MVC Game #10

[isuquinndog]

Standings
As of 1/25/24

SCHOOL	MVC	PCT.	HOME	AWAY	STREAK	ALL	PCT.	HOME	AWAY	NEUT	L10	STREAK
Indiana State	8-1	.889	4-0	4-1	W4	17-3	.850	8-0	5-3	4-0	8-2	W4
Drake	7-2	.778	4-0	3-2	L1	16-4	.800	10-0	3-3	3-1	7-3	L1
Bradley	7-2	.778	4-1	3-1	W7	15-5	.750	9-2	4-2	2-1	9-1	W9
UNI	6-3	.667	3-2	3-1	W5	12-8	.600	7-2	4-4	1-2	9-1	W5
Southern Illinois	5-4	.556	3-2	2-2	W1	13-7	.650	10-3	2-3	1-1	7-3	W1
Murray State	5-4	.556	2-2	3-2	L2	8-12	.400	5-5	3-5	0-2	5-5	L2
Belmont	4-5	.444	3-1	1-4	L4	11-9	.550	7-1	3-7	1-1	4-6	L4
Illinois State	4-5	.444	2-3	2-2	W2	10-10	.500	7-4	2-4	1-2	4-6	W2
Missouri State	3-6	.333	2-3	1-3	W1	11-9	.550	6-3	2-6	3-0	4-6	W1
Evansville	2-7	.222	2-2	0-5	L2	11-9	.550	7-2	3-7	1-0	3-7	L2
Valparaiso	2-7	.222	1-3	1-4	L1	6-14	.300	5-6	1-8	0-0	2-8	L1
UIC	1-8	.111	1-4	0-4	L5	8-12	.400	4-6	2-5	2-1	2-8	L5

Games
*All games on ESPN+, other networks noted. All games CST

Saturday, 1/27/24
Illinois State (4-5) 54 @ Evansville (2-7) 58 - 1 pm
Southern IL (5-4) 60 @ Murray St (5-4) 58 - 1 pm - NBC Sports Chicago/Bally Sports
Missouri State (3-6) 81 @ Valparaiso (2-7) 70 - 3 pm
UIC (1-8) 65 @ Belmont (4-5) 74 - 4 pm
Bradley (7-2) 86 @ Indiana State (8-1) 95 (OT) - 5 pm - ESPNU
UNI (6-3) 63 @ Drake (7-2) 77 - 5 pm

 

[isuquinndog]

Wanted to get this up for the standings.

UNI is really moving up. Stupid Bradley tied for 2nd. Ugh.

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

A win @ Evansville would put the Redbirds in a tie for 6th (combined with a Drake win over UNI would put them only 1 game out of 4th)

 

[Rollbirds5]

Really wish we had that Valpo game back, could've really used that win

 

[Redbird60451]

A win @ Evansville would put the Redbirds in a tie for 6th (combined with a Drake win over UNI would put them only 1 game out of 4th)

This next 4 game stretch is very important to solidifying a spot in the 5-8 range. A winnable road game against a team that has a lower record that's 1-7 in their last 8 games. The potential to hold the Tie Breaker against the Racers who look to be in this 5-8 range. Arch rival game against the Future Porto Potty Cleaners. Then a home game against another in State Rival who could be on an 8 game losing streak at that point with a coach that will likely have his team ready for his alma mater. A big 2 weeks against teams at our level or below.

 

[Redbird82]

This next 4 game stretch is very important to solidifying a spot in the 5-8 range. A winnable road game against a team that has a lower record that's 1-7 in their last 8 games. The potential to hold the Tie Breaker against the Racers who look to be in this 5-8 range. Arch rival game against the Future Porto Potty Cleaners. Then a home game against another in State Rival who could be on an 8 game losing streak at that point with a coach that will likely have his team ready for his alma mater. A big 2 weeks against teams at our level or below.

BU sadly is not at our level or below. FWIW ESPN predictor, gives us 36%, 20%, 23% and 55% chance to win. Winning at Evansville would give us a good chance at 9 or 10 conference wins. If we keep shooting it at least average we can be competitive with most teams in the conference.

