NOTEBOOK (PDF)
Historic Conference RPI
The Valley ranks fourth nationally in conference RPI (WarrenNolan.com). The Valley sits behind the Pac-12, Big Ten and ACC) and just ahead of the Big 12, Big East and SEC entering this week.
The Valley record for RPI in a season is 8th (2008 & 2011).
Conference RPI
1. Pac-12
2. Big Ten
3. ACC
4. Missouri Valley
5. Big 12
6. Big East
7. SEC
The RPI Ratings Game
The first installment of the NCAA RPI Report (Dec. 10) has six Valley teams that rank in the top-75, including three in the top 30. Missouri State leads the way at No. 2 with Drake at No. 17 and Illinois State at No. 28. Bradley (41), UNI (59) and Loyola Chicago (71) round out the schools in the Top 75.
The Valley joins the Power Five conferences as the only leagues with six teams sitting in the Top 75 of the RPI.
Team RPI
Missouri State 2
Drake 17
Illinois State 28
Bradley 41
UNI 59
Loyola Chicago 71
Valparaiso 112
Southern Illinois 130
Indiana State 215
Evansville 321
Poll Position
Missouri State moved up in the AP Top 25 Poll this week, coming in at No. 20. It is the Lady Bears’ first top 20 ranking in the AP poll since Mar. 13, 2001 (15th).
The Lady Bears remained 18th this week in the USA Today Coaches Top25 Poll. Drake also received votes this week.
Impressive Winning %
Valley women’s hoops sits 54-27 during non-conference play. The Valley has the highest winning percentage outside of the Power Five conferences entering this week’s action.
Top Winning Percentages by Conference
.827 - Pac 12
.787 - Big Ten
.769 - Big 12
.719 - SEC
.669 - ACC
.667 - Missouri Valley
Hot Starts
Three Valley teams are sitting with one or fewer losses after a month of the season.
Loyola’s 8-0 start is the best in program history, surpassing the 1979-80 Ramblers’ 5-0 start. The Ramblers are one of 15 NCAA Division I teams remaining without a loss this season. Loyola’s eight straight wins are its most since going on a 10-game tear during the 1988-89 season.
Missouri State’s 8-1 start is the best for the Lady Bears since opening the 2003-04 season 20-1.
Bradley is 7-1 or better to start a season for just the fourth time. Two of the last three starts of 7-1 or better have resulted in at least 19-win seasons, including last year’s 20-10 campaign which featured a 9-0 start to the year. Bradley is seeking just the third start in program history of 8-1 or better.
Road Success
Loyola Chicago leads the nation with a 6-0 road record this season and is one of two teams with six road victories overall. Cleveland State also has six road wins, but has a road record of 6-1. UConn is the only other team with a 5-0 mark or better on the road this season.
The Valley has posted a 23-18 overall road record this season. The 23 non-conference road wins is already the most this decade for The Valley (21 road wins in 2011-12 & 2012-13).
Home Sweet Home
Currently seven MVC teams remain unbeaten at home: Bradley (3-0), Drake (5-0), Illinois State (4-0), Loyola Chicago (2-0), Missouri State (4-0), UNI (3-0) and Valparaiso (1-0) have unblemished records on their home courts this season. The Valley currently holds a 27-4 (.871) mark at home this season.
Dynamic Duo
Through eight games, Illinois State seniors TeTe Maggett and Lexi Wallen are averaging the most points per game of any other duo in the Valley. Maggett (17.3 ppg) and Wallen (16.0 ppg) combine to average 33.3 per game and account for 49.2% of Illinois State’s total points on the season.
Cleaning the Glass
Bradley has been dominating the glass during its 7-1 start to the season. The Braves rank 4th nationally, averaging 47.4 rpg. Bradley leads the nation with 35.1 defensive rebounds per game. The Valley record for rebounds per game for a season was set by 1985 Drake (46.9).
Rebounds Per Game
1. Troy 58.1
2. Tennessee 51.4
3. Kansas State 47.5
4. Bradley 47.4
5. South Carolina 47.0
Consistent Offense
The Lady Bears continue to produce at the offensive end of the floor and have now scored at least 68 points while shooting 40 percent or better overall and above 70 percent at the foul line in all nine games this season. It’s MSU’s longest streak of scoring 68 or more points since doing so in 16 consecutive games from Dec. 8, 2009-Feb. 24, 2010; the best streak of 40 percent shooting since 16 games from Jan. 6-March 5, 2005; and the top such free throw streak since 12 games from Dec. 19, 2010-Feb. 4, 2011.
Sharing is Caring
In Sunday’s clash with SIUE, Loyola recorded assists on 21 of its 25 made baskets, marking its third game this season with at least 20 helpers. The Ramblers currently rank 15th nationally in assists per game (18.8) and sit eighth in the country in assist to turnover ratio (1.46). On the individual front, Tiara Wallace is handing out an even 4.0 assists per game, a mark which ties her for fourth overall in the MVC.
On A Roll
Last Thursday’s win at Detroit was Valpo’s third straight victory, Valpo’s longest winning streak since winning four straight games Dec. 10-21, 2017. It is Valpo’s first winning streak of at least three consecutive games against all Division I opponents since three straight wins over Ball State, Northern Illinois and Youngstown State, Dec. 29, 2012-Jan. 12, 2013.
Defensive Lockdown
Drake limited Waldorf to 18 points, including just three after halftime. The 18 points are the fewest scored by an opponent in school history. The Bulldogs held the Warriors scoreless in the third quarter, which is the first time-ever for a Drake foe since women’s basketball went to quarters for the 2015-16 season.
Strength of Schedule
Three Valley teams have a SOS ranking in the Top 25 according to the NCAA (Dec. 9). Illinois State leads The Valley with a SOS of No. 16. Missouri State comes in this week ranked No. 19 with Drake (21) also ranking in the Top 25.