Eight MVC schools start their seasons this weekend (SIU is already 2-0 and Indiana State plays Tuesday). Four matchups stand out. MSU is at Auburn tonight in coach Cuonzo Martin’s debut. Bradley plays at Florida on Sunday (1:15 p.m., ESPNU). Both could get ugly. Creighton plays New Mexico on Sunday afternoon. Drake and Butler play Saturday. The Bluejays need a win at home if they are going to be the Valley rep everyone expects.
- WSU coach Gregg Marshall speaks later today. His depth is improving slowly. Aaron Ellis (sprained toe) practiced Thursday. Mantas Griskenas (sprained ankle) did not. He said he tried to run Wednesday and felt too much pain. He was riding a bike during Thursday’s practice. Gabe Blair looks close to returning from his back injury. He was shooting and jumping more actively than I have seen in awhile.
- Lyndal Scranton of the Springfield News-Leader calls the Bears finishing 16-16 and 9-9 in the MVC. Since everybody else sees MSU finishing last, Lyndal is going against the tide. I can see them breaking out of last. Finishing 9-9 is a lot to bite off. Coach Zo and the newcomers must be quite impressive.
- Northern Iowa center Jordan Eglseder may miss the opener.
- Illinois State coach Tim Jankovich likes his team’s defensive attitude. Beat writer Jim Benson lays out three scenarios for this season.
- The Sycamores are behind.
- TCU is almost as inexperienced as the Shockers.
- So is UMKC. I’m marking this Dec. 19 game as more important than your average low-profile non-conference game. People will be patient with the Shockers this season. However, some air goes out of the balloon with a home loss to the Kangaroos.