Read the story here.

The Evansville Aces

1. Its national reputation in college basketball. The Aces are known for three, and maybe only three, things in college hoops. 1. The Aces were once a Division II power. Remember Jerry Sloan? He was the best Ace of all. 2. The 1977 plane crash that claimed the lives of the players and coaching staff. 3. The short-sleeve jerseys that the Aces wore until a few years ago. Old school. Love it. But past that . . . . 3 points.

2. Where its best players rate historically among the conference’s best. Only Marcus Wilson stands out on an all-time Valley list, and he doesn’t really stand out all that much. Good player, maybe a great player. 2 points.

3. Its home arena. Roberts Stadium gets extra points for being named a stadium and not an arena. Its concourse has great displays honoring college and high school basketball in southwestern Indiana. Legend has it that Roberts could rock when packed. Of course, we haven’t seen it packed in more than a decade, even in good times. 5 points.

4. Its home fans. Rather unremarkable. 2 points.

5. Its home city. Evansville, Ind., has a casino. And Bosse Field, home of the old Evansville Triplets and one of the ballparks used in 1992’s “A League of Their Own.” 4 points.

6. Its mascot and school colors. Purple Aces, purple and orange. They’ve gotten away from the Riverboat Gambling Guy who was supposed to represent an Ace. Guess I can understand that. Points deducted, though, because old baseball coach Jim Brownlee disliked purple so much that he put his ballplayers in navy blue instead. Fashion faux paus! 4 points.

7. Most colorful players and coaches from the school. I don’t know how colorful Brian Jackson is/was, but the Wichita Heights product led the Aces and the nation in three-point shooting in 1997 or so. Jim Crews wasn’t colorful, either, but he’s been the Aces’ most successful coach as Valley members. 5 points.

8. And, finally, a chance to earn 10 bonus points based on none of the above. Here’s my plea to the Aces and current coach Marty Simmons: It’s time, guys. Bring back the short sleeves. They’re cool. They’re distinctive. They’re a talking point. 5 points.

That’s 30 points.

Now the Shockers.

1. Its national reputation in college basketball. I dare say that when national observers are asked to name a team from the Missouri Valley, WSU is probably thought of first. Over Creighton, SIU, Bradley, all of them. WSU’s glory years may be few and far between, but they are undoubtedly memorable to more than just Kansans. 7 points.

2. Where its best players rate historically among the conference’s best. I’d put Littleton, Stallworth, Carr, McDaniel and Levingston up against anybody. Well, OK, I’d start Ernie Moore at point guard and bring Levingston off the bench, and Moore could have to play 40 minutes, but you get the idea. 9 points.

3. Its home arena. A pre-renovation Roundhouse might’ve gotten hammered in these rankings, but not Koch Arena. A new arena with an old feel. Can’t ask for much more, can you? 9 points.

4. Its home fans. It’s been said many times: When 6,000 fans will show up nightly to watch a horrible Scott Thompson team, that’s all you need to know. Some newcomer-type fans have probably lost a bit of perspective this season, but at least they’ve lost that perspective while firmly planted in their seats. And there have been several times this season when the crowd goes nuts even in a meaningless game. You love your hoops, folks. 10 points.

5. Its home city. Tough one as a lifelong Doo-Dahian. Let’s put it this way, I’ll take Wichita over Terre Haute, Cedar Falls, Carbondale, Evansville and Normal in a heartbeat. Slight edge over Springfield (hey, Branson’s only a bounce pass away!) and Peoria. Maybe just behind Omaha and Des Moines because those towns seem a little more forward-thinking and more integral to
their states. But hey, we’re the home to White Castles, Coleman coolers and Barry Sanders! 8 points.

6. Its mascot and school colors. Shockers, sunflower yellow and black. I’ve said it before, I’m a huge fan of original nicknames. And Shockers is as original as it gets. I may have told this story before, but a newcomer to the Eagle newsroom a decade ago asked about WuShock and its origins. When told, she came up with an imitation of WuShock’s face, crinkling her face and yelling, “I’M WHEAT! I’M WHEAT, DAMMIT!” And you don’t mess with wheat. 10 points.

7. Most colorful players and coaches from the school. Gene Smithson, Xavier McDaniel, Sasha Radunovich. The list goes on. 5 points.

8. And, finally, a chance to earn 10 bonus points based on none of the above. There are plenty of reasons to give bonus points, but they’re all taken away because Bob Elmore, a three-time All-Valley pick (WSU’s only one, by the way) is still not in the Shocker Sports Hall of Fame. The members of the selection committee have dissed Big Mo for years. It’s time they got off their high horses and honored the program’s most dominant center. 0 points.

That’s 58 points.

Hmm, this won’t look like a homer call to anyone around the conference, will it?

Final standings
Wichita State 58
Creighton 55
Bradley 54
Southern Illinois 45
Illinois State 43
Missouri State 39
Northern Iowa 33
Indiana State 32
Evansville 30
Drake 29

Interesting how the last-place team in these standings is the Valley champ and ranked team this year?

Enjoy the game and Paul’s blog-o-rama tomorrow night.

It was a 59-foul game, but that’s more the type of game it was than an indictment of the officiating.

Braeuer ended with 23, five in the second half, and will be the Kansas.com Player of the Game.

That’s it from the Roundhouse. Paul will steer you through the Evansville game on Feb. 26.

0:02.1, overtime: SIU 72, WSU 67

Green makes 1 of 2, SIU’s up six. Braeuer misses a long three, but Cooz is there for the follow and foul with 20.8 to play. Four-point game. Cooz misses the FT, foul with 18.8 to play.

Boyle makes one, it’s 73-67. That’ll do it after two WSU misses. Cooz fouls out with 17 points and 2.1 seconds to play.

0:33.8, overtime: SIU 70, WSU 65

Clemente misses the first in a hushed arena. Seriously, I heard Clemente breathing. He makes the second.

Harris and Preadom enter to foul, but it takes them 13 seconds. Braeuer and Mekel re-enter as Green makes both, it’s 70-64 with 45.5 to play.

Cooz is fouled driving with 37.8 to play. Some fans are starting to head out, including one of my best friends. Shame on you.

Cooz makes the first, misses the second and WSU fouls with 33.8 to go.

0:54.5, overtime: SIU 68, WSU 63

Braeuer fouls Bone with 1:28 to play. Bone — great name for a Saluki, eh? — misses the first, misses the second. A reprieve?

Mekel misses a 15-footer and WSU gets a tie-up alternate possession. Down five with 1:10 to go.

Mekel misses a forced shot, but Clemente is fouled putting up a rebound. Shaw fouls out with six points.

1:32, overtime: SIU 68, WSU 63

Falker gets his fourth foul on what he thought was a good block of a Cooz shot. Cooz misses the first, misses the second, WSU is still 0-for-overtime.

Mullins, with great court awareness, hits Bone in the corner for a three that rattles in, it’s 66-60. WSU has to score here. Clemente, not the guy you think would be the go-to man for a basket here, makes a driving shot and gets a free throw with 2:03 to play. It’s good, 66-63.

Fans wanted a charge on Mullins, who barreled into Clemente after dishing to Falker for a layup and five-point lead. WSU turned it over with 1:35 to go.

3:24, overtime: SIU 63, WSU 60

Attrition and foul trouble could be the keys here. Clemente and Thomasson won’t come out until they foul out. Falker starts the OT period with an inside basket.

Falker makes a big play by tipping Braeuer’s three, a big-time play, SIU gets the rebound.

Thomasson threw an off-balance Falker to the ground and Phil will leave with 3:56 to play. Ellis re-enters.

SIU, by the way, had not led the entire second half before near the end of regulation. Its last lead was 29-26 in the first half.

Falker hits 1 of 2, it’s a three-point Dog lead.

Ellis’ pass is taken away, SIU has it and calls a time-out when Falker is trapped on the baseline.

Let’s go to overtime: SIU 60, WSU 60

It’s Couisnard, Thomasson, Mekel, Braeuer and Clemente for WSU. Cooz gets it and drives, missing the shot but getting the foul with 9.6 to play. The first one bounces out, the second one is perfect. Tie game.

Mullins threw a cross-court pass that was tipped by Clemente and into the hands of Shaw, who was tangled up but still got a shot off at the buzzer that hit the rim. Overtime.

An entertaining night.

0:16.7, 2nd half: SIU 60, WSU 59

WSU will go man defense here, Braeuer on Mullins. Mullins drives inside and finds Falker, but Cooz blocks his first try, his second try misses, then Cooz fouls him on the third try. The guy is just tough. He makes the first FT to tie it, then makes the second for the lead with 36.3 to go.

Will WSU hold for the last shot? Nothing was happening, so Marshall called a timeout with 16.7 to play.

0:48.4, 2nd half: WSU 59, SIU 58

Shaw hit 1 of 2 FTs for SIU, then Mekel missed a three that was probably too early in the possession. Salukis got the rebound and called a timeout. Watch Mullins!!!!!

1:19, 2nd half: WSU 59, SIU 57

A TV viewer notes I was ready to take the charge from Green when he leaped the table. In all honesty, I was thinking, “Should I grab my laptop?”

Mullins won’t go away. He’s got 13 now after another three, WSU’s up three with 3 to play.

Thomasson hasn’t done much tonight, but his tip of a Mekel miss puts WSU up five again. Now he gets to try to avoid No. 5 with Falker inside. Falker comes out, though, sets a screen and Mullins nails another three.

Now Falker gets a steal of a Cooz pass, SIU has it with 1 1/2 to play down two. WSU is in a man and Braeuer is whistled with an inadvertant block trying to follow his man through the lane. SIU will have FTs after the WSU timeout.

3:43, 2nd half: WSU 55, SIU 51

SIU hasn’t made a run yet, but WSU seems ready to answer anything at this point.

Fans are going nuts. SIU is average this year, but this would still be a great win for Marshall and a struggling team.

Bone hits a three, though, seven-point game.

Beat Writer Paul points out Braeuer’s 23 is a career high. Something tells me he could be at the line later, too.

They’re leaving Mullins open in the corner, and he busted another three to make it 53-48. He’s got 10.

Clemente gets his fourth foul after battling Falker. SIU’s going four out, one in to isolate Falker. Falker only makes two-thirds of his FTs, though, hitting 1 of 2 here.

Durley fouls out at the 4:35 mark, trying to keep Falker from grabbing a rebound. He had three points and did an OK job battling Falker. Thomasson will replace him, though he has four himself. Marshall may bring Dave the Rave out of the crowd if Phil gets No. 5.

Falker makes two, it’s 55-51. SIU gets it back when Ellis travels trying to corral a bad pass.

7:27, 2nd half: WSU 52, SIU 42

I started shaking my head when Lance Harris pulled up for a three-pointer. Of course he made it. 44-39. SIU gets one back on a FT.

Cooz re-entered at the timeout. Looks fine. Clemente’s FTs makes it 46-40.

After an SIU basket, Falker picks up his third foul. Mekel replaces Harris after a long rest. Clemente makes 1 of 2, 47-42.

The SIU radio analyst next to me just took SIU’s Green head-on as Green tried to save a ball from going out. His notes are toast. Meanwhile, Mekel hits a three and WSU is charged with two fouls, but Falker misses a front end, 50-42.

The analyst is verklempt.

Braeuer drives for a basket and does a backward roll afterward. Checks his headband, he’s fine.

After a quick SIU three miss, Durley throws a baseball pass into row 7. Close.

11:46, 2nd half: WSU 41, SIU 39

We welcome those of you who saw Kansas State defeat Missouri 100-63 on “K-Stated.” This is Kirk Seminoff and Kirk Seminoff at Koch Arena, where WSU leads Southern Illinois 37-31.

A nice time-out moment, when Dave Stallworth was recognized for scoring 46 points in the Shockers’ upset of No. 1 Cincinnati on this date 45 years ago. My mom used to talk about that one all the time. Story got better each time. Standing ovation for the Rave. The man oughta get one of those every time he walks into Dillons.

Thomasson just had some mutterances for Gerry Pollard after being whistled for a third foul. Pollard didn’t let it go, had some words back at Phil.

Phil goes out, Durley in with two fouls.

I think Pollard’s getting tired of the comments. He said something to Mekel, who just drew his second, and it wasn’t about tucking in his jersey.

