MVC Weekly Notebook (PDF)

MVC Player of the Week
Cameron Krutwig, Loyola
6-9, 255, So., Ctr., Algonquin (Ill.) Jacobs High
Krutwig nearly averaged a double-double, producing 18.5 points and 9.0 rebounds, along with 1.5 assists and 2.5 blocks per game, while knocking down shots at a staggering 88.2 percent (15-for-17) clip last week in helping Loyola to a pair of wins in the Fort Myers Tip-Off. He opened the year by hitting his first 15 field goal attempts before finally misfiring on his first attempt against Grambling on November 16. In a 75-62 victory over Niagara November 14, the 6-foot-9 center totaled 18 points (hitting all seven of his field goal tries), 11 rebounds, three assists and four blocks for his second career double-double. He then racked up 19 points, his most since January 13, and added seven boards, a block and a steal, in an 80-64 decision over Grambling.

MVC Newcomer of the Week
A.J. Green, UNI
6-4, 175, Fr., Gd., Cedar Falls (Iowa) Cedar Falls High
Green finished last week with 44 points while shooting 46.8% from the field in two games at the Paradise Jam. Green played 38 minutes in the Panthers game against the University of Pennsylvania, recording 21 points and brought in three rebounds. The freshman guard shot 50% from the field and recorded two assists as well. The Panthers took on Eastern Kentucky in their second game of the Paradise Jam and again Green led the way, scoring 23 points while going 7-16 from the field. Green finished with three rebounds and two assists.

Tough Schedules
In 2018-19, MVC men’s basketball has 16 games against Power opponents (the five FBS leagues and the Big East).  In addition to those games, here is a listing of top opponents from non-Power leagues (teams are denoted by rankings in their league’s pre-season poll.)  The league has only suffered one loss to a team not among this collection of teams.

Home Cooking
The league has started the 2018-19 season with an 19-2 record in its home non-conference games. Last year the MVC was 54-7 against non-conference teams at home.  SIU hosts Howard on Monday.  Of the 22 non-league games scheduled this week, five are at home, five are on the road, and 12 are on neutral courts.

Ramblers Playing D 
Loyola has picked up where it left off last season when it ranked sixth in the nation in scoring defense at 62.6 points per game. Through four contests in 2018-19, the Ramblers have been even better than a year ago, yielding only 57.8 ppg through four games.

Getting to the Line
Three Valley schools rank among the national leaders in percentage of points scored from the free throw line.  Bradley leads the league and ranks 26th nationally with 25.9 percent of its scoring coming from the stripe.  Indiana State is 27th nationally, and UNI ranks No. 30.

Defending the Shot
Three league schools enter the week ranked among the national leaders in field goal percentage defense.  Missouri State ranks 7th nationally and leads the league as opponents only shoot 32.1 percent against the Bears.  Coincidentally, the league leaders in field goal percentage defense also are 1-2-3 in scoring defense.

Long Range Bombers
Indiana State leads the MVC and ranks third nationally in 3FG percentage so far this season (47.5).  Evansville leads the league and ranks 20th nationally in 3FG made per game (11.0).  The Aces also connect at a high rate, making 39.6 percent of their three-point tries - that ranks second in the MVC.

Krutwig on a Roll
Dating back to last season, Loyola’s Cameron Krutwig has connected on 24 of his last 26 attempts (.923) from the field. For the year, he is averaging 14.0 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.5 apg and 2.0 bpg, while shooting an insane 92 percent (23-for-25) from the field.  He leads the NCAA in field goal percentage accuracy.