Nevada (15-9,8-4 WAC) @ Missouri State (17-10,7-9)
JHQ Arena
Springfield, MO 2:00 pm CT
TV: ESPN2
The Missouri State Bears will welcome the Nevada Wolf Pack to Springfield for this afternoons Brackbusters game. The Bears, who are currently sitting in a tie for eighth place in the Valley and have no real benefit to playing the Wolf Pack, this will become a theme as we look at today’s schedule of games.
Nevada, who is sitting in a tie for third place in the WAC, have a bit more on their plate as they carry a RPI of 66, and need a few good wins to boost their tournament resume. Will a win over RPI #86 Missouri State be that strong of a in for them, if they pull it out? We will see, and I like Nevada in this one, as I think it means a little more to the Wolf Pack.
– Paul Liberty
Indiana State (16-11,8-8) @ Wisconsin – Green Bay (19-10,11-6 Horizon League)
Resch Center
Green Bay, Wis. 7:05 pm CT
TV: NONE
Indiana State will be hitting the road before the final week of the season as they, like the rest of the Valley, will be participating in the annual Bracketbusters event. The Sycamores will head North West to face the Phoenix of Wisconsin – Green Bay.
The Phoenix, who are currently in 3rd place in the Horizon League will be entering the game with an RPI of 102, not exactly on the tournament radar. This will just be another match up of two “mid-major” schools, not on television, and not really beneficial to either side. I guess the hope is that Green Bay will turn it around for the game next season and ISU-Blue can get a quality win on their home court. I like the Sycamores in this one, big win for Kevin.
– Paul Liberty
Drexel (15-3,10-6 CAA) @ Bradley (13-13,8-8)
Carver Arena
Peoria, Ill 7:05 CT
TV: NONE
The Drexel Dragons will fly into Peoria tonight for a battle with the Braves that should be one for the ages! O.K., so this is another mediocre Bracketbusters game that will not be televised and will not help either tem in terms of tournament resume.
Drexel enters the game with a staggering RPI of 101, and are in a tie for third place in the CAA. They have some decent talent on the floor, including Jamie Harris, who is averaging 14.9 points per game. However, I like the Braves in this one, as they are coming off a tough loss to Indiana State and will be looking to refocus as they head into the final stretch of what has been a topsy-turvy season.
– Paul Liberty
Morehead State (19-8,13-3 Ohio Valley) @ Illinois State (19-8,10-6)
Redbird Arena
Normal, Ill. 4:05 CT
TV: NONE
Morehead State has quite a bit riding on this game. They are currently in a tie for second place in the Ohio Valley Conference, but more importantly, they will be shooting for their 20th win of the season. If they are able to nock off the Redbirds, it will mark the first time since the 2002-03 season they were able to hit the 20 win mark. At least someone is hitting it.
The Eagles will bring in a RPI of 94 to today’s game, and will not be able to make much headway on their at large chances as their opponent is sitting at 95. This game will be a competitive game, but I think the Redbirds have a bit more athleticism and size and should be able to walk away with a W.
– Paul Liberty
Wichita State (22-6,11-5) @ Utah State (21-6,11-2 WAC)
Dee Glen Smith Spectrum
Logan, UT 11:00 pm CT
TV: ESPN2
Of the Bracketbuster games that the Missouri Valley will be participating in, I would have to say this is the second most important game of the weekend. Although many would argue that WSU spoiled their chances with an at large with their loss to Evansville, this would help boost the argument of all those still holding faith. The Shockers will travel to Utah State this evening for a prime time match up.
Utah State, 35 RPI, will be one of the better opponents the Shockers will face this season, where they have only a few quality wins. Sitting in first place in the WAC, Utah State will need this win to keep them in the bubble talk, as a win over WSU could nock some competition out of the conversation. This will be a fun game to watch, if you are not at the Q, but I like Utah in this one. WSU has proven over the course of the season that they are a bit shaky on the road, and I think we will see that again tonight.
– Paul Liberty
Western Michigan (14-12, 6-7 MAC) @ Southern Illinois (14-12, 6-10)
SIU Arena
Carbondale, IL 2:05 CT
It’s been tough for the Salukis to defend their home court this season. This game will test them again. Player of the year candidate in the MAC, David Kool leads the Broncos in scoring. At 21.5 ppg, Kool became the school’s all-time leader scorer this season. If he can put up 33 against the Salukis, he’ll pass the 2,000 point mark. In their last game, a 90-81 win against Northern Illinois, Kool lead the team with 33, including 28 in the second half. The Broncos have a few qualities win on the season, including a neutral court win against CAA co-leader Northeastern.
A tough match-up on the perimeter for the Salukis trying to defend David Kool. Coach Lowry feels strongly that Tony Freeman can handle the job and also tough team defense can help as well. The Salukis come into this game losers of three of their last four games. All three of those losses came on the road and the lone home win against Evansville. Gene Teague has seen more playing time since the departure of Nick Evans. He’ll have to work hard on both ends of the court.
– Panon
Illinois-Chicago (6-20, 2-14 Horizon) @ Evansville (7-19, 1-15)
Roberts Stadium
Evansville, IN 7:05 CT
The Purple Aces that may enjoy playing this late non-conference game each of the last seven seasons. Their last three games ended up in wins by the Purple Aces with two of those games on the road. In the middle of a tough Valley season that’s seen them pick up just one win, tonight’s the chance to clean the slate, play an unfamiliar team, and pick up a win to build some confidence in this young team. Freshman Colt Ryan is just 13 points from 400 on the season. A mark he should get today, possibly by halftime. The freshman MVC mark is 545 points by Bradley’s Mitchell Anderson. Of the three other players this decade to score over 400 points, one is P’Allen who scored 416.
The Flames have not played Evansville since the 2002-2003 season. The Purple Aces won at home in a return match from a trip to Chicago the season before where the Flames held on their home court. The Flames have a trio of players averaging double figures. All-name team member Robo Kreps leads the team at 14.2 ppg followed by Zavion Neely (12.1) and Jeremy Buttell (11.9). Losers of 12 of their last 13 games, the Flames have to feel confident they can leave Roberts Stadium with a win.
– Panon
Drake (12-16, 7-9) @ Cal State Northridge (10-16, 5-7 Big West)
Matador Gymnasium
Northridge, CA 9:00 CT
Things are looking up for the Bulldogs. They snapped a four-game losing streak earlier in the week with a home win against Southern Illinois. Now, as we reach what should be the end of winter, they catch a break and get to travel to California to take on Cal State Northridge. In victories, the Bulldogs have shown a hot shooting touch. In defeats, they struggle from the outside, especially away from the Knapp Center. Plenty of walkthroughs and pregame shoot-arounds should be on Coach Phelps’ itinerary for this trip to get his team comfortable in the Matadome, the nickname for the Matador Gymnasium.
The Matadors have had their share of close games this season. Nine of their contests have been decided by 5 points or less and they game out victorious in three of those. Another close game here tonight and you have to give the upper hand to the home team. Guard Kenny Daniels leads the team in scoring at 14.8 ppg and averaging over 20 his last four games. For the Drake fans that travel, the noise they make will not effect forward Michael Lizarraga. Lizarrage is a deaf basketball player that went to CS Northridge because they have one of the top programs for deaf students.
– Panon