SIU misses 1 of 2 but gets the rebound . . . but Mekel draws a charge. Good moving of the feet. Then he moves his feet at the offensive end for traveling.

Mullins’ three from the corner makes it a 37-35 WSU lead. Braeuer is out, probably not until the under-12 timeout (as Jim Nantz likes to say).

Durley picks up No. 3 trying to stop Falker. That’s an experience mismatch. Clemente and Braeuer come in for Cooz (he’s cramping behind the bench) and Mekel.

Falker makes two FTs to close the lead to one. WSU’s Ellis misses the front end.

Durley has four fouls. Either that fact or the call itself led Marshall to throw his coat behind the bench. Not in a technical foul way.

This one could get away if WSU doesn’t watch out. Green scores inside, is fouled, misses and SIU leads 39-38. Cooz is back on the bench but not in the game after cramps.

But then there’s Braeuer for a huge three. He’s got 21. WSU by two.

Media TO when play stops when Mullins hits the deck. Methinks he got hit where it hurts most.

15:46, 2nd half: WSU 37, SIU 31

Well, let’s see if the theory about WSU playing better first-half defense in front of its bench comes to fruition. WSU catches a break when Green misses a chippie and fouls Couisnard on the rebound.

Falker scores over Thomasson, and they’re having a heckuva battle. Falker appears much stronger, Thomasson a bit quicker. They’re getting tangled at both ends.

Cooz hits a three off a Clemente pass for a 34-31 lead. WSU rebounds and gets an SIU block when Mekel drives — somewhat uncontrolled — into the lane. He makes two to make it a 36-31 game.

WSU’s in a three-quarter court press, then backs into a zone, with Thomasson trying to body up Falker inside. But Falker really isn’t working for the ball all that hard, and Cooz blocks Shaw’s three out of bounds. Then Falker pushes off for a second foul on the inbounds pass. Falker goes out.

Team fouls, second half: SIU 4, WSU 0.

Couisnard gets his second foul on a charge to the basket.

Halftime: Y, M, C, whoa

“Christopher” is the halftime entertainment. He’s dressed as all five Village People — he’s the Indian Chief with two dummies in front, two behind. Wow . . . I’m speechless.

SIU scoring: Bone 6, Green 5, Shaw 5, Boyle 5, Clemmons 3, Mullins 3, Fay 2, Falker a big ol’ goose egg. Salukis are hitting 40.0 from the field, 5 of 10 threes, 4 of 8 at the line.

WSU scoring: Braeuer 18, Couisnard 6, Durley 3, Ellis 2, Thomasson 2. WSU’s hitting 48.1 percent from the field, 2 of 12 threes, 3 of 5 from the line.

Christopher, by the way, got a standing ovation. I’m still speechless, however.

WSU has forced nine turnovers and committed six. Other than some opportune threes, SIU has been off-kilter offensively.

Halftime: WSU 31, SIU 29

A word about cheerleaders throwing freebies into the crowd. Usually we here on press row take cover because we’re liable to get plunked in the head. Tonight, though, I watched one of the cheerleaders take one of the game-sized basketballs all the way into the stands, past at least 100 fans asking for it, and gave it to a particular person — maybe her dad — who then hugged and kissed her. I ASK YOU, GREG: Is that fair? This is the United States of America!

SIU has scored seven straight for the lead, though Durley ties it with a three-point play with 55 seconds to go. WSU’s in a zone for this late possession, they double-team Falker and get the rebound.

Braeuer in transition makes a layup, goes to the ground and again keeps his head far from the floor. 31-29.

SIU travels, which has Chris Lowery so mad at his guys, he can be seen yelling, “Pass the . . . ball.” (You can insert what the . . . held.)

Marshall takes his 30-second timeout for the half. Cooz almost gets a three off but there’s great defense. He passes to Durley, and if he was listening to the student clock-countoff, he thought the buzzer was coming. But the students were a half-second ahead and he rushed and missed a 15-footer.

Great first half.

2:22, 1st half: WSU 26, SIU 22

Falker’s back in for the first time since about the 15-minute mark.

We go to the media TO with Marshall jawing with Gerry Pollard. Or “at” Gerry Pollard. Pollard nods, slaps him on the shoulder, then walks away.

3:04, 1st half: WSU 26, SIU 20

Really Loud Whistling Guy is back in the Roundhouse, this time in the front row of the student section. Bob Lutz may go kill him at halftime. Or sooner.

Big faces in the crowd tonight include Bob Lutz, Gregg Marshall, Matt Braeuer (with headband) and Gene Stephenson. Baseball’s six days away . . .

Tonight’s halftime entertainment is The Puppet Master. Hmm.

Clemente gets an offensive foul and goes to the bench with two. Durley is back in the game with two himself.

It’s Matt Braeuer 16, SIU 15. And WSU Others 4.

Cooz hits two FTs for a 22-17 lead. WSU’s defense — and Braeuer — has been the difference so far. They’re not giving SIU many easy opportunities (otherwise known as “looks”).

Braeuer gets a breather at the 4 1/2-minute mark. Mullins’ three makes is 22-20.

Ellis makes a nice baseline drive for a four-point lead. Next time down, Cooz makes a nifty drive (avoids the flop from Boyle) and scores. Then SIU is forced to call a 30 at midcourt. WSU’s up 26-20.

6:45, 1st half: WSU 18, SIU 15

Every Shocker coach — EVERY ONE — checked the team fouls on the scoreboard. A look of amazement from every one. WSU has seven team fouls, SIU 3. I’m sure the word “reputation” is going through their heads — SIU is known as a great defensive team, not a fouling one.

We have a Wendell Preadom sighting. He’s in at the 10:44 mark.

Clemente has a foul now, Durley two, Thomasson one.

Braeuer already has nine points after his three ties it at 13. WSU didn’t get the ball inside the arc that time. Boyle scores on the SIU end.

Braeuer drives and puts it up for two, crashing into the defender but nobody’s hurt. No foul, either. Tied at 15.

Clemente misses two foul shots, something you can’t do in a low-scoring game like SIU will force you into. Well, SIU missed two, too.

Braeuer might be the only Shocker — except for the student in row 23 — that doesn’t have a foul yet. Double bonus on the next one.

Wow, Braeuer’s feeling it. His three gives WSU an 18-15 lead, he’s got 14 of the 18 points. Padded headbands for everyone!

In transition, Braeuer tried one from 25 feet. He missed but it got the crowd buzzing.

10:44, 1st half: SIU 11, WSU 10

Foul trouble already for Durley, who gets an offensive foul with 14:35 to go. He’s out, Thomasson in. SIU’s playing without Falker, so they’re challenged inside. Green gets a second foul trying to tip the ball his way.

Braeuer has hit the floor twice the past two minutes, and each time, he’s made a concerted effort to keep his head far from the floor. Lance Harris and Brett Burley make their first appearances. Burley just created a turnover — well, the SIU guy traveled.

WSU has two scorers (Cooz, Mekel), three non-scorers (Harris, Burley, Aaron Ellis) in there. Ellis gets an over-the-back call and the first thing Marshall does is check the team foul count — WSU 6, SIU 2.

Bone makes it 10-8 with an SIU 3. Next time down he gets a kick-out from Mullins for another three and the lead.

14:55, 1st half: WSU 8, SIU 4

Phil Thomasson gets WSU going with a putback off a Couisnard double-teamed miss. Tyrone Green finds a cutting Shaw to tie it up for SIU.

Watching on TV? Focus on how SIU guards. It’s just 30-percent harder and more intense than anything we’ve seen in the arena this season. You won’t score 70 on them, and if you get 60, you’ll earn every single point.

J.T. Durley is the first sub, replacing Thomasson after a bad screen out front resulted in a foul.

Falker has committed two turnovers already. But he’s a bear inside. So strong, so sound fundamentally.

Couisnard is called for a charge. Crowd didn’t like it, but he bulled in there just a bit. Marshall is already lobbying Don Daily for help later on.

Couisnard makes a steal of a cross-court pass and feeds Braeuer, who takes it not like a guy with four concussions for a layup. Chris Lowery calls a quick 30. The WSU cheerleaders take the floor and the officials shoo them off quickly, like sheep in a pasture.

Great move by Couisnard on Mullins for a layup. SIU got no help inside.

Tony Boyle scores inside for SIU and gets a Durley foul. FTs after the media TO. This is shaping up like a great one.

6:05 p.m.: And we’re off

Something about this one . . . I’m calling my shot: WSU wins by four.

6 p.m.: Your starters

For SIU: F Matt Shaw, F Randal Falker, G Tyrone Green, G Wesley Clemmons, G Bryan Mullins.

For WSU: F Ramon Clemente, F Phil Thomasson, G P.J. Couisnard, G Gal Mekel, G Matt Braeuer.

5:40 p.m.: How to avoid 20 losses

Look ahead at WSU’s schedule and a 20-loss season is a real possibility. At 15 heading into tonight’s game, and with at least five games remaining . . .

WSU will be favored in just one more regular-season game (Evansville here on Feb. 26), and maybe the play-in game against Indiana State or Missouri State.

Could the Shockers hand Barry Hinson the final nail for his MSU coffin?

Tonight’s officials: Gerry Polland (57th game of the season), Verne Harris (59th), Don Daily (34th). Harris is a Final Four veteran, Pollard has become one of the better refs in the MVC and Big 12.

5:30 p.m.: America’s Renaissance Conference!

Mitch Holthus is in the house! He and Charlie Spoonhour are calling tonight’s telecast on FSN, Cox Ch. 34 around here. As you remember, Mitch called the MVC America’s Renaissance Conference a decade ago, and I can’t think of anything else whenever I see or hear him.

Mitch is a wonderful voice for the Valley. He sings its praises at every opportunity, but not to the point of going too far and being a homer for the league. A great advocate for the conference.

A note about Shocker fans as they continue to fill the Roundhouse tonight: You folks are amazing. This has been a season when many of you have wanted to fast forward straight to Oct. 15, 2008, and the opening of practice for next season. But the way you continue to support the team at home games, with purchases of apparel, and in many other ways continue to speak to how much this city loves its team. Wichita’s a melting pot for many Big 12 alumni and fans, but this is still a Shocker town. You should be proud.

5:15 p.m.: Time to rate the Salukis

As always during the conference season, we’ll rate the incoming opponent to start the blogging night. We rate the school and its importance to the Missouri Valley Conference. We’ll use the following for criteria, giving a maximum of 10 points for each and a minimum of 1. Here’s our look at the Salukis.

1. Its national reputation in college basketball. For recent history, all you have to know about SIU nationally is that ESPN’s “College GameDay” was in Carbondale a couple Saturdays ago. Yes, the Salukis have stunk it up this year — for them — but the Salukis are the national face of the conference right now. They were also making consistent NCAA appearances in the mid-1990s under Rich Herrin, and don’t forget the pre-Valley days of the 1960s, when SIU (with Walt Frazier at guard and Jack Hartman on the sideline) won the NIT in 1967. 8 points.

2. Where its best players rate historically among the conference’s best. SIU joined the Valley in the mid-1970s, so Frazier doesn’t count. When I was a kid, I thought SIU’s Mike Glenn was the best shooter I’d ever see. Ashraf Amaya was a game changer a decade ago, so was Troy Hudson. In this decade, SIU has won with a team more than individuals. 6 points.

3. Its home arena. SIU Arena is as bland as the name suggests. A facelift, much like what Koch Arena went through, is on the horizon. That’s a good thing, because the Salukis deserve to play in a better facility than this close-to-50 year-old gym. Just nothing that stands out positively about it. 3 points.

4. Its home fans. SIU has always seemed like the only true big-time college campus in the Valley. There’s something like 25,000 students and the kids at games are as good as anyone in the league. Other fans aren’t as great and tend to perform similarly to their team. 5 points.

5. Its home city. Visiting beat writers usually spend less time in Carbondale than other MVC cities because it’s a couple hours from St. Louis, so you trek from StL for the game, then drive back to StL afterward. But Carbondale has the definite small-town, big-campus feel. A dozen years ago, a new Applebee’s was a big deal. But there are a lot of good college joints in the middle of town. 6 points.

