Missouri Valley Basketball: 2021 Conference Tournament preview
By Joey Loose
Semifinals
1) Loyola-Chicago vs 4) Indiana State
For Loyola, the perfect opportunity for revenge rears its head. If their dynamic defense can contain Key and if Krutwig can dominate in the interior, then the Ramblers will be in their second MVC title game since joining the league in 2013. However, if the Sycamores can shoot the ball as they did during that early January upset win, then this game will be much closer than anyone imagines.
Prediction: Loyola-Chicago 63, Indiana State 56
2) Drake vs 3) Missouri State
Here we have two very talented teams, with one clearly more in the national spotlight this season. When Drake swept a pair of games at Missouri State in January this was a much different team. Aside from their final game against Bradley, Drake’s offense has been dynamic in recent weeks, but the same can be said of Missouri State. The bottom line is that Missouri State will have the two most talented players on the court and have what it takes to avenge their earlier losses.
Prediction: Missouri State 75, Drake 73
Finals
1) Loyola-Chicago vs 3) Missouri State
Right now, if there’s any team that can give the Ramblers a run for the money it’s likely Missouri State. While it’s disappointing to not get a third round of Drake vs. Loyola, the recent injuries to the Bulldogs have been devastating and we might not get a second close game between them. The two games between these two teams were not close at all, with Loyola winning both on the road by 20; but things would be different in round three.
Missouri State is a much different team, having won 7 of 8 to end the season and playing much better ball all over the court. Would they have what it takes to put together 40 solid minutes against the Ramblers? Could Prim and the rest of the interior defense actually limit Krutwig? The key is how the Bears handle Loyola’s suffocating defense, which plays fantastically without sending opponents to the free throw line.
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After their Final Four run in 2018, Loyola was upset in each of the last two MVC Tournaments. This is Krutwig’s last chance for postseason glory and you better believe that he is going to be on a mission once more. Much of the season has featured easy wins and suffocating defense for Loyola, but I doubt we’ll see anything come easy in St. Louis. The Ramblers may already be in the NCAA Tournament, so is the pressure really on them to win this thing?
Either way, they’ll come out swinging, especially on defense, and make their second MVC Tournament championship something to celebrate later this weekend.