This week's MVC Players of the Week include Chase Walker of Illinois State; Bennett Stirtz of Drake; and Gabriel Pozzato of Evansville.
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MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE 2024-25 MEN’S BASKETBALL (@ValleyHoops)
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Rankings Summary (Sort by Team or Conf)
| Tuesday, Feb. 4 |
Network |
Central |
| *Drake at Murray State |
ESPN2/ESPN+ |
6:00 PM |
|
|
|
| Wednesday, Feb. 5 |
Network |
Central |
| *UNI at Missouri State |
MVC TV/ESPN+ |
6:00 PM |
| *Valparaiso at Indiana State |
ESPN+ |
6:00 PM |
| *Illinois State at UIC |
ESPN+ |
7:00 PM |
| *Southern Illinois at Evansville |
ESPN+ |
7:00 PM |
| *Belmont at Bradley |
MVC TV/ESPN+ |
8:00 PM |
|
|
|
| Saturday, Feb. 8 |
Network |
Central |
| *UIC at Southern Illinois |
ESPN+ |
1:00 PM |
| *Murray State at Valparaiso |
ESPN+ |
3:00 PM |
| *Missouri State at Belmont |
ESPN+ |
4:00 PM |
| *Indiana State at Drake |
ESPN+ |
5:00 PM |
| *Illinois State at UNI |
ESPNU/ESPN+ |
5:00 PM |
| *Bradley at Evansville |
CBSSN |
7:00 PM |
*denotes MVC game
MVC Player of the Week: Chase Walker, Illinois State
Walker dished out a career-high seven assists against Valparaiso on Saturday, and for just the third time in his career he had back-to-back 20-point scoring games (both this week) … On the week had a 10-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, which is the best in the MVC, and is one of two players in the MVC to rank inside the top 20 in points and rebounds and top 15 in assists for the week … His scoring average (23.0) is third-best in the conference for the week, rebounding 20th-best, and assists fourth … His field goal percentage (.783) was the third-best in the conference during the week as well … During the week, his field goal percentage was also tied for the 14th-best in the NCAA, and his assist-to-turnover ratio was seventh-best in the country. ISU posted wins over Belmont and Valparaiso last week.
MVC Newcomer of the Week: Bennett Stirtz, Drake
Stirtz averaged 25.0 points, 4.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.0 steals in Drake’s two wins over UNI and Southern Illinois last week. He led the Bulldogs in scoring in both contests going for 20 points against the Panthers and tied his career-high with 30 points against Salukis…was efficient from the field going 18-for-28 (64%) over Drake’s two games including 5-for-7 (71%) from three-point range…his 30 points against SIU marked the second time this season he had scored 30 point in a game with his other outing coming against UIC on Jan 1…Played all 80 minutes last week.
MVC Freshman of the Week: Gabriel Pozzato, Evansville
Pozzato led the Purple Aces with an average of 25.5 points per game while leading UE to wins over Murray State and at Belmont. Playing 38.3 minutes per game, Pozzato shot 64% (16/25) from the field and 41.7% (5/12) from long range. He converted 14 of his 16 free throw tries while chipping in 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. He opened the week with a career-high 29 points against the Racers. He shot 10-of-14 and knocked down four triples while picking up 4 boards and a pair of assists. He followed that up with 22 points in the win at Belmont. Playing all 40 minutes, he was 6-for-11 from the field and converted 9 of his 10 free throw tries.
Getting to 20 Wins -- In the league’s 118-year history, a total of 205 men’s basketball teams have won 20+ games, including Drake this season. Below are the earliest dates on which an MVC team won its 20th game.
| Season |
Team |
Final |
20th Win |
Won No. 20 vs. |
| 2013-14 |
Wichita State |
35-1 |
Jan. 22 |
at Illinois State |
| 1985-86 |
Bradley |
32-3 |
Jan. 25 |
at Creighton |
| 2011-12 |
Creighton |
29-6 |
Jan. 28 |
Bradley |
| 2014-15 |
UNI |
31-4 |
Jan. 31 |
Wichita State |
| 2024-25 |
Drake |
|
Feb. 1 |
at Southern Ill. |
| 2016-17 |
Wichita State |
31-5 |
Feb. 1 |
at Drake |
| 2007-08 |
Drake |
28-5 |
Feb. 2 |
at Indiana State |
| 2012-13 |
Creighton |
28-8 |
Feb. 2 |
Bradley |
Winning Ways -- Drake’s winning percentage (90.9) is second only to Auburn (95.2). Drake (20) and Bradley (18) are both among the national leaders for victories.