6. Its mascot and school colors. Salukis, maroon and white. Kids in 10 Valley cities know that a Saluki is an Egyptian racing dog only because of SIU, so that’s a plus. It’s one of the more original nicknames around, too. 7 points.

7. Most colorful players and coaches from the school. I’ve told the story before about Randy House, a Class of ‘89 Saluki who shook my hand in the stands after a 1989 game at the Roundhouse when I had heckled him with the Commodores’ “Brick House” the entire game. Good dude. Rich Herrin is my other favorite Saluki. I’ve sat in some interviews with him where I left wondering, “What the heck did he just say?” The tape didn’t help a second time, either. 5 points.

8. And, finally, a chance to earn 10 bonus points based on none of the above. The Salukis get bonus points for always having the best fan turnout — well, not always, just most years — at the Valley Tournament. The tournament wouldn’t sustain itself in St. Louis without them. They also get points for a great radio guy, Mike Reis (check him out online if you get a chance tonight), who’s been VOTS as long as Mike Kennedy’s been VOTS. 5 points.

The Salukis check in at . . . 45 points. That puts them in third with Evansville and WSU to go. I won’t be courtside for the home finale on Feb. 26, but I’ll rate both schools beforehand and have Paul post it at the start of the night.

The current standings
Creighton 55
Bradley 54
Southern Illinois 45
Illinois State 43
Missouri State 39
Northern Iowa 33
Indiana State 32
Drake 29

5:05 p.m.: And a pleasant good evening, everyone

I‘ve got my two Diet Dr. Peppers, I’ve shaken hands with Jack Watkins of the Missouri Valley Conference and the Missouri State banner is still out of order alphabetically at the top of the arena. Let’s blog.

Obviously a bigger game for the Salukis tonight than the Shockers. SIU is tied for third in the conference with four games remaining, and WSU is by far the easiest opponent. SIU’s schedule from here: Northern Iowa, Nevada (BracketBusters), at Bradley, Illinois State. I’m sure the Salukis feel like they need this one to have any chance of finishing third. Then again, beating Drake the other night probably gives the Salukis enough confidence that they don’t care who they face in the semifinals, the No. 1 seed (Drake) or No. 2 seed (Illinois State).

We’ll rate the Salukis in a little bit and throw in some other pregame thoughts. If you’re checking the blog before you head to the arena . . . why? Anyway, drive safely, it’s still not ice out there, but anytime now . . . .

Strange game. WSU makes 10 of 21 free throws and ices the game late.

Matt Braeuer scores 15 to lead the Shockers, while Cooz scores 14 and Thomasson 12.

Good win for WSU over the Valley’s seventh-place team. One of those games you need down the homestretch.

Have a great night, Pat.

Final: WSU 65, ISU 60

WSU will eat clock and ISU will play a man, then Mekel throws it away. Stinson misses a runner and ISU fouls with 52 seconds to go. Mekel catches a break. He got trapped, made a bad pass and could’ve suffered.

Durley is at the line for one-and-one . . . perfect, miss. 64-58.

ISU’s looking for threes, but WSU is playing great no-three defense. ISU gets foul shots after a rebound with 35.6 to play. Arnold makes both, it’s 64-60.

ISU didn’t foul Durley or Couisnard but will hack Thomasson with 31.2 to go. Double-bonus time, though. WSU is 9 of 17 at the line tonight. Phil bounces the first one off, misses the second one badly.

ISU misses a forced three, really had nothing for it that entire possession, and Clemente is fouled and will get two FTs with 14 seconds to go. Most folks have stayed the entire time, good for them.

Clemente misses (that’s 9 of 20, folks) and makes. 65-60.

WSU fouls on a rebound with 3.7 to go, ISU gets two shots but misses the first, virtually making a comeback impossible. Second one is off and ISU misses. Game over.

1:20, 2nd half: WSU 63, ISU 58

Moore makes both technical free throws despite a hail of boos raining down — if that’s possible. WSU, 56-54, now it’s Sycamore ball. But a Tunnell miss means WSU only lost two points in the possession. Not bad.

Mekel scores for the first time on a hesitation 12-footer. It’s 58-54.

Tunnell scores inside for ISU, 58-56, 2 1/2 to play.

Durley finds a cutting Cooz to the basket for a dunk and foul. He makes the FT for a 61-56 lead, 2:14 to go.

Stinson misses a one-and-one, WSU gets the ball back up five. A clearout for Cooz lets him make a drive past a Sycamore for a seven-point lead.

ISU is fouled and Stinson pretty much has to make these, with 1:37 to go, to get the Sycamores back in it. He bounces in the first, makes the second, it’s 63-58 with 1:37 to go.

ISU fouls Clemente (.523 at the line) with 1:23 to go . . . misses, but Cooz gets the rebound and Marshall calls a timeout before Cooz falls out of bounds.

3:41, 2nd half: WSU 56, ISU 52

Cooz scores on a post move, it’s a one-point game. WSU gets it back after Arnold tosses it out of bounds.

Mekel remains scoreless after a 15-foot miss, but Ellis gets the rebound and is fouled, he’ll get two shots . . . make, make, and WSU has the lead (53-52) for the first time since 36-34.

We go to a break after a big exchange. Braeuer hit a three for a 56-52 Shocker lead. At the ISU end, a rebound went out of bounds after a tangle and the baseline official called it WSU’s ball. But the outer official called a foul on Braeuer, and when Braeuer realized it he jumped up and ripped his headpiece off, which got him a technical foul. ISU will have two free throws and the ball after the TO.

6:49, 2nd half: ISU 52, WSU 49

Carter misses the FT. Braeuer finds his range with a three as the shot clock winds down, it’s 46-42 with 10 to play.

And put a star by the 9:22 mark, when Harry Marshall throws in a 25-footer than banks in as the shot clock expires. Triple oof.

Braeuer gets nailed by Todd McCoy under the basket, fans boo their butts off. Braeuer makes 1 of 2.

I’ve seen Gregg Marshall mad during games, but none moreso than just now. Durley flew to a three-point shooter, who missed, then the shooter (Stinson) out-hustled Durley for the rebound and got Durley to foul him on a layup attempt. Marshall whisked off his coat, stomped to the end of the bench, sent in a sub, then gave Durley a killer look as Durley trotted off. At least Stinson missed both FTs.

Couisnard’s layup makes it a four-point game, then Harris steals and gives to Braeuer for a layup.

McKenna, knowing a timeout is coming at the next whistle, doesn’t call one himself. Then Moore buries the Shockers with a three for a 52-47 lead. That may have been WSU’s best shot, though a ton of time remains.

After an Ellis basket cuts it to three, we go to a media TO.

10:38, 2nd half: ISU 46, WSU 39

ISU radio guy, sitting next to me, takes off his headsets at the break and asks, “I know we’re biased, but was that offensive foul (on Tunnell) a foul to you?” I agreed, it was a poor call. But when you play defense like J.T. Durley, you’re going to get the refs’ respect.

GRITTY, GUTTY Lance Harris nails a three to cut the lead to four.

But Clemente fouls Aaron Carter as he makes a three, and ISU can extend the lead to eight after the break.

12:31, 2nd half: ISU 41, WSU 36

Thanks for checking in tonight, Doug. The lads are making you proud so far this half.

And just as I say that . . . ISU is on a 7-0 run. Three-pointers from Tunnell and Cole Holmstrom make it 41-36 while WSU has committed turnovers the last two possessions.

15:32, 2nd half: WSU 36, ISU 34

Thomasson gets WSU within a point with the first basket of the second half, but Marshall scores four straight for ISU to extend the lead to five.

Clemente answers inside, cuts it to three.

Braeuer shows signs of being at game speed. He drives under the basket for a nifty move and basket, drawing the foul but missing the free throw. He slapped five with somebody on press row — THAT’S NOT ALLOWED.

Thomasson, continuing to fight hard inside, scores a three-point play to tie it up with 16:19 to go. Next time down, Couisnard takes a loose ball downcourt and feeds a flying Braeuer for a layup and WSU lead. WSU hits the media TO with the fans rocking for the first time.

Halftime: ISU 28, WSU 25In a half with 10 lead changes and some up-and-down action, you’d like to say it was a thrilling first half. But it wasn’t. Pretty sloppy stuff at times. Both teams are shooting better than 45 percent, but there’s 14 turnovers and six steals between them.

ISU scoring: Moore 11, Stinson 8, Tunnell 7, Marshall 2. And that’s it. ISU is shooting 47.8 percent from the field, 3 of 7 from three, 3 of 3 at the line.

WSU scoring (much more even): Thomasson 7, Couisnard 5, Durley 4, Harris 3, Clemente 2, Braeuer 2, Ellis 2 (none for Mekel). WSU is shooting 45.5 percent from the field, 2 of 9 from three, 3 of 7 from the line.

WSU is winning the rebounding battle 15-11.

Halftime: ISU 28, WSU 25

It’s the little things sometimes. At the timeout, Marshall got in the ear of official Mike Litzenfelner, but head referee Bo Boroski — clearly the most experienced of the three — traveled three-quarter court to break up the conversation. Wish I knew what he said to his fellow official afterward, but the facial expression was something like, “Hey, don’t put up with this guy.”

Couisnard hits 1 of 2 foul shots after the break to tie it at 20-20, but Stinson hits a three for ISU.

ISU back in the zone. Braeuer has made two passes that have been deflected in this possession. He just doesn’t seem up to game speed.

Moore has 11 points after a steal — Harris threw it right at him by mistake — and took it downcourt for a layup.

Stinson hits his second three for a 28-23 lead.

Commenter Doug — you’re an ex? Ex-girlfriend? Ex-Shocker? Ex-Exxon exec?

Durley makes a tremendous post move for a basket in the final 10 seconds. That’s his bread and butter.

3:28, 1st half: ISU 20, WSU 19

Sycamores are showing some man defense, but Durley got a nice feed from Mekel for a basket and 19-18 lead — our eighth lead change in 14 minutes.

An official’s call gets fans’ blood boiling — and it was a call in WSU’s favor. WSU got a loose ball and Mekel took two dribbles before the ISU shot clock went off. The whistle sounded, but WSU wanted the fast-break opportunity. Instead, they had to set up the offense.

ISU takes the lead — ninth lead change — on Moore’s ninth point of the half. WSU has the ball after the media TO.

7:58, 1st half: ISU 16, WSU 15

A three by Lance Harris — gritty, gutty Lance Harris — and a somewhat forced runner that goes in by Braeuer and WSU leads 15-9 and has scored nine straight.

Topekan Tunnell ends that quickly, though, with a jumper.

Tunnell and Thomasson are having some pretty good one-on-one battles on the block. Officials are letting them play. Tunnell gets a three-point play here to give ISU a 16-15 edge.

Braeuer has airballed consecutive three-point shots, both short.

11:13, 1st half: WSU 10, ISU 9

Yes, I know there are two “ISUs” in the Missouri Valley. I trust you can remember this ISU is Indiana State and not ask me to type the long name for two hours. Thanks for your support.

Thomasson has five after a short shot from the left block. J.T. Durley and Lance Harris are in for Braeuer and Clemente.

Some ragged, ragged play so far. Almost three minutes without a basket and very little offense being run on either side. Aaron Ellis, Braeuer and Clemente are in for Cooz, Thomasson and Mekel.

Ellis hits a jumper for a 10-9 Shocker lead. We hit another media timeout with WSU on a 4-0 run.

14:28, 1st half: ISU 9, WSU 6

McKenna is obviously an Altman disciple — his jacket was off by tipoff.

WSU is hitting the offensive boards hard early with three putback attempts in two possessions. Clemente gets one to go in for a 3-0 WSU lead.

ISU scores four straight on baskets from Tunnell and Stinson. Stinson floated in a smooth 14-footer.

Let’s watch Braeuer’s early minutes as his body tries to get back into 40-minute shape.

Thomasson lowers a shoulder and makes the basket and gets the foul (makes the FT). He easily could’ve been called for a charge. Shocker fortunes are chaning.

Gabe Moore busts a long three to give ISU the lead again, then hits a bank shot to make it 9-6.

ISU’s in a 2-3 zone and Mekel misses a three. But WSU gets the ball back after a turnover.

