THE VALLEY (The Missouri Valley Conference) THREAD

No. 9 Wichita State easily beats Emporia State 76-54

Emporia State coach Shaun Vandiver told his team that No. 9 Wichita State was going to play with a chip on its shoulder after its first November loss since 2011.

Ron Baker had 23 points and the Shockers built a 25-point halftime lead to cruise past NCAA Division II Emporia State 76-54 on Saturday, bouncing back from a 77-67 loss at Tulsa on Tuesday.

read more http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400818872

 

Northern Iowa stuns No. 1 North Carolina

North Carolina scheduled a trip to Northern Iowaas a homecoming for Marcus Paige.

The Tar Heels could have used their senior star against the Panthers.

Wes Washpun scored 21 points, and Northern Iowa stunned top-ranked North Carolina 71-67 on Saturday -- just a week after losing to Colorado State at home.

read more http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400817213

 

Northern Iowa edges Iowa State for second upset of top-5 opponent

Northern Iowa has a knack for playing its best against the best.

The unranked Panthers pulled off another big upset Saturday night, handing fifth-ranked Iowa State its first loss of the season.

Wes Washpun set career highs with 28 points and 11 assists, and Northern Iowa upset the Cyclones 81-79 Saturday night for its second win over a top-five opponent this season.

Read more http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400813754

 

No. 22 Wichita St uses balanced scoring to top Loyola 80-54

After a blowout win, it was single-digit numbers on the stat sheet that caught the eye of Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall.

Ron Baker had eight points, seven rebounds, six steals and five assists to help the No. 22 Shockers rout Loyola of Chicago 80-54 on Wednesday night.

Read more http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400844424

 

No. 21 Wichita State runs away from Southern Illinois, 76-55

There were many reasons Southern Illinois coach Barry Hinson could point to in trying to explain how his team, tied for second in the Missouri Valley Conference, has lost to Wichita State twice this season, each time by more than 20 points.

One stood out Wednesday night after No. 21 Wichita State's 76-55 victory over the Salukis.

Read more http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400844526

 

Lee, Illinois State top No. 21 Wichita State 58-53

Illinois State was down by 16 against No. 21 Wichita State when Paris Lee took over.

Lee scored 13 of his career-high 19 points in the second half, helping the Redbirds rally for a 58-53 victory over the Shockers on Saturday night.

Read more http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400843884

 

No. 25 Wichita State pounds Drake 74-48

Wichita State bounced back from a rare league loss by spreading the ball around in yet another blowout win.

Ron Baker and Shaq Morris had 11 points each and No. 25 Wichita State pounded Drake 74-48 on Tuesday night for its 13th win in 14 games.

Read more http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400843824

 

Northern Iowa holds on to beat No. 25 Wichita State, 53-50

The better the opponent, the better Northern Iowa seems to play.

That was the case when the Panthers beat then-No. 1 North Carolina in November.

Same thing when they knocked off then-No. 5 Iowa State in December.

It was certainly the case Saturday, when Klint Carlson and Wyatt Lohaus led them to a 53-50 victory over No. 25 Wichita State, ending the Shockers' nation-leading 43-game home winning streak.

Read more http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400844518

 

Wichita's defense sends Zona to early NCAA exit

Fred VanVleet and Ron Baker combined for 29 points and Wichita State's swarming defense did the rest as the Shockers beat Arizona 65-55 on Thursday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament

Read more http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400871273

 

Northern Iowa's halfcourt heave stuns Texas

Paul Jesperson banked in a half-court shot at the buzzer to give 11th seeded Northern Iowa a 75-72 win over No. 6 seed Texas Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament's West Region.

Read more http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400871257

 

Late free throw sends Indiana St. past No. 16 Butler 72-71

Indiana State's Brenton Scott wanted to show everyone that he's just as good as his twin brother.

And just as capable of leading his team to a big upset.

Scott broke a tie by making the first of two free throws with 0.8 seconds left and finished with 25 points Wednesday night as the Sycamores snapped a nine-game losing streak against ranked teams with a 72-71 upset over No. 16 Butler.

Read more http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400918211

 

No. 21 Wichita State beats Bradley 82-56 in MVC Tournament

Wichita State used its depth to overpower Bradley in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament quarterfinals.

Darral Willis Jr. scored 17 points and Rashard Kelly added 14 as the 21st-ranked Shockers rolled to an 82-56 victory Friday night. They will face sixth-seeded Missouri State in the semifinals on Saturday.

Read more http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400945344

 

The Valley loses its Bell Cow as WSU has accepted an invitation to join the AAC as of next season

 

Valley leaders to hold an emergency meeting on Sunday
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/st...rgency-meeting-set-sunday-st-louis/100040752/

 

Valley maybe going after four teams
http://www.cbssports.com/college-ba...ll-voids-left-by-wichita-state-and-creighton/

 

Missouri Valley Conference extends invite to Valparaiso

The Missouri Valley Conference has decided to replace Wichita State with Valparaiso.

The league announced its nine members unanimously voted to extend an invitation to Valparaiso to join the league, effective for this coming season. The Crusaders have been in the Horizon League since 2007 and have gone to the NCAA tournament twice in the last five seasons.

Murray State, Milwaukee and Omaha were also under consideration.

Read more http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...onference-extends-invite-valparaiso-crusaders

 

No. 7 Wichita State blows past Missouri-Kansas City 109-57.

Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall would prefer his best big men dominate inside.

But when senior posts Darral Willis, Shaquille Morris and Rauno Nurger combined for four 3-pointers in the first 7 minutes of Friday night's opener against Missouri-Kansas City.

Marshall was not complaining.

"They make them in practice, so I guess it's good," Marshall said. "It certainly opens the floor, and we were getting great looks."

The seventh-ranked Shockers took full advantage, pummeling Missouri-Kansas City 109-57 on 60.9 percent shooting.

read more http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400987931

 

No. 6 Wichita State overpowers College of Charleston 81-63

Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall was anxious to get a look at the play by play after his No. 6 Shockers defeated College of Charleston 81-63 on Monday night.

read more http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400987940

 

No. 6 Wichita State rallies from 18 down to beat Cal 92-82

Wichita State's players looked stunned against California's defensive pressure, throwing errant passes easily picked off, casting up rushed shots as their deficit climbed.

The Final Four? The Shockers didn't look like they could get out of the first round in Maui.

With one necessary, tactical switch, Wichita State looked more like one of the nation's best teams over the final 15 minutes, leaving the Bears wondering what happened.

Forced into a full-court press to lengthen the game, No. 6 Wichita State hit the Bears with a barrage of traps and layups to turn an 18-point deficit in a wild, 92-82 victory on Monday at the Maui Invitational.

read more http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400987957

 

No. 8 Wichita State blows out Savannah State 112-66

Facing an opponent that can look like a blur, Wichita State guard Samajae Haynes-Jones was pretty sure he would feel at home Tuesday night.

The quickest Shocker took full advantage, coming off the bench for 31 points to lead No. 8 Wichita State past Savannah State 112-66.

read more http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400987976