Every Day is a Huge Day

Five Valley Games & Two in the OVC

(St. Louis, MO) – Three teams are tied for second place in the Missouri Valley Conference. Four teams are tied for the second spot in the Ohio Valley Conference. There are five games in the Valley tonight and two in the OVC. In-other-words, every day is a huge day in these two leagues.

By the end of this week we will be one month away from the OVC Tournament in Evansville, Indiana and the MVC championships in St. Louis. Where teams are seeded is of utmost important.

At Arch Madness, the top five teams receive a first round bye into the quarterfinals. Teams four and five play each other during that second round. So, being in the top five is good, landing in the top three is outstanding.

Just eight of eleven OVC teams even get invited to the Evansville tournament. For weeks we’ve been saying those eight are already set, but Tennessee Tech (9-14, 4-8) has won two straight games and host eighth place Eastern Illinois (9-14, 5-7) Thursday. The Golden Eagles could fight their way into an Evansville invite.

Similar to the Valley, placing higher in the standings is advantageous in Evansville. The league’s top two teams skip the opening round and the quarterfinals and are automatically in the OVC’s semifinal round. Teams three and four don’t play until the quarterfinals.

Since the standings are so tight in these leagues, every day is a huge day.

Tuesday’s Key Games in the Valley

Illinois Chicago (13-10, 8-4) @ Murray State (16-7, 8-4) – 7 pm – ESPN+

While these are two of the three teams tied for second place, their trajectories couldn’t be any different. UIC has won eight straight games and have thrust themselves into the conference conversations. The Racers were reaching some national prominence and have now lost four straight and are desperate for a victory.

The games including Bradley (15-8, 8-4) and Illinois State (15-7, 7-4) are big too. Their opponents are (Valparaiso and Southern Illinois) aren’t at this point in the mix for a top five spot.

Ironically, we believe the game between Indiana State (9-14, 2-10) and Evansville (5-17, 1-10) is important. The Sycamores are the only Valley team to have defeated first place Belmont and to have lost to last place Evansville. For each of these teams a win tonight would feel like something of a reprieve. Nine of Indiana State’s ten league losses have been by fewer than 10 points and six by fewer than five.

There will be five more games on Friday night, including UIC’s visit to first place Belmont.

Every Day is a Huge Day in the OVC

While four teams are tied for second place, fifth and sixth place teams are on the road tonight with a chance to win standings-altering games. Tennessee State, Lindenwood, Southeast Missouri and Morehead State are all 8-4.

Southern Illinois Edwardsville (14-9, 7-5) @ Lindenwood (14-9, 8-4) – 7:30 pm – ESPN+

Sixth place Southern Illinois Edwardsville (14-9,7-5) is trying to crash that party and tangles with Lindenwood tonight. The two, St. Louis area teams are becoming big rivals and this game is pivotal for both.

SIUE lost its two leading scorers (Ring Malith and Myles Thompson) to injury, but have righted the ship and won four of its last five games. Lindenwood swept its two road games last week without MVP candidate Jadis Jones (knee). His availability tonight is likely a game-time decision.

Little Rock (9-13, 6-5) @ UT Martin (17-5, 9-2) – 7:30 pm – ESPN+

UT Martin has won nine of its last ten games and holds a game and a half lead over those four second place squads. Holding serve tonight against a Little Rock team that has dropped three straight is critical. The Skhawks are 9-0 at Elam Center.

Conversely, an upset win by the Trojans could get them back in a top four conversation.

A full, five-game schedule is on tap Thursday, including Morehead State’s visit to SEMO, and Little Rock entertaining Lindenwood.

Every day is a huge day in these two leagues.

Do Good

 

Editor: Cover photo of TTU’s Ty Owens, courtesy of ovcsports.com.