2 MVC games Tuesday, Feb. 25

[Da Coach]

There are 2 MVC games tonight, Tuesday, Feb. 25-
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba.../date/20200225

Drake at Loyola, 7 pm on FoxSports Midwest and ESPN+ - Loyola is a 7 point favorite
Missouri State at Valparaiso, 7 pm on ESPN+ - Valpo is a 2.5 point favorite


Below is the latest Matt Hackman statistical probability chart. As can be seen, with 2 games left, Bradley still has a 26% chance of finishing 2nd, 42% of finishing 3rd, 27% of finishing 4th, and 5% of finishing 5th.
If Loyola beats Drake tonight, it will greatly reduce the chance Bradley has of finishing 2nd. However, if Bradley can finish in a 3-way tie with Loyola and SIU, or if Loyola loses their final 2 games and Bradley finishes in a 2-way tie for 2nd with SIU, that would still give Bradley the #2 seed by virtue of Bradley's 2 wins over SIU. So Go BU and Go SIU!



The other game tonight, Missouri State at Valpo (both are 8-8 and in a 3-way tie with Drake for 6th place) will help determine which team will avoid Thursday night in St. Louis.

Northern Iowa	12-4	-	23-5
Loyola Chicago	11-5	1	19-10
Bradley	10-6	2	19-10
Southern Illinois	10-6	2	16-13
Indiana State	9-7	3	16-11
Drake	8-8	4	18-11
Valparaiso	8-8	4	15-14
Missouri State	8-8	4	14-15
Illinois State	4-12	8	9-19
Evansville	0-16	12	9-20

[Da Coach]

The MVC just posted this on twitter-

https://twitter.com/ValleyHoops/status/1232346289326743553

Their graphic still shows that Bradley could land as low as the #6 or even #7 seed.
According to the Hackman data, that is wrong. As of now, the lowest possible seed would be #5.

[houstonbrave]

Freeman Liberty out for Valpo but they are hanging in there in the first half

[Tommy]

Freeman Liberty out for Valpo but they are hanging in there in the first half

ohhh, did they say why Liberty is out?

[bigjimmy]

Valpo leads at the half at home against Missouri State 41-39. Valpo led during the 1st 15 minutes until the Bears took their 1st lead then both teams traded baskets for the rest of the half. Keandre Cook leads the Bears with 9 points while Ben Krikke for Valpo leads all scorers with 10. Valpo, while not as white hot shooting the ball from 3 tonight are 5-12 from 3 and are shooting 17-30 overall. MSU is shooting 15-37, 3-10 from 3 but have outrebounded Valpo 25-13 with 12 of those on the offensive boards. A pretty well played game as both teams only have 9 turnovers and committed 14 fouls.

Loyola and Drake have been going back and forth during most of the game with the Ramblers leading at the half 31-28. There were 3 ties and 10 lead changes in the 1st half. Loyola led by as much as 8 while Drake led by 5. Loyola scored the last 8 points during the last 3:29 of the half to lead by 3. Liam Robbins leads Drake with 9 points while Cameron Krutwig leads all scorers with 10. Drake was only 10-20, 4-7 from 3, from the field as they committed 14 turnovers. Loyola shot 12-27, 0-4 from 3.

[Da Coach]

ohhh, did they say why Liberty is out?

He is suffering from an acute illness.

[houstonbrave]

I came in late so not sure what the issue is with Freeman Liberty

[Da Coach]

I came in late so not sure what the issue is with Freeman Liberty

He's not playing tonight vs. Missouri State due to an acute illness. He is on the sideline in street clothes.
So far, Valpo doing OK without him-

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=401173616

[BRAVE82]

Valpo just exploding past Missouri State... up by 22 with just under 3 minutes left. 86-64 Valpo.

[Da Coach]

Valparaiso continues their hot 3-point shooting (11-22 tonight) and is able to pull away for the easy 89-74 win over Missouri State.
Valpo improves to 16-14 and 9-8 in the MVC, and MSU drops to 14-16, and 8-9 in the MVC.
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...meId=401173616

[BRAVE82]

… and Loyola (unfortunately) pulling away from Drake 47-35.

[MikeCash]

Valpo is now 43 for their last 83 from three... (It says here that they can't/won't be able to do that at Enterprise Center.)

[bigjimmy]

Drake is hanging in there thanks to Loyola's bad FT shooting down 62-60 with 12.1 left

[bigjimmy]

Loyola commits a turnover. Ball ruled for Drake in their backcourt. 9.2 left

[Da Coach]

Loyola hangs on to defeat Drake in Chicago 64-60-

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/playbyplay?gameId=401173532