Drake (11-5,6-8) @ Indiana State (14-11,6-8)
Hulman Center
Terra Haute, Ind. 1:05 CT
TV: WTWO
The Drake Bulldogs had some folks chatting in the MVC when they went on their mid-season five game winning streak. Oh how times have changed. Drake is now in the midst of another streak, but this one is on the losing end. The Bulldogs fell to UNI during the week 48-57, and that loss served as their third straight. Drake will look to rebound and right the ship as they have fallen into a tie for 5th place.
One of those with Drake is there opponent for this afternoon, the Sycamores of Indiana State. After a slow paced first half against Creighton, where they only trailed by a score of 31-24, ISU-Blue came out with the same intensity. The bad news, Creighton stepped it up. ISU was unable to contain the inside presence of Kenney Lawson, as the Jay’s simply outplayed ISU on its way to a 65-52 win in Omaha. A win tonight can put the Sycamores in a better spot as we head down the stretch of conference play. Call me crazy, but I like the home team in this one.
– Paul Liberty
No.18/19 UNI (22-2,13-1) @ Bradley (12-12,7-7)
Carver Arena
Peoria, Ill. 1:05 CT
TV: FSN
The 18/19 nationally ranked UNI Panthers was able to secure at least a share of the regular season championship on Wednesday night as they knocked of the Bulldogs 57-48. Although they were down 3 with 6:36 to play, the Panthers were able to show once again that they could finish a game and survive when it mattered most. Thanks to a 15-0 run to end the game, UNI was able to pull away and secure their second consecutive MVC crown. They will now focus on the Bradley Braves, winning an outright MVC title and winning out to prove to the talking heads that they belong in the NCAA Tournament.
Unlike their counterparts this afternoon, the Braves were unable to finish their game against rival Illinois State on Tuesday. Leading for the first 38 minutes of competition in a “blackout” in Carver Arena, the Braves were unable to close out the Redbirds as they fell 62-61. With the loss, the Braves fell to 4th in the Valley, where they will need a win today to stay in the pack. Unfortunately, I really don’t see the Braves taking out UNI, as they have proven over and over that they will not go away. As long as UNI does not lose their focus after clinching a share of the league, they should cruise in this one.
– Paul Liberty
Evansville (7-17, 1-13) @ Southern Illinois (13-11, 5-9)
SIU Arena
Carbondale, IL 2:05 CT
Evansville got the monkey off their back. They picked up their first win in a way most people, at least I did, thought they couldn’t, a home win against Wichita State. One win under their belt, do the Aces double down and pick up back-to-back wins? If they do, they will have more wins in the last week than they have in the last month. James Haarsma led the Purple Aces with 18. The Aces led by 10 with under 4 minutes to go, but with two free throws and a Shocker turnover in the finals seconds were able to secure the win.
Southern Illinois has hit another tough stretch. They have lost four of their last five games. Against the Purple Aces, they’ll be a man short without red-shirt sophomore Nick Evans. After being suspended indefinetly for violating team rules, Evans quit the team for personal reasons. The Salukis are in a battle to get out of a Thursday night game in St. Louis. They are currently ninth in the standings but with a the teams bunched up ahead of them, a strong finish gets them out of Thursday night.
– Panon