Wichita State (11-1) @ Illinois State (9-2)
Redbird Arena
Peoria , Ill 7:05 CT
For the first time in six seasons, the Redbirds will open their conference schedule at home. Led by the preseason player of the year, Osiris Eldridge, ISU will be eager to open conference play in front of a friendly crowd. After a non-conference schedule that saw the Redbirds start off red hot, and then slowdown in their last few games. They will look to start the conference season off on the right foot, but will be faced with a very difficult task when they host another hot Valley team in WSU.
The Shockers have won 9 consecutive games since their loss to Pittsburgh on national television. Coach Gregg Marshall has his team playing exactly how he wants them to, and hes been able to pull off some impressive wins in the process. There are a few games tonight that will be really worth watching, and besides the one I will be attending, this one is right up there.
I like what I have seen from the Shockers so far this season, and I really think they will be the team to beat early in the season. Shockers should take this one, but it will be close.
– Paul Liberty
Missouri State (10-1) @ Evansville (6-4)
Roberts Stadium
Evansville, IN 7:05 CT
TV: Mediacom Missouri
Things aren’t going to be easy for the Purple Aces. They host the surprise team in the Valley, the Missouri State Bears. It’s been a week since the Purple Aces were defeated by Austin Peay 71-68. The duo of Colt Ryan and James Haarsma have been leading the Purples Aces and expect them to be the main focus of the Bear defense.
The only blemish on the Missouri State schedule is an overtime loss last week at Arkansas. Before that the Bears strung together a 10-game winning streak. Impressive for a team that was selected to finish near the bottom of the Valley in the preseason poll. Sophomore sensation Kyle Weems led the Bears with 24 against the Razorbacks. It’ll take a similar performance against the Purple Aces to pull out a win.
– Panon
Indiana State (8-3) @ Southern Illinois (7-2)
SIU Arena
Carbondale, IL 7:05 CT
Coach McKenna starts off this season in a hostile environment at SIU Arena, where wins are hard to come by. Easy to say now, Indiana State is looking to take another win there after winning last season. The Sycamores have the current MVC Newcomer of the Week in Dwayne Lathan. The sophomre transfer has been a pleasant surprise. He finished with 18 in a 72-59 win over IUPUI last Tuesday in Terre Haute.
Coach Lowry should have his team ready to go. After experiencing some growing pains last season, that year of experience will benefit the team this season in Valley play. The Salukis will welcome Iowa transfer Tony Freeman to conference play. He will have a lot to show the Valley in his one year of eligibility. A home game here should benefit the Salukis and get them off to the start they need.
– Panon
Bradley (5-5) @ Drake (5-7)
Knapp Center
Des Moines, IA 7:05 CT
TV: Mediacom Iowa
The Bulldogs will be playing their first MVC home opener in Des Moines since the 2004-2005 season. They should have plenty of practice at home already since they hosted the Hy-Vee Classic and the Drake Invitational. Bothered by an early season injury, Josh Young has slowly emerged as the Bulldog leader again. As he recovers from a hip pointer, we should see an improvement from the Bulldogs.
Last season the Bulldogs defeated the Braves in Des Moines. The Braves should be on the lookout for the upset once again. Taylor Brown had a good fall for the Braves. In Brazil he lead the team in scoring. After serving a short suspension, he’s picked up where he left off from earlier in the fall. With the Dog Pound on winter break, it may be an easier environment than usual for the Braves.
– Panon