#1 Missouri State (23-7, 15-3) vs. #8 Southern Illinois (13-18, 5-13)
Scottrade Center; St. Louis, MO
12:05 CST TV: FSN
WHat do you get when you combine the Valley coach of the year with the Valley Player of the Year? A regular season championship and a #1 seed in Arch Madness. The Bears of Missouri State made quite a turn this season as they went out and took the league by storm. They had their close games and it came down to the final match-up with Wichita State, but the Bears showed they could win and more importantly, they could win on the road. They will face off against a team they have had no issues with this season in Southern Illinois.
The Salukis will be a little tired as they were forced to play in the play in round on Thursday night. They were in a back and forth battle with Illinois State that resulted in the end of the Redbirds season and another few hours of life support for SIU. This game will be on in the background, but lately it has seemed that Chris and the Dogs have been unmotivated and checked out about two months ago. The first game of the quarterfinals will display two opposite sides of the emotional spectrum, as the Breas are flying high and are 100% sure they can win the next three games.
#2 Wichita State (23-7, 14-4) vs. #10 Bradley (12-19, 4-14)
Scottrade Center; St. Louis, MO
6:05 CST TV: FSN
Wichita had a chance to win the league but came up a bit short against the Bears of Missouri State in the final game of the conference season. It has been said many times over the years that it is important to hit your stride late in the season and come into the tournament with some good confidence. While the Shockers have lost three of their last four conference games, the win was a late bucket over CU, one has to wonder if this team is going to be ready? How is the teams motivation, and are they focused? Well, they better be, as they will face off against a Bradley team that is determined to prove something this weekend.
The #10 seeded Bradley Braves came out last night and embarrassed as slower and inferior Drake team. The best part about the win for the Braves, was they had someone other than Andrew Warren step up and take over the game. Dyricus Simms-Edwards dropped 26 points with plashes of quickness that left the Bulldogs looking for their shorts in the lane. Warren was able to make plays, but was not required to take over the game and drop his usual 20 +. The fact that the Redbirds were able to win in such a decisive manner will carry over a lot of confidence to a big game against the Shockers. I may have to call upset.
#3 Indiana State (17-13, 12-6) vs. #6 Evansville (15-14, 9-9)
Scottrade Center; St. Louis, MO
8:35 CST TV: FSN
Many folks, including Dan MacLaughlin, feel this will be a match up between two teams that could make a run this weekend. Indiana State was able to secure a #3 seed in the tournament with tough defensive play and some big wins at home throughout the season. They will carry some good momentum into the weekend with their victory over SIU 75-60. The Sycamores have been playing with confidnece all season and this one should be a good game.
The Purple Aces are feeling good. For the first time in a long time, Evansville fans were able to watch the Thursday night games with no stress, knowing their Aces will be playing on Friday. Marty was able to shock the Valley with his amazing weight loss in the off season, and he kept the surprises coming as his squad was able to avoid Thursday round and secure a very possible upset bid against Indiana State.