Getting towards the end of Valley play and it appears we'll be playing on Thursday. Who will be our opponent? I'm going with Southern Illinois. Salukis and Beacons on the floor in St. Louis.
Thoughts?
I hope not not SIU or MoState. Would be like a home game for them being close to St Louis in terms of their fans attending. But in reality this season, it likely wouldn't matter anyway.
Since we do not have high expectations and have only set "development" and "improvement" as this year's goals, I see Valpo as its own arch madness opponent, no matter who they play. Does the team's composite on the court in March, especially freshmen and other individuals likely to return next year, seem better substantially than it appeared at the start of the season?
Most likely Belmont. Other possibilities are Southern Illinois, Northern Iowa and Murray State. Outside chance for Missouri State, Evansville and Illinois State.
I hope not not SIU or MoState. Would be like a home game for them being close to St Louis in terms of their fans attending. But in reality this season, it likely wouldn't matter anyway.
I'll do some math for you and I think you might be surprised.
Peoria (Bradley) to the Enterprise Center (St Louis) = 170 miles
Normal (Illinois State) to the Enterprise Center (St Louis) = 165 miles
Terre Haute (Indiana State) to the Enterprise Center (St Louis) = 168 miles
Evansville (Evansville) to the Enterprise Center (St Louis) = 171 miles
Murray, KY (Murray State) to the Enterprise Center (St Louis) = 209 miles
Carbondale, IL (Southern Illinois) to the Enterprise Center (St Louis) = 104 miles
Springfield, MO (Missouri State) to the Enterprise Center (St Louis) = 215 miles
Valparaiso (Valpo) to the Enterprise Center (St Louis) = 310 miles
Certainly looks like we'll be in the 12-5 game on Thursday.
SIU, Belmont and UNI are all tied at 9-7, for the 4, 5, 6 seed. Lots of possible activity in the next 2 weeks.... with Bradley at 10-6 and Murray State is 8-8...
So, of the teams in the current 4-5-6 slots:
SIU: Home to Murray, @evansville, @ Bradley, Home to UNI
Belmont: @Drake, Home to Missouri State, @ Murray State, Home to Evansville
UNI: @ Illinois State, Home Drake, Home Valpo, @ Southern Illinois
Bradley: @Missouri State, Home to Illinois State; Home to Southern Illinois, @ Drake
ask me again on March 1... good question...
Checking in here for the first time. The magic number is down to 1 for Valpo to clinch the No. 12 seed. Any win by UIC or loss by Valpo over the last three games and Valpo is the No. 12 seed. Who the opponent will be will go down to the final day of the season.
I say we will face Belmont in the first round.
With Indiana state losing to SIU And Ill State there is no way the MVC is getting an at large bid. I think it will come down to a three way battle in St Louis between Ind State, Drake and Bradley with Ind State barely surviving.
I would not count us out of the MVC just yet. Although the record is much to be desired, this team is leaps and bounds better than their record. The inexperience has been worked on all season and the team looks immensely different than they looked just a couple of months ago. The "win or go home" setting of the tourney, in my opinion, might be the push this team needs to finish their games and not die in the 35th minute.
I needs some of that kool aid from the previous poster. The Optimists club is stronger than ever.
@usc4valpo Look, I'm not saying we win the whole thing. That would be a pipe dream, but winning 1 game in the tournament is not out of the picture.
I would not count us out of the MVC just yet. Although the record is much to be desired, this team is leaps and bounds better than their record.
What is the indication of this?
