(St. Louis, MO) – This is the Missouri Valley Conference’s last chance to make an impression on the NCAA selection committee. Beginning with Southern Illinois’ Wednesday night game with Murray State, there are no fewer than nine games that can be difference makers.
There have been ample opportunities already, but Valley teams have failed to kick open the doors. Now with three games left against ‘power five’ schools, and two games involving nationally ranked teams, the MVC can still make some noise.
SIU Hosts Murray State
On the surface this may not seem like a big deal, but the Salukis and Racers are both top 100 teams in the latest N.E.T. measurements. One of them will come out of this game with a ‘tie-breaker’ of sorts over the other team.
SIU (7-3) has won five straight games including wins over Tulsa, Saint Louis and Colorado State. Murray State (5-1) brings one of the nation’s best guards, Ja Morant to Carbondale and the defending Ohio Valley Conference champions are gaining some national acclaim because of his play.
The Salukis in general and Sean Lloyd in specific will need to corral Morant if they hope to defend their home court.
SIU Travels to Buffalo
Barry Hinson’s team travels to New York for their second game with 14thranked Buffalo. This will be SIU’s third game against a nationally ranked team and their final shot at a major upset. They lost a nine-point decision to the Bulls (9-0) earlier this season.
Hy-Vee Big Four Classic
In the final version of this annual event, Drake and Northern Iowa get the opportunity to play Iowa State and Iowa on a neutral floor. The surprising Bulldogs (6-1) face the Cyclones while UNI battles the 21st ranked Hawkeyes.
Saturday’s Iowa celebration of Division 1 basketball is the last in the series, because the ‘money conference’ teams don’t want to bother with it any longer. It costs them ANOTHER home game.
It is a great opportunity for MVC squads.
Full Strength Sycamores Face TCU
Indiana State (6-2) faces a preseason top 25 team. The Sycamores will finally have their highly touted transfers eligible when they take on the Big 12’s TCU (7-1) as part of the Diamond Head Classic. Christian Williams and Cooper Neese are finally eligible and will be eager to show what they can do against a ‘power five’ opponent.
High Level Mid-Major Match Ups
Saturday Evansville, fresh off their win over Ball State has another challenging opponent. Another OVC power, Jacksonville State (5-3) visits the Purple Aces. UE (5-4) has won three of its last four games. JSU was picked third in the OVC preseason poll and has won five straight games.
Next Tuesday the Aces head to Murray, Kentucky for a game with the Racers.
Ample opportunities await Valley teams to make an impression on the voters. Seizing the day will be critical for the MVC champion to grab a decent seed in next Spring’s national tournament or for a second team to head to the Big Dance.
Do Good
Twitter Feed
As we near the closing of the portal window, we've reached 1900. Some of them never to play college basketball again, earn a college degree and some to play at a much lower level than they did last season.
I guess we'll be seeing this in a @RacersHoops uniform this year. Glad AJ is staying in the @ValleyHoops.
