MVC Tourney Coming

So here’s where things are with the MVC heading into the conference tournament:

Wichita State               14-4     23-7
Southern Illinois      12-6     19-10
Missouri State         12-6     20-7
Creighton               12-6     19-8
Bradley                   11-7    18-9
Northern Iowa         11-7    22-8
Evansville                 5-13    9-18
Drake                      5-13   12-18
Indiana State                4-14   12-15
Illinois State             4-14    9-18

So what’s interesting about this?  Two days ago, Northern Iowa was ranked 25th in the country.  They are now the SIXTH seed in the MVC tournament, and have to face a hot Missouri State in their opening game.  Creighton and Bradley play in the 4-5 game, with the winner probably putting themselves in position for a tourney bid.  Evansville also managed to go from 10th to 7th just by beating Indiana State.

If you want to see the MVC bracket, click on MVC bracket.

Personal opinion is the despite the struggles, Northern Iowa is probably in due to the 22 wins.  Wichita State is a mortal lock.  Missouri State is probably in.  Southern Illinois, Creighton, and Bradley need at least one win.  Creighton and Bradley probably need 2, and because they face each other in the first round, they won’t both go.  I’m expecting 4 teams from the MVC to get into the NCAA tournament.  There’s an argument for 5, but I just have a tough time seeing it from a league that’s never gotten more than 3.  The only way they get 5 is if a couple of the bubble teams get into the MVC finals.