Arch Madness is here, the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament is and traditionally is one of the best conference tournaments in the first weekend of Championship week. This year’s edition of the Valley Tournament will look to be really fun as it has ever been and certainly the steaks couldn’t be higher. Northern Iowa dominated the regular season, going 14-4 in league play while finishing with 25-5 record overall. The Panthers potentially have an at-large case based on their resume but it can erase all doubts by winning the league tournament. Evansville has beaten Kentucky in Rupp Arena and yet couldn’t win in the Valley in the regular-season. Loyola-Chicago and Bradley are teams that have won recently and are looking to do that once again. While the smart money is on the Panthers winning this tournament, Arch Madness always delivers.
Round One
8.Drake 76 9.Illinois State 69
7.Valparaiso 67 10.Evansville 55
Round Two
1.Northern Iowa 64 8.Drake 60
4.Bradley 65 5.Southern Illinois 64
2.Loyola-Chicago 67 7.Valparaiso 63
6.Missouri State 70 3.Indiana State 62
Semifinals
1.Northern Iowa 66 4.Bradley 64
2.Loyola-Chicago 64 6.Missouri State 57
Championship Game
1.Northern Iowa 74 Loyola-Chicago 60