It's a busy week in Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball with 18 non-league games on the slate this week, starting with a UNI home game vs. South Florida on Monday. Bradley takes on No. 10 Arkansas later this week looking for the MVC's second win over a Top 25 program this season.
Monday, Dec. 12 -- Time (CT)
South Florida at UNI (ESPN+) -- 7:00 PM
Tuesday, Dec. 13 -- Time (CT)
Chicago State at Murray State (ESPN+) -- 7:00 PM
Lincoln (Mo.) at Southern Illinois (ESPN+) -- 7:00 PM
Prairie View A&M at UIC (ESPN+) -- 7:00 PM
MVC Player of the Week
Ben Sheppard, Belmont
6-6, 190, Sr., G
Atlanta, Ga. | Greater Atlanta Christian High
Sheppard averaged 24.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game on 58 percent shooting this past week as Belmont defeated Trevecca Nazarene and lost in overtime to CUSA contender Middle Tennessee. Sheppard scored a season-high 33 points vs. Middle Tennessee, which included eight 3-point field goals and 7-for-7 to open. Sheppard’s eighth 3-pointer was a dramatic shot to force overtime. Sheppard ranks among MVC leaders in seven statistical categories, including second in scoring, fifth in field goal percentage, sixth in assists and eighth in steals.
MVC Newcomer of the Week
Colton Sandage, Illinois State
6-2, 190, 5th, G
Bloomington, Ill. | Bloomington High [Western Illinois]
Averaged 22 points and 4.5 rebounds per game in a week in which the Redbirds went 2-0 (3-0 over a seven-day stretch with the team’s win over Belmont on Sunday)…Made half of his 20 shots from the field, 4-of-10 from beyond the arc, and 20-of-24 (83.3%) from the charity stripe over the two games…Also had two assists and a blocked shot during the week … Started his week with a 28-point scoring effort in an 87-81 win over Eastern Michigan in which he went 6-of-9 from the field, 3-of-6 from distance, and 13-of-14 on his free throw tries … Also had four rebounds, an assist, and a blocked shot against the Eagles … His free throws are tied for the second-most in a game in CEFCU/Redbird Arena history … He closed his week by scoring 16 points in ISU’s triumphant return to Horton Field House, making four of his 11 shots from the field and 7 of his 10 free throw tries while pulling down five rebounds and dishing out an assist.
Close Games in MVC Play
Of the seven Division I leagues who have played a league game (the MVC has played 12, the Missouri Valley Conference leads the nation in league games decided by four points or less (or in OT). Four of the league’s 12 contests have been “close.” Indiana State and Murray State have both built their 2-0 league starts on two close wins.
- OT - Murray State 77, at Valparaiso 70 (12-4)
- OT - at Murray State 70, Illinois State 67 (12-1)
- 3 - Indiana State 74, at Southern Illinois 71 (12-7)
- 2 - at Indiana State 75, Drake 73 (11-30)
Indiana State (2-0); Murray State (2-0); Drake (0-1); Illinois State (0-1); Southern Illinois (0-1); Valparaiso (0-1)
Vs. Non-MVC
The league sits at 54-46 vs. non-league teams (.540). That record includes an impressive 30-8 slate in home non-league games. This coming week, 11 of 18 non-MVC games are being played at home, three are on neutral sites, and four are on the road. The MVC has been .500 or better in non-league play every year since 2002-03, which included a two-year stretch (2005-06 & 2006-07) where the league went 170-70 against non-MVC teams.
Against the Top 25
Murray State knocked off No. 24 Texas A&M in the opening round of the Myrtle Beach Invitational for the league’s first win against a Top 25 team this year. In 2021-22, the MVC recorded a 1-6 record against non-conference Top 25 programs. MVC teams are 1-1 vs. Top 25 teams this season, and the Conference is 2-3 against teams from Power leagues. Bradley takes on nationally ranked Arkansas this week.
Pace of Play
Indiana State ranks 20th nationally in pace of play (KenPom) as the Sycamores average 73.2 possessions per 40 minutes. No other MVC is in the Top 75.
Inside Outside
Valparaiso leads the MVC and ranks 5th nationally as 62.6 percent of its points have come from inside the arc. Meanwhile, Belmont is 16th nationally and atop the MVC with 40 percent of its scoring coming via the three-point shot.
Charity Tosses
Illinois State ranks fourth nationally in team free throw percentage, connecting on 81.5 percent of its foul line shots. Missouri State set a league record last year by connecting on 79.7 percent for the season.
On the Defensive
Two league teams rank in the Top 25 in the NCAA for scoring defense. Bradley is tops in the MVC and ranks 21st nationally at 59.2 ppg allowed. Missouri State ranks second in the MVC and 24th nationally (60.3 ppg). Bradley’s 59.2 figure would rank 14th best in the MVC since the 1970 season (and the best for Bradley in that period).
