The Missouri Valley doesn’t have a clear-cut favorite to advance to the NCAA tournament. There are four to five teams that can win this MVC tournament. We have had some good Missouri Valley games the past month or so. For example, Bradley won 10 straight games to win the Missouri Valley regular season title. The favorite Drake finished in second and will look to bounce back in this tournament. Those two teams will be the main talking points in this tournament.
The Betting Odds
Drake +135
Bradley +190
Indiana St +550
Belmont +800
Southern Illinois +1400
Missouri State +3000
Northern Iowa +7000
Murray State +15000
Valparaiso +30000
Illinois St +50000
UIC +50000
Evansville +100000
The Bracket
Does Bradley’s Hot Streak Continue?
The Braves have played their best basketball all season long in the last ten games. They come all the way back to take the regular season title away from Drake. Bradley is led by Rienk Mast. The junior forward leads the team in points per game (14) and rebounds per game (8). This rejuvenated unit went from being 6-4 in conference play to 16-4 in conference play. Bradley allows the fewest points in the MVC (61.3). They also score the fourth most points in the MVC (71.5) as well. The Braves got hot at the right time, but I feel they used their luck to early.
Can Drake Get Back On Top?
The Bulldogs saw the MVC regular season title slip right out of their hands. The good news for Drake is that since 2015 the one seed has won this tournament just twice (both by Loyola-Chicago who isn’t in the league anymore). Drake’s big name is sopohomore guard Tucker DeVries. DeVries averages 18.9 points per game to go along with 5.6 rebounds per game. Drake averages the third most points per game in the MVC (75.6) and ranks top 100 in the country. The Bulldogs also allow the fourth fewest points per game in the conference as well (64.8). Drake got their loss out of the way before the tournament. This means great things for me when it comes to a potential Bulldogs MVC conference tournament title win for the first time since 2008.
Do You Buy Into Belmont Or Indiana State?
The Belmont Bruins are a staple in this league. Belmont averages the second most points per game in the MVC (76). They are led by senior guard Ben Sheppard who averages 18.8 points per game and second on the team in rebounds per game (5.2). The Bruins run six deep, but this won’t stop them from making a run in the MVC conference tournament. Belmont is a feisty team that doesn’t quit and at the price that you are getting them at, it may be worth a flier.
Indiana State is one that I didn’t see coming. The Sycamores are having their best season since the 2013-2014 season. They average the most points per game in the MVC (78.7 points per game). Indiana State has four guys that average in double figures, with their leading scorer senior guard Courvoisier McCauley averaging 16.4 points per game. McCauley is their big time player and he is a big part in why this team is where they are today. Indiana State can put points up in bunches, but will that be enough to get them back in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2011.
The Don’s Winner
My official winner here is Drake +135. The Bulldogs have a lot to fight for. They were so good all season long and looked like an absolute lock to win the regular season title. Watching it slip away at the fingertips will be the motivation that they need in order to win the conference title.
The Don’s Game By Game Predictions
First Round
9 Illinois State over 8 Northern Iowa
5 Indiana State over 12 Evansville
7 Murray State over 10 Valapraiso
6 Missouri State over 11 UIC
Quarterfinals
1 Bradley over 9 Illinois State
4 Belmont over 5 Indiana State
2 Drake over 7 Murray State
3 Southern Illinois over 6 Missouri State
Semifinals
4 Belmont over 1 Bradley
2 Drake over 3 Southern Illinois
Finals
2 Drake over 4 Belmont