2 MVC games Sunday, January 7

[Da Coach]

There are 2 MVC games today, Sunday, January 7. Both are televised on national cable networks-

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/scoreboard/_/group/18/date/20180107

Missouri State at Illinois State at 1:00 PM on CBSSports Network - Missouri State is a 4 point favorite
Loyola at Northern Iowa at 3:00 PM on ESPNU - Northern Iowa is a 4?? point favorite

[Da Coach]

Watching this Missouri State-Illinois State game, it is clear to me who the best 2 players in the MVC are. Alize Johnson has carried MSU with 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Milik Yarbrough has been virtually unstoppable for ISU and has 20 points and 4 steals. Phil Fayne is having a pretty good game, too. he has 22 & 6 and is benefiting from Missouri State double-teaming Yarbrough.
ISU leads 65-62 in a great game with 1:26 left.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=400989687

[braves16]

Final

ISU-72
msu-68

[Da Coach]

ISU makes free throws down the stretch and holds on to beat MSU 72-68-

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=400989687

Loyola at UNI is starting now on ESPNU-

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=400989688

[bigjimmy]

UNI falls to 0-4 in the Valley as Loyola wins at Cedar Falls 56-50. UNI has now lost 6 straight. Loyola outscored UNI 11-2 in the last 4 1/2 minutes of the game to win.

[Da Coach]

MVC standings after 4 games-

[Braves2006]

DRAKE: Contender...or Pretender?

[Da Coach]

DRAKE: Contender...or Pretender?

They are playing extremely well, but I don't expect they will continue to roll through the schedule undefeated.
I still expect the conference regular season to come down to Missouri State and ISU.


One other note- Loyola guard Clayton Custer returned today after missing their last 5 games with a sprained ankle. He was Loyola's top scorer today with 11 points. Now that he and Ben Richardson are back, they could the top team to challenge ISU and MSU for the top.