7:07 p.m.: Here we go

Kevin McKenna, who engineered the Creighton upset of Wichita State here in the 1981 MVC final, makes his first visit as a head coach to the Roundhouse after being Dana Altman’s assistant at Creighton.

Braeuer gets the start at guard, and it’s fun to watch trainer Todd Fagan show the officials Braeuer’s headpiece. They look at it, see that it has padding, then OK it. If only the legislature worked that well.

7:05 p.m.: Lineups

The Sycamore five: F Adam Arnold, F Jay Tunnell (of Topeka West), G Marico Stinson, G Harry Marshall, G Gabe Moore.

The Shocker five: F P.J. Couisnard, F Ramon Clemente, C Phil Thomasson, G Gal Mekel . . . and G Matt Braeuer.

6:55 p.m.: Some pregame thoughts

Garrett Stutz, the Shockers’ early signee from North Kansas City, Mo., is here again tonight. He’s been to more games this year than the academic advising senior director.

If you’re a officiating freak like me, I’ve found a great website that shows where every Division I official has worked this season. It’s fascinating to see the amount of travel most of these guys go through. We at The Eagle are still amazed by Ed Hightower working three games in three days in Maui, then working a game in Orlando, Fla., the next afternoon.

Here’s where tonight’s threesome worked most recently: Bo Boroski worked the IUPUI-South Dakota State game in Brookings, S.D., on Thursday (tonight is his 45th game); Mike Litzelfelner is working his second straight Sycamores game, he last worked last Saturday in Terre Haute for Drake-ISU (tonight is his 21st game); and John Moore last worked Jan. 31 in Denver for FIU-Denver (this is only his 9th game of the season).

6:45 p.m.: Time to rate the Indiana State Sycamores

As always during the conference season, we’ll rate the incoming opponent to start the blogging night. We rate the school and its importance to the Missouri Valley Conference. We’ll use the following for criteria, giving a maximum of 10 points for each and a minimum of 1. Here’s our look at the Sycamores.

1. Its national reputation in college basketball. We all know that the Sycamores’ national reputation comes down to a single, magical season. The 1978-79 team, led by senior Larry Bird and with wonderful role players like Steve Reed and Carl Nicks, won their first 33 games, including the first four in the NCAA Tournament. But on a Monday night in Salt Lake City, it all came to an end when Bird lost to Magic Johnson and Michigan State. The NBA was reborn beginning that night, and Indiana State hoops slipped back into obscurity. But play this scenario out in your head: If WSU could go through one season of perfection, a 33-0 season that got the Shockers to the NCAA championship game against (insert team here), only to lose . . . would you take that season and follow it up with 30 years of mediocrity, instead choosing to relive that one season over and over? That’s what they’re doing in Terre Haute, bless their hearts. 5 points.

2. Where its best players rate historically among the conference’s best. Larry Bird battles Oscar Robertson for best player in MVC history. After that . . . Michael Menser was pretty good. Sigh. 4 points.

3. Its home arena. I would’ve loved to have seen a game in the Hulman Center in that magic ‘79 season. But I didn’t, instead having to watch four Shocker-Sycamore games in front of about 4,000 less-than-thrilled fans. The Hulman Center doesn’t have the same “hockey is played here” atmosphere as the Kansas Coliseum, but it has that same feel of an unimaginative basketball facility. The upper seats are way, way up there, seemingly more vertical than most places. Of course, they’re empty 95 percent of the time. 3 points.

4. Its home fans. They won’t get points because the Sycamores rarely give them something to cheer about. 3 points.

5. Its home city. Before Cedar Falls, Terre Haute (that’s French for “high land”) was the place in the Valley nobody wanted to visit. Broken into halves by I-70, it’s a western Indiana town that’s centered around the university. A good shopping mall and a tremendous hole-in-the-wall bar that Shocker baseball coaches introduced me to years ago, but nothing the Chamber of Commerce is hanging its hat on. 4 points.

6. Its mascot and school colors. Sycamores, a lighter shade of blue and white. The nickname refers to sycamore trees. For about 20 years, somebody saw the need for a fictional Sycamore Indian tribe and a mascot that looked like an Indian. Thankfully, it was abandoned. 5 points.

7. Most colorful players and coaches from the school. I’ve blogged before about Bird and his off-the-backboard dunk to end the Jan. 26, 1978 game at Levitt Arena. That was colorful. John Sherman Williams gets colorful points for his name. After that . . . again, Michael Menser was a good player. 3 points.

8. And, finally, a chance to earn 10 bonus points based on none of the above. Indiana State gets bonus points because even though Terre Haute is one of the Valley’s smaller cities (at least in the bottom half at about 60,000), it’s the only town with a suburb that carries the town name and a directional prefix . . . West Terre Haute! Seriously, is there a need for West Terre Haute? Kinda like saying “North Newton” or “South Hutchinson.” Oh, wait . . . . ISU also gets points for its original nickname: The Fighting Teachers! And finally, an extra point to the Sycamores for hanging tough with the Shockers playing with only four players in the second half of that 1989 game. Maybe the most bizarre game I’ve ever watched. 5 points.

The Sycamores check in at . . . 54 points. Three more schools (including WSU) to go. We’ll rate SIU a week from tonight.

The current standings

Creighton 55

Bradley 54

Illinois State 43

Missouri State 39

Northern Iowa 33

Indiana State 32

Drake 29

6:35 p.m.: 30 minutes to tipoff

Good evening, everyone. No TV tonight, so I know millions of you are tuned into the blog to see what happens between Indiana State and WSU. We’ll rate the Sycamores in a bit, then get to the normal lineups and all that stuff.

Great to have you with us on the Sycamore Network.

Mekel makes 1 of 2, it’s 68-61. The Shockers won’t give up an easy three, so Laurie drives and is fouled with 11.6 to go. He makes one, 68-62.

MSU wasn’t fouling, but Mekel didn’t run it out. He lobbed into Couisnard for a jam with 1.2 to play. Strange ending.

Thanks for checking in tonight. WSU improves to 2-8 in the Valley with its first conference home win.

0:21.2, overtime: WSU 67, Mo State 61

Thomasson made a great drive but missed the shot, but all was not lost when Cooks charged at the other end with 41.3 seconds to go.

Mekel is fouled with 36.8 to play. He’ll get two and can all but ice it . . . good, good. Six-point game.

MSU gets a Lamberth three that misses, WSU rebounds and Mekel is fouled. Up six with 21.2 to go.

1:04, overtime: WSU 65, Mo State 61

Hinson called a full timeout, which seemed to last as long as the 2007 Royals season. Who knew ESPNU had all this advertising to use up?

WSU had nothing going in the first possession back, and Mekel lost the ball and fouled Fuehrmeyer. He misses the one-and-one, though, giving it back to WSU.

The Shockers are 1-8 in conference and 9,500 folks are on their feet this entire overtime.

Marshall is in Mekel’s face after some questionable OT decisions with the ball. Fans are calling for Marshall to pull him, but how can he? He’s the only ballhandler.

Clemente misses the first of two, makes the second for a 63-57 lead with 2:05 to play.

MSU has two weapons, Cooks inside and Laurie outside. Cooks gets Ellis to foul out with a drive and basket on the block. He’ll get a FT with 1:44 to go. Cooz is back in — he’s out on defensive possessions after a whistle because he has four fouls, too.

FT is good, it’s WSU up 63-60, 1:44 to go.

Thomasson scores on a give-and-go from Mekel with 1:27 to go. Clemente quickly fouls Cooks, though. He makes one, it’s 65-61.

2:47, overtime: WSU 62, Mo State 57

Thomasson gives WSU a two-point lead with free throws. WSU’s man defense has been terrific many possessions down the stretch.

Mekel’s three with 3:15 to play makes it a five-point game. MSU needs a basket badly, but Cooks loses it out of bounds. Hinson calls a timeout.

Overtime: Mo State 57, WSU 57

The officials are checking to make sure Lamberth’s feet were behind the arc. Beat Writer Paul runs over to the monitor, reminiscent of Lauretta McMillen watching behind Mark Allan and Bob Ortegel to see the replay of the famous fight at Terre Haute in 1989, and says there’s no angle that shows definitively if it was a three or two.

Yes, it stays a three. WSU ball, here we go . . . Mekel slowly brings it up, MSU in a man, Cooz will take it one on one . . . and gets it stripped with two seconds to play, time runs out. It’s a tie game, good night everyone!

Oh, they’re going to play overtime.

0:15.6, 2nd half: Mo State 57, WSU 57

It’s been an amazingly-even game statistically. Both teams shooting about 40 percent, both about 30 percent from three. Rebounds even.

MSU gets Laurie open for a shot but he misses, and Preadom gets a quick layup at the other end following a Mekel rebound.

But Dale Lamberth avoids a flying defender at him and buries a three with 15.6 seconds to go, tying it at 57. MSU’s Hinson calls timeout.

0:45.2, 2nd half: WSU 55, Mo State 54

MSU misses but gets a fresh 35 with the offensive rebound. Ellis appears to play pretty good one-on-one defense, but Cooks draws the foul after three hard dribbles and goes to the line . . . make, miss. WSU up 55-54, 2:18 to play.

Cooz is back in and throws a good lob to Thomasson, who can’t quite handle it and MSU gets it back. Thomasson draws a charge against Fuehrmeyer with 1:38 to go.

Mo State stays in the zone, now a matchup, and Preadom travels with 1:25 to play.

The Bears are subbing offense for defense with Cooks on offense, let’s see if he posts up on Couisnard . . . one minute to play . . . Laurie misses a three at the end of the shot clock, WSU gets the rebound.

Then Mekel makes an ill-advised drive into the lane in transition, leaving his feet and barreling into the Bears defender as he passes. An obvious foul and turnover. MSU will have it with 45.2 to play.

2:59, 2nd half: WSU 55, Mo State 53

The team foul bug is on the other foot (sorry for the mixed metaphor) this half. With 3:28 to go, WSU has just four team fouls in the half.

Clemente hits two foul shots out of the timeout for a 55-53 lead. A halfcourt game all night will be decided by better halfcourt execution these final three minutes.

3:56, 2nd half: Mo State 53, WSU 53

A much better offensive five for WSU after the TO: Durley, Mekel, Cooz, Thomasson and Ellis. But it’s Spencer Laurie who gives MSU a lead with a three. Couisnard answers with a three that goes for a 50-48 lead.

Laurie answers with another three, MSU has the lead again. Not a great game, but an entertaining game.

We’re tied at 51 after a Thomasson free throw. First one to 60 might win.

Mekel makes a driving shot for the lead again, then Marshall takes the first timeout of the half. The Bears need the rest — and there would’ve been a media timeout at the next whistle. That’s three times in two games Marshall has done that. May not be a big deal, just worth noting.

7:48, 2nd half: WSU 47, Mo State 45

We think ESPNU just joined us in progress, with 11:26 to play. Good thing the Super Bowl’s not on ESPNU this year.

Couisnard gets his third foul on a charge with 10:12 to go, he’ll sit for a while with WSU still up 47-43.

We’ve been on this score for almost three minutes. Welcome, ESPNU viewers!

A basket! After 3 1/2 minutes, Cooks scores for MSU to cut it to two. WSU’s wanting to get to the media timeout without more struggles so Couisnard . . . wait, he’s back in at 8:06. Forget the TO.

11:26, 2nd half: WSU 47, Mo State 43

Durley has scored the Shockers’ last four points, all inside. MSU’s answered each time, though, before Couisnard scores inside and gets a free throw for a 43-39 lead. The first lead of more than a point for a while.

The Bears have abandoned their zones since the last media timeout but without much success. WSU, on the other hand, isn’t offering much defensive resistance, either.

Durley has scored eight of WSU’s last 11 points, all near the backboard. That’s his place, gang, not shooting a three whenever he’s open.

MSU’s beginning to get gassed. Let’s see if they come back from the media TO in a zone again.

15:58, 2nd half: WSU 36, Mo State 35

Triple OT in Cape Girardeau, I hear. Bless all y’all’s hearts.

Ramon Clemente gets WSU off to a good start in the second half, taking advantage of MSU’s attempt to double-team to start the half. He gets free, takes a dribble and jams it.

Beat Writer Paul notes it was WSU’s first halftime lead since the Jan. 1 Illinois State game. Yes, a long month.

