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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Braden Norris #4 of the Loyola Chicago Ramblers. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Other contenders

Valparaiso is a bit of a dark horse. The Beacons (5-6) transformed their roster with three former Big Ten players and one explosive D2 scorer. All-league forward Ben Krikke missed several early games and former Wisconsin player Kobe King recently became eligible and has scored 36 points during his two games in the Brown and Gold.

Valpo has five players averaging double figures in scoring and are 5-3 since Krikke’s return.

Illinois State (6-5) was picked tenth in the preseason poll but have won four of their last five games, including their overtime defeat of Missouri State. The Redbirds are the Valley’s highest-scoring team (79.9 ppg) and employ the league’s leading scorer. Antonio Reeves (21.1 ppg) is making 3.5 triples per game on a .463 percentage.

The three-point shot is college basketball’s great equalizer. Teammate Josiah Strong is another dangerous, long-range sniper. Undersized center Sy Chatman (14.5 ppg) leads the Valley in blocked shots. He’s a warrior in the paint.

First-year Indiana State coach Josh Schertz had his team’s hopes dealt a deadly card when all-league guard Tyreke Key reinjured his shoulder and is out for the season. The Sycamores have lost five of their last six games.

Loyola should run away with the conference title. The Ramblers are talented, deep, well-coached, and are an outstanding defensive team. LUC knows how to win the big games and possesses a belief structure that appears to be unshakeable.

Our eyes and the numbers tell us the Ramblers will not be challenged during their last Missouri Valley season. They are second to Loyola in scoring and second to SIU in scoring defense. LUC is the best shooting team and the second-best at preventing teams from converting their shots. The same goes for three-point shooting.

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In every meaningful metric, LUC is right at the top. Can any Valley team challenge Loyola Chicago for the Valley title? If Phyfe can return and play at a high-level, Northern Iowa can challenge. If Missouri State can play up to their potential they too could challenge Loyola Chicago. Beyond that, the simple answer is that the Ramblers should stroll to the conference title.