MVC Games on Saturday, January 1

[MVCfans]

Northern Iowa at Southern Illinois - 1:05
Wichita State at Bradley - 6:30pm (ESPNU)
Drake at Creighton - 7:05
Illinois State at Missouri State - 7:05
Indiana State at Evansville - 7:05


Should be an interesting weekend ahead. I hope everyone will submit their picks in the pick'em contest that we are starting with the games listed above.

[Little Eddie]

Interesting games as it seems that 3 road teams could be favored??? Though maybe ISUblue may not be at Evansville? WSU and UNI will be favored though I'd guess.

[PocketAces]

Since a thread was alreasy started for Saturday's games, we'll do our breakdown here.

Indiana State @ Evansville

Evansville showed off that league wost FG% defense Wednesday as Wichita shot 63% for the game. The difference is Indiana State is middle of the pack in shooting offense while the Shocks are number one in the league. Evansville has road trips to Northern Iowa and Missouri State as their next two games so a win here is a must. Not much difference in these teams but the Aces need it a bit more. PREDICTION: Evansville 70-68


Drake @ Creighton

Both teams coming off nice wins to start conference play, Creighton's coming on the road. Drake shoots the three ball well while Creighton is the worst in the league so far at defending the three. The Bulldogs are the worst rebounding team in the league and down the stretch Creighton makes FT's. Drake can keep it close, but Creighton pulls away in the second half. PREDICTION: Creighton 69-60


Wichita State @ Bradley

Everything about this game says Wichita State wins big. The best scoring offense against the 9th best scoring offense. The best shooting team against the worst. The best rebounding team against the 9th best. However, we know how tough it is to go on the road and win, especially big. Bradley falls short, but gives the Shocks a run for their money. PREDICTION: Wichita State 75-70


Northern Iowa @ Southern Illinois

Both teams off losses, Northern's a heartbreaker at home to Missouri State. Of course, no one wants to start conference play at 0-2, but one will here. These are two of the lower scoring teams in the league, as well as two of the better defenses. In Northern's case, they are number one in scoring defense. Northern protects the ball, while the Salukis are last in turnover margin thus far. Southern Illinois' +7.7 rebound per game margin could be big here. Northern losses another heartbreaker. PREDICTION: Southern Illinois 60-59


Illinois State @ Missouri State

Two of the better scoring defenses here. The difference is obviously the Bears' ability to put the ball in the hole, second in scoring offense. Missouri State is coming off an emotional last second road win at Northen Iowa but need to focus early as the Redbirds know an 0-2 start to conference is staring them in the face. Missouri State has too much here. PREDICTION: Missouri State 80-66

[MacGuyver]

Jays v. Drake really has me worried. Jays have looked horrible defending he outside shot all year and if Ill St., could have made a few more timely 3's its a different game last night. Teams like MSU and Drake will present CU the most problems this year if they get hot behind the arc.

Jays need to pound it inside and utilize the fact that VanDeest and Woods are battling sickness and small injuries. Home Crowd helps, Jays should win.

[MSUDuo]

Missouri State needs to follow the UNI road win with a resounding win at home over the Redbirds. Should be a lot higher scoring. Need to work on better dribble penetration defense and closing out on shooters.

Bears 80-64 over the Redbirds.

[PocketAces]

Saturday opening lines. Home team in CAPS

Northen Iowa (-3.5) @ SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
CREIGHTON (-10) vs. Drake
Wichita State (-8) @ BRADLEY
Indiana State (-1) @ EVANSVILLE
MISSOURI STATE (-15) vs. Illinois State

I'll take Southern Illinois and Evansville at those numbers.

[sixth ace]

I'll take Southern Illinois and Evansville at those numbers.

You may want to reconsider taking SIU. Their center,Teaque, was wearing a boot on
Wednesday

Go Aces

[DUBulldog]

I'll take Southern Illinois and Evansville at those numbers.

You may want to reconsider taking SIU. Their center,Teaque, was wearing a boot on
Wednesday

Go Aces

Teague or no Teague, I'd take UNI to cover.

I know that Teague was out for SIU when they played Drake......but Drake was also missing two players due to injury, one of who was a starter (and the team's leading rebounder) when he was healthy. In addition, one of Drake's starters was playing hurt, having missed practice for two days leading into the game. One of Drake's other regulars had been ill for several days leading up to the game, and also hadn't practiced. So, Drake wasn't exactly at full strength either. Drake turned the ball over 19 teams, missed 5 or 6 open layups, shot 42% from the field.....and still controlled the game from start to finish.

From what I saw, SIU is really struggling right now. UNI is playing pretty well, and they know they need a victory after that heartbreaker at home against MSU. I think UNI wins easily.

[Little Eddie]

Saturday opening lines. Home team in CAPS

Northen Iowa (-3.5) @ SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
CREIGHTON (-10) vs. Drake
Wichita State (-8) @ BRADLEY
Indiana State (-1) @ EVANSVILLE
MISSOURI STATE (-15) vs. Illinois State

I'll take Southern Illinois and Evansville at those numbers.

You still taking E-ville as a 2.5 pt fave? I wouldn't touch that one...I'd take the points for ISUred and stay away from the rest.

[DoubleJayAlum]

Saturday opening lines. Home team in CAPS

Northen Iowa (-3.5) @ SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
CREIGHTON (-10) vs. Drake
Wichita State (-8) @ BRADLEY
Indiana State (-1) @ EVANSVILLE
MISSOURI STATE (-15) vs. Illinois State

I'll take Southern Illinois and Evansville at those numbers.

I've got WSU -6.5.

With that number, WSU and UNI look as close to locks as can be right?