4 MVC games Saturday, Feb. 1

[Da Coach]

There are 4 MVC games today, Saturday, February 1 - https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...50201/group/18

1:00 pm on ESPNU/ESPN+ - Drake (19-2, 9-2) at SIU (10-12, 5-6) - Drake -6.5
2:00 pm on ESPN+ - Murray State (11-11, 5-6) at Missouri State (7-15, 0-11) - Murray -2.5
2:00 pm on ESPN+ - Indiana State (10-12, 4-7) at UIC (14-7, 7-4) - UIC -8.5
4:00 pm on ESPN+ - Valparaiso (10-12, 3-8 ) at Illinois State (13-9, 5-6) - ISU -8.5

[BUSongwriter]

SIU playing Drake tough at home -- Salukis down by only one at half, 28-27.

[Da Coach]

Box score- Drake leads SIU 28-27 at halftime - https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...meId/401722505

It seems like Drake has some kind of mystical ability to get opponents to play their worst possible game. Yes, they play good defense, but SIU, who has looked good recently, and has won 5 of their last 6 games, did not look good in the 1st half. They made a number of defensive mistakes and missed a lot of easy and open shots (SIU is only 1-7 from three). Drake's only big man, Cameron Manyawu has 3 fouls and only played 5 minutes and is scoreless. But despite a slight size advantage, SIU failed to capitalize.
It helps that the officials are allowing a lof of contact, reaching in and hand-checking, which benefits Drake.
Drake's "Big Three" (Stirtz, Mascari, and Abreu) all played the entire 20 minutes.

[Da Coach]

Other games-
Missouri State trying for their first MVC win is leading Murray State in first half - https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...meId/401722507
Indiana State leading at UIC in first half in a high-scoring game- https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...meId/401722506

[yoda]

yikes, Missouri State is up 26 points over Murray State in the first half!
Can they hold on, they blew an 11 point 2nd half lead last Wednesday.

Indiana State up 5 points over UIC also very late in the 1st half.

[BUBraves2006]

I can't believe this is the same UIC team that played in Peoria. They look absolutely awful against the Trees.

[Steve Zalutsky]

It's so hard to be Consistently good game after game! Every team has a letdown! It's mentally draining to be up for every game in the Regular season especially when in BU's case, they know Arch Madness is the time to gear up and play your best basketball! I see # 3 Iowa State just got pummeled at home vs.K.State who Drake Beat! UIC just had a big letdown against I.S.U. after you could say there biggest win on the road in Peoria! Drake has been the most consistent team lately although they lost 2 in a row earlier in MVC play! You really have to take the regular season with a grain of salt! The Arch Madness is probably up 4 grabs and the team playing its best ball then will Win!!!!!

[Da Coach]

Final scores from today - https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...50201/group/18

The Drake-SIU game was a 1-point game with under 9 minutes left. But then Drake went on a 11-0 run to blow it open and held on the for a 75-65 win. Bennett Stirtz strengthened his case for Player of the Year with 30 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists, playing all 40 minutes of the game. - https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...meId/401722505

Missouri State looked really strong beating Murray State 77-56. Other than the first basket by Murray State, Missouri State opened an early lead, built the lead to as much as 31 points, and coasted the rest of the way. Missouri State shot 60.4% (29-48 ) for the game and 66.7% from three (12-18 )- https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...meId/401722507

Indiana State won at UIC 88-83 - https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...meId/401722506

The officiating seemed to allow Chase Walker to throw his weight around and he had 24 points, 7 rebounds as Illinois State pulled away late to beat Valparaiso 86-78 - https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...meId/401722508

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