CBB Review prepares you for every conference tournament leading up to Selection Sunday on Mar. 17. Up next: The Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
Arch Madness is back, y’all. So back. We have Robbie Avila and Josh Schertz, Xavier Johnson, the musical artist known as Drake, Belmont’s exciting, three MVC teams are in the top 70 of the latest KenPom ratings, and every team has at least three conference wins for the first time since the 2020-21 season. Gear up for an exciting several days in St. Louis, because whoever makes it out alive could be dancing for a while.
2024 Missouri Valley Conference Awards
Player of the Year: Xavier Johnson, Southern Illinois
Freshman of the Year: Kevin Overton, Drake
Transfer of the Year: Malik Dia, Belmont
Coach of the Year: Josh Schertz, Indiana State
First Team:
- G: Xavier Johnson, Southern Illinois (22.0 PPG, 6.1 APG, 4.2 RPG, 1.5 SPG)
- G: Alston Mason, Missouri State (17.6 PPG, 3.6 APG, 3.0 RPG)
- G: Tucker DeVries, Drake (21.9 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.7 SPG)
- F: Malik Dia, Belmont (16.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.3 SPG, 39.2 usage %)
- C: Robbie Avila, Indiana State (17.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 3.9 APG, 39.6 3PT%)
Second Team:
- G: Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Belmont (17.5 PPG, 4.2 APG, 3.7 RPG, 2.3 SPG)
- G: Ryan Conwell, Indiana State (16.0 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.3 APG, 41.3 3P%)
- G: Toby Okani, UIC (11.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.5 SPG, 2.0 BPG)
- F: Malevy Leons, Bradley (14.1 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.5 BPG)
- F: Cade Tyson, Belmont (16.7 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.6 APG, 47.6 3P%)
Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Simulation
First Round – Thurs., Mar. 7
8. Murray State (12-19, 9-11) vs. 9. Missouri State (16-15, 8-12) – 1 p.m. on ESPN+
In a first round matchup of the States, the overall records could be a bit deceiving. Murray State, while sitting at a .387 winning percentage on the year, has swept the Bears this season, winning both matchups this year by an average of 17 points. The Racers’ trio of 12+ PPG guards (Quincy Anderson, Rob Perry, and JaCobi Wood) have proven to simply be too much for the Bears to handle, even with the ultra-talented Alston Mason in the backcourt for MoState.
George’s pick: 8. Murray State
5. Belmont (19-12, 12-8) vs. 12. Valparaiso (7-24, 3-17) – 3:30 p.m. on ESPN+
With respect to Valpo, Belmont is playing at a much higher level than the Beacons. The Bruins have won 7 of their past 8 games, including a 22-point road victory over Murray State, a 14-point home victory against Southern Illinois, and a 18-point triumph over Valpo on the road. Ja’Kobi Gillespie is that dude, and the Bruins most likely have the most effective “Big Three” in the entire MVC with Gillespie, Malik Dia, and Cade Tyson. Before the Beacons’ win over Illinois State in the final game of the season, they had lost 11 games in a row. This is the tune-up for Belmont.
George’s pick: 5. Belmont
7. Illinois State (15-16, 9-11) vs. 10. Evansville (15-16, 6-14) – 7 p.m. on ESPN+
Aces vs. Redbirds. Yacine Toumi vs. Myles Foster. Kenny Strawbridge Jr. vs. Dalton Banks. This is actually a sneaky-good first round matchup, and it should be pretty competitive. State won this matchup in Normal, but the Aces won in Evansville. Who takes home the rubber match when it matters most? The author will go out on a limb and suggest Evansville on a bucket with under five seconds on the clock.
George’s pick: 10. Evansville
6. Southern Illinois (19-12, 11-9) vs. 11. UIC (11-20, 4-16) – 9:30 p.m. on ESPN+
Is it smart to pick against Xavier Johnson? I’d venture to say no. Am I going to pick against Xavier Johnson? Also no. Southern Illinois is the best 6-seed in Arch Madness since maybe 2018-19 Northern Iowa, swept UIC this season, defeated St. Louis by 39 points, and took down Oklahoma State. This is not a difficult decision, or it shouldn’t be, at least.
