Busting Brackets
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Missouri Valley Basketball Power Rankings: Loyola-Chicago leads at start of conference play

By TJ Miller

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 31: Clayton Custer
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 31: Clayton Custer /
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ST. LOUIS, MO – MARCH 4: Dequon Miller #4 of the Missouri State Bears shoots the ball against Landry Shamet #11 of the Wichita State Shockers during the Missouri Valley Conference Basketball Tournament Semifinals at the Scottrade Center on March 4, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO – MARCH 4: Dequon Miller #4 of the Missouri State Bears shoots the ball against Landry Shamet #11 of the Wichita State Shockers during the Missouri Valley Conference Basketball Tournament Semifinals at the Scottrade Center on March 4, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

10. Missouri State (6-8, 0-1)

After starting the season with 3 straight wins, a 3-8 slide puts the Bears in the unenviable honor of #10 on this list. Missouri State was able to manage an 84-78 W over Western Kentucky a few weeks back, but ugly losses to Air Force, Arkansas State, and North Dakota State are troubling signs.

Missouri State ranks dead last in the Valley in adjusted defense and has held just 3 teams under 70 points on the season. They also have been especially bad at defending the three-point line where they rank 343rd in the nation in opponents 3p%.

The positives are that Brazilian born Tulio Da Silva has averaged 15.7 ppg after missing the Bears first 5 games. Da Silva joins Keandre Cook and Jared Dixon to make a nice offensive trio. Dana Ford’s team likes to get out and run when possible, which is a stark contrast to most other Missouri Valley squads. Points in transition might be as good an answer as any for a team that struggles to guard in the half court.

Missouri State hosts Valparaiso next in hopes of avoiding its first 0-2 conference start since 2015-16.