| 1. Auburn (SEC) |
20-1 |
95.2 |
| 2. Drake (MVC) |
20-2 |
90.9 |
| 3. Duke (ACC) |
19-2 |
90.5 |
| 4. UC Irvine (Big West) |
20-3 |
87.0 |
| 4. Saint Mary’s (WCC) |
20-3 |
87.0 |
| 6. Utah St. (Mtn. West) |
19-3 |
86.4 |
| 6. St. John’s (Big East) |
19-3 |
86.4 |
| 6. Alabama (SEC) |
19-3 |
86.4 |
20 --Auburn (20-1);
Drake (20-2); UC Irvine (20-3); Saint Mary’s (20-3)
19 --Duke (19-2); Alabama (19-3); Utah State (19-3); St. John’s (19-3) High Point (19-5)
18 --Florida (18-3); Michigan State (18-3) Clemson (18-4); Marquette (18-4); Memphis (18-4); New Mexico (18-4); Tennessee (18-4); UC San Diego (18-4);
Bradley (18-5); Arkansas State (18-5); Samford (18-5); UNCW (18-5); San Francisco (18-5)
Nothing But NET -- The Missouri Valley has six teams rated in the Top 140 of the NET, including two in the Top 80 (Drake-59; Bradley-79). Five MVC teams rank in the Top 100 of the KPI, led by Drake (48) and Bradley (56). The MVC ranks 10th as a Conference in the NET rankings. Here’s a snapshot of the league’s top-six rated teams and their respective records against the top two Quads of the NET.
| Metrics |
NET (Q1+2) |
KPI |
KenPom |
| Drake |
59 (3-1) |
48 |
64 |
| Bradley |
79 (2-4) |
56 |
95 |
| UNI |
98 (2-5) |
93 |
104 |
| UIC |
106 (4-1) |
84 |
123 |
| Illinois St. |
117 (2-3) |
117 |
145 |
| Belmont |
137 (1-4) |
97 |
139 |
MVC in the NET -- Since 1992, 101 of 116 Missouri Valley Conference teams with regular-season NETs or RPIs (on Selection Sunday) in the Top 100 have made postseason play. A top-75 finish in the regular-season metric has secured all 75-such Valley teams a post-season berth.
On the MVC Road -- MVC teams are 35-37 (.486) in league road games this year. Teams were 47-73 (.392) in MVC road games last year. The 48.6 win percentage is the best in the MVC in at least the past 30 seasons. Since 1975-76 (50 seasons), a total of 110 MVC teams have had a winning road record in league play -- including Bradley (5-1), Drake (5-1), and UIC (5-1) this year. Eighty-eight of the previous 107 teams to do so have reached post-season play (57 NCAA, 28 NIT, 2 CBI, 1 CIT). Fifty of the previous 107 teams won (or shared) the league regular-season title. Only one team (UNI in 2006) failed to finish fourth or better in the league standings.
| Road Records in MVC Play, Last 30 Years |
| Season |
Rec. |
Pct. |
Top MVC Teams (Rec.) |
| 2024-25 |
35-37 |
0.486 |
DU/BRAD/UIC (5-1) |
| 2020-21 |
40-50 |
0.444 |
DU/MOST/LUC (7-2) |
| 2018-19 |
29-41 |
0.414 |
MSU (5-3); BU/DU (4-3) |
| 1997-98 |
36-54 |
0.400 |
ILS (8-1); CU/WSU (5-4) |
| 2015-16 |
36-54 |
0.400 |
WSU (8-1); UE (6-3) |
| 2008-09 |
36-54 |
0.400 |
UNI (8-1); CU (7-2) |
Close Games -- So far, 34 of the league’s 72 conference games have been decided by six points or less or in overtime. Belmont (5-3) has the most victories in games decided by six points or less. Bradley (4-0) is the only league team to have a perfect record in “close” games. There have been seven league overtime contests. Illinois State has played in the most MVC games decided by six points or less (9).
