Wichita State – After a 10-2 non-conference season, some thought the Shockers were “vulnerable.” True, they lost to Utah on the road in overtime, survived a one-point overtime squeaker at Hawaii, and lost to George Washington in the Diamond Head Classic final. But Gregg Marshall’s crew got better as the year progressed, especially on their inside game. WSU dropped their third game of the year at Northern Iowa, but the experience of losing their first conference game since 2013 seemed only to bolster their resolve down the stretch. As the #1 seed at Arch Madness, they will face the winner of the Missouri State/Southern Illinois game on Friday.

Northern Iowa – Picked for second in the MVC pre-season poll and earning an AP Top 25 ranking at the end of their 11-1 non-conference slate, the Panthers bookended the conference season with their only two MVC losses. Senior Seth Tuttle is a top candidate for MVC Player of the Year, guiding UNI to their best-ever conference record, longest winning streak, highest ranking, and the #2 seed at Arch Madness. UNI will face the winner of the Drake/Bradley game on Friday.

Indiana State - Out of nowhere, Greg Lansing’s Sycamores atoned for their 4-8 non-conference season by winning their first five conference games and holding on to win the #3 seed. The 11-7 Trees swept the Redbirds, Ramblers, Salukis and Braves, getting just enough to top Illinois State on a tiebreaker. The Sycamores will face Loyola for the second consecutive Arch Madness Friday night in St. Louis.

Illinois State – After dropping their first two conference games and suffering mid-season injuries, the Redbirds surged at the end of the season to win their last four games. But the one-point home loss to Indiana State to start the conference season seemed to hang over Dan Muller’s bunch almost all season, and in the end proved to be the deciding margin between a #3 and a #4 seeding. The Redbirds will meet Evansville for a second consecutive game in St. Louis on Friday.

Evansville – Featuring the league’s best inside-outside combination and boasting a 10-2 non-conference start, the Aces began the conference season with a home upset of UNI. But the streaky Aces had two three-game losing streaks in their last nine games down the stretch to finish the season at 9-9 in league play. They will meet Illinois State on Friday in St. Louis after losing to them by two at home to close the regular season.

Loyola - Picked to finish 10th in the MVC Preseason poll, fielding a starting lineup with no one taller than 6’7”, and without their best player for more than half the conference season, the Ramblers somehow managed to secure the #6 seed and avoid Thursday night in St. Louis. Loyola was 4-3 in conference with Milton Doyle playing, and 4-7 without him in the lineup—including 0-5 against the Sycamores, Redbirds, and Aces. The Ramblers will meet Indiana State (for the first time the season with Milton Doyle) on Friday night in St. Louis.

Drake – Picked for 9th in the MVC Preseason poll, the Bulldogs turned their season around after the first third of conference play by emphasizing the three ball. Ray Giacoletti’s team won six of their final 13 conference games and came within five points in an overtime contest from securing the #6 seed. They will meet Bradley on Thursday in St. Louis with a chance to get a 10th win.

Missouri State - Perhaps no other team in the league failed to live up to expectations as much as the Bears. Picked 3rd in the MVC Preseason poll, MSU struggled to a 6-6 non-conference mark, and then won their first two conference games. But soon after, the roof fell in, as leading scorer Marcus Marshall left the team, and injuries and illnesses limited their bench to seven players at one stretch. They will meet Southern Illinois on Thursday.

Southern Illinois - The defense-minded Salukis struggled to find their identity throughout the year. Leading scorer Anthony Beane went through hot and cold streaks, and the team didn’t play very well on the road (0-9 in conference, with several blowouts). They will face Missouri State (also winless on the road in conference play after losing Marcus Marshall) on Thursday in St. Louis.

Bradley - The Braves began the season with MVC pundits admiring their roster, but from the get-go the machinery didn’t work as well as imagined. Injuries, suspensions, and dissent from suffering fans made it a miserable year in Peoria. At 2-7 in conference play at home-- and with new leadership in the President’s office-- Geno Ford’s job may be in jeopardy after three 20-loss seasons in four years. The Braves will play Drake on Thursday at Arch Madness.

Thanks for the wrap up and the season long game previews and weekly summaries. Allowed all of us to better connect with the conference in our second year.
Thanks for your hard work and insights.

Who all is planning to make it to St Louis Friday night (...and Saturday? Sunday?)? My schedule may allow me to make it down there