Previewing the Madness: The Missouri Valley Tournament

The Valley didn't end up being quite as good as we expected it to be this season. If the league does end up getting two bids to the NCAA Tournament -- which is a longshot -- it won't be the result of either Missouri State or Wichita State playing their way in, it will be the two mid-majors reaping the benefits of some of the bigger schools losing too many meaningful games down the stretch.

While the quality of the teams in the league may be down from what we are used too, that doesn't mean it is any less balanced or exciting. While early surges by Northern Iowa and Indiana State faded down the stretch, MSU and WSU remained, battling it out on the last day of the regular season for the conference's regular season title. The Bears won, sweeping the Shockers and winning the championship just two years after finishing in last place.

Where: Scottrade Center in St. Louis, MO

When: March 3rd-6th

Final: March 6th, 1:05 pm CBS


Favorites: Missouri State Bears

The Bears are an interesting team. They aren't deep, playing just a seven man rotation, but they are balanced and have weapons at every spot on the floor. MVC player of the year Kyle Weems leads the way. He's a versatile, 6'7" forward with three point range as well as the ability to score inside. He's joined up front by bruiser Will Creekmore and slashing small forward Jermaine Mallett. Adam Leonard is the sharp shooter on this team, while Nafis Ricks is the playmaker at the point. Cuonzo Martin has himself a balanced team with a lot of weapons.

• Other Contenders: The only other team you can really consider a contender is Wichita State, who I actually think is the best team in the Valley. The Shockers are your prototypical Valley team. They go 10 deep. They have a very balanced attack. They have some size, they have some shooters, and they defend. They aren't going to force you into many turnovers, but you aren't going to get many good looks or second shots. JT Durley heads up a quality front court, and while Toure' Murry has been a bit disappointing this season, David Kyles has developed into a solid weapon on the offensive end.
  

Sleeper: Indiana State Sycamores

Its not really a sleeper when you are the third team in the league, but given that the MVC is all of ten team deep, we'll allow it. The Sycamores come into Arch Madness on a five game winning streak in MVC play after starting out the year 7-1 with wins over Northern Iowa, Creighton, and Missouri State. They stumbled a bit in the middle of the season, but with starting forward Carl Richard scheduled to return, ISU has a shot at this. No Larry Bird.

• Deeper Sleeper: Creighton hasn't quite put it together this season, but they have an awesome front line. Doug McDermott, Harrison Barnes' high school teammate, has turned in a freshman campaign averaging 14.3 ppg and 7.6 rpg. Gregory Echenique, a Rutgers transfers, and Kenny Lawson round out the front line. The issue will be on the perimeter. Will Antoine Young get any help?
  

Players to Watch:

• Doug McDermott, Creighton: Interesting note about McDermott. He was supposed to go to UNI to play for Ben Jacobson, but when Gregg McDermott, Doug's father, went from Iowa State to Creighton, Doug followed him there.
  
• Colt Ryan, Evansville: Ryan has been awesome in relative anonymity for two seasons, but now that the Purple Aces have a shot to make some noise, Ryan deserves credit. He's third in the league in scoring and playing the best basketball of his life as he is coming off of a career-high 32 points on Saturday.