Marshall’s first complaint about officiating was a hoot. Couisnard was called for a foul, and as the Bear was shooting FTs, Marshall yelled to J.D. Collins that the Bear initiated contact. As Marshall turned away from Collins, Collins (from 50 feet) motioned to WSU’s assistants that Marshall had better settle down.

MSU takes its first lead since 18-17 with a Lambert basket. He scores again, but not before Couisnard slams an alley-oop pass.

Halftime: By the numbers

You’re missing some classic “mini-tennis” from the Shocker tennis teams. It’s a ping-pong exhibition, sort of, while director of tennis Chris Young talks about the teams. I’m not sure, but I think the fans are cheering only for the American players, who number less than half of the team members. C’mon, folks, you loved Sasha, Zarko and Zoran, spread the love around! (You didn’t love Mahrnord and Bart as much, I know.)

MSU scoring: Lamberth 11, Cooks 7, Fuehrmeyer 5, Knapp 2, Mitchell 2. The Bears are shooting 35.7 percent, 1 of 5 from three, 6 of 9 at the line.

WSU scoring: Couisnard 8, Mekel 7, Thomasson 5, Harris 3, Durley 3, Preadom 2. The Shockers are shooting 40.7 percent, 5 of 10 from three, 1 of 3 at the line.

The stat sheet is a good reflection of the game so far: Not bad play, just not a lot of great moments. MSU’s zone has helped the Bears win the rebounding battle 20-17 so far, and the Bears have just four fouls. Zones rest players and keep the fouls down, this game’s a perfect example.

Halftime: WSU 28, Mo State 27

Marshall commented the other day about not having lost this team through its adversity and losses. They’re still playing hard, he said, and they still are tonight.

Much of it comes from Couisnard and Thomasson, seniors who aren’t vocal guys but the young guys notice how they’re playing the game. Thomasson has already had two shots stuffed but he keeps going inside to battle.

Lambert comes up with a big 10-footer with three left on the shot clock to cut the Shocker lead to 24-22.

Sweet bounce pass from Graham Hatch inside to Couisnard, who dribbles past a defender for a dunk. Hatch is the kind of guy a defense has to respect from three-point range, but he showed some savvy with the entry pass.

Lambert’s three-point play makes it a one-point game. WSU goes with four guards against the zone, then Thomasson finger-rolls a layup in.

WSU should get the final possession up 28-27. MSU’s in a 2-3 zone, and Couisnard throws it away trying to find an open teammate for a desperation shot. MSU coach Barry Hinson alertly calls his use-it-or-lose-it 30-second timeout with 1.9 seconds to go.

From just beyond halfcourt, the Bears miss a halfcourt heave.

3:40, 1st half: WSU 24, Mo State 20

I understand ESPNU’s game is now in double overtime. I feel your pain.

Mo State has stayed the zone throughout, switching between 3-2 and 2-3. WSU continues to shoot well, though, with Mekel making a three for a 22-18 lead (biggest lead by either).

WSU just committed its sixth team foul with 5:53 to play. Mo State has one.

Durley picked up his second foul, which is too bad because he’s played pretty well in some prolonged first-half minutes. Aaron Ellis replaces him.

Thomasson gives WSU a 24-18 lead with an inside basket.

Deven Mitchell’s second foul comes with 4:08 to play in the half. He’ll likely sit the rest of the half. Lambert replaces him.

7:23, 1st half: WSU 19, Mo State 16

A student named Steve (didn’t catch his last name) just made a halfcourt shot worth a thousand bucks. He also gets to keep the Ashley Furniture Store T-shirt!!

Some things are happening that lead you to believe the Shockers end their frustrating home losing streak tonight. First, Mekel drives 25 feet and makes a reverse layup without much trouble. Next possession, walkon Lance Harris confidently drills a three-pointer for a 17-14 lead.

MSU’s keeping it right there, answering most every basket.

We’re told that ESPNU’s telecast hasn’t switched here yet because the previous game on the network is in overtime. I’ll be your lifeline, people!!!

11:10, 1st half: WSU 12, Mo State 10

Mekel is replaced by Graham Hatch after the media TO.

Mo State is in a 3-2 zone, which is keeping WSU from getting it inside. But Preadom makes a jumper, just on the line, then Couisnard busts a three in transition for a 9-7 lead.

J.T. Durley is in for the first time. He got the ball at the arc in transition and I think normally he would’ve pulled up for a three. But he’s obviously been reading my posts and he faked, then traveled going inside. He looked over to Gregg Marshall, who gave him the international sign for “shoot it.” Or it’s the international sign for “don’t pay attention to Seminoff.”

Next time down, Durley drills a three in the flow of the offense. Then he steals an entry pass on the other end. A good minute from the freshman.

15:55, 1st half: Mo State 4, WSU 4

WSU is an early 0 for 3, but Thomasson was fouled on a rebound tip. He gets the game’s first point.

Missouri State, after two free throws for the lead, comes out in a 1-2-1-1 zone press made famous by Norm Lane, my Biddy coach from 1975-79. They drop back into a zone and Couisnard breaks it with a three.

Mo State actually has nine players in uniform, but Lyndell Scranton, longtime Bears beat writer for the Springfield News-Leader, said ninth-guy Shane Laurie will only take the court if the Bears are down to four players, and the only thing he would do is stand on the court.

Mekel has traveled twice within a minute.

8:05 p.m.: Here we go

Shockers in home gold.

Interesting note: The Bears haven’t had a winning or losing streak in this calendar year. That’s a string of eight games — four wins, four losses. The last game? A loss. Just sayin’.

Many empty student-section seats tonight, but the rest of the house is pretty full. You Shocker fans are amazing.

8 p.m.: Your starters

For the Bears: F Deven Mitchell, F Dale Lamberth, G Dex Manswell, G Spencer Laurie, G Justin Fuehrmeyer.

For the Shockers: F Ramon Clemente, F Phil Thomasson, G P.J. Couisnard, G Wendell Preadom, G Gal Mekel.

Neither team has a substitute. Let’s get it on!

7:55 p.m.: Late starts

The MSU lineup for the national anthem looked like half the team was still in the locker room. Eight players. Ouch.

Tonight’s 8:05 tipoff might have some sentimentality for some of you long-time fans. Back in the day — any season prior to the late 1980s, I’m guessing — all men’s home games started at 8:05 p.m.

For me, a young lad of the 1970s, that meant heading to the game with my mom as soon as she got home from school, trying to get in the big parking lot south of Cessna Stadium to find an open space before classes started at 7. We’d find a spot, then head to the Campus Activities Center for a delicious meal at the cafeteria. Amazing how many fans did the same thing — remember, this was about three hours before tipoff. Then we’d head down the hill to the arena when it opened gates at 6 and listen to 100 straight minutes of “Shock Talk” with Mike and Dave.

I’d say I miss the old days, but I don’t. Tom Shupe changed game times to 7:35 in the late ’80s, then Jim Schaus made the move to 7:05 soon after arriving. Newspaper beat writers thank them every chance they get.

7:45 p.m: This game must be on national TV

Three of the Valley’s best officials — and three of the Midwest’s best — are in the house. Mike Sanzere (the shorter guy on your telecast) has worked at least one Final Four, and he’s not even the referee. Paul Janssen and J.D. Collins, the other two, are also top-rate guys.

Yes, this game’s on ESPNU. As Beat Writer Paul points out, the MVC is looking to put its best foot forward. As he didn’t point out, they’re going to have to put that foot out pretty far after ESPN College GameDay was in Carbondale the other day. Oof.

7:35 p.m.: M before S unless it’s after . . . nothing

The banner sticks out there in front of anal-retentive reporters (and fans) like a sore thumb.

Bradley, Creighton, Drake, Illinois State, Indiana State, Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, Missouri State, Wichita . . . WHO DOESN’T KNOW THEIR ALPHABET?

It’s funny when the company that provides this newspaper’s daily line still calls it Southwest Missouri State. It’s acceptable when a school hasn’t gotten around, after two years, to changing the “Southwest Missouri State” banner to “Missouri State.”

But to change the banner on time and then not re-arrange it in alphabetical order, as is the case inside this fair arena, is . . . I can’t quite figure out what it is. It’s not lazy. It’s just a call out to those English 011 professors on campus — somebody inside the Roundhouse needs your help.

7:25 p.m.: Time to rate the Missouri State Bears

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the Steak ‘N’ Shake pregame show. We’ll start off with our nightly thoughts on tonight’s opponent and its importance to the Missouri Valley Conference, then follow up with a rant, a fond memory, and other irrelevant stuff. Then we’ll get to the game.

So sit back, wish you had ESPNU, and comment freely. Best comment of the night gets a gift certificate to the Mark Turgeon School of Holding Your Tongue.

Time to rate the Bears. (Or the Basketball Bears, as they say in Springfield.) We rate the school and its importance to the Missouri Valley Conference. We’ll use the following for criteria, giving a maximum of 10 points for each and a minimum of 1.

1. Its national reputation in college basketball. The Bears’ greatest Division I claim to fame was its Sweet 16 appearance in 1999, the year the Valley got three teams in and won two games — both by Missouri State (yeah, it was Southwest Missouri State back then, but one fewer word to type is OK by me). Coincidentally, those two wins also got Steve Alford the heck out of Springfield and to Iowa City, where it’s much colder and he could have much more success — well, half that. At least it’s warmer for Stevie in Albuquerque. Past ‘99, the Bears don’t have a lot of national reps. Charlie Spoonhour was there, so was Alford. After that . . . . 4 points.

2. Where its best players rate historically among the conference’s best. You have 30 seconds to name the five Bears who were first-team All-MVC picks (three were named twice). . . . tick, tick, tick. . . . BUZZ. Time’s up. You got Johnny Murdock because he’s from South High here in River City and he’s probably the best player in the program’s D-I history. You also got Danny Moore not because he was a great player, but because you remember how much better he should’ve been. A 6-10 guy with great hands and nice shooting touch just never seemed that interested. He’s also the answer to the trivia question, “Who did Troy Mack vandalize for 23 points and 22 boards in 1999?” You got Blake Ahearn because it was just last year (and 2006) and he’s like the best FT shooter in the game’s history. The final two escape you, I’m betting: Jackie Crawford, 1991-92, and Terrance McGee, 2002-03. Here’s my point: This is a program that is most times better than worse, yet they do it with a bunch of good but not marquee players. Credit the coaches for getting as much as out Bears players as they can. 4 points.

3. Its home arena. We get to grade the Hammons Student Center before it closes up and they open JQH Arena next door. I always liked Hammons, mostly because it has always been a place where the fans are right on top of you. Students in the end zones, knowledgeable season-ticket folks in the middle. Press row is tightly wedged between the court and first row, and lemme tell ya, those folks in the Ozarks know how to cuss. 7 points.

4. Its home fans. One fan gets singled out tonight. I don’t know his name, but he’s at every game with these professionally-made signs (you’ll also see similar signs at Cardinals home games). Don’t know where the guy finds the time, but he’s always got something relevant to the game. 7 points.

5. Its home city. Springfield is tough to grade only because, as the easiest drive to and from Wichita, I’ve never spent a lot of time there. There was the one time I drove five hours to watch a baseball doubleheader get rained out. But one of the main boulevards in the city is Kansas Ave., so it can’t be all bad. And there’s a Bass Pro Shop, if you’re into that stuff. 7 points.

6. Its mascot and school colors. Bears, maroon and white. Our newsroom’s lone Bears grad, Dan Loving, doesn’t know why MSU has Bears for a nickname. He thinks it may have something to do with the bear being on the state seal. I personally think it’s because John Q. Hammons was a big fan of the 1976 classic “The Bad News Bears.” 4 points.

7. Most colorful players and coaches from the school. Mark Bernsen, who coached from 1992-95, was an uncolorful as could be in Springfield. But Spoonhour (1983-92) is as colorful as they come. Alford brought name recognition to the program in his first D-I job. And Barry Hinson, always a reporter’s favorite for his friendliness, good quotes and desire to have reporters over for backyard barbecues (we scribes love us some barbecue), is a good ambassador for the conference — even though his job is on the line every other week. 6 points.