George’s pick: 6. Southern Illinois
Quarterfinals – Fri., Mar. 8
1. Indiana State (26-5, 17-3) vs. 8. Murray State – 1 p.m. on ESPN+
Some of the national media knows about Larry Blurred, but for those that don’t, tune in to ESPN+ at 1 p.m. EST and watch Robbie Avila in Josh Schertz’s half-court offense. It’s a thing of beauty, and you’re going to want to keep watching it over and over again. Coincidentally, the last regular season game for Murray State was against the Sycamores, and Indiana State prevailed 89-77 in Terre Haute. Avila and Ryan Conwell combined for 47 points, and the team shot 60.9% from the field overall and 55.0% from deep. Thing of beauty, y’all. The Sycamores also beat the Racers by nine on the road earlier this season. We’re rolling with State. (Indiana variety.)
George’s pick: 1. Indiana State
4. Northern Iowa (18-13, 12-8) vs. 5. Belmont – 3:30 p.m. on ESPN+
The season series between these two teams was split, funnily enough with the road team winning by double-digits both times out. The seeds don’t really matter here, as both teams ended up with the same conference record. Who’s been the hotter team as of late? The answer is both teams, which isn’t really a cop-out, but rather a shout-out. UNI was beaten Drake, Valpo, and Southern Illinois in their past three games, and Belmont, of course, is 7-1 in their past eight games. On a neutral site, however, we roll with the trio of Gillespie, Dia, and Tyson.
George’s pick: 5. Belmont
2. Drake (25-6, 16-4) vs. 10. Evansville – 7 p.m. on ESPN+
With respect to Evansville, Drake is simply a different beast. DeVries and Co. would be in the national headlines if it weren’t for Indiana State, not to suggest that they aren’t already getting some buzz. The Bulldogs are 25-6 with wins over Indiana State, Nevada, Saint Louis, and Akron. They swept the season series against Evansville by an average margin of victory of 26 points. Even if Tucker DeVries has an off night, one or multiple of either Atin Wright, Kevin Overton, or Darnell Brodie will step up and guide the Dogs to victory.
George’s pick: 2. Drake
3. Bradley (21-10, 13-7) vs. 6. Southern Illinois – 9:30 p.m. on ESPN+
Bradley could be the streakiest team in America. After winning their first six games of the season, including triumphs over Utah State, Vermont, UAB, and Tulane, the Braves then lost five games in a row. Of course, following that streak, Bradley went on a nine-game winning streak. Lately, it’s been more of the same. Sandwiched in between 86-point performances (one against Southern Illinois) was a 48-point outing against Illinois State, which the Braves somehow also won. The season series was 2-0 in favor of Bradley, but I’m rolling with Xavier Johnson, yet again. There’s simply something in the vibes.
George’s pick: 6. Southern Illinois
Semifinals – Sat., Mar. 9
1. Indiana State vs. 5. Belmont – 3:30 p.m. on CBSSN
What happened in the season series? Indiana State won by 30 in Terre Haute and by six in Nashville. But since that latest loss to the Sycamores, the Bruins are 7-2 and playing their best ball of the year. Malik Dia vs. Robbie Avila is a treat to all viewers. Still, despite the recent success from Belmont, it’s hard to suggest an upset here, especially with the Arch Madness format meaning this would be Belmont’s third game in three days.
George’s pick: 1. Indiana State
2. Drake vs. 6. Southern Illinois – 6 p.m. on CBSSN
Tucker DeVries vs. Xavier Johnson, the two players vying for MVC player of the year. Drake did sweep the season series, and if they can get the Salukis to send them to the line, they should easily pick up their third win against Southern Illinois this season. But this is March, and the best player in the MVC resides in Carbondale. We continue to roll with Xavier Johnson.
George’s pick: 6. Southern Illinois
Championship – Sun., Mar. 10
1. Indiana State vs. 6. Southern Illinois – 2:10 p.m. on CBS
If this matchup comes to fruition, I would be very happy. Both teams have great stories, and believe it or not, this season’s series was actually a 1-1 split. The Sycamores won by 29 points at home way back in November of last year, but the Salukis won the most recent contest in Carbondale in February while Indiana State was ranked, even though Avila dropped 30. In the rematch that matters, the rubber match, on a neutral court, give me Josh Schertz.
George’s pick: 1. Indiana State
[…] The MVC Tournament preview had Indiana State taking it home after beating Southern Illinois in the final. While the Sycamores made the final, the Salukis didn’t. Indiana State also didn’t end up winning it either. Instead, it was Drake, the school, not the rapper, that punched their ticket to the dance, riding a hot offense to an 84-80 victory in the championship game of Arch Madness, to send the DeVries duo back to the dance for the second year in a row. Time will tell if Robbie Avila and the Sycamores get a bid as well. They are certainly deserving of one. […]