The MVC is generally regarded as the best of the "mid-major" conferences. It traditionally puts multiple teams into the NCAA Tournament, and those teams can win games once they are there. There are also not many "bad" teams at the bottom of the standings, so that creates a very competitive regular season and conference tournament. The conference tourney is known as "Arch Madness", because it is played in St. Louis (GET IT?), and CBS has noticed and began televising the championship game in recent years.
This year, traditional lower tier teams Drake and Illinois State have risen and grabbed the top 2 seeds, with usual powers Southern Illinois and Creighton at 3 and 4. Should make for a compelling tournament. The only team that is safely in is Drake. Illinois State could get an at large bid if the cards fall right, but they should be focused on winning the thing just in case. Everyone else will need to win the tourney to play anymore.
FIRST ROUND (all tournament games in St. Louis):
8 Indiana State
9 Wichita State
7 Missouri State
10 Evansville
QUARTERFINALS:
1 Drake
8 Indiana State
4 Creighton
5 Bradley
3 Southern Illinois
6 Northern Iowa
2 Illinois State
7 Missouri State
SEMIFINALS:
1 Drake
4 Creighton
2 Illinois State
3 Southern Illinois
CHAMPIONSHIP:
1 Drake
2 Illinois State
Yes, yes, I picked straight chalk. I am ashamed of myself, but based on the evidence I have collected, this is the most likely scenario to unfold. I honestly hope I am wrong, because straight chalk is never fun.
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