Missouri Valley Basketball: Can anyone challenge Loyola Chicago for title?

Nov 26, 2021; Nassau, BHS; Loyola Ramblers center Jacob Hutson (22) and guard Tate Hall (24) and guard Marquise Kennedy (12) react during the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the 2021 Battle 4 Atlantis at Imperial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

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Lance Jones #5 of the Southern Illinois Salukis guards Chuck Harris #3 of the Butler Bulldogs. Jones leads the Valley in steals. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

The old adage about defense winning championship is particularly true in the Missouri Valley Conference. Year after year, the Valley team with the best scoring defense or the best defensive field goal percentage captures the MVC crown.

Two teams, Southern Illinois and Bradley fit those descriptions. SIU leads the conference in scoring D, just ahead of Loyola (59.2 points per game to 61.1). Bradley has the league’s best defensive field goal percentage (.382) just ahead of the Ramblers (.401). The Salukis are first in defensive three-point percentage (.321), again just ahead of LUC (.325).

Bradley is the Valley’s best rebounding team and second-best at blocking shots.

Whether these defensively stout teams can defend well enough to challenge the Ramblers remains to be seen.

SIU is coached by former Loyola assistant coach and former SIU defensive star Bryan Mullins. The Egyptian Dawgs play tenacious team defense based on positioning, getting in the passing lanes and strong help-side D. While SIU guard Lance Jones leads the league in steals, there are no true rim protectors on SIU’s roster. Their defense is based on responsible defensive structure.

Their system is similar to the way the Ramblers play.

Bradley boasts of four of the league’s top ten shot blockers and guard Terry Roberts is second to Jones in steals. Head coach Brian Wardle is a defense-first coach and employs a long and athletic roster. Those four shot blockers, Malevy Leons, Darius Hannah, Rienk Mast, and Ari Boya are all 6’9 or taller.

Bradley pressures the ball contests shots and plays with the intensity that Wardle exudes.

These two defensive-minded teams have the ability to shut opponents down. Wardle’s Bradley teams have the reputation of improving as the season wears on. After allowing 81 and 76 points in their first two games, the Braves have allowed more than 70 points one time in the last eight games.

No team has reached 70 points against Salukis and six times during their first ten games SIU has held their opponents under 60. Injuries have hit SIU. Defensive stalwart Trent Brown is yet to play due to a back problem and sharp-shooter Ben Harvey has just returned to the team this week.