(St. Louis, MO) – There are some foregone conclusions as we head to media day for the Missouri Valley Conference. Wichita State is a beast. D.J. Balentine will score. Northern Iowa will execute and the whole league will be better. But what do we need to know about the Valley as the season is about to start?
Is anyone good enough to challenge the Shockers? Wichita State is vulnerable in the front court. They will be athletic and physical, but are they talented? If they lack skill up front can any Valley team make them pay?
How Quickly will all those new and talented players blend in at Bradley and Illinois State? Both programs have added some significant talent, size and athleticism. Will it work and does that make them ‘dark horses’ in the MVC race?
DJ Balentine – gopurpleaces.com
Which player will ascend as the Valley’s ‘Player of the Year’? Balentine is the league’s returning scorer. Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet are elite type players and Anthony Beane Junior had a spectacular finish. There are several other players in the running.
Did the MVC teams schedule well enough to make any national waves? Some of the schedules are admirable and exciting and some, well, not so much.
Early season injuries have brought shadows to the programs at Loyola and Bradley. Their health and recovery are huge stories in the early going.
We’ll look for answers for you today.
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ICYMI: Semifinal # 2 today at #ArchMadness will feature a contrast of styles as # 5 @UIC_MBB faces # 4 @RacersHoops in the 2:30 game.
It's final: @UNImbb 68 @UEAthletics_MBB 59. The Panthers get @Redbird_MBB on Friday night. Campbell finishes with 23 points. Smith with a double-double. AJ Casey was great with 23 & 10. Panthers with 16 assists.
4:05 left: @UNImbb 57 @UEAthletics_MBB 54. Aces' ball. UNI upside? Campbell with 21 points. Down side - Bond 0/6 from deep. UE upside? Casey with 20 & 9. Down Side? 2/11 from deep in the second half. Anybody's game at #ArchMadness
7:25 left: @UNImbb 55 @UEAthletics_MBB 52. Trey Campbell with 21 points for the Panthers and AJ Casey with 18 for the Aces. Tristan Smith is such a game changer. He has 8 pts & 9 rebounds, but that doesn't tell the story. #ArchMadness
