New MVC Blog

[MVCBeat]

This week's posts are in!

-Week 13 Power Rankings are here: Week 13 Summary, Updated Power Rankings, Mid Major Tidbits

-This week's featured article, "Top Ten Arch Madness Quarterfinal Games Of the Last Decade" is here: Top Ten Arch Madness Play-In/Quarterfinal Games of the Decade

-Week 2 MVFC Football Power Rankings are here (if you are into the sort of thing): MVFC Football Week 2 Power Rankings

Also follow me on Twitter at @BeatMVC

Redbirds are playing their best ball of the year at the right time. The next couple weeks could be interesting.

 

[MVCBeat]

Happy Arch Madness Week Redbird Fans!

My final weekly power rankings are here: Week 13 Summary, Updated Power Rankings, Mid Major Tidbits

My ranking of the top ten Arch Madness semifinal games of the last decade are here: Top Ten Arch Madness Semifinal Games of the Last Decade

I also did my week 3 MVFC Power Rankings if you're into that: MVFC Football Week 3 Power Rankings

You can follow me @BeatMVC on Twitter.

Will probably whip up an Arch Madness Preview and Predictions tomorrow so watch out for that as well.

Thank you to everyone who read my stuff this year!

 

[MVCBeat]

I try not to post twice a week, but I am making an exception this week to promote my Arch Madness preview I just posted. I honestly think it is some of my better work. Check it out here if you want a primer for the weekend:

2021 Arch Madness Preview

Arch Madness is this weekend, and I won’t be there for just the second time in eighteen years. That makes this weekend bittersweet for me as I am excited for the tournament but also suffering from some serious FOMO. Recent developments at my place of work means my plans for taking Thursday night...

www.missourivalleybeat.com

 

[MVCBeat]

I wrap up my thoughts on Arch Madness and the UNI situation in this week's article. I also talk about the upcoming commissioner hire, possible alternative locations for Arch Madness, and the oft-discussed topic of expansion.

Arch Madness Post Mortem & What’s Next for the Valley?

The 2021 edition of Arch Madness has come and gone, and it was probably the most unique edition of the event in its 31-year history. Congratulations to the Loyola Ramblers for winning the title and good luck in the NCAAs. Drake, you battled hard. I hope you are rewarded with a spot in the NCAA...

www.missourivalleybeat.com

I intend to continue to create MVC content as Drake and Loyola's seasons continue. Plus I have an idea for a fun article next week. So I am not done yet. But this does sort of feel like a season wrap up article in many ways.

PS- MVFC Football power rankings for this week are here as well: MVFC Football Week 4 Power Rankings

 

[MVCBeat]

Hello Redbird Fans! I have three new articles for your consumption.

No new power rankings for hoops but I do have tid-bits. I pontificate on Loyola and Drake in the NCAAs, another weird COVID situation for the MVC at Hoops in the Heartland, Indiana State's reported new coach and a mid-major laden NIT field here:
TidBits: Loyola, Drake, Indy St, Women’s Hoops and the Mid Major NIT

In my other piece I put together what a Mid Major NCAA Tournament might have looked like if the NCAA was split into two subdivisions in basketball similar to football:
Alternate Reality Mid-Major Basketball Championship

Finally, I have my weekly MVFC power rankings here:

MVFC Football Week 5 Power Rankings

As we reach the (almost) midway point of the MVFC season, we are likely down to four possible playoff teams. Illinois State is 0-3, South Dakota lost its second game unexpectedly to Missouri State, and UNI fell to 2-2 with losses to SDSU and SIU. UNI now is squarely behind SDSU, SIU and UND and...

www.missourivalleybeat.com

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @BeatMVC

Thanks everyone!

 

[MVCBeat]

Published some more tidbits. Its a quick read. Talks about the new commish, Loyola, Drake, the women, MVC historic success and mid-major failures in this tournament.

Tidbits: LUC, DU, MVC Ladies, MVC Overachievers, Mid-Major Underachievers & The Famous Jeff Jackson

On July 1, the Missouri Valley will have a new commissioner in Jeff Jackson who is currently the executive associate commissioner of the Big 12. While little is known about Jackson, I got the outside hire I wanted. Now we’ll see what his agenda will be for the league. He used the phrase “move...

www.missourivalleybeat.com

Thanks!

