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Bracketology 2021: Illinois, Iowa, and Baylor among big winners

By Joey Loose

Michigan guard Mike Smith dribbles against Illinois center Kofi Cockburn, left, and guard Jacob Grandison during the second half of U-M's 76-53 loss at the Crisler Center on Tuesday, March 2, 2021.
Michigan guard Mike Smith dribbles against Illinois center Kofi Cockburn, left, and guard Jacob Grandison during the second half of U-M's 76-53 loss at the Crisler Center on Tuesday, March 2, 2021. /
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Bracketology Drake Bulldogs Joseph Yesufu Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Bracketology Drake Bulldogs Joseph Yesufu Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

Drake

For much of the beginning of this century, the Missouri Valley was a deep and talented conference that was regularly getting multiple teams into the NCAA Tournament. Recently, this has not been the case, especially since the exodus of Creighton and Wichita State in recent years. The rise of Loyola has helped strengthen the height of the league, but this year there’s been a legitimate challenger for that top spot.

The Bulldogs have played the part well, starting the season 18-0 and later splitting a pair of games with Loyola, but this weekend’s work might be some of their most impressive. Without their two studs Roman Penn and ShanQuan Hemphill, they still pulled out the MVC Semifinal win over 3-seed Missouri State on a last-second shot from Joseph Yesufu. Fortunate or not, their quarterfinal game against Northern Iowa was scratched.

Drake now sits at 25-3, with a Sunday date with Loyola to decide the MVC Tournament champions. It’s impossible to know what the Selection Committee is thinking, but it sure feels like Drake is securing their spot in the NCAA Tournament, even if Sunday’s title game doesn’t go their way. Even without their two top players, they played dynamic basketball against one of the MVC’s best teams, and do own a win over a Big 12 team on their resume.

Can they pull off another win over Loyola? It’s going to be remarkably difficult, especially when they aren’t at full strength and Loyola has been blowing people out this weekend in St. Louis. If they can pull it out, Drake would save themselves the sweating on Selection Sunday, though this team has likely earned their seat at the table. Let’s see what they show us in round three against the Ramblers.

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