MVC Week 6 Discussion Thread

by **VUGrad1314** » February 3rd, 2020, 5:39 am

Standings

UNI 8-2

Loyola 7-3

SIU 7-3

ISUb 6-4

Bradley 6-4

Drake 5-5

Valpo 5-5

Missouri St 4-6

Illinois St 2-8

Evansville 0-10

Key games:

Wednesday:

Wednesday features two key battles for positioning with Loyola traveling to the Hulman Center to face the Sycamores and Bradley taking on Drake in Des Moines as well as Round 2 of the Super Sophomore Slugfest between UNI's A.J. Green and Valpo's Javon-Freeman Liberty. The latter two games (Bradley @ Drake and UNI @ Valpo will be on ESPN+ and tip at 7PM CT while Loyola @ Indiana St tips at 5 on CBSSN.)

The Weekend:

The weekend slate features a couple of interesting rivalry matchups with the Battle of Iowa taking place in Cedar Falls between UNI and Drake on Saturday at 3PM CT. and Valpo visiting Gentile on Sunday to face the Ramblers. All games on Saturday will be on ESPN+ while all games on Sunday are on ESPN 3 or in the case of Valpo Loyola ESPNU at 3PM CT. Bradley Evansville is TBD at 1PM. There aren't a lot of interesting position battles this weekend but I think we will nevertheless learn a lot about the Valley race as it enters the final stretch. Here are some storylines to follow:

Can UNI stay on top? Will they fall into the rivalry trap against Drake?

Can SIU keep it going?

Will Illinois State or Evansville play spoiler at any point this season? Will Illinois State get their first road win of the year? Will Evansville get their first conference win of the year?

Can Missouri State get things righted in time to avoid a trip to the PIG?

With meetings against the top dogs still on their schedule, will Indiana State become a factor in the race down the stretch?

Can Drake or Valpo shake up the conference race? Can the Crusaders finally show an ability to punch above their weight and win a game they shouldn't and\or win on the road?

Where will Bradley land when it's all said and done? I think the Drake game will tell us a lot.

Will Loyola get caught looking ahead to UNI in the Ford Center and be surprised by the Aces?

**Sponsor**

by **BuBrave2006** » February 4th, 2020, 8:18 am

VUGrad1314 wrote:Will Illinois State or Evansville play spoiler at any point this season? Will Illinois State get their first road win of the year? Will Evansville get their first conference win of the year?

So we're all just assuming DeAndre Williams is done, right? Thats sure how it seems on the surface.

Does anyone actually know anything about that from the Evansville side of things?

by **just ducky** » February 4th, 2020, 8:05 pm

BuBrave2006 wrote:
VUGrad1314 wrote:Will Illinois State or Evansville play spoiler at any point this season? Will Illinois State get their first road win of the year? Will Evansville get their first conference win of the year?

So we're all just assuming DeAndre Williams is done, right? Thats sure how it seems on the surface.

Does anyone actually know anything about that from the Evansville side of things?

If Williams could return healthy then chalk them up for a couple upsets and a probable PIG nail biter vs the 7 seed. Much could change with him back in uniform!

by **VUGrad1314** » February 4th, 2020, 8:33 pm

And that nail biter could well come against us no less. We need to do our best to get a top 6 seed.

by **Countrypanther** » February 5th, 2020, 11:32 am

if Bradley wins tonight, highly doubt Drake will be much of a challenge to UNI. But what do I know, never thought UNI would lose to Illinois St.

by **ACECARD** » February 5th, 2020, 1:50 pm

BuBrave2006 wrote:
VUGrad1314 wrote:Will Illinois State or Evansville play spoiler at any point this season? Will Illinois State get their first road win of the year? Will Evansville get their first conference win of the year?

So we're all just assuming DeAndre Williams is done, right? Thats sure how it seems on the surface.

Does anyone actually know anything about that from the Evansville side of things?

Still listed "Day to Day". Who knows? No communication from UE on the situation. Chances are he's done for the year.

by **Saluki 4 Life** » February 5th, 2020, 2:12 pm

The Williams situation is so frustrating. I know it is not really their job but I feel like the consumers of Evansville basketball deserve better answers. reading between the lines its hard to imagine him playing this year though. Still, I get if Evansville fans are frustrated with the lack of communication.

by **goramblers2011** » February 5th, 2020, 6:58 pm

Indiana State put on an absolute clinical performance. Blew Loyola out of the gym. I have watched a lot of college basketball this year and that offensive performance by ISUb was as good as any I have seen by any team. Just a few weeks after Loyola ran the Sycs out of Gentile by 20. :huh:

Loyola shooting 3-19 from 3 didn't help matters.

If SIU can hold on @Evansville, they will have sole possession of 2nd. Wow.

by **SalukiHoops** » February 5th, 2020, 8:14 pm

Salukis pull out a slug fest in Evansville. 64-60 in OT. Lance Jones took over in the added period. He had 8 of the 10 points for SIU. Salukis 8-3 and in second. Evansville falls to 0-11.

by **MissouriValleyUnite** » February 5th, 2020, 8:16 pm

ISUr’s defense looks about as organized as the Iowa Caucuses.