8. And, finally, a chance to earn 10 bonus points based on none of the above. The Bears get points for Jackie Stiles. They get points from my wife for being so close to the Precious Moments Chapel, just off I-44 on the way to Joplin (we visited there once and I still can’t get it out of my head). Then the Bears LOSE ALL THOSE POINTS AND MAYBE MORE for my running 10-year battle with the school. You see, sometime around 1996, a marketing genius at Southwest Missouri State University decided that it’d be really cool to drop the U in the school’s acronym. SMS. Rolls off the tongue, eh? The folks in Springfield bought into it, and so did everyone else around the conference. I always wondered if everyone would’ve been so easy to adjust to the name if they decided to rename the school “Springfield Center for Cosmotology.” As the WSU beat writer then, I resisted the change. I still typed SMSU, and the guys on the copy desk went along with it. My argument was this: Name another Division I school that drops a letter in its acronym. SC? Yeah, but USC is more recognizable. Could folks in Springfield not get through four letters, only three? So after I became sports editor, SMSU stood in our newspaper. Then two years ago, the university gets its wish and gets to drop “Southwest” from its name, symbolizing the university’s climb to the state’s No. 2 school. So, using the Bears’ logic, their new acronym should be “MS,” right? Oh, they’re going with “MSU?” AHA, I WIN. 0 points.

The Bears check in at . . . 39 points. That puts them in fourth, three more schools (including WSU) to go.

The current standings

Creighton 55

Bradley 54

Illinois State 43

Missouri State 39

Northern Iowa 33

Drake 29

Marshall’s lobbying just got him a foul call. Maniscalco landed while catching a ball and Couisnard didn’t give him a step to land, but Bradley got the foul. But that’ll do it.

Thanks for checking in tonight. We’ll chat Tuesday night before and during the Missouri State game.

0:45.2, 2nd half: Bradley 63, WSU 52

Mekel misses the front end, WSU misses two shots . . . and Couisnard bails everyone out by hitting one of two foul shots. 56-47, 3:09 to go.

Two FTs from Jeremy Crouch make it an 11-point game. WSU can’t waste time. Thomasson misses badly from 15 and BU will eat clock again.

A foul call on Thomasson — a possible charge against Crouch — causes Marshall to take off his jacket with a snarl that I wouldn’t want to see in a dark alley. Crouch makes both, 60-47, 1:59.

Mekel’s driving shot is blocked, it’s looking impossible now. Dean Smith would be proud of the way Bradley kills the clock.

Crouch hits two more, 62-47, 1:18.

WSU was able to get it to eight points a few minutes ago but never put together a great possession after that.

During Thomasson’s FTs, Marshall used the word “terrible” three times in screaming at the outer officials. He’s also had two conversations with associate athletic director Brian Pracht, seated next to the bench.

A Mekel three makes it 63-52.

3:18, 2nd half: Bradley 56, WSU 46

Couisnard is pleading with the fans to keep up the noise. Big Braves possession as we hit the six-minute mark . . . a three-point miss.

Bradley’s in a matchup zone and Mekel misses a bomb.

WSU had three team fouls but has committed three straight in this possession. Next one’s a FT or two.

That’s FOUR fouls in one possession. Ruffin isolated Clemente, a mismatch for the quicker guard, and got free throws on a drive. He made both to end a 12-0 Shocker run.

After a WSU turnover, Bradley will eat clock with the ball in Ruffin’s hands. But he airballs a drive and WSU is at the foul line when we come back.

6:26, 2nd half: Bradley 54, WSU 46

Could this become a game again? Thomasson makes one, it’s 54-41. WSU’s on a 7-0 run.

Mekel’s court-length drive makes is 54-43 . . . ALL fans on their feet.

Cooz blocks a shot, then bombs in a three. Timeout, Bradley. Where’s this been the past 90 minutes????

7:37, 2nd half: Bradley 54, WSU 40

Aha! It can be less than a 16-point deficit. Thomasson scored inside to cut it to 14 with 8:15 to go. A block leads to two foul shots for Thomasson, too. Now a media timeout. The fans are on their feet. Most of ‘em.

8:44, 2nd half: Bradley 54, WSU 38

Durley has stayed in the low post the last couple possessions and has shown promising moves. Would like to see him down there more for his development.

There are many, many fans with their arms folded across their chest — the international sign of frustration.

Bradley’s zone has stymied the Shockers, though Mekel’s three with 8:44 to play makes it a 16-point game for the third time this half. Maybe WSU could consider getting within 16 by game’s end to be a positive.

11:56, 2nd half: Bradley 52, WSU 34

Crouch got his 1,000th point with a nifty stop-and-shoot move from about 12 feet. 50-32.

Marshall has cooled somewhat after a fiery beginning to the half.

Thomasson has returned from the locker room, no apparent limp. He’ll return to the game for Clemente.

Bradley returns to a zone with its two big men — Singh and Collins — in there together. Hatch threw away another perimeter pass and screamed “WHY?” after fouling shortly thereafter.

Durley scores inside to make it 50-34, tying WSU’s smallest deficit of the half, but Maniscalco scores on a drive to extend to 18 again.

15:55, 2nd half: Bradley 48, WSU 32

I’m going to spend most of this half just watching Gregg Marshall. He’s been on the officials since the first possession of the half. When Mekel was fouled by Maniscalco, Marshall raised both fists in the air like a prizefighter after the whistle. The lead official went over to him to tell him to cool it, but it didn’t prevent Marshall from chewing on him a little more.

Crouch hits a three to make it 48-27. He needs two points to reach 1,000 for his career.

Not that Marshall’s counting, but Bradley has three team fouls to WSU’s zero.

Thomasson and a Bradley player went down in a heap at the Bradley end and Thomasson didn’t get up as WSU went downcourt and made a three. Looks like an ankle or knee as he walks off. Wonder what went through Marshall’s head as he made the long walk to Thomasson. Phil goes to the locker room; remember what happened last time trainer Todd Fagan took a player back there during a game.

Halftime: It’s still 42-21

Bradley scoring: Warren 10, Maniscalco 6, Ruffin 6, Salley 5, Crouch 5, Austin 4, Singh 4, Collins 2. Everyone who played scored. 57.1 from the field, 63.6 3FG, 3 of 5 at the line.

WSU scoring: Preadom 9, Thomasson 4, Clemente 2, Ellis 2, Mekel 2, Couisnard 2. WSU was 7 of 26 (26.9) from the field, 1 of 8 from three, 6 of 6 from the line.

WSU’s also getting outrebounded 18-14 and out-assisted (yeah, I know that’s not a word) 13-3. BU had four turnovers, WSU 7.

Remember, Bradley is without its fourth-leading scorer, a reserve who’s getting 13 minutes a game, and Ruffin is about 80 percent. Unless WSU has another second half in it like it did at Peoria . . . .

Halftime: Bradley 42, WSU 21

Columnist Bob Lutz and photographer Jeff Tuttle just arrived in the arena after their day-long, state-wide trip to the Kansas, K-State and WSU games. Their trip started at 9, will end at 9, and involved four interstate highways. Look for the story in Sunday’s Eagle.

The Braves’ possessions after timeouts seem perfect. Sam Singh got the ball isolated and scored easily over Clemente. 40-21.

Bradley is 7 of 11 from three. WSU is 1 of 7 after Mekel’s bad miss.

Crouch scores on a too-easy drive for a 42-21 lead. WSU gets the last possession against a zone and Preadom misses.

I’ll be quite interested to see how many fans don’t come back into the bowl for the second half. Yia Yia’s could fill up more quickly than expected. Spangle’s, too.

2:25, 1st half: Bradley 38, WSU 21

Trust me, my bald spot is bigger.

I think Marshall, in this case, felt like he couldn’t even wait a few seconds for a whistle. This one is getting away at a rapid rate.

Thomasson draws his first BU foul of the night, which pleases the nearby student section. The Braves play good, tough interior defense. He makes both, ending BU’s 7-0 run.

Cooz blocks his third shot of the night. What in the name of Bill Russell is going on?

Sign of tonight’s problems: BU’s Salley cut right into the passing lane to take away Hatch’s pass, then he takes it downcourt for a driving layup. Just a lazy, awful pass, which gets him out of the lineup at the next whistle.

Bradley’s shooting 62 percent to the Shockers’ 25 percent (Preadom hits a three to improve it to 5 of 21). Simply a sign of how easy one offense is operating compared to the other.

Thomasson, knocked to the floor by Clemente as the action went the other way, gets a cherry-pick layup, which prompts Jim Les to call a timeout (when the next whistle would’ve given him the media TO).

Crouch hits a three out of the timeout, a well-spent 30 by Jim Les.

And you think Mitch Holthus cares right now how I spell his name?

7:16, 1st half: Bradley 31, WSU 12

Drake ekes out a four-point home win today over Northern Iowa after trailing in the second half. The Bulldogs are America’s Darling. Or the Midwest’s Darling. Or Des Moines’ Darling.

Hey, Cyndy Klose is on media row tonight.

Lance Harris is getting some prolonged minutes tonight.

Ellis hits to make it 12-8. WSU returns to a zone out of the timeout. But Ruffin hits a long three, 19-10.

There goes J.T. again. Missed.

Mekel enters for Preadom, not Harris. Lance is probably in to cover Daniel Ruffin, but Harris took off to fast when he thought a teammate had a rebound, but BU got it and hit an open Ruffin for a made three.

Thomasson is taking a pretty good pounding inside. A jump ball acts as a turnover when his man comes around him to deflect it away. BU scores on a David Collins turnaround and Gregg Marshall takes a 30-second timeout trailing 29-12. Oof. Next whistle would’ve brought a media TO, too.

Warren gets a breakaway dunk and it’s 31-12. The Shockers are having a terrible time finding an offensive rhythm.

11:16, 1st half: Bradley 16, WSU 8

After a Wendell Preadom jumper, the Shockers are in a zone defense. But Sam Singh scores on the block for a 12-6 lead.

J.T. Durley evidently doesn’t go back and look at my in-game blogging, because he just took a bad three from the corner. A 20-footer that went 22. I will chide him no more in hopes the positive vibes will . . . oh, just don’t shoot so quickly, J.T.

Preadom just missed a great chance for six consecutive points, blowing a back-door layup. But he scored both WSU baskets since the last TO.
14:05, 1st half: Bradley 10, WSU 4

Folks, I just lot about 10 paragraphs of description of the first six minutes. Here’s a recap:

WSU scores the first four, Bradley the next 10. Timeout.

Boy, that was easy.

To expound . . . BU has three blocks so far and WSU two. The Braves needed four possessions to find a quality shot, but once they did, they hit four straight. Andrew Warren hit consecutive threes, then a dunk and inside basket made it 10-4.

Gotta remember to hit save more often.

7 p.m.: The Valley, America’s Renaissance conference!

I cracked up the first time Mitch Holthus said it, and I don’t think he says it anymore. Anyway, he and Charlie Spoonhour are your FSN TV guys tonight. Media timeouts will probably be 30 seconds longer than normal, giving you extra time to hit the fridge.

Starting for BU: G Sam Maniscalco, G Jeremy Crouch, C Matt Salley, G Andrew Warren, F Rashad Austin.

Starting for your lads: F P.J. Couisnard, F Ramon Clemente, F Phil Thomasson, G Graham Hatch, G Gal Mekel.

6:50 p.m.: An interesting matchup

Bradley is without a starter (Theron Wilson) and a top reserve (Tyrone Cole-Scott), who were suspended for a game after being arrested for something that resembled suspicion of underage drinking.

WSU, meanwhile, is without Matt Braeuer (concussion, eighth game) and Mantas Griskenas (ACL, MCL, ACLU, NCAA, etc.) and hasn’t won since beating Bradley three weeks ago.

Ted “The Sports Head” Woodward brings it tonight with a wonderful note: Tonight is the 30th anniversary of maybe the greatest dunk by a visitor in Roundhouse history. On Jan. 26, 1978, the Shockers were wrapping up a victory in overtime over Indiana State. As the final seconds ticked down and the game decided, Sycamores junior Larry Bird (don’t he ever did anything after college) dribbled into the lane, scooped the ball up and tossed it to the backboard. He jumped and grabbed it — I think with one hand, maybe two — and jammed it fiercely at the buzzer.

