MVC Basketball: 2020 conference tournament preview and predictions

By Joey Loose | Mar 4, 2020

ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 10: Luuk van Bree #13, Luqman Lundy #2 and Antoine Pittman #3 of the Bradley Braves fight Justin Dahl #15 and Tywhon Pickford #3 of the Northern Iowa Panthers for a loose ball during the final game of the MVC Basketball Tournament at the Enterprise Center on March 10, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Bradley Braves beat the Northern Iowa Panthers 57-54 to win the MVC Championship. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

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DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 21: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Predictions

First Round

#8 Drake vs. #9 Illinois State (March 5, 6:05pm)

Neither of these teams has been impressive this season, though the Redbirds do possess a strange victory over Northern Iowa. However, that was nearly two months ago. Drake enters the game on a three-game losing streak, including at Illinois State, but they have the talent to take care of business in round one.

Drake wins

#7 Valparaiso vs. #10 Evansville (March 5, 8:35pm)

The condition of Freeman-Liberty looms large, though the Crusaders handled Missouri State without him last week at home. The recent play of Evansville is concerning (18 straight losses is more than concerning), but this team has been close in a number of those games. If Valpo is healthy, they should take care of business, but this could be an interesting game if that’s not the case.

Valparaiso wins

Quarterfinals

#1 Northern Iowa vs. #8 Drake (March 6, 12:05pm)

Real struggles all year have accompanied this Drake team and they have a major test against their in-state rivals. It’s hard to beat a team three times in one season, but the Panthers just won at Drake by 27 less than a week ago. Expect AJ Green and the rest of this team to get a potential run to the NCAA Tournament off to a hot start.

Northern Iowa wins

#4 Bradley vs. #5 Southern Illinois (March 6, 2:35pm)

Bradley has played stretches of great basketball, finishing 11-3 against everyone but the top two teams. The Salukis are probably a year or two ahead of schedule but are still a formidable foe in St. Louis. However, the Braves handled them in both of their meetings and look to have the advantage in round three. Expect Elijah Childs and the rest of Bradley to come out firing, wanting to repeat their title dreams from last season.

Bradley wins

#2 Loyola-Chicago vs. #7 Valparaiso (March 6, 6:05pm)

There have been some close calls, but Valparaiso has yet to upend the Ramblers since joining the MVC three years ago. With Freeman-Liberty in the lineup, this could be one of the night’s most exciting games. However, the Crusaders don’t have a real answer for Krutwig down low and this seems like a hungry team once more.

Loyola-Chicago wins

#3 Indiana State vs. #6 Missouri State (March 6, 8:35pm)

Riding a four-game winning streak into Arch Madness, Indiana State enters as one of the league’s hottest teams. Jordan Barnes and Christian Williams have been playing big parts in that winning scheme and this Sycamores team looks as dangerous as they have in several years. The Bears were picked to win the conference in the preseason, but the pieces just haven’t clicked right and they face a tough challenge, even if they just won at Indiana State a few weeks ago.