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MVC Basketball: Takeaways from Loyola-Chicago vs Drake showdowns

By Ben Andreatta

Drake junior guard Roman Penn drives to the hoop in the first half against Loyola on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021, at the Knapp Center in Des Moines.20210213 Drakevsloyola
Drake junior guard Roman Penn drives to the hoop in the first half against Loyola on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021, at the Knapp Center in Des Moines.20210213 Drakevsloyola /
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Drake junior guard Roman Penn Loyola’s Cameron Krutwig 20210213 Drakevsloyola
Drake junior guard Roman Penn Loyola’s Cameron Krutwig 20210213 Drakevsloyola /

Bracketology Impact

Best case scenario for the MVC this weekend as Drake and Loyola split and all eyes will turn to March as fans hope for a rubber match at Arch Madness in Saint Louis. This loss on Sunday should knock the Ramblers out of the AP Top 25 and Drake finally picks up a much-needed quadrant 1 win to move to an impressive 20-2.

A little trash talk and meet up at midcourt between the two sides brings with it a lot of anticipation as the dream of two bids is well and truly live for both sides. Both teams have just a handful of games remaining before Arch Madness with Loyola playing Valpo mid-week and finishing up with a weekend series against Southern Illinois on February 27th. Drake will play in-state rivals UNI midweek before Evansville in a weekend series and Bradley in another series the following weekend.

Here’s the deal, both teams have to win out to the MVC championship game to have a chance for an at large bid, that’s easier said than done especially with how poor Drake have looked without Hemphill. If Loyola wins the MVC Tournament it’s likely the MVC is going to be a one-bid league this season and Drake would play in the NIT. The committee may show some mercy with Hemphill out injured but the resume for Drake doesn’t really stand out except for the win total.

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Loyola was top ten in NET prior to Sunday’s game and is number one in the country in defensive efficiency, Loyola looks to be in a better spot for an at-large bid but both teams are walking a fine line for the MVC to get two bids.

Here’s to hoping that we get the rematch the fans deserve in Saint Louis.