I like how Illinois St. is playing heading into the tournament. Six straight wins going into the UNI game last weekend. Eldridge seems to be getting his game back and Odiakosa is a beast.

It pains me to say this since we might have to play them, but they are my darkhorse to win the tournament.

That said, GO SHOCKS!!!

Good thing the Bears won't have to face them until we finally beat the Shox:)

Ok, folks. If we're ever going to make this site a place for legitimate MVC discussion and not just a place to make your pick 'ems (and I appreciate trop and everyone who participated!), we're going to have to, well, discuss.

Let's make this the official tournament discussion topic and get some activity.

We've got two games tonight, one of which is quite intriguing. With UE and MSU you have a team that many thought might go winless in the league but has come on late, beating UNI and WSU at home and DU on the road. They come in on a two-game winning streak. In the other corner is the team who was the biggest surprise entering Valley play. Both teams have played very well against the team waiting for the winner - WSU. If the conventional wisdom that it's tough to beat a team three times in one season holds true and UE beats MSU, it's entirely possible the team that was 0-13 in conference play at one point could reach the semis.

The other play-in game pits two teams that have turned listless. Drake has lost six of their last eight. Their two wins have come against a BracketBuster opponent and tonight's opponent, SIU. The Salukis have only won two of their last seven. Another BracketBuster win and a victory over last-place Evansville. UNI waits for the winner and only SIU has played them close, losing by three in Cedar Falls. I don't see either team giving UNI much of a game on Friday.

I think the Bears will prevail against Evansville by 10ish

I think SIU "upsets" Drake by 4

I wish these games were on TV tonight. I'd really like to see the UE/MSU game. UE finally started playing well and have some young talent. MSU is a solid team. I'm not sure the youngsters at UE are ready to pull this one off just yet and think that the Bears will win.

I admit I have less interest on the other side but Drake is a scrappy team and I'm just not sure what SIU has left at this point. After the beat down I witnessed Saturday I think they're ready for the year to end.

Tomorrow scares me a bit either way.

MSU had little problem with UE in the first half of the MVC slate. But UE looks like a different team. It will be interesting.

The key for SIU will be whether they have a healthy Dillard and at least respectable post play. I still think that Dillard, Freeman, Bocot, Booker and Teague make for a pretty solid starting lineup, but Booker and Teague can't disappear. Furthermore, they just look like a team that feels beat down. Is that due to Lowery or just the woe of a disappointing season?

Both of these games are a hard call. Evansville is pretty hot but I think MSU is better and will get the win.

I read Saulki Talk so I'm convinced it's all Lowery's fault. SIU ends their season but I understand that Lowery gets another year according to their AD.

Speaking of Lowery, I wonder how much truth there is to the newly circulated rumor that Lowery is as good as gone to DePaul? It's the usual, "sources close to", and "when reached for comment (those directly involved) deny . . .".

Like Sub I wish the games would be televised. Seems like since the Valley plays it's touranment so early they could get a deal to put more than the championship game on TV.

I got a feeling most Shocker fans don't really know who to root for in the Evansville-Missouri State game. Like Sub, I think most of us are concerned about playing either one. I expect Friday's WSU game will be tough and close no matter who they play.

(03-04-2010 12:39 PM)RoyalShock Wrote:  Speaking of Lowery, I wonder how much truth there is to the newly circulated rumor that Lowery is as good as gone to DePaul? It's the usual, "sources close to", and "when reached for comment (those directly involved) deny . . .".

I haven't seen anything on this for a couple of weeks. I can't image DePaul hiring somebody that is on such a hot seat.

Posted last night:

http://www.thesouthern.com/app/blogs/dawgblog2/?p=423

If true I think DePaul is nuts. Having connections in Chicago makes little difference when he can't coach pretty good players to no better than 9th place. However, I'm sure most SIU fans are excited.

Good come back by Drake. They certainly got their radio announcers excited.

Aces 8
Bears 10
1st 12:00 Media Timeout

Purple Aces 12
Da Bears 17

Did I hear Denver Holmes has 10 of the 12? Dudes on fire.

Aces 24
Bears 26
HALF

Aces 44
Bears 45
2nd 3:33

Odds to win the Championship:

Bradley +800
Creighton +500
Illinois State +325
Indiana State +1100
Missouri State +700
Northern Iowa EVEN
Wichita State +300
Field +1500

Lets go Drake!

Drake 19
UNI 11
9:54 1st