Northern Iowa - #14 UNI has now won 11 in a row, with the past three games by double-digits. Indiana State and Drake were their victims last week, and a home game with Illinois State and a roadie at Missouri State lie ahead this week. Looking ahead, the Panthers have an easier remaining schedule than WSU before their season-ending showdown in Wichita.

Wichita State - The #16 Shocks recovered from their loss at UNI with a too-close-for-comfort win at Bradley (in which they pulled their starters too soon) followed by the most lopsided beating yet in conference play, 78-35, issued at home to Missouri State—on national television, yet. Now at 21-3 (11-1), Wichita State hosts Indiana State this week before an always turbulent matchup with the Redbirds in Normal.

Indiana State – The Trees secured sole possession of third place after a split with UNI and Loyola last week. Greg Lansing’s crew has now swept the season series with Loyola and Illinois State, but the first two of their remaining six games are at Wichita State and home against Drake, who beat them in Des Moines.

Illinois State - Poised to leap out ahead of the middle pack last week, the Redbirds smacked Evansville around at Redbird Arena but lost their road game at SIU. The loss in Carbondale was a killer, because now at 7-5 in conference, the Redbirds will have a trip to UNI before returning home to confront the hated Shockers.

Evansville - Once full of hope for a third place spot, the Aces had a disastrous week, losing Mockevicius to injury in a beatdown in Normal before blowing a double-digit lead to Bradley. The loss to the Braves was Bradley’s sole road victory this season and the first time the Aces have had two consecutive games scoring less than 55 points. At 6-6 in conference and losers of their last three, they’ll meet a depleted Missouri State team before heading to dangerous SIU this week.

Drake – The Bulldogs drew even with the Ramblers for sixth place last week, winning their third straight against SIU before a loss at UNI. They’ll host surging Bradley before heading to Terre Haute (with a chance for a season sweep over ISUb) this week.

Bradley – The finally healthy Braves shook off suspensions and nearly upset Wichita State at home before earning their first road win of the season at a Mockevicius-less Evansville last week. Now tied with SIU and Missouri State at 3-9 in conference, Geno’s guys will visit Drake this week before returning to Carver to face the Ramblers.

Southern Illinois – The Salukis had their bid for their first conference road win foiled by a late three pointer at Drake before getting an impressive home win over the Redbirds. This week they’ll face two injury plagued teams in a visit to Rogers Park before hosting Evansville.

Missouri State - Now down to eight available players, the Bears lost at home to Loyola (breaking a five game losing streak playing on the road without their two top scorers) and were embarrassed on ESPN 2 at Wichita State Saturday night. It doesn’t get any easier for Lusk and Company this week as they visit Evansville and host UNI.

Impressed with what Drake has done recently. After a rough non-con season and beginning 0-5 in league play, they've gone 5-3 since then. Part of it has been a more advantageous schedule, but much improved nonetheless.

Part of it was when Ricks went off on us for 24 points in a game we barely won. He was added to the starting lineup the next game and got 23 in their win against Indiana State.

Drake also has a lot of very young talent that I think is starting to adjust to the game and take steps forward. They'll lose Ricks next year, but I think they'll take a step forward.

_________________
The Roundhouse