 75-55
This week: Thursday, Jan. 6 vs. Indiana State, 7:05 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 9 at Evansville, 2:05 p.m.
If the first three games say anything about the Redbirds, it’s that they aren’t quite ready to take down the big boys in the Valley. Large losses against Southern Illinois and Northern Iowa have seen the Redbirds go toe-to-toe for the first half, only to crash during the second 20 minutes. Southwest Missouri State used a rally on Dec. 30 to also nearly take advantage of a late Redbird collapse but fell just short.
If Illinois State can fix the late-game collapses, watch out. This team is capable of doing what Northern Iowa did last season, if it can play as strong in BOTH halves.
In the loss at Northern Iowa Monday, the Redbirds hit 54 percent of their field goals in the first half. In the second half: 23 percent. Trey Guidry was the lone success story, as he led all scorers with 20 points.
Indiana State and Evansville pose threats for Illinois State this week. The Redbirds should be good enough to come out victorious in both.
Evansville Purple Aces (7-4, 1-2)
Last week: lost to Wichita State 91-81, lost to Southwest Missouri State 78-75
This week: Friday, Jan. 7 vs. Northern Iowa, 7:05 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 9 vs. Illinois State, 2:05 p.m.
Evansville tied the team’s win total from last season in late December. It hasn’t won since doing so. This week doesn’t look very promising to end that skid with Northern Iowa and Illinois State coming to town, but don’t count the Purple Aces out just yet. With a balanced scoring attack, Evansville has the tools to make games against the Panthers and Redbirds. Southwest Missouri State, another top contender in the conference, almost fell victim to the Purple Ace attack.
If Lucious Wagner, Andre Burton and Matt Webster are all able to get hot, a couple of home treats await this weekend.
Drake Bulldogs (4-6, 1-2)
Last week: defeated Indiana State 74-69 (OT), lost to Southern Illinois 51-45
This week: Wednesday, Jan. 5 vs. Creighton, 7:05 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 8 vs. Bradley, 7:05 p.m.; Monday, Jan. 10 vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christian, 7:05 p.m.
Including the likes of Iowa, Iowa State, Southern Utah and Western Illinois on the schedule helped the Bulldogs. Drake may sit at 1-2 in conference play, but every game has been hard-fought, and the Bulldogs have put themselves in position to win a lot lately.
After handing Indiana State its first home loss of the season, Drake nearly snapped Southern Illinois’ home winning streak in the MVC. The shots wouldn’t fall though, enabling the Salukis to hold on.
Klayton Korver and Pete Eggers continue to be large contributors. Each scored in double figures in an overtime win at Indiana State. Playing at home this week should help boost the ‘Dogs. Don’t be surprised to see them take down Creighton or Bradley – or both.
Indiana State Sycamores (5-8, 0-2)
Last week: lost to Drake 74-69 (OT), lost to Bradley 76-66
This week: Thursday, Jan. 6 at Illinois State, 7:05 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 9 vs. Northern Iowa, 2:05 p.m.
Indiana State may be the only team in the MVC without a conference win, but it’s doubtful anyone is itching to play them. The Sycamore’s 0-2 mark could easily be 2-0 had the team been able to hold onto late leads against Drake and Bradley. They had a 63-61 lead against Drake with no time left, but Klayton Korver sent the game into overtime and eventually played a part in sending the Sycamores to defeat. Three days later, Bradley needed a late 9-2 run to finally put the pesky Sycamores away.
One highlight last week included Eric Gray scoring a career-high 29 points against Drake, 24 coming from 3-pointers. Amani Daanish scored 17, and Tyson Schnitker and David Moss added 15 and 14 points, respectively, against Bradley.
Illinois State and Northern Iowa will be huge tests this week, but definitely aren’t unbeatable.
