Picked to win the Valley.
Tulio Da Silva was the mvc newcomer of the year last season. 14.3 ppg. Preseason pick for mvc player of the year. Senior, 6-8 213.
Bears are 13 point favorite.

This is a good opponent to find out if we are for real this year, or just a repeat of last year.

Thanks for the reminder, EZ. I am out of the habit. I guess I will try to do the previews again this season, if they are of any value.

The Bears were 16-16 last season and 10-8 in the Valley. They started 6-8, 6-8, 6-7 across the front against Washington U in their exhibition game. They can bring 6-11, 6-8, 6-8 off the bench. They have nine players on the roster that had previous college experience before they came to MSU.

They were only 5 of 21 from the arc, which is not unusual in early games. However, they were 11-12 from the line. In addition to his 20 points, Da Silva had 9 boards and a block.

Street & Smith's picked the Bears to win the Valley. Dana Ford brought in a bunch of transfers in the last couple of years, and that is the reason for their optimism.

Last season the Bears were way negative on the 3PT% differential, shooting 34% compared to opponents' 39%.

They have two players from NW Arkansas on the roster.

Don't feel very optimistic about this one. Seems like the Bears usually dominate us in Springfield even when they are not very good. Looks like they will be very good this year. I'm hoping for a competitive game as they will probably be as good, or better, than anyone in the Belt.

I think it is almost certain that at least one of the starters will be a newcomer, since Coupet and Evans started against Fayetteville.

My guess
Nowell
Bankston
Coupet
Evans
Besovic

Well, we all missed it:

Coupet
Nowell
Palermo
Bankston
Monyyong

Coupet is the man so far.

Four and a half minutes in, and Palermo gets his second foul.

I just got the game on ESPN 3 so I am watching now.

Free throw struggles but not bad overall so far

I agree. Better than I had hoped. Coupet looks like a good one. Nowell no turnovers so far.

MSU is living by the 3 so far. That will catch up with them

Bankston 3rd foul with three minutes left in the half. That's a good way to cut down on your averages.

Nowell and Lottie in the game together. That means we don't have a shooting guard.

No major complaints so far. We shot decently. Even on rebounds.

Too many turnover. Can't make FTs.

Outstanding half by Coupet. Couldn't ask much more of him.

You throw in Nikola and we Would be ahead in my opinion.

Coupet has the hot hand. 6 of 7. Keep feeding him the ball.
Yes, with Nikola playing we would be in good shape. Monyyong is not going to help much on the boards.

Bankston getting cranked up just at the right time.

Hanging with the valleys preseason favorite on the road without nikola.