MVC games Saturday, Feb. 22 and Sunday, Feb. 23

[Da Coach]

There are 5 MVC games Saturday, Feb. 22 - https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...ype/2/group/18
2:00 pm- Evansville at UIC- on ESPM+
5:00 pm- Murray State at Bradley- on ESPNU & ESPN+
5:00 pm- Indiana State at Belmont- on ESPN+
6:00 pm- Valparaiso at SIU- on ESPN+
7:00 pm- Illinois State at Missouri State- on ESPN+

And one more MVC game Sunday, Feb. 23 - https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...ype/2/group/18
3:00 pm- Drake at Northern Iowa- on ESPN2 & ESPN+

MVC Standings - https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...ngs/_/group/18

[braves16]

Flames hold off the Purple Aces 82-77.

[Da Coach]

Box score- UIC 82 Evansville 77 - https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...meId/401722540

[bigjimmy]

Evansville had a 5 point lead in the second half but went without a Field Goal for over 8:00, getting outscored 20-4.

[Da Coach]

It is looking like the game that is currently on ESPN2 (Florida Atlantic at Memphis) will not be over by the 3:00 start time for the Drake-UNI game.
Memphis leads FAU 76-49, so there is no chance it will extend to overtime. But there is more than 5 minutes left in the game.
Here is the ESPN+ link if anyone needs it - https://www.espn.com/espnplus/player...1-e857b805a42f

[Da Coach]

The game is on ESPN2 now, and one thing that is really annoying is the massive amount of reflective glare off the UNI court. I have never seen a college or pro basketball court that has that much glare that obscures the play. They need to put up shades over the west side windows in the McCleod Center arena to minimize the reflection for the TV cameras.

[braves16]

Drake up 30-27 at half.

[tomahawk chop]

Drake up 30-27 at half.

In this game the officials have not called a lot of fouls, had we been playing and guarded the same way we would have been whistled for at least 6 more fouls. I think UNI has only been called for 4 fouls in the first half.

[bigjimmy]

What a game! OVERTIME!

[braves16]

Bulldogs win in OT 64-58.

[bigjimmy]

Just an amazing effort and game by both teams.

[Da Coach]

Final stats- Drake 64 UNI 58 - https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...meId/401722545
I didn't think either team played great. Stirtz was his usual terrific self, 26 points, 10 rebounds. They also got 17 points off the bench by Tavion Banks. But, of the other 6 Drake players who saw action, three were scoreless, and the other three combined for only a total of 19 points.
Northern Iowa shot poorly, 19-52 overall (36.5%) and 3-17 from three (17.6%). They were out-rebounded by a smaller Drake lineup 41-29. UNI is down a couple players due to injury, but a couple of their replacements who really hurt Bradley (Max Weisbrod and Cael Schmidt) were scoreless in 53 minutes of playing time. In UNI's win over Bradley, Weisbrod had a season-high 18 points, and Schmidt had a season-high 12 points.

MVC Standings after 18 games - https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...owPct/dir/desc

[BUSongwriter]

I see that Drake got a dozen votes in the AP Top 25 poll -- more than Gonzaga and Illinois. Yet most bracketologists have the Zags and Illini comfortably in the Big Dance and Drake having to win the MVC tournament. I'm MVC biased, but even if I wasn't, I would think the win at UNI should have sealed the NCAA tournament deal for Drake, provided they take care of business the next two games, which they should. When the Bulldogs lose to us in the MVC finals they would be 29-4. I don't know how you would keep a team with that record that is the conference champs of a top 10 conference out. I know they did it to Indiana State last year with a much higher NET -- though with six losses. Still, if it happens again, I would hope our commissioner, coaches, and ADs would lead a howling chorus of protests.