Bradley (13-12, 8-7) @ Indiana State (15-11, 7-8)
Hulman Center
Terra Haute, Ind. 6:05 CT
TV: Comcast-Ill.
Well, it was an interesting weekend in the Valley, as a number of underdogs were able to show a great effort and pull out a few upsets. The major upset, of course, was the Braves taking out then #18/#19 ranked Northern Iowa. Bradley never led in the first half, but the Braves were able to put together a great effort to storm back and dominate the second half of action. Led by Andrew Warren’s 15 points (all in the second half), the Braves showed an impressive will and effort as they would not roll over for the Panthers. This is the sort of effort that can really help a team heading down the stretch. With the win, Bradley is now in a tie for fourth place with Creighton.
Indiana State had an impressive game of its own over the weekend, as the Sycamores shot 49% from the field to knock off a struggling Drake team that has now lost four in a row. Lead by Rashad Reed’s 18 points, Coach McKenna and the Sycamores put on a shooting clinic, as three other players finished in double figures.
Tonight’s game should be a close one, as the Braves seem to be playing better and the Sycamores will be a bit out-manned. However, I like the home team in this one, as we all know how hard it is to win on the road. Plus, as a CU fan, I would appreciate a little help in separating the Jays from the Braves.
– Paul Liberty
Southern Illinois (14-11, 6-9) @ Drake (11-16, 6-9)
Knapp Center
Des Moines, IA 7:05 CT
TV: Mediacom (Iowa)
The Salukis head to central Iowa with payback on their minds. SIU couldn’t defend home court against the Bulldogs for the second consecutive season, losing to Drake 70-65 at the beginning of January. The last time Chris Lowery’s team made the trek to Des Moines, the Salukis escaped with a thrilling 56-55 win the week before bowing out of Arch Madness early.
This game is critical for seeding purposes as the two teams head into the homestretch of Valley play. Both the Bulldogs and Salukis are trying desperately to stay out of the Thursday night play-in games; if the season ended today, Southern Illinois and Drake would need to catch earlier flights to St. Louis.
Drake hasn’t swept SIU since 95-96, but a win tonight at home would give the Bulldogs the tie-breaker when sorting out seeding for the MVC Tournament. After winning five straight in January Drake has lost four consecutive contests.
Southern Illinois, on the other hand, is in the same position as most road teams in the MVC; the Salukis have only won two road conference games, one of which being at Evansville. The other came at Bradley all the way back on New Year’s Day.
– Creighton Otter
