2 MVC games Sunday, Dec. 23

[Da Coach]

There are 2 MVC games Sunday, Dec. 23-
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-bas.../date/20181223

Indiana State vs. UNLV in a semifinal game of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic- 3:30 PM CT on ESPN2
Drake vs. San Diego in the championship game of the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic- 6:30 PM CT on FoxSports1

Note: Indiana State now has one-time Bradley recruit and former Iowa player Christian Williams on their active roster. He became eligible at the end of their first semester, and has now started and played in the last 2 games for the Sycamores. In those 2 games, Williams had 13 points & 11 rebounds in their loss to TCU a week ago, and he had 14 points & 7 rebounds yesterday in their win over Colorado.

Williams, along with Jordan Barnes and Tyreke Key, who are the top 2 scorers in the MVC, and who are both shooting over 50% from three, make Indiana State one of the favorites in the MVC.

[Da Coach]

Indiana State wins again. They defeat UNLV in the semifinal of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic 84-79 to improve to 8-3, and move to the Championship game Tuesday against the winner of the Bucknell-TCU semifinal. Jordan barnes had 28 points and should be the MVC Player of the Week.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=401096882

[Bradleyfan1]

The Sycs are looking like the best team in the conf. Im not sold on Drake. If I had to predict the Valley champ right now Id go Bu, Isu B, SIU, .missouri st, loyola, Isu R, Drake, UNI, valpo, Ue . I picked BU first because of my heart and seeing that my brain says 1 through 8 could wind up 1 through 8 lol what a year this is going be. Wooooo

[LongTimeFan]

They got two transfers that started playing recently and have contributed much. I am not downplaying their talent just pointing out several valley teams have managed to get contributing transfers.

[Da Coach]

Drake trailed most of the game to a good San Diego team in the championship game of the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic. They were down by 9 points with under 4 minutes to go, but with huge shots by Nick McGlynn, Nick Norton, Tremell Murphy, and Brady Ellingson they made a furious comeback to tie the game 83-83 and go to overtime.
The teams traded leads in OT, but it was still tied 93-93 after the first overtime. In the second OT, Nick Norton took over. He made a couple tough threes and was 8-8 on FTs in the 2nd OT. He had 14 of Drake's 17 points in the second OT to lead Drake to the 110-103 win in 2 OTs.
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-bas...meId=401107093

Norton had a career high 31 points. Ellingson had a career high 25 points.
Both teams played very well, and shot over 50% from the floor. Tremell Murphy would have helped Bradley, IMO. He gives Drake an athletic forward who can score, rebound, and defend. Ellingson and Norton give them a couple reliable perimeter shooters who are terrific free throw shooters. Drake is going to be a factor in the MVC.

Norton will probably be the Newcomer of the Week again for the second week in a row.

[The Old Guy]

Watched the Drake/San Diego game today. I was impressed with Drake. They have a definite inside presence plus several real outside shooters who can consistently hit 3 pt shots. Comparing Drake’s play today with Bradley’s play yesterday, I think Drake would have won by 15-20 points. I'm not sure how a first year coach has been able to put together such an impressive team, but Drake is definitely not going to be the MVC doormat this year.

[Go_Braves]

Watched the Drake/San Diego game today. I was impressed with Drake. They have a definite inside presence plus several real outside shooters who can consistently hit 3 pt shots. Comparing Drake’s play today with Bradley’s play yesterday, I think Drake would have won by 15-20 points. I’m not sure how a first year coach has been able to play put together such an impressive team , but Drake is definitely not going to be the MVC doormat this year.

There is going to be a "changing of the guard" this season. Loyola will not finish on top of the conference. Drake has only lost 2 games - and if it wasn't for cold shooting "at the very end" Drake would have defeated San Diego State... San Diego State had to rally to defeat Drake.

Indiana State as I mentioned in a earlier post is scary.... They are "leading the NATION" in 3 point shooting efficiency... https://www.ncaa.com/stats/basketbal...rrent/team/152 Indiana State looked impressive the way that they handled Colorado at the Diamond Head (Hawaii) Classic. THEN Indiana State defeats UNLV at the Diamond Head Classic and now play TCU for the Diamond Head Championship. on Christmas Day (7 pm ESPN2)…. Barring injury Indiana State will finish higher than their preseason Valley rank of 6.

By January 12th the true Valley contenders will begin to surface.

[Da Coach]

There is going to be a "changing of the guard" this season. Loyola will not finish on top of the conference. Drake has only lost 2 games - and if it wasn't for cold shooting "at the very end" Drake would have defeated San Diego State... San Diego State had to rally to defeat Drake.....

You mean Iowa State? They haven't played San Diego State. Their only 2 losses have been to Colorado and Iowa State.

[The Old Guy]

Drake did play San Diego in the finals of the Las Vegas tournament. Won in double overtime. Could have beaten BU by at least 15 if we played like we did on Saturday. Drake will not be the doormat this year in the Valley.

[basketball nut]

The Sycs are looking like the best team in the conf. Im not sold on Drake. If I had to predict the Valley champ right now Id go Bu, Isu B, SIU, .missouri st, loyola, Isu R, Drake, UNI, valpo, Ue . I picked BU first because of my heart and seeing that my brain says 1 through 8 could wind up 1 through 8 lol what a year this is going be. Wooooo

I watched the replay of IN ST/ UNLV game and am very impressed w/ IN State. Right now they are way ahead of anyone in the Valley except maybe DU. BU has to really get things together or it is going to be a long season