MVC Dec. 23-30, 2013
Guys, this will be my format once conference play starts, keeping in mind there will be some non-conference games mixed in sometimes. When giving scores, any FOFC coached teams will be in bold.
Game of the Week
Indiana State @ #4 Tennessee - Dec. 25 -- This is the most important game of the week for so many reasons. I felt Indiana St. was slighted by not getting a vote in the mid-major poll. A good showing against undefeated Tennessee would go a long way. And if the Sycamores can pull the upset? That would be huge for the conference as a whole.
Other Key Games
Southern Illinois @ Loyola Chicago - Dec. 25 -- These 2 teams were picked to be at the bottom of the Valley standings. Southern Illinois is there, Loyola has been a pleasant surprise, but how well will they fare in their first MVC game?
Indiana State @ Wichita State - Dec. 28 -- Depending on the result of the game against Tennessee, this could be another big chance for the Sycamores to earn some respect nationally, as Wichita State is the overwhelming favorite to win the Valley.
Game Scores
Dec. 24, 2013
Wichita State 82, at South Dakota 39 (non-conference)
Dec. 25, 2013
at
Northern Iowa 83,
Missouri State 74
at Illinois State 88, Evansville 74
at
Loyola Chicago 92, Southern Illinois 53
at
Drake 72,
Bradley 64
Indiana State 81, at #4 Tennessee 59 (non-conference)
Dec. 26, 2013
Wichita State 68, at Nebraska Omaha 41 (non-conference)
Dec. 28, 2013
at Wichita State 95, Indiana State 92
at
Northern Iowa 52, Evansville 46
at Illinois State 72,
Missouri State 63
Bradley 79, at
Loyola Chicago 72
Southern Illinois 69, at
Drake 56
Game of the Week Recap
Indiana State @ #4 Tennessee -- This once looked bad early on, as the Sycamores went into the locker room trailing 39-21. I'm not sure what Coach Lansing said to fire up his guys in the locker room, but it worked. They outscored Tennessee 60-20 in the second half. Yes you heard right, 60-20. That led to an 81-59 shocking over the #4 team in the nation and a huge, huge win for the Valley.
Key Game Recaps
Southern Illinois @ Loyola Chicago -- Loyola took care of business in the second half, shooting 62.3% for the game as they rolled to a 39 point victory.
Indiana State @ Wichita State -- The Shockers knew they would be in for a battle, and this one was a thrilling game. Neither team led by more than 7 at any point, and defense wasn't even a thing to think about in this one, but Wichita St. prevailed barely.
Here are the standings after the first week of conference play:
Code:
TEAM CW CL Pct W L Pct RPI Prestige
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Illinois State Redbirds 2 0 1.000 11 2 .846 15 67
Wichita State Shockers 1 0 1.000 9 2 .818 75 81
Northern Iowa Panthers 2 0 1.000 8 3 .727 31 74
Loyola Chicago Ramblers 1 1 .500 9 3 .750 128 43
Drake Bulldogs 1 1 .500 6 6 .500 23 57
Bradley Braves 1 1 .500 4 7 .364 96 55
Southern Illinois Salukis 1 1 .500 3 8 .273 218 56
Indiana State Sycamores 0 1 .000 8 4 .667 3 57
Missouri State Bears 0 2 .000 4 7 .364 86 65
Evansville Aces 0 2 .000 2 9 .182 65 54
And with no teams ranked in the AP top 25 poll, lets take a look at the mid-major top 25 again:
# Team FPV Record Points Prv Conference
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1. Saint Mary's (72) 13-1 1800 1 West Coast Conference
2. Gonzaga 10-2 1727 3 West Coast Conference
3. UNLV 10-1 1596 2 Mountain West Conference
4. New Mexico 8-2 1595 5 Mountain West Conference
5. Akron 10-1 1434 7 Mid-American Conference
6. Massachusetts 11-0 1422 6 Atlantic 10 Conference
7. Ohio 9-1 1321 9 Mid-American Conference
8. Southern Mississippi 9-2 1302 8 Conference USA
9. George Mason 10-1 1282 10 Atlantic 10 Conference
10. VCU 7-3 1173 4 Atlantic 10 Conference
11. Saint Louis 9-1 1125 11 Atlantic 10 Conference
12. UTEP 10-1 999 13 Conference USA
13. George Washington 10-1 887 14 Atlantic 10 Conference
14. Saint Joseph's 8-2 838 12 Atlantic 10 Conference
15. San Diego 10-1 830 18 West Coast Conference
16. Illinois State 11-2 746 23 Missouri Valley Conference
17. Montana 8-1 562 24 Big Sky Conference
18. UAB 9-2 534 25 Conference USA
19. Wichita State 9-2 470 NR Missouri Valley Conference
20. Loyola Maryland 12-2 458 NR Patriot League
21. Murray State 10-2 357 16 Ohio Valley Conference
22. St. Bonaventure 8-2 242 NR Atlantic 10 Conference
23. James Madison 10-2 136 17 Colonial Athletic Association
24. Northern Iowa 8-3 118 NR Missouri Valley Conference
25. Weber State 8-2 109 NR Big Sky Conference
Others Receiving Votes:
Middle Tennessee 9-2 83 Conference USA
Old Dominion 6-3 81 Conference USA
Marist 10-2 40 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
South Dakota State 10-2 38 Summit League
Dayton 7-2 36 Atlantic 10 Conference
Davidson 9-3 27 Atlantic 10 Conference
Pennsylvania 8-2 25 Ivy League
Iona 10-3 4 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
Wright State 9-3 2 Horizon League
Wyoming 10-3 1 Mountain West Conference
It's unbelievable that even after that win at Tennessee, the Indiana State Sycamores still can't garner a vote in the mid-major polls. What are these people smoking?