Loyola almost fell apart on Saturday, letting a double-digit second-half lead slip to nothing as the turnover bug suddenly bit and shots stopped falling. In the end, it took six straight made free throws, including a pair from 53 percent free-throw shooter Lucas Williamson, and…
What should the Missouri Valley Conference do to replace Wichita State? One addition? Three? Where do you see the Valley going? Dave Reynolds, Peoria Journal Star I think the best solution would be to add two schools and have an 11-team, 20-game league schedule for…
At least in the short term, Wichita State’s decision to leave the Missouri Valley for the American is a blessing for Loyola. Twice in the last three years, Loyola has had teams that, when healthy, rank in the top 100 of Kenpom. In any mid-major league…
Drake has hired Furman’s Niko Medved as its next head coach, according to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman. Drake has hired Furman coach Niko Medved, sources told ESPN. — Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 26, 2017 South Dakota’s Craig Smith was Drake’s top target, but after he turned…
Illinois State’s NIT performance won’t quiet the crowd that thinks the Redbirds never belonged in the NCAA Tournament. The top-seeded Redbirds blew an 18-point lead at home against fourth-seeded UCF in the second round Monday, and the game was decided on an ill-advised defensive play…
Praising the coach of a team tied for last place sounds odd, but it’s almost a miracle that Drake interim coach Jeff Rutter even has the Bulldogs in a tie. When former coach Ray Giacoletti resigned Dec. 6 and the Bulldogs had a 1-7 record, they were written off…
The 2016 NBA Draft saw 12 players from local conferences gets selected, starting with Kris Dunn as the fifth pick and ending with Horizon League product Kay Felder late in the second round. Here’s where all 12 players wound up: Big East —Kris Dunn (Providence) was selected…
A sampling of the Missouri Valley beat writers got together once again to review the 2015-16 season. Evansville Grade the past season. B-minus. It’s a seemingly harsh grade for a team that finished 25-9, won its most games since the 1988-89 season and advanced to…
Northern Iowa is in the NCAA Tournament Second Round of the second consecutive season after upsetting No. 6 seed Texas at the buzzer Friday, 75-72. “What a game, huh?” Northern Iowa coach Ben Jacobson said after. Boy, was it. The 11th-seeded Panthers dominated the first…
Evansville was one play away from its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1999. But Northern Iowa guard Wes Washpun received a friendly bounce on a buzzer-beater, and now the Aces are left hoping to continue their season. Ideally, that means a bid to the NIT. While…