Shockers got the win, Bird got the memory. Ted, Paul and I were all there that night and remembered it immediately as we talked about that game. I hope kids who were our age then are remembering those kinds of things.

6:30 p.m.: Time to rate the Bradley Braves

As always during the conference season, we’ll rate the incoming opponent to start the blogging night. We rate the school and its importance to the Missouri Valley Conference. We’ll use the following for criteria, giving a maximum of 10 points for each and a minimum of 1. Here’s our look at the Peoriaites.

1. Its national reputation in college basketball. This would be an excellent bar discussion in St. Louis during the Valley tournament. Bradley fan in a red sweatshirt, Shocker fan in gold. The argument: Which school is the MVC leader in national prominence in men’s basketball? Shocker fans would point to Stallworth, Carr, McDaniel and the 1965 Final Four. Bradley would point to its two NIT championships (one when the NIT was just as important as the NCAAs), Chet Walker and Hersey Hawkins. The winner of argument doesn’t matter, but Bradley is as important as any school to the Valley’s longtime basketball success. 10 points.

2. Where its best players rate historically among the conference’s best. Folks in Lawrence like to say Danny Manning was the 1988 Player of the Year, and he was . . . by an organization that no longer exists (United Press International). The Associated Press national Player of the Year was Bradley guard Hersey Hawkins, who had an unbelievable senior season in Peoria. The Braves came to Wichita in 1988 and the Shockers won 116-88, but Hawkins went off for something like 38 points and was bombing from all over. The Valley’s national players of the year since the “Valley of Death” went away in the early 1970s go two players deep: Larry Bird (Indiana St.) and Hawkins. Short list, eh? Chet “The Jet” Walker was pretty good, too, and so were guys like Roger Phegley, Mitchell Anderson, Jim Les and Anthony Parker. After the Shockers, it’s as good a lineup as any current Valley member. 9 points.

3. Its home arena. Carver Arena is a bigger and nicer Kansas Coliseum. It has that same cold, “there’s a hockey floor under the hardwood” atmosphere. But it’s in downtown Peoria with several hotspots around it. 7 points.

4. Its home fans. Braves fans are extremely similar to Shocker fans in Koch Arena — good student section and, otherwise, an older fan base. Very knowledgable home crowd, much like WSU, where they cheer good basketball and sometimes sit on their hands when all is not well. 7 points.

5. Its home city. I like Peoria. It’s always 10 degrees when WSU basketball travels there — 40 degrees when WSU baseball is there — but I’ve always thought Peoria should fight Reno for that “Biggest Little City in the World” description. Peoria has a big-city feel with a strong downtown. It’s 2 1/2 hours from St. Louis and Chicago, so there’s a lot of loyalties to be had sports-wise. 6 points.

6. Its mascot and school colors. Braves, red and black with white (or white with black). The Braves get no points, and here’s why: Maybe 20 years ago, the university decided that its Braves mascot/logo, a cartoonish Indian figure, was inappropriate. But while getting rid of the mascot/logo, the “Braves” nickname stayed. The logo changed to a big BU with a script “Braves” in front. This is wishy-washiness at its best. Either go all the way and change the nickname, too, or take a stand and say, “We don’t feel like we’re insulting Native Americans, we’re keeping it.” One or the other, don’t go halfway. The NCAA still has Bradley on its “hostile nicknames” list, as well it should. The Atlanta Braves got rid of Chief Noc-a-homa but you think that’s enough? 0 points.

7. Most colorful players and coaches from the school. Wow, where do you start? Dick Versace defined “colorful,” right? (I still have a roll of Dick Versace toilet paper from the early ’80s. I may put it on eBay someday.) Stan Albeck would be the most colorful coach at many schools but wasn’t Versace’s equal. Think Versace and Gene Smithson ever got together to measure who had the curliest hair? 9 points.

8. And, finally, a chance to earn 10 bonus points based on none of the above. The Braves get points for being old school. If you press Missouri Valley Conference officials about the schools that are the absolute heart of the conference, they’ll tell you Bradley and Wichita State. Each school has had periods of great basketball success. Bradley also gets a sentimentality point this year for this, the last year of Robertson Field House. It was an old airplane hangar with a raised floor that served as the Braves’ home court until about 1982 (the BU women still play there). And, finally, BU gets a point for the Pierre Marquette hotel, just blocks from Carver Arena. I highly recommend staying there, but if you do, be warned: Request a room far away from the side closest to the strip joint next door. You’ll never get any sleep unless you do. 6 points.

The Braves check in at . . . 54 points. That puts them in second, four more schools (including WSU) to go. We’ll rate the school formerly known as Southwest Missouri State on Tuesday night.

The current standings
Creighton 55
Bradley 54
Illinois State 43
Northern Iowa 33
Drake 29

6:20 p.m.: The Braves and the Shockers

Good evening, everyone. Welcome to tonight’s blog from Koch Arena. Eagle beat writer Paul Suellentrop is on my left, Bradley radio men Dave Snell and Joe Stowell are on my right, and there’s about 2,000 gold towels up for grabs in the student section. What could be better?

We’ll do our nightly “Rate the Valley” segment in a few minutes, then we’ll get into full pregame mode. Thanks for checking in, c’mon back. And comment, dang it. That’s what this Internet fad thing is all about.

WSU is now 8-11, 1-7 in the Missouri Valley. Another disappointing performance from a beaten-and-bruised team. Bradley (9-10, 2-5 MVC) is leading Illinois State 55-54 in the second half as I write this, but it’s another bottom-of-the Valley team that is without its best player. WSU had a chance to get better, but it’s looking now like only a miracle will get them into the Valley’s top six.

But this season now is about healing and looking to the future anyway.

UNI has won four straight in Koch, an amazing stat.

For Gary Rima (KABOOM!), Kevin Boyle and everyone here at the Panther Sports Network, good night from Wichita. Thanks for stopping by for the Farm & Fleet Postgame Show.

Final: UNI 65, WSU 58

Couisnard fouls out with 45 seconds to play. Marshall didn’t like the call and official Steve Skiles is going over for some voluntary abuse. (But he didn’t make the call.)

Koch can put it away with two free throws: make, make. 65-58.

WSU comes away empty when Hatch forces a shot, maybe trying to draw a foul. WSU isn’t fouling and the game will end.

1:09, 2nd half: UNI 63, WSU 58

Nathan, I agree on posting Durley up more. But what I’m seeing is that once he gets the ball, he’s pretty predictable in what he’s going to do with it. That doesn’t work more than once on experienced guys like Coleman. But he’ll get better and more diverse.

The fans started to clear out at the timeout, except for the guy who can whistle louder with his fingers than any of the officials.

Couisnard hits a three with 2:07 to play, the first Shocker not named Durley to score in more than 11 minutes.

Couisnard drives for a basket and WSU timeout with 1:09 to play, 63-58.

2:22, 2nd half: UNI 62, WSU 53

WSU’s set play out of the timeout is a three for Couisnard from the top, but it misses. He’s 3 of 7 tonight, but a couple misses have been well off.

Eglseder, obviously feeling my positive impressions, tried a three-pointer that was short but not awful. He’s 5 of 17 from three this season.

Durley’s free throws end an almost seven-minute scoring drought for WSU. It went from a 43-41 Shocker lead to 53-45 deficit.

Durley makes a strong inside move for two and a foul shot with 5:57 to go. WSU’s down five and pressing.

Kerwin Dunham scores his first basket of the night for UNI with a surprising and impressive drive past Couisnard. A foul and FT later, it’s back to an eight-point game.

Spurts. J.T. Durley shows spurts. Coleman flew at him and blocked a three-point attempt, but Durley got the ball and drove the baseline for a two-handed dunk with 4:50 to play.

Kerwin Dunham (3.7 ppg) has scored UNI’s last six points.

Durley has scored WSU’s last 10, though. No Shocker other than him has scored since the 13:48 mark.

UNI had a killer possession, eating the shot clock down to 2 before feeding Coleman inside, who put a quick move on Durley for a layup. 62-53. After a Hatch miss, UNI will eat more clock. Thomasson foul will put Coleman at the line after the media TO.

7:48, 2nd half: UNI 53, WSU 43

Lance Harris makes his first appearance of the night.

Durley missed another three.

Eglseder backed Durley into the paint and missed a shot, got his own rebound and then hit the floor — shaking the rafters — when he was fouled. He made both, nice touch. Just a sophomore, too. Gotta appreciate big guys like that with touch.

Phil Thomasson was poked in the eye by Coleman and lost a contact for the 4,702nd time this season. Seriously, this guy has contacts fall out like I have hair fall out.

But at least he can get his contacts back in. Not so much with my hair . . . .

The Barn just plain fascinates me. He has 10 second-half points already, the lead’s now 50-43. His hands are so big that he only touches the ball with his fingertips, and he STILL swishes free throws with no difficulty.

Mark this down, folks: Eglseder will be an All-Valley player before he leaves Cedar Falls.

KABOOM, Adam Koch, Marshall has to call a timeout trailing 53-43. WSU had better get back into this quickly or fans will be leaving to get the three kids to bed.

11:23, 2nd half: UNI 46, WSU 43

Gotta love a jammies reference from Nathan Arizona in the comments section. Bless your little heart.

Looks like Mantas Griskenas is done for the night after he hit the floor in the first half. He has not returned from the locker room since.

Thomasson’s 15-footer with 15:48 to play gives the Shockers their first lead (38-37) since leading 20-18 in the first half. But “The Barn” gives UNI the lead again.

The Barn is Jordan Eglseder, a 7-foot-1, 265-pound center from Bellevue, Iowa. I would’ve guessed 365, not 265. The guy’s broad and solid. He’s slow, but doesn’t have bad back-to-the-basket skills. Just slows down the Panther offense, though. Whoa, nice touch with the left hand, though, for a MINI-KABOOM 6-footer.

WSU will press after two Cooz FTs. They cause a turnover, then P.J. busts a looooooong three for a two-point lead. Fans on their fee, unsolicited, for the first time tonight.

Viet KABOOMS again, he’s 5 for 5 from three. Coleman spotted him across the block with a good assist.

The Barn is impressing me. He just took a lob pass from Coleman and layed it in like he was placing an egg in hay. Or something like that.

15:56, 2nd half: UNI 37, WSU 36

UNI’s Jared Josten just threw the quickest double-team at Graham Hatch that he’s probably ever seen. Hatch threw it at two other UNI players, he was so surprised.

Coleman has scored the first four points of the half, but Mekel (three) and Couisnard (dunk) make it a one-point game. WSU is back in a matchup zone.

WSU was 0 for 2 on possessions to take the lead, but will have the ball after the media turnover.

Halftime: Now I’ve seen it all

We see TV halftime interviews of football and basketball coaches all the time. MLB managers are getting into it, too. But now, just five feet to my right, a Northern Iowa assistant is doing a halftime inteview with UNI radio guys Gary Rima and Kevin Boyle. One of the most bizarre things I’ve ever seen. I hope this guy’s getting plenty of CiCi’s of Cedar Falls coupons for his appearances.

Halftime: UNI 33, WSU 31

Nothing quite grabs the crowd’s attention at halftime than Don Hall reading the hundred-or-so names on the athletic director’s honor roll. Maybe next time he can liven it up by giving each one of them on-the-spot nicknames, ala Chris Berman. “Andy Wo-Wo-Womack, Taylor Even Steven, Spencer Sister Christian.” Don’s a pro; he could do it.

UNI scoring at the half: Viet 12 (4 of 4 threes), Coleman 8, Koch 7, Haak 3, Eglseder (who doubles as an Iowa barn in his spare time, he’s that big) 2, O’Rear 1. Panthers are hitting 54.2 percent from the field, 6 of an unbelievable 9 from three, 1 of 2 at the line.

WSU scoring: Mekel 9, Durley 8, Clemente 6, Cousinard 3, Hatch 3, Thomasson 2. The Shcokers are an indentical 13 of 24 (.542) from the field, 4 of 9 from three, 1 of 2 at the line.

WSU has a 14-10 rebounding edge (not many missed shots to be had)

Halftime: UNI 33, WSU 31

I can’t help but think that Durley firing up a three-pointer early in a possession is not what Gregg Marshall wanted out of the timeout. Coleman scored for UNI, then Durley missed another early three. ONIONS, as Bill Raftery would say.