Three MVC Teams at 2-0
Bradley, Indiana State, and Murray State all started league play with 2-0 marks. Bradley is 2-0 in MVC play for the first time since 2012-13. The Braves held MoState to the lowest point total (40) against Bradley in a regular-season MVC road game in nearly 30 years.
Scoring Offense
Indiana State has started the season with a fast-paced offense. The Sycamores lead the league and rank 19th nationally in scoring (83.3 ppg). Only one league team has averaged better than 80 points per game since 1994 (Tulsa, 83.4). Wichita State averaged 81.0 points per game in 2017.
Long Range Snipers
Belmont ranks 10th nationally and leads the league by shooting 40.5 percent from beyond the arc.
What’s the Point
The MVC has three players averaging better than 20.0 points per game and each ranks among the national leaders. UNI’s Bowen Born (20.7) leads the MVC and ranks 16th nationally. Ben Sheppard of Belmont is 17th (20.6). And Ben Krikke of Belmont is 22nd (20.1). No other league has more than two 20-point scorers.
The Three-Point Shot
Indiana State’s Courvoisier McCauley leads the league and ranks 2nd nationally with 99 three-point attempts. He’s on pace to finish in the Top 5 all-time in MVC history for treys attempted in a season. Notably his teammates (Zach Hobbs and Masen Miller) are two of only three players in DI (Dean Gabrelcik of UNC Asheville is the other) to have attempted 20 or more shots this year with none of them inside the arc. Hobbs has taken 24 shots (all 3-point tries) and Miller has 23 three-point tries and zero 2FGA.
Off to a Memorable Start
Murray State became just the sixth first-year MVC member since WWII to win its first two conference games, and the Racers are the first to win both of them in overtime. Best starts by a first-year MVC member (since WWII)
5-0 -- Indiana State (1977-78)
3-0 -- Cincinnati (1957-58)
3-0 -- Southern Illinois (1975-76)
3-0 -- Missouri State (1990-91)
2-0 -- UNI (1991-92)
2-0 -- Murray State (2022-23)
3 on Watch List
Three MVC players have been named to the 2022-23 Lou Henson Award Watch List. Ben Sheppard (Belmont), Tucker DeVries (Drake) and Courvoisier McCauley (Indiana State) represent the MVC. The award, which is presented annually to the top mid-major player in Division I college basketball.
BEL .. Dynamic Duo(s)
Belmont’s Ben Sheppard and Drew Friberg are the nation’s top 3-point shooting duo, having made 71 3-point field goals combined (through games Dec. 10). And Belmont’s Cade Tyson and Ja’Kobi Gillespie are the top scoring freshmen duo in the MVC.
BRAD .. Tough Test Awaits
Bradley (7-3) is looking at its best start after 11 games since 2019-20 when the Braves started 8-3. Up next is a test versus #10 Arkansas. It will mark the third Quad 1 opponent for Bradley this year (Auburn, Utah State), but the first with center Rienk Mast in the lineup. As an MVC member, Bradley has 20 non-league Top 25 wins, second-most by an MVC school (Wichita State, 31).
DU .. 3J
Drake guard D.J. Wilkins is closing in on Josh Young’s program career 3-pointers record of 255. Wilkins enters this week having drained 252 career 3-pointers in a Drake uniform. With 1,358 career points, he’s the league’s active scoring leader. His 252 treys rank 18th-best all time in the MVC.
UIC .. Turning It Over
UIC had its best turnover margin of the season, +14, against Western Michigan. The Flames captured 21 turnovers and committed only seven, one more than their season low. UIC had a 23-0 advantage in points off turnovers against the Broncos. UIC is first in the Missouri Valley in forced turnovers (16.2 per game).
INS .. First Time All Season
After trailing at halftime for the first time this season, Indiana State’s win streak was snapped in overtime at Southern Indiana Sunday evening as the Sycamores fell 88-85. It was ISU’s first overtime game since Dec. 7, 2019 and first overtime loss since Dec. 31, 2017.
UE .. What a Turnaround
Entering last week’s game against Campbell, Marvin Coleman II was averaging 3.6 points per game while shooting 22.5% from the field and 9.1% from long range on the season. The UNLV transfer never lost his confidence and his work paid off in the games against Campbell and Ball State. In the win over the Camels, Coleman set his career mark with 18 points before adding 17 at BSU. His shooting for the week finished at 54.5% overall and 63.6% (7/11) from 3-point range.
ILS .. Historic Return to Horton
For the first time in over 34 years, the Illinois State men’s basketball team made Horton Field House its home for a game, in a 77-71 win over SIUE on Saturday, Dec. 10.
