Game 1 (12:05 p.m.): #1 Northern Iowa (25-4; 15-3) vs. #8 Drake (14-18; 7-11)
Season Series
Northern Iowa swept their in-state rival this season, winning 67-51 in Cedar Falls and posting a 57-48 victory on the road. In MVC Tournament play, the Bulldogs and Panthers last met in 2001. The #7 Bulldogs were defeated by the #10 Panthers 59-53. UNI has a 1-2 record against Drake in Valley tournament.
Drake will win if …
… they can turn around quick after last night’s win, without much rest, and hang with a deep team. It took a Josh Young jumper with a second left to break a tie at 61. With shooters like Adam Templeton and Ryan Wedel, a hot shooting night and the Bulldogs are never too far away. Freshman Seth Van Deest will have his hands full defensively, giving up a few pounds to Eglseder.
Northern Iowa will win if …
… Player of the Year Adam Koch and the rest of the Panthers continue to play like they did this season and repeat their performance from last year’s Arch Madness. With Koch and Eglseder reunited again on the front line that saw Eglseder return for senior night. Their guards will need to pressure the Bulldog guards and not allow them clean looks from beyond the arc. With potentially three games in three days, Coach Jacobson will need to go to his bench. Get his freshman a taste of MVC tournament action. Let his deep team wear down the Bulldogs after their short night of rest.
Game 2 (2:35 p.m.): #4 Creighton (16-14; 10-8) vs. #5 Bradley (15-14; 9-9)
See Polyfro’s Primer
Game 3 (6:05) #2 Wichita State (23-8,12-6) vs. #7 Missouri State (20-11,9-10)
Season Series
Wichita State and Missouri State have had a few tight battles this season with the two games being decided by 3 and 2 points, both going to the Shockers.
Wichita State wins if…
…they can continue to feed ClevinHannah and Gregg Marshall can keep his cool. The Shockers are stacked with a ton of young talent and they will need to use that to their advantage as they play a team coming off a close victory just one night earlier. The other key to a Shocker victory is head coach Gregg Marshall. Too many times this season we have seen Gregg stop coaching and start drilling the refs, which at some points have cost his team points during close games.
Missouri State wins if…
…they can keep it close early. If the Bears let the Shockers get out in front early, they could be in big trouble. Both teams have pretty good athletes and have played close games already this season.
Game 4 (8:30) #3 Illinois State (21-9,11-7) vs. #6 Indiana State (17-13,9-9)
Season Series
Both Illinois State and Indiana State were able to get the better of each other this season. The Redbirds protected their home court against the Sycamores 75-58, but were unable to withstand the ISU fans as they fell on the road 65-72.
Illinois State wins if….
…the Redbirds continue to feed Dinma Odiakosa in the paint and allow the O-Hawk to play his game. Although Osiris’ stats are a bit down this season, the Redbirds have had other people step up, namely Odiakosa and Lloyd Phillips. If the Redbirds can stick to the plan, they should be able to tire out a beat up Sycamore squad.
Indiana State wins if…
…they can get back to their early defensive ways. During the non-conference season, Coach McKenna had the Sycamores playing some shut down defense that saw most teams struggle to shoot above 40%. If Indiana State can play some stifling half court defense and minimize the fast break opportunities, they have a shot in this one.