The Valley regular season is winding down with only three matches remaining as teams try to secure a spot in the upcoming eight-team MVC Tournament. UNI improved to 15-0 in league play and has won 16-straight matches entering the week, while Drake continues to sit two games back of the Panthers in the standings at 13-2. UNI's magic number to clinch a second straight outright MVC regular season crown sits at two heading into a two-match road trip at UIC and Valparaiso.

Valparaiso sits in third entering the week at 10-5, while UIC and Illinois State both sit 9-6 in Valley play. Southern Illinois sits sixth at 8-7, while Murray State and Missouri State occupy the last two spots at 7-8. Belmont is the only other team remaining alive for a tourney bid, sitting one game back of the Bears and Racers at 6-9.

UNI, Drake and Valpo are the only teams to lock up a spot in the tournament field (Nov. 19-22 at Missouri State) entering this week's action. UIC and Illinois State are a win away or a Belmont loss away from locking up a spot. (TOURNEY WEBSITE)

The Panthers have started 15-0 in conference play nine times since 1995 (1995, 1998-00, 2009-11, 2022). In each of the prior eight instances, UNI went on to win the MVC's regular season title, including seven outright championships.

UNI is one of 12 teams nationally with a perfect conference record and one of just three programs with at least 15 league victories to go with an undefeated mark, joining Dayton (A10) and Western Michigan (MAC).

SIU head coach Ed Allen got his 700th career win as a head coach at the collegiate level Friday vs. Belmont. Allen is in his fifth season at SIU prior to making stops at Alabama, Tulane, Presbyterian (DII) and Anderson (DIII).

In matches played through Nov. 5, 2023, UNI holds the fifth-longest active win streak in Division I (16), trailing Nebraska, Dayton, Western Kentucky and Southeastern Louisiana.

The latest edition of the NCAA RPI report has been released and the Valley has two teams featured in the top-60 and three in the top 100. UNI leads the league at No. 52, while Drake sits No. 55. UIC has reentered the top 100 at 98 this week. The Valley ranks 16th as a league in RPI.

This week's schedule features a full slate of 12 matches over the weekend as the race for the top eight to make the MVC Tournament continues. The marquee matchups of the weekend will feature Drake and UNI heading to UIC and Valparaiso.