MOST .. Defense Dominating
The Bears rank 26th nationally and 2nd in the MVC in scoring defense (60.3 ppg). The most points the Bears have surrendered this season is 68 by UNCW (Nov. 25) in Nassau. The last time Missouri State got 10 games into the season without allowing a 70-point game was 1985-86 when Charlie Spoonhour’s Bears surrendered 59.9 points per game all season and did not allow an opponent to eclipse 70 until Game 23 that season.
MUR .. Closing in on 1,000
Quincy Anderson’s chase to be a career 1,000-point scorer was boosted with a performance of seven points off the MSU bench against Bellarmine. Anderson has 82 career games played combined with Murray State and Minnesota State and has 946 points.
VALPO .. Bayu on the Boards
Freshman Ibra Bayu skied for a career-high 13 rebounds in Saturday’s game at Ole Miss. Not only did he shatter his own previous career best of six - which came in his Nov. 23 season debut at Samford - but the rookie matched the most rebounds in a single game by any Beacon this season. He equaled Ben Krikke’s total from the season opener at Toledo. Bayu nearly doubled his own season total as he entered the contest with 15 total boards over his first six outings.
UNI .. Double Trouble
UNI forward Tytan Anderson leads the MVC in double-doubles (4) and total rebounds per game (9.4). Meanwhile, Bowen Born leads the league in scoring. Born has averaged 23 points per game in his last five games, which included a career-high 30-point effort against Evansville.
SIU .. Three-Point D
The Salukis continue to play strong defense against the 3-pointer, holding opponents to a league low 27.3 percent from behind the arc which ranks 22nd nationally. Only four teams have shot over 30 percent from distance against the Salukis this season.
BEL .. Long Streak Snapped
Belmont had its streak of 77 consecutive victories under head coach Casey Alexander when leading with one minute remaining snapped Dec. 10 vs. Middle Tennessee.
DU .. Home Non-Con Streak
After the win over Omaha last Wednesday, Drake men’s basketball extended its home non-conference winning streak to 36 games.
ILS .. Burford Ranks 8th
Illinois State junior guard Darius Burford, behind a week in which he was 12-of-13 from the free throw line, finally cracked through the statistic minimums in season free throw percentage, and at 28-of-30 for the season, his 93.3 percentage ranks eighth in the country.
UIC .. Jones Stepping Up
Christian Jones made his first collegiate start on Saturday at Western Michigan. The true freshman scored 10 points for the second straight game. He has made two 3-pointers in each of the last two outings, and has grabbed 2.7 rebounds over the last three games.
INS .. Always In It
ISU remains the only Valley team to never trail by double digits this season. The Sycamores trailed by a season-high eight points against Kansas City and then trailed by no more than six points at Southern Indiana, both of which are ISU’s only losses this season.
SIU .. Takeaways
Coming off an MVC All-Defensive Team honor a year ago, Lance Jones has not slowed down one bit. The senior guard leads the MVC with 22 steals in 10 games and is currently 10th in program history with 144 career steals in just 96 games. His career 1.5 steals per game ranks fifth in school history.
UNI .. Board Certified
UNI leads the MVC with 10.6 offensive rebounds per contest, and third in overall rebounds per game (35.5).
VALPO .. Krikke Climbs
Valpo forward Ben Krikke is on the verge of climbing into the top 20 in program history in career points. The Edmonton native has scored 15+ points in five straight games, including 16 on Saturday at Ole Miss. That effort lifted his career total to 1,195 points, a single point away from moving into a tie for 20th in program history. Lance Barker (1991-1995) finished his Valpo tenure at 1,196 career points. Krikke reached a milestone on Tuesday at Trinity Christian, playing in his 100th collegiate game.
22 Starters Return
Notably, the league’s 12 schools have a combined 22 starters returning (of 60 possible), giving the MVC its lowest percentage of returning starters in at least 20 seasons at 36.7 percent. Only three previous times since 2003-04 has the league returned fewer than 50 percent of its starting lineups from the previous season (44 percent in 2013-14; 46 percent in 2008-09; and 48 percent in 2007-08).
MVC at a Dozen
For the first time, the MVC has 12 members as Belmont, UIC, and Murray State officially joined the Conference on July 1, 2022. It marks the first time the Conference has admitted three schools for the same season. Notably, MVC membership will also stand at a league-high 12 members for the first time.
20 Games in MVC Play
MVC teams will play 20 league games for the first time, with two Conference games taking place the week after Thanksgiving. Teams will play nine opponents twice, and the other two league teams once each (one home, one away).
What Else is New?
In addition to the league’s three newest institutions, the MVC has adopted a new 11-game tournament format. The league’s championship -- The State Farm MVC Tournament, affectionately known as Arch Madness, will be played Thursday-Sunday, March 2-5, in St. Louis at Enterprise Center. The tournament will celebrate its 47th anniversary overall in 2023, and it will be the 33rd-straight season the event has been held in St. Louis. Only the Big East Conference (in New York City) has had a longer continuous run at a single site.