MVC games Tuesday, Jan. 28 & Wednesday, Jan. 29

[Da Coach]

One game Tuesday, January 28- https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...50128/group/18
SIU at Valparaiso

Five more games Wednesday, January 29- https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...50129/group/18
Northern Iowa at Drake
Missouri State at Indiana State
UIC at Bradley
Murray State at Evansville
Belmont at Illinois State

[Da Coach]

There haven't been many serious injuries impacting MVC teams this season. If anyone is aware of any significant injuries, let us know.
As we know, Demarion Burch missed a couple games with an acute illness. He returned to the team and was dressed for the last 2 games, but did not play.

One new injury I just saw... Evansville's Cam Haffner, their 3rd leading scorer (12.7 ppg) and most reliable three point shooter, reportedly injured his wrist in their game January 22 against UIC and played only 6 minutes. Then he missed their next game Saturday, Jan. 25, against Valparaiso. No word on how long he'll be out.

There are a couple MVC players redshirting this season because of injuries. Illinois State's 5th year/grad-student 7' center Brandon Lieb has not played and is redshirting and hoping to be given another season of eligibility.

[BraveBird]

Did Leon Bond from UNI get hurt over the weekend?

[Da Coach]

Did Leon Bond from UNI get hurt over the weekend?

Apparently Bond injured his knee in UNI's game this past Saturday at Indiana State and left the game after playing only 11 minutes. He did not return and was reported to be on crutches after the game.
Apparently, Head Coach Jacobson said after the game that it was believed to be an ACL injury - https://x.com/PoptartLudwig/status/1883696212056105341

If it is an ACL injury, he could miss the rest of the season. That would be tough for UNI. They did win the game at Indiana State 74-56, and remain tied for 3rd place in the MVC at 7-3, but they have arguably the toughest schedule in the last half of the season. They still have 2 games against Bradley and 2 against Drake, along with one game each against Belmont, UIC, Murray State, Illinois State, Indiana State, and Missouri State..
Bond was averaging 10.4 ppg and 4.8 rpg. There has been no further update today about the injury.

UNI is already missing starting guard R.J. Taylor, who suffered a reported achilles injury in their 8th game of the season and has not played since. There are reports that he may be out for the season.

[BRAVE82]

This diminishes their chances at Drake tonight, unfortunately. Was hoping for the upset.

[Da Coach]

One game Tuesday, January 28- https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...50128/group/18
SIU at Valparaiso

In the only MVC game tonight, Valparaiso lead SIU for most of the game, but then SIU rallied to take the lead inside 2 the final minutes. And the Salukis held on for the 79-75 win - https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...meId/401722499

After starting the MVC 0-5, SIU has won 5 of their last 6 games to improve to 10-12 overall and 5-6 in the MVC.
Valparaiso loses their 6th MVC game in a row and they are now 10-12 overall and 3-8 in the MVC.

MVC Standings - https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...ngs/_/group/18

[Da Coach]

Apparently Bond injured his knee in UNI's game this past Saturday at Indiana State and left the game after playing only 11 minutes. He did not return and was reported to be on crutches after the game.
Apparently, Head Coach Jacobson said after the game that it was believed to be an ACL injury - https://x.com/PoptartLudwig/status/1883696212056105341

If it is an ACL injury, he could miss the rest of the season. That would be tough for UNI. They did win the game at Indiana State 74-56, and remain tied for 3rd place in the MVC at 7-3, but they have arguably the toughest schedule in the last half of the season. They still have 2 games against Bradley and 2 against Drake, along with one game each against Belmont, UIC, Murray State, Illinois State, Indiana State, and Missouri State..
Bond was averaging 10.4 ppg and 4.8 rpg. There has been no further update today about the injury.

UNI is already missing starting guard R.J. Taylor, who suffered a reported achilles injury in their 8th game of the season and has not played since. There are reports that he may be out for the season.

Reporter for the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier said yesterday that UNI would release official word on Leon Bond's injury. But so far, there has not been any official announcement, There is a good chance he will miss the rest of the season. - https://x.com/ethan_petrik/status/1884315173760184776

[egib52]

Didn't Pozzato also miss time for Evansville?

[Da Coach]

Didn't Pozzato also miss time for Evansville?

Yes, you are right. He started Evansville's first 10 games, then missed the next 8 games with an injury. He returned and has played in their last 3 games.

[Da Coach]

Apparently Bond injured his knee in UNI's game this past Saturday at Indiana State and left the game after playing only 11 minutes. He did not return and was reported to be on crutches after the game....

UNI is already missing starting guard R.J. Taylor, who suffered a reported achilles injury in their 8th game of the season and has not played since. There are reports that he may be out for the season.

Leon Bond's MRI showed a partial tear of his patellar tendon - https://x.com/realColeBair/status/1884342414019862948
It is being reported that he will miss the rest of the season - https://x.com/IAbasketball_/status/1884477856387944503
The patellar tendon is the tendon that attaches the kneecap to the tibia, the large bone below the knee. It is an unusual injury for a basketball player, since the patellar tendon is a large and strong tendon, but it does happen occasionally. Tendons are slow to heal and the more serious tears may need surgery to repair. It can take several months to a year to fully heal.
For Bond, it is too late to qualify for a redshirt year. But he is just a sophomore, and should return healthy next season.

[Tommy]

Real bummer for UNI and Bond. Hope he has a quick and successful recovery.

Never count out UNI, though. As long as Tytan Anderson is around, they are a dangerous team!

[Da Coach]

5 MVC games tonight - https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...50129/group/18

Drake is a 7.5 point favorite vs. UNI- https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...ern-iowa-drake
Indiana State is a 5-5.5 point favorite vs. Missouri State- https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...-st-indiana-st
Bradley is a 7.5-8 point favorite vs. UIC- https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...03/uic-bradley
Murray State is a 4.5-5 point favorite at Evansville- https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...-st-evansville
Illinois State is a 2.5-3 point favorite vs. Belmont- https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...nt-illinois-st

[BRAVE82]

5 MVC games tonight - https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...50129/group/18

Drake is a 7.5 point favorite vs. UNI- https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...ern-iowa-drake
Indiana State is a 5-5.5 point favorite vs. Missouri State- https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...-st-indiana-st
Bradley is a 7.5-8 point favorite vs. UIC- https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...03/uic-bradley
Murray State is a 4.5-5 point favorite at Evansville- https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...-st-evansville
Illinois State is a 2.5-3 point favorite vs. Belmont- https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...nt-illinois-st

Can't believe Illinois State is favored over Belmont. I see Belmont winning at ISU.

[Da Coach]

Can't believe Illinois State is favored over Belmont. I see Belmont winning at ISU.

It would be a good game to watch. They are similar teams, fast tempo, good shooting.
The two teams met in Nashville in the early game (Dec. 4), and Belmont won 99-97 in overtime.

[Tommy]

Can't believe Illinois State is favored over Belmont. I see Belmont winning at ISU.

That is surprising considering the records and place in the conference standings for sure! ISU has played a lot of close games, though. As hard as it might be, I may have to root for them in this one!

What I really want for Christmas is a Drake loss, though.