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
|
Rec. |
OT |
| Belmont |
|
W |
WL |
W |
WWL |
L |
|
5 |
3 |
W |
| Bradley |
WW |
|
|
W |
|
W |
|
4 |
0 |
WW |
| Drake |
|
|
|
LW |
|
W |
|
2 |
1 |
W |
| Evansville |
|
L |
L |
LW |
W |
|
|
2 |
3 |
|
| UIC |
L |
|
|
WWL |
LL |
W |
|
3 |
4 |
W |
| Ill. State |
L |
L |
W |
LWL |
|
LWW |
|
4 |
5 |
L |
| Ind. State |
L |
|
WL |
WL |
LWW |
|
|
4 |
4 |
LL |
| MoSate |
L |
|
L |
|
L |
L |
|
0 |
4 |
LL |
| Murray |
|
W |
W |
LL |
|
L |
|
2 |
3 |
L |
| UNI |
W |
|
L |
|
|
W |
|
2 |
1 |
|
| S. Illinois |
|
|
|
LWW |
|
|
|
2 |
1 |
W |
| Valpo |
W |
|
W |
L |
|
LL |
|
2 |
3 |
LW |
|
4 |
2 |
5 |
10 |
5 |
6 |
|
32 |
32 |
7 |
*Games decided by six points or fewer; only two overtime results (SIU-MOST and DU-MOST) were more than a six-point margin, so the “close games” column does include all overtime results except those two games.
Power Play -- With wins over Miami (ACC), Vanderbilt (SEC), and Kansas State (Big 12), Drake is the fifth MVC team in the past six seasons to have multiple wins against “Power” teams. Indiana State had three-such wins last season (Minnesota, Cincinnati, Utah). The only other MVC teams in the past 10 seasons to have three “Power” wins during the regular season were Loyola (2021-22) and UNI (2015-16) -- both were NCAA Tournament teams in those respective seasons.
UIC Picked 12th, at 7-5 -- UIC enters the week one game out of third place and tied for fourth. The Flames were picked to finish last in the preseason poll. Only one team in MVC history has finished in the Top 3 after being picked last in the league’s pre-season poll. Drake, in 2017-18, was picked 10th and tied for third place.
Picked Last (or 2nd to Last) to Finish in Top 3
1988-89 - Creighton (picked 7th of 8)1st
2007-08 - Drake (picked 9th of 10)1st
2017-18 - Drake (picked 10th of 10)t3rd
2018-19 - Drake (picked 9th of 10)t1st
Defending the Shot -- Bradley leads the MVC in field goal percentage defense (40.2). Since 2010, all but four teams that have led the MVC in that statistic have played in the NCAA Tournament. Bradley also leads the MVC in three-point field goal percentage defense (30.2). Bradley is looking to become just the 13th MVC team to lead the Conference in both overall field goal percentage defense and in 3-point field goal percentage defense - the last four to do it have played in the NCAA Tournament.
MVC Teams to Lead League in Both
FG Pct. Defense AND 3FG Pct. Defense
1988 -- Illinois State [NIT]
1989 -- Creighton [NCAA]
1991 -- Tulsa [NIT]
1995 -- Evansville
1998 -- Bradley
1999 -- Bradley [NIT]
2004 -- Wichita State [NIT]
2009 -- Illinois State [NIT]
2014 -- Wichita State [NCAA]
2015 -- UNI [NCAA]
2017 -- Wichita State [NCAA]
2023 -- Drake [NCAA]
2025 -- Bradley
Tytan in Select Company -- UNI’s Tytan Anderson is just five assists shy of becoming the fourth player in team history (and UNI’s third as an MVC member) to record 1,000 points, 700 rebounds and 200 assists in his career. Previous Panthers to reach this milestone include Seth Tuttle (2011-15), Eric Coleman (2004-08) and Ron Lemons (1975-79). Only 21 players in MVC history have reached those statistical plateaus (1000p-700r-200a).
Doing it With Defense -- Drake’s scoring defense of 58.0 is second in the NCAA, trailing Houston (56.6). Only 10 MVC teams since 1979 have held teams to 58.0 points per game for a season -- all 10 have played in the NCAA Tournament. Also, only seven teams in the past 25 seasons have allowed 58.0 or fewer points, recorded 9.0 steals per game, and held opponents to less than 44.0 field goal shooting -- Drake is one of those seven.
