The regular season is officially underway and Valley teams have met with mixed results thus far. Overall records are deceiving in the early stages due to the prevalence of games against non-Division I opponents, but the MVC has compiled a 19-9 mark through Monday. Everyone that has been following closely knows that this is a transition year for most of the member schools. Only 24 of 50 starters have returned from a year ago and 5 of the 10 programs replaced head coaches during the offseason. After looking at those figures, some early season lumps are to be expected. With that being said, let's take a look around the league...
Southern Illinois (1-0)
With only one result against a Division I opponent, the Salukis have climbed to #18 (USA-ESPN) and #19 (AP) in the national rankings that were released earlier today. The Dawgs looked great in the home opener against Northern Illinois and appear confident heading into the Anaheim Classic.
Northern Iowa (4-0)
The surprise of the conference thus far with wins over Northern Illinois, Cal Poly Slo, UMass, and Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Eric Coleman is averaging a double-double. Jordan Eglesder and Jared Josten are also averaging in double figures.
Illinois State (3-0)
The Redbirds have beaten up on UNC-Wilmington and SEMO. Osiris Eldridge tallied 57 points in those two victories. We'll know a lot more about these guys after they square off with Indiana (#8) on Friday night.
Creighton (2-0)
P'Allen Stinnett scored 23 points in his college debut as Creighton rolled past DePaul. Chad Millard is living up to expectations after transferring from Louisville. Dane Watts is steady and solid. This team should get better every night out. Nebraska is up next on Saturday.
Drake (2-1)
The two wins came against non-Division I opponents and the loss was on the road against St. Mary's. The Bulldogs held an 8 point lead over the Gaels early in the second half.
Bradley (2-1)
Picked to finish #2 in the conference, Bradley got off to a rocky start by losing to Illinois-Chicago, but recovered with wins over Maryland Eastern Shore and Iowa State. Friday night, the Braves match up with the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Missouri State (2-1)
Another rough start, beginning with an opening night loss to Toledo, followed by the arrest and subsequent suspension of three players, including starter Chris Cooks, due to charges of felony theft. It was looking pretty grim in Springfield and then the Bears stepped up and beat down UNC-Greensboro by 27. That Greensboro squad was coming off of a road victory over Georgia Tech. Inconceivable. Missouri State faces SLU, Winthrop, and Arkansas in the upcoming week.
Wichita State (2-2)
The Shockers have topped Arkansas Pine Bluff and Illinois-Chicago, but they also came up short against Baylor and Monmouth. A disappointing start, but really just a continuation of last year's slide. P.J. Couisnard is only averaging 5 ppg, while playing 30 mpg.
Indiana State (1-2), Evansville (0-2)
Butler has beaten both of these teams.
