The MVC coaches call covered the expected topics: 1) Valley RPI, 2) Injuries and semester additions and 3) “We’re still learning.”
- Bradley is waiting on the status of forward John Wilkins, who may still join the team for the second semester. The earliest Wilkins could play, after serving a five-game suspension, is Jan. 6 against Illinois State. The bad news is junior Andrew Warren is sidelined with a stress fracture in his foot and may not play this season. Warren averaged 13.2 points last season.
- Illinois State is down two players, both of whom may come back soon. Or may not. Forward Bobby HIll (knee) is practicing in a limited fashion. Guard Alex Rubin (broken foot) will be 100 percent soon, coach Tim Jankovich said. Jankovich said the tough decision will be whether to redshirt one or both or try to work them into the rotation over the remainder of the season. Hill, who can help inside, seems to be the more important of the two players.
- Missouri State coach Cuonzo Martin is excited about adding forward Will Creekmore, a transfer from Boston eligible later this month. “I expect him to bring energy, rebounding and a level of toughness,” Martin said.
- Northern Iowa forward Adam Rodenburg, a transfer from Cal-Irvine, is eligible for Sunday’s game against South Dakota State.
- Southern Illinois center Nick Evans is back earlier from a broken left wrist. He played in Saturday’s loss to Nevada. Freshman Anthony Booker, bothered by a hamstring injury, missed one game and played two minutes against Nevada. Booker, the MVC’s top-rated recruit, is averaging 2.9 points and 12.3 minutes.
- SIU coach Chris Lowery talks about defense, freshmen, Romper Room and leaving SIU.
- The coaches are no doubt aware the MVC is hanging around 10th in the various RPI rankings. It is too early for them to be too bothered. Lowery pointed to the Valley’s 41-10 record at home and 6-17 on the road. His Salukis are 3-5 entering tonight’s game at Northern Illinois. They have played at Western Kentucky and Nevada and played neutral-court games against UCLA and Duke. “Our league is not chicken to go and play people,” Lowery said. “Our league is going to play in tough venues and tough spots.”
- The Atlantic-10 is going to the the national darling outside the BCS conferences, and with good reason. Saturday’s wins over Kansas (UMass) and Tennessee (Temple) clinched that. It is worth pointing out the MVC is 5-1 against the A-10, and not by picking on Fordham and St. Bonaventure.