 

[MVCBeat]

Last tidbits of the year. It is a quick read about Loyola, the Lady Bears, transfers, and a roller coaster day for UNI fans yesterday. Thank you all for reading my stuff this year!

Tidbits: On Loyola, MSU Women, the Transfer Portal and UNI’s Roller Coaster Day

I miss last week. It was so full of excitement and hope. Loyola had a favorable draw in the Sweet 16, and the MSU women were on their way to locking up a Sweet 16 berth themselves. Even UNI’s women had made a run to the WNIT Final Four. All was well in the world of the MVC. Then this week...

www.missourivalleybeat.com

 

[isuquinndog]

Thanks for posting it!

 

[MVCBeat]

Hey Everyone,

I have mostly been covering football lately, but I took a break to compile my thoughts on the Belmont add and why I think Murray State should be next. Take a look if you'd like. Excited to be talking hoops again!

Belmont & MVC Expansion (Murray State)

My thoughts on the Valley's outstanding choice to add Belmont and why I think Murray State should be next.

www.missourivalleybeat.com

 

[MVCBeat]

Hello All,

My preview for this season is below. I spent quite a bit of time on this and have been working on it off and on for the last two weeks. I tried to give each team about a page of preview. Take a look if you're interested. GO VALLEY!

2021-22 Missouri Valley Conference Basketball Preview

My preview of all ten Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball teams in advance of the 2021-22 season.

www.missourivalleybeat.com

 

[DoubleDeuce]

Fair and well thought out...thanks for sharing. Really hoping the birds can surprise, but the league strength and depth this year makes it a real long shot.

 

[MVCBeat]

I put together a quick read ranking the ten MVC basketball openers by difficulty. Good luck on Tuesday. GO VALLEY!

Quick Hitters: Ranking MVC Basketball Openers By Difficulty

I look at the opening games for every Valley men's basketball team and rank them by difficulty.

www.missourivalleybeat.com

 

[MVCBeat]

I've been spending an inordinate amount of time on football lately, but I took a break to do a quick hitter basketball power ratings. Not the start to the season we wanted as a league.

Quick Hitter: Black Friday MVC Basketball Power Ratings

It has been ugly in the MVC so far this year. I'll take a quick and early look at how the teams have stacked up so far.

www.missourivalleybeat.com

 

[MVCBeat]

I updated my power rankings and took quick look at this week's openers in my latest article. I'll get back to producing more hoops content soon. The football season is winding down.

MVC Hoops Power Rankings & Conference Openers Preview

I power rank the MVC through November and take a look at tomorrow's Valley openers.

www.missourivalleybeat.com

 

[MVCBeat]

My updated power rankings are below. I zeroed in on who I thought every team's best player is and how they are performing. I also took a quick look at how the expansion candidates are doing on the floor. I plan to take a closer look at the candidates next week. GO VALLEY!

Every Team's Best Player (So Far) & Power Rankings

My latest MVC basketball power rankings featuring a look at every team's best player so far. Also a brief look at expansion candidates.

www.missourivalleybeat.com

 

[MVCBeat]

Hey All,

I put together a deep dive on the MVC expansion candidates. This article was a long time coming and its quite a long read, but I think there is good stuff here if you are interested in MVC expansion. Take a look if you'd like!

MVC Expansion Candidate Profiles

An in depth look at the MVC expansion candidates: UIC, Kansas City, Murray State, Omaha and UT-Arlington.

www.missourivalleybeat.com

 

[ILLST25]

Bradley has quietly won 6 of their last 7

 

[cubird]

Big turnover in roster may be figuring it out.

 

[MVCBeat]

I am back with my post-nonconference season power rankings. I also take a closer look at each team's best newcomer.

Power Rankings & Best Newcomers

I power rank the MVC teams heading into conference season, and take a look at each team's best newcomer.

www.missourivalleybeat.com

 

[Redbirdfan76]

Its Antonio Reeves, not Austin. Could have been spell check maybe.