Today in the Valley

Today in the Valley: February 22, 2011

Northern Iowa (19-10, 10-6) vs. Indiana St. (15-13, 10-6)

McLeod Center; Cedar Falls, IA

7:05 CST

George Mason saw first hand how tough the McLeod Center can be to play.  Without Lucas O’Rear, UNI nearly pulled out a win against the Colonial Athletic Association leader.  UNI led throughout the second half until the final 3:39 to play in the game.  Down by 2 with 26 seconds to play, the Panthers were not able to capitalize on a George Mason turnover and a few extra free throws were the deciding factor.  The Panthers need a short memory.  In their senior night, they say farewell to Lucas O’Rear, Kerwin Dunham, and Kwadzo Ahelegbe.  Ahelegbe, a tough player, will be missed by most, if not all, of the point guards around the league.

The Sycamores look to sweep the season series against the Panthers.  In dropping the game in Terre Haute, the Panthers arguably played their worst game of the season losing 70-45.  Like most other teams in the Valley, ISU lost their Bracket Buster game over the weekend.  Win or lose that game, it would not have helped their at-large chance.  The Sycamores need to focus on what got them to this point in the season.  Having won their last three conference games, it is possible they can win their final two and be a #3 seed heading to St. Louis.

Illinois State (11-17, 3-13) vs. Bradley (10-18, 3-13)

Redbird Arena; Normal, Ill.

7:00 CST   TV:  FSN

The Redbirds are in bad shape.  They may have been the only team in the MVC excited for the BracketBuster games as they would be playing out of the Valley where they had lost five games in a row.  But the Redbirds were able to keep it going as the lost a close game to Western Michigan 65-68.  They will return to the friendly confines of Normal, Ill. tonight as they take in their rival Bradley in a show-down for last place in the Valley!  Sorry, I am trying to make this game exciting, it is on FSN after all.

Bradley, who is in about as bad of shape as the Redbirds will hope to save some face tonight as they look to avenge a loss earlier in the season to the Redbirds.  The one point loss kept the Braves win less in the conference and at the bottom of the league.  Both teams were able to pull off a few upsets this season that caused a bit of a shake up in the rankings, but tonight will be all about pride.  Neither of these teams cares much for the other, and one will walk away with bragging rights in an otherwise dreadful season.

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