(St. Louis, MO) – Nobody really wants to play on Thursday of Arch Madness, but the fans and the broadcasters want to be there. Thursday’s games include teams with the four worst records in Missouri Valley Conference play. If they win, they earn the right to play a top 12 team in the nation. It is a tough assignment.
Ray Giacoletti & Me
However, for Valley fans, it is like Christmas Eve! There is great excitement about what is (the two first round games) and great zeal about what will be. Only one time in Arch Madness history has a team won in the first round and won in the quarterfinals. The value of one more game and one more achievement is big to these coaches and fans.
The intrigue of getting a chance to play # 8 Wichita State or 12th ranked Northern Iowa is enough to get the players inspired to bring their game to a higher level. Bradley is the only team to have turned that trick. It happened in 1998, my first year at Arch Madness.
The Rob Dye led Braves defeated Drake (their opponent Thursday night) and then upset second seeded Creighton. Bradley has won two MVC tournament titles, but none since the move to St. Louis. Thursday marks the fifth straight opening round appearance for the Braves. Under Head Coach Geno Ford, Bradley (8-23, 3-15) are 0-3 in such games.
Bradley has been beset with injuries. Only one player, freshman Josh Cunningham, has played in every game. Their leading scorer, Josh Jones hasn’t played in weeks and even Ford missed some game time due to illness.
For the eighth time in the last ten years, Drake is playing in the opening round. Ray Giacoletti’s team has gone 6-12 two seasons in a row. It is tough to change a culture, where teams are used to losing. Drake (9-21) has an exciting freshman in Reed Timmer and an emerging big man in 6’11” Jacob Enevold Jensen. Bradley and Drake play the 8:30 game Thursday night.
Two very familiar foes open the tournament on Thursday. But both Missouri State (11-19, 5-13) and Southern Illinois (11-20, 4-14) have had disappointing seasons. The Bears were picked to finish third in the league and the Salukis seventh.
There were problems in Springfield this year. Leading scorer Marcus Marshall, was benched, suspended and then left the program, deciding to transfer. Ron Mvouika missed major portions of the season and the Bears never seemed to find their rhythm.
SIU Head Coach Barry Hinson has a very young team and they have struggled to mature. Anthony Beane Junior is the veteran presence and their one proven scorer, but there are good, young players in the mix. Jordan Caroline made the all-freshman team and has proven to be a capable rebounder and a developing scorer.
What does take to win in the opening round?
Hinson, who used to coach at Missouri State, says you have to want to be there.
Both teams have some local players on their squad and I asked Coach Hinson, if that was a positive thing, since it seems that St. Louis players end up struggling in this St. Louis event.
Two teams will emerge from the opening round and have a chance to make history on Friday. This is where Arch Madness begins. When I first started covering this tournament, Northern Iowa and Wichita State were regulars in the opening round.
A win on Thursday, could be a significant step for any of these programs.
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My sources confirm his hiring. Huge get for @CoachGraves10
