Mid-season Missouri Valley Conference report card
01/29/2015 | 12:00:00 | DawgTracker
CARBONDALE, Ill. - We've reached the midway point in the conference season and teams are battling for seeding at the conference tournament, plus potential post-season berths. Here's a quick rundown on each team and where they stand heading into the final month of the regular season.
1. Wichita State: (19-2, 9-0, RPI: 12)
The Shockers are still playing angry. They are a lock for the NCAA Tournament and would be a top-four seed if the season ended today. The scary thing about Wichita is they keep getting better every week. They already had the best guard play in the league, and now forward Darius Carter has given them a solid inside presence. They also bring a host of freshmen off the bench who are going to be terrific players in this league. Wichita remains the league's flagship program.
2. Northern Iowa (19-2, 8-1: RPI: 22)
The Panthers are nipping at the heels of Wichita State and give the MVC another NCAA Tournament lock, barring a second-half collapse. They are the best defensive team in the league and excel at winning low-scoring grinding games. They have a deep roster and a bona fide star in senior Seth Tuttle. They still have two games versus Wichita State, so they are not out of title contention.
3. Evansville (16-5, 6-3, RPI: 71)
The Purple Aces have two All-Conference players in D.J. Balentine and Egidigius Mockevicius. Losing Mislav Brzoja to a broken hand was a huge blow to the team, because the supporting cast has always been a question mark. If he comes back healthy, the Aces could make a deep run in the MVC Tournament. Regardless, their overall record and RPI are good enough to warrant consideration for an NIT bid.
4. Indiana State (10-11, 6-3, RPI 175)
The Sycamores are the surprise team of the conference season. They looked destined for Thursday night in St. Louis after completing their non-conference slate with a 4-8 mark. The key to their turnaround has been the emergence of guards Devonte Brown and freshman Brenton Scott. The Sycamores have no chance of an at-large bid to the NCAA or NIT, but if they can produce a winning record and stay in the top half of the MVC standings, could be worthy of a CIT or CBI bid.
5. Illinois State (13-8, 5-4, RPI 113)
The Redbirds might be the most athletic team in the conference, and when they are hitting outside shots, are tough to beat. The injury bug has really affected the chemistry of their club with guys like DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell, Deontae Hawkins and Reggie Lynch all missing time. They will be a tough out in the Valley tournament, but are likely headed to the CBI or CIT.
6. Loyola (13-8, 3-6, RPI: 96)
Picked to finish last in the preseason poll, the Ramblers turned heads with a strong non-conference season, but then Milton Doyle suffered a high ankle sprain, and they haven't been the same since. He's the engine who makes that team go. Doyle hurt the ankle in early January and tried to play through the pain before Porter Moser shut him down the last three games. If Doyle returns and they can right the ship in time, Loyola should get consideration for the CBI or CIT.
7. Missouri State (8-13, 2-7, RPI: 210)
The Bears were picked third, but their season took a nosedive when star guard Marcus Marshall left the team. Between injuries and Marshall leaving, they dressed only eight players last night in a loss to Illinois State. No one on the team averages double figures. The Bears are in the midst of a seven-game losing streak and are headed for a Thursday night appearance.
8. Drake (5-16, 2-7, RPI: 235)
With four new starters, the Bulldogs are in full rebuilding mode. They are not a good defensive team and have been getting crushed on the boards -- a bad combination. Freshman Reed Timmer is a nice piece for the future, and Coach Ray Giacoletti has a couple of Big Ten transfers sitting out. The goal is to win enough games the rest of the way to build momentum heading into next year.
9. Southern Illinois (9-13, 2-7, RPI: 279)
The Salukis have little offensive firepower outside of Anthony Beane, and even he has labored while trying to carry the scoring load. The team's veterans have underperformed, but freshman Jordan Caroline is a keeper. The Salukis appear headed for their sixth-straight losing season.
10. Bradley (7-15, 2-7, RPI: 289)
The Braves have been riddled with injuries, but even when they've had a full complement of players during the past few weeks, have struggled to get much going. There is talent with guys like Warren Jones and Auston Barnes, and a sensational freshman in Josh Cunningham, but Jones was arrested late last night, hours after an embarrassing home loss to Drake, and the media vultures are circling the program.
Here are my early picks for the All-Conference team, in rank order.
Fred Van Vleet, Wichita State
Seth Tuttle, Northern Iowa
Darius Carter, Wichita State
D.J. Balentine, Evansville
Ron Baker, Wichita State
Egidijus Mockevicius, Evansville
Tekele Cotton, Wichita State
Daishon Knight, Illinois State
Devonte Brown, Indiana State
Milton Doyle, Loyola