| MVC Scoring Defense, Since 1970 |
| 54.6 UNI, 2014-15 |
NCAA 2nd Round |
| 55.1 UNI, 2009-10 |
NCAA Sweet 16 |
| 56.1 Loyola, 2020-21 |
NCAA Sweet 16 |
| 56.2 S. Illinois, 2006-07 |
NCAA Sweet 16 |
| 56.5 S. Illinois, 2005-06 |
NCAA Sweet 16 |
| 56.8 MoState, 1991-92 |
NCAA 1st Round |
| 57.4 Wichita St., 2015-16 |
NCAA 2nd Round |
| 57.8 UNI, 2005-06 |
NCAA 1st Round |
| 57.9 Tulsa, 1985-86 |
NCAA 1st Round |
| 58.0 Drake, 2024-25 |
|
| 58.0 NMSU, 1974-75 |
NCAA 1st Round |
|
Opp. FG Pct. |
SPG |
PPG |
| Drake (2024-25) |
43.8 |
9.3 |
58 |
| Houston (2023-24) |
37.9 |
9.8 |
57.6 |
| Holy Cross (2006-07) |
41.4 |
9.5 |
57.5 |
| Holy Cross (2005-06) |
38.9 |
10.3 |
56.8 |
| SE Louisiana (2004-05) |
41.7 |
9.1 |
55.8 |
| Denver (2012-13) |
43.2 |
9 |
55.9 |
| Savannah St. (2012-13) |
39.1 |
9 |
55.5 |
Stirtz Stuff -- Drake’s Bennett Stirtz is the only player in the nation to lead his league in scoring (18.4), assists (6.3), and steals (2.5). Only two others on record have done so in MVC history: Anthony Manuel of Bradley (1989), and Curt Smith of Drake (1993). It’s believed Oscar Robertson of Cincinnati (1958-59-60) also accomplished the feat, but assists (1984) and steals (1986) were not an official NCAA statistic at the time. Stirtz leads the nation in minutes played.
Making Shots -- Led by Illinois State at 57.9 percent (7th in the NCAA), seven MVC teams rank in the Top 50 in the NCAA in effective field goal percentage. Bradley (11th, 57.2) and UNI (19th, 56.5) join ISU in the national Top 20. UNI’s overall field goal percentage of 49.8 leads the MVC and ranks fifth in the nation.Two other MVC teams rank among the Top 30, including Drake (17th, 49.0) and Illinois State (30th, 48.5). Two MVC teams rank in the Top 10 nationally in three-point field goal percentage.Bradley is second in the NCAA (39.8), and Illinois State is 10th (39.0).Notably, the Redbirds finished 12th from the bottom in the NCAA in three-point field goal percentage last year (29.2). Bradley’s free throw percentage is tops in the MVC and is 13th nationally (78.5), followed closely by Valparaiso (17th, 78.2) -- both of those numbers rank among the Top 7 all-time in the MVC.
Roster Rebuilds -- Only three MVC teams returned more than eight players who were on their rosters last year (Bradley, Evansville, UNI). On average, MVC squads have 9.7 new players per team (116 total players across the MVC were not on their current rosters last year). Ten players started their careers at another MVC program and transferred to their current school.
Imbalanced Schedule -- As part of the league’s 20-game schedule, MVC teams play nine teams home and away, and play the remaining two teams once (one game at home and one game away).
| 2024-25 |
Only Home |
Only on Road |
| BEL |
UIC (W) |
at DU (L) |
| BRAD |
MOST (W) |
at UE (Feb. 8) |
| DU |
BEL (W) |
at SIU (W) |
| UE |
BRAD (Feb. 8) |
at UNI (L) |
| UIC |
INS (L) |
at BEL (L) |
| ILS |
VALPO (W) |
at MUR (W) |
| INS |
SIU (March 2) |
at UIC (W) |
| MOST |
MUR (W) |
at BRAD (L) |
| MUR |
ILS (L) |
at MOST (L) |
| UNI |
UE (W) |
at VALPO (L) |
| SIU |
DU (L) |
at INS (March 2) |
| VALPO |
UNI (W) |
at ILS (L) |
The Valley Runs Deep
- The Conference has a rich tradition of success in postseason play. In league history, 18 teams have reached the men’s NCAA Final Four, and the MVC owns four NCAA men’s basketball titles and seven NIT crowns. Indiana State reached the title game of the NIT in 2024.
- Notably, MVC teams are 12-4 in their first game in the NCAA Tournament dating back to 2012. The league has now combined for 20 wins in the NCAA Tournament in the past 11 NCAA championships and has earned multiple bids 16 times since 1994.
- MVC teams have 42 total wins in the NCAA Tournament since 1994 with 12 Sweet 16 trips and two Final Four appearances. Notably, 31 of 42 victories have been against Power conferences, and the league has a winning record in that span against Big 12 and SEC schools.
- In 2023-24, the Missouri Valley Conference sent a total of four teams to postseason play as Drake competed against Washington State in the NCAA Tournament, Bradley and Indiana State participated in the NIT, and Evansville played in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI). The Valley posted a total of five NIT victories, as Indiana State reached the title game, collecting wins over SMU, Minnesota, Cincinnati, and Utah. Bradley defeated Loyola in the first round of the NIT. Evansville split a pair of games in the CBI.