 

[Redbird60451]

BU sadly is not at our level or below. FWIW ESPN predictor, gives us 36%, 20%, 23% and 55% chance to win. Winning at Evansville would give us a good chance at 9 or 10 conference wins. If we keep shooting it at least average we can be competitive with most teams in the conference.

Rivalry games always end up being played differently. There were years where ISU was the far superior team and we'd play them and look like we pooped our pants. They were better than us last year, yet somehow we took them to OT, in PU no less. Guy twists an ankle, ref calls a charge instead of a blocking foul and a player has to sit for 5 min. Play up to them, and maybe they play down to you. We could be that game where they doubt themselves still, coming off losses to the Trees and the Panthers.

I was really more focused on winning the 3 games we could though. Beat with Ace Purple, beat Married to my Cousin Murry State, and beat Thought UIC stood for University of Illinois Champaign when I filled out my online application. But the dreaded PU game is in there, and it's important because it is the Rivalry and you come out and be garbage, that could flow into that UIC game. So 4 very important games over the next two weeks.

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

BU sadly is not at our level or below. FWIW ESPN predictor, gives us 36%, 20%, 23% and 55% chance to win. Winning at Evansville would give us a good chance at 9 or 10 conference wins. If we keep shooting it at least average we can be competitive with most teams in the conference.

What was the ESPN predictor for the Illinois State @ Missouri State game? The Belmont @ Illinois State game? The Drake @ Missouri State game?

 

[Dmills]

What was the ESPN predictor for the Illinois State @ Missouri State game? The Belmont @ Illinois State game? The Drake @ Missouri State game?

I believe it was 18%, 49%, and 23% respectively.

 

[Redbird82]

I believe it was 18%, 49%, and 23% respectively.

It’s far from perfect, Don’t know if it’s any better than Kenpom predictions? Of course if any of them was that great they could put Vegas out of business

 

[Dmills]

It’s far from perfect, Don’t know if it’s any better than Kenpom predictions? Of course if any of them was that great they could put Vegas out of business

In my opinion, Kenpom is better. A lot of times I am puzzled looking at ESPN.

 

[cpacmel]

Games
*All games on ESPN+, other networks noted. All games CST

Saturday, 1/27/24
Illinois State (4-5) @ Evansville (2-7) - 1 pm
Southern IL (5-4) @ Murray St (5-4) - 1 pm - NBC Sports Chicago/Bally Sports
Missouri State (3-6) @ Valparaiso (2-7) - 3 pm
UIC (1-8) @ Belmont (4-5) - 4 pm
Bradley (7-2) @ Indiana State (8-1) - 5 pm - ESPNU
UNI (6-3) @ Drake (7-2) - 5 pm

One of my biggest pet peeves is how they don't stagger their start times for games. No reason our game at Evansville for example couldn't start at 11 am central and then say the UNI @ Drake game at 7 pm. Or better yet, push a game to Sunday at Noon. Right before the NFL playoff games. Think the viewership would be up some, as Valley fans watch Valley games other than their own. This week Bradley / Trees and UNI / Drake should be stand-alone games IMO, not head to head.

 

[Birdswin]

One of my biggest pet peeves is how they don't stagger their start times for games. No reason our game at Evansville for example couldn't start at 11 am central and then say the UNI @ Drake game at 7 pm. Or better yet, push a game to Sunday at Noon. Right before the NFL playoff games. Think the viewership would be up some, as Valley fans watch Valley games other than their own. This week Bradley / Trees and UNI / Drake should be stand-alone games IMO, not head to head.

Good point on staggering some start times. However, 1:00 Central should be the earliest start time. I really do not like anything before then for the Birds. I would really like for the Birds to go back - I mean way back - to the 2:30 start time for Saturday home games. Just has a better "rhythm" to the day. Also, much fewer conflicts in the afternoon than in the evening.

 

[DoubleDeuce]

Nice collapse by the Racers today. Up 20 with 14 minutes left and found a way to lose.