Here's the schedule for Valley games on Saturday:
Indiana State at Creighton
Northern Iowa at Drake
Wichita State at Evansville
Bradley at Missouri State
Illinois State at Southern Illinois
In this topsy-turvy season, these are very big games. Creighton and SIU look to be solid home favorites. UNI would be the only favored road team, but what happens if Drake pulls off the upset? Bradley is a 7-point underdog at Springfield. Given our lack of success there, I can see that. If we can hold the Bears to 65 or less, we can win. If MSU scores in the mid-70's or higher, the Braves will be in trouble. What bugs me is that we ended Wichita's losing streak on the road and didn't put up much of a fight. Now MSU is on a 3-game skid, Barry's feeling the heat, and Bradley comes to town! Gary Parrish lists Missouri State as one of the teams in the country whose tournament stock is dropping at the moment. This game and the Shockers at Aces tilt should be the most compelling games today. UE is trying to make a push for the upper half of the standings while Wichita is trying to do the same. Conference separation could be realized by the end of the day by the top 3 teams, but if one, two, or all three drop games and Bradley wins, the Braves will be right there. As unlikely as it seems, it would be crushing to see both ISU's and Drake win today if we cannot win at Springfield.
Indiana State at Creighton
Northern Iowa at Drake
Wichita State at Evansville
Bradley at Missouri State
Illinois State at Southern Illinois
In this topsy-turvy season, these are very big games. Creighton and SIU look to be solid home favorites. UNI would be the only favored road team, but what happens if Drake pulls off the upset? Bradley is a 7-point underdog at Springfield. Given our lack of success there, I can see that. If we can hold the Bears to 65 or less, we can win. If MSU scores in the mid-70's or higher, the Braves will be in trouble. What bugs me is that we ended Wichita's losing streak on the road and didn't put up much of a fight. Now MSU is on a 3-game skid, Barry's feeling the heat, and Bradley comes to town! Gary Parrish lists Missouri State as one of the teams in the country whose tournament stock is dropping at the moment. This game and the Shockers at Aces tilt should be the most compelling games today. UE is trying to make a push for the upper half of the standings while Wichita is trying to do the same. Conference separation could be realized by the end of the day by the top 3 teams, but if one, two, or all three drop games and Bradley wins, the Braves will be right there. As unlikely as it seems, it would be crushing to see both ISU's and Drake win today if we cannot win at Springfield.
