|
Wichita State - Began the season on the road with a game at Drake that was tight throughout, followed by a game at home vs. Illinois State that was much closer than they'd like. The favored Shockers took care of business, especially in the final 3-5 minutes, but the pattern from last season of putting teams away by the middle of the second half isn't there this year.
Missouri State - MSU had a favorable schedule to open league play, with a road game at SIU and a home game against Drake. They gutted through the SIU game for a three point road win and demolished Drake, holding them below 40 points. Their favorable schedule continues this week with a trip to Indiana State and a home game against the Redbirds.
Indiana State - ISUb got the most shocking result in week one with a two point road win at ISUr to open the season. They then held serve at home against Evansville, thus re-establishing themselves as contenders for the third through sixth spots in the conference race. They'll host Missouri State and travel to SIU this week, and have a very good chance of starting 6-0 if they continue playing as they have.
Northern Iowa - Their conference opener loss at Evansville made their home win against Loyola a must. Two easier games this week-- hosting SIU and visiting Drake-- should propel them back to 3-1.
Loyola - The Ramblers open with the toughest schedule of any team in the league. The win against Bradley was expected, as was the loss at UNI. With games at Evansville and hosting Wichita State this week, the Ramblers were seemingly destined for a 1-3 start, but Evansville's loss at Indiana State and WSU's notable lack of invincibility in early league play has cracked the door open for an upset.
Evansville - UE came up big in their home opener with an upset of #23 UNI, but laid an egg in OT against Indiana State. The fact is, they haven't proven they can win against very good teams on the road. They host Loyola and travel to Bradley this week, meeting two teams that can't be taken for granted on the road and at home.
Bradley - After early season struggles, the Braves have become a very respectable team at home. They lost somewhat badly to Loyola, but recovered to beat SIU comfortably at home. In week two, they visit Wichita State and host Evansville.
Illinois State - After impressing many observers in the non-con season, Illinois State opened the conference slate with two close losses at home to Indiana State and on the road at Wichita State. As their nagging injuries improve, they'll have an easier week two hosting Drake and travelling to Missouri State, with a chance to vault back into the middle of the pack.
Southern Illinois - A home opening loss to Missouri State was followed by a 19-point trainwreck at Bradley. Aside from Anthony Beane, they don't have much of an offensive threat, and in week two they are ticketed for a beatdown at UNI before hosting surprising Indiana State.
Drake - The Bulldogs played about as good as they're capable of in their 66-58 home loss against Wichita State, then returned to form in a 62-37 road massacre at Missouri State. Two more losses seem all but certain this week as they travel to Illinois State before hosting UNI.
|
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
