Missouri Valley Tourney Preview

At Scottrade Center (St. Louis, Mo.)
FIRST ROUND
Thursday, March 5
Game 1: No. 8 Drake vs. No. 9 Indiana State (7:05 p.m.)
Game 2: No. 7 Wichita State vs. No. 10 Missouri State (9:35 p.m.)

QUARTERFINALS
Friday, March 6
Game 3: No. 1 Northern Iowa vs. Game 1 winner (1:05 p.m.)
Game 4: No. 4 Bradley vs. No. 5 Southern Illinois (3:35 p.m.)
Game 5: No. 2 Creighton vs. Game 2 winner (7:05 p.m.)
Game 6: No. 3 Illinois State vs. No. 6 Evansville (9:35 p.m.)

SEMIFINALS
Saturday, March 7
Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner (2:35 p.m.)
Game 8: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner (5:05 p.m.)

CHAMPIONSHIP
Sunday, March 8
Game 9: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner (2 p.m.)


Team to watch: Creighton. The Valley has been down the past couple of years, but if any team is going to get an at-large bid from the selection committee, it will be the Bluejays. Creighton has reeled off ten consecutive wins have won a big game earlier in the year over fellow bubble team Dayton from the Atlantic 10. One win is needed for sure, but they better get to the championship game to play it safe.

Player to watch: Shy Ely. The swingman from Evansville led the MVC in scoring this year with over 18 points per game and has scored over 20 points in five of the last six games. Ely also helps on the boards with nearly six rebounds per game. If the Aces want to make a run, Ely will need to carry them.

Upset watch: Drake. The Bulldogs couldn't repeat the sucess they had last year with a birth in the NCAA tournament. They have inconsistent all year with wins against the MVC's best in UNI and Creighton, but they do have losses against Missouri State and Indiana State. If the Bulldogs can come together for this weekend, they burst the bubble of some power conference school.

Tourney watch: As I said earlier, Creighton probably needs one win, but getting to the conference championship game will help their resume. I see them winning the rubber match against Illinois State to make it to the finals. However, Northern Iowa will have an easier road and will be more rested and will get the double dip of regular season and conference champions making the MVC a two bid league.