Illinois State (15-7,6-5) @ Indiana State (13-9,5-6)
Hulman Center
Terra Haute, Ind. 6:05 CT
TV: Comcast-Bloomington
With both teams coming off a victory over the weekend, the Redbirds and Sycamores will look to extend their winning ways when they face off tonight. The Redbirds put an absolute beat down on their in-state rivals last weekend when they dropped the Bradley Braves 66-47 with ease. Thanks in part to Dinma Odiakosa’s career-high 25 points, the Redbirds were able to take care of the I-74 rival and will look to separate themselves from the pack tonight.
The Sycamores, who early in the season looked to have some positives, especially on defense, will need to put their best effort on the floor tonight as they play host to a more athletic and talented Redbird squad. Harry Marshall pitched in with 21 points in the Syc’s 63-56 win over the Purple Aces, and will need a repeat performance and then some to have a shot tonight. This one could get ugly early, as it seems the Redbirds have a bit more to play for at this point of the season.
– Paul Liberty
Wichita State (19-4, 8-3) @ Northern Iowa (19-2, 10-1)
McLeod Center
Cedar Falls, IA
TV: KWWL-IA & KWCH-KS
Groundhog Day was yesterday. The annual “holiday” puts on the shoulders of a groundhog the fate of winter/spring. If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter. If there is no shadow, spring is right around the corner. A day after Phil’s big day, we have our own “Groundhog Day” in Cedar Falls. The role of Phil is played by Gregg Marshall and the Shockers. If the Shockers come out strong, give the Panthers a competitive game, and repeat the victory they had at Koch Arena then there will be a battle for the regular season MVC crown (an early spring). On the other hand, if the Shockers “see their shadow”, lose to Panthers, then the regular season MVC crown can be given to UNI. Six more weeks of winter will be the rest of the Valley battling for the second seed as well as seeds two through nine for that matter. They will have a three game lead with six conference games remaining. Factor in the tiebreaker (with two wins over WSU) the Panthers will have a three and half when it comes to being the #1 seed in St. Louis.
Wichita State, Pennsylvania won’t be watch to see what you do tonight but the rest of the Valley will.
– Panon
Missouri State (15-7, 5-6) @ Southern Illinois (12-9, 4-7)
SIU Arena
Carbondale, IL
TV: Mediacom-MO
Southern Illinois had a shot to pull off a win against Wichita State at SIU Arena on Sunday. In front of the ESPNU cameras the Salukis couldn’t pull off the win against one of the top teams in the Valley. Southern finds itself ninth in the Valley and looking at a Thursday night game. The upside for the Salukis, a few wins and they’re in the middle of the pack. There’s not much separating them from fifth or even third. Kevin Dillard has seen increased minutes throughout the second half of this season. Keeping him fresh will be key for the Salukis who have stuggled to finish games.
Missouri State is in a similar boat as the Salukis. They’re 5-6 in the conference and looking at a Thursday night game as well. They have a favorable schedule the rest of the way out. After traveling to SIU, they have home games against CU and this same SIU team. Tougher games after that on the road at Wichita State and Illinois State. A pair of games against Indiana State and Drake to round out conference place. After losing a heartbreaker to UNI, where the Panthers scored four points in the last 90 seconds to win by one, Coach Martin needs to regroup his team in a hurry. Six games left to get back to that tough defense Bear fans saw to start the season.
– Panon
