MVC Basketball: Conference tournament preview and predictions

By Doug Winkey | Mar 1, 2016

Mar 8, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Northern Iowa Panthers head coach Ben Jacobson reacts in the game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the Northern Iowa Panthers during second half in the championship game of the Missouri Valley Conference basketball tournament at Scotttrade Center. Northern Iowa Panthers won 60-69. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 18, 2016; Wichita, KS, USA; Wichita State Shockers head coach Gregg Marshall (L) looks on from the sidelines during the second half against the Missouri State Bears at Charles Koch Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary Rohman/MLS/USA TODAY Sports /

3: Wichita State Shockers

Wichita State is the clear favorite. They have one of America’s best backcourts in Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet, one of the conferences top newcomers in big man Anton Grady, and a promising shooter in former Jayhawk Connor Frankamp.

The Shockers will take on the winner of Loyola-Bradley and will win that game handily before playing the winner of UNI-SIU. WSU is 8th in KenPom, 57 in AdjO, 1st in AdjD, and 41st in RPI. Baker and VanVleet are the only two double figure scorers for a squad that plays nine guys most nights. Howver, only Vanvleet shoots above 36% from the three-point line. The rest of the team rebounds very well, so opponents have to hit tough first shots with few second chance opportunities.

All signs would point to WSU claiming their second tournament title in three years, but I’m calling a UNI upset in the quarterfinals. The two split the regular season on each other’s home floor and both enter on winning streaks.

As important as guards are in tournament play, WSU-UNI will rely on how well Grady and the rest of the team can stop the Panthers from getting hot. Both teams love to slow the pace down, but I’m taking offense over defense in the first MVC semifinal.

Next: 2: Northern Iowa Panthers