A Koch inside basket — Adam, not Charles — and it’s 33-26. Biggest lead of the half until Durley grabs a loose ball for a dunk. At least he didn’t take it back outside for a three.

And who gets the Shockers back into it just before the halftime buzzer? The flu-like symptoms guy, Gal Mekel. He KABOOMS from the left corner as the clock winds down (good assist from Couisnard) to cut the lead to two.

3:06, 1st half: UNI 29, WSU 26

Viet had 11 three-pointers in 18 games entering Koch tonight. No wonder he’s not venturing inside the arc tonight. He feels the magic.

UNI might want to get out of the 2-3 zone. Couisnard fed Thomasson on the left block, who bounced it to Clemente for a one-handed half-tomahawk dunk, it’s 23-22.

Somebody get on Adam Viet . . . KABOOM. UNI leads 25-23. Viet is 4 for 4 from three, he now has 15 this season. The Panthers, meanwhile, are 6 for 6 from three so far.

Griskenas hit the floor hard after the basket. He’s headed back to the locker room, with Hatch replacing him.

Coleman scores inside for a 27-23 lead, then Koch steals and lays it in for a 29-23 lead, 5:02 to go. UNI has gone back to a man and will probably stay in it unless foul trouble hits.

Jared Josten missed UNI’s first three — UN-KABOOM — with 4:24 to play in the half. Durley goes KABOOM at the other end, though, and it’s a three-point game.

7:50, 1st half: UNI 22, WSU 20

Great shooting so far. UNI’s 6 of 10, WSU 8 of 12. Each team has four turnovers.

J.T. Durley is in for the first time. KABOOM, UNI leads 18-17 after Adam Viet’s second KABOOM.

Durley, KABOOM! The kid isn’t shy. He’s in the game about 30 seconds and fires it up early in the shot clock.

Viet, KABOOM, though they should take away a half-point when he did a post-shot flop, trying to draw a free throw. Viet, by the way, is averaging 3.3 points and already has nine.

Don’t know how interesting this is, but every Panther who sees the floor is from the connecting four states of Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. There’s your geography lesson for the evening.

10:11, 1st half: WSU 17, UNI 15

Aaron Ellis and Hatch in for WSU. The pressure has paid off for the Shockers so far. UNI has two turnovers.

Mekel just doesn’t look like he feels well, but the results are good. With the shot clock winding down, he almost lost his footing on a drive, then turned and beat the clock with a 12-footer for a 10-7 lead. Then he got a steal and drove down, beating a defender for a running basket. It’s 12-7 and he may be throwing up in the WSU huddle after UNI called a quick timeout.

UNI got within two on a three-pointer, then a matchup zone caused an unforced turnover when Griskenas bounced a pass of Thomasson’s shin.

Another three from UNI, and I’m learning that the signature call of UNI radio voice Gary Rima is “KABOOM” after a three. Better than “Lolly Lolly Lolly, Get Your Adverbs Here!” I guess.

Hey, he didn’t say “KABOOM” when Hatch hit one for a 17-13 lead . . . .

15:20, 1st half: WSU 8, UNI 7

The Shocker big men are going to have a tough time matching up with Coleman and Adam Koch, UNI’s big men. Both are active and quick, especially with the ball. Coleman got the game’s first two with 16:40 to play.

Adam Koch was 1 of 13 from three-point range before firing one in for UNI. It’s 5-2.

WSU applies some 3/4-court zone pressure, just to slow up the Panthers a bit. They back up into a zone which causes a bad pass out of bounds.

Coleman is a left-handed hoss. He drove into Thomasson, who Fosbury flopped trying to draw a charge, but no call and Coleman put it in.

WSU is on a 4-0 run with some pressure defense paying off. Clemente hit a wide-open 16-footer — Coleman will let him have that shot — then Couisnard dunked for an 8-7 lead. P.J. got a steal on the press, too, and WSU will have the ball after a media timeout.

Now this from the Waterloo Holiday Inn.

7:05 p.m.: I’ve got a Gal . . .

Lineup change: F Mantas Griskenas in the starting five for WSU over Graham Hatch.

Mekel gets the start. I always thought unless you were just vomiting the whole time, you no doubt felt better running up and down the court than just sitting still. Hey, look what it did for Michael Jordan in the ‘93 NBA Finals.

Some of the seats filled, but still probably only 9,000 fannies in attendance.

7 p.m.: The lineups

For the Panthers: F Adam Koch, C Eric Coleman, G Adam Viet, G Jared Josten, G Travis Brown. (One note about Coleman leading the Panthers in assists — it’s only 1.7 a game. You telling me there’s no guard on this team averaging 1.7 assists?)

For the Shockers: F Ramon Clemente, F Phil Thomasson, G P.J. Couisnard, G Graham Hatch . . . and G Gal Mekel.

6:55 p.m.: Around the arena

It’s a cold night. Kansas and Kansas State are on TV. So’s a “Law and Order” repeat, I think.

There are MANY, MANY empty seats nine minutes before lineups. The student section is about 5/8ths full and many of the choice seats — those taken by SASO and athletic department sponsors — aren’t filled yet.

6:50 p.m.: UNI trying for rare air

Matt Braeuer, in suit and tie, picked out the game ball for the officials. Always a point guard.

Northern Iowa, as you know, is trying to win in Koch Arena for the fourth straight season. No team has done that on WSU’s home court since Dana Altman’s Creighton Bluejays did it in 1995 through 1998.

The Panthers are an interesting bunch. Forward Eric Coleman leads UNI in five categories (scoring, rebounding, assists, blocks and steals) and is the nation’s only player to lead his team in all five. He leads in shooting percentage (.597), too.

The Panthers (11-7, 3-4) broke a four-game losing streak on Saturday by beating Missouri State in Cedar Falls. It’s not a good team in close games — UNI is 1-4 in games decided by six points of fewer. Of course, WSU hasn’t handled late-game situations all that well, either.

6:40 p.m.: “Angel is a Centerfold”

If the pep band is playing that song, we must be getting close to tipoff.

Tonight’s officials are Randy McCall, Steve Skiles and Kipp Kissinger. I always get a good chuckle out of the officials giving a wink or a thumbs-up to the radio guys as they come onto the court for the first time. It’s as if they’re saying, “Hey there, radio guy, I don’t remember your name, but I obviously know you who are and speak kindly of me tonight.”

6:30 p.m.: Time to rate the Panthers

As always during the conference season, we’ll rate the incoming opponent to start the blogging night. We rate the school and its importance to the Missouri Valley Conference. We’ll use the following for criteria, giving a maximum of 10 points for each and a minimum of 1. Here’s our look at Northern Iowa.

1. Its national reputation in college basketball. The greatest Division I moment in Northern Iowa basketball history came in 1990, when the 14th-seeded Panthers upset Missouri (and former UNI coach Norm Stewart), the third seed, in a first-round game. Since then the Panthers have gone on to great things . . . well, not really. Consider that UNI wasn’t a Valley member in 1990 (it joined two years later). Consider that UNI has had its most productive Valley seasons in the last four years, which have led to three NCAA bids (all first-round losses). Though UNI has made occasional strides in the Valley, it’s never translated to the national stage. 2 points.

2. Where its best players rate historically among the conference’s best. The Panthers always seem to contribute scoring guards to the all-time MVC roster: Ben Jacobson (not the coach), Jason Daisy (still can’t forget the night he weaved through five Shockers like they were orange cones and hit a game-winning shot at the buzzer), Robbie Sieverding and Cam Johnson. Forwards Grant Stout and Eric Coleman (a senior this year) would also be on the five-man UNI watch list. Among those guys, only Daisy is an MVC player of the year. 4 points.

3. Its home arena. I’ve not been to the McLeod Center in its short history, but I’m told it’s a pretty and functional 8,000-seat venue. It gets my benefit of the doubt only because I want to move on to two of the worst venues in MVC history. There was the UNI-Dome, the 10,000-bad-seats-for-basketball facility that was really a domed stadium that seats about 22,000 for football and indoor track, though I don’t know of any meet in collegiate indoor track history that has attracted 22,000 fans. To fully appreciate how awful the UNI-Dome was for basketball, consider:

– In Randy Smithson’s first season, the Shockers’ locker room was a full quarter-mile from the playing floor, which sat near midfield of the football field. It was such a long hike to and from the locker room, the Shockers were late in getting to the floor for the second half and were nearly assessed a technical foul. The only thing that might’ve saved them was officials’ pity.

– To make the setup for basketball seem more homey — kinda like playing a chess match in the LA Coliseum — the folks and UNI put temporary bleachers on one side of the basketball court, much like the stands you’d see at a City League gym. On the other side, across the media table and eight-lane track, sat about 9,000 football seats. How homey, especially for the guys in row 52.

– Finally, a personal story. In 1998, I was the Shocker beat writer when freshman Maurice Evans and a Northern Iowa player got into a brief and seemingly innocent scrape early in the game as they were trailing a play. Official Eric Harmon (who was in “Blue Chips” and kicked Nick Nolte out of a game), saw the scrape and whistled both players for flagrant fouls and ejected both from the game. I didn’t see the elbowing or punching or whatever it was and decided I needed to ask Harmon for a clarification of what happened. So after the game I ask a UNI athletic department official where I can find the officials. He gives me seemingly detailed directions. Twenty minutes later, I think I was in southern Minnesota. The back hallways and locker areas of the UNI-Dome are so immense that I had no idea where they were. Luckily, Harmon and his two colleagues were leaving when I caught them and got the clarification.

Then there was the 1999 Shocker game in Cedar Falls, when the UNI-Dome was under repair because of roof leakage. The Panthers were forced to play in what they called “West Gym,” a 2,000-seat, 70-year-old gymnasium that any Kansas high school would be ashamed of. I’ll never forget the sight that day of Shocker radio guys Mike Kennedy and Steve Shogren having to climb into a crow’s nest-type perch to call the game, almost directly over the action.

But we’re grading the McLeod Center now. It’s new and nice, I’m told. Finally, a great place to watch a game in Cedar Falls. 8 points.

4. Its home fans. We can only hope Panther fans are enthused by their team’s success in past years. Those northern Iowa winters are too cold not to have something to look forward to. 4 points.

5. Its home city. The Cedar Falls-Waterloo metroplex is your basic small-town, big-campus combo. It rivals Terre Haute for smallest MVC community, which means only the smallest of American and United airlines planes fly into the airport. They’re the kind of flights where the co-pilot is also the flight attendant. I’m not an alcohol consumer before and during flights, but the St. Louis-to-Waterloo route always had me thinking about a stop at the Lambert Airport sports bar before heading to the connecting flight. 3 points.

6. Its mascot and school colors. Panthers, purple and gold. They’re named the Panthers, of course, because of all the wild cats in the nearby Cedar Mountains. 4 points.

7. Most colorful players and coaches from the school. Not much to work with here. Two UNI coaches stand out — Norm Stewart (more for his Mizzou days, obviously) and Eldon Miller. After leaving Ohio State, Miller took over the Panthers in 1986 and led them to the MU upset in 1990 and later into the Valley. Miller was, let’s be kind, not colorful. Solid coach, far from flashy. 3 points.

8. And, finally, a chance to earn 10 bonus points based on none of the above. Until about five years ago, you could still find many folks around the Valley who still wonder what the heck Doug Elgin and the St. Louis folks were thinking when they pushed to bring Northern Iowa into the conference. Geographically it’s not a bad spot, but Panthers basketball didn’t offer anything on a national scale until just recently. The Panthers battle Drake for the third-most popular college sports program in Iowa. Other than that, there’s the never-ending battle to separate itself from Northern Illinois University (UNI, NIU). And, finally, a bonus point goes to radio analyst Kevin Boyle. Longtime Shocker fans will remember that Boyle, who was Miller’s assistant for a long time, is the Iowa Hawkeyes player who missed the close-in shot that would’ve given the Hawkeyes the NCAA second-round victory over WSU on March 15, 1981. You know what happened from there. 5 points.

The Panthers check in at . . . 33 points. That puts them in third, five more schools (including WSU) to go. We’ll rate Bradley on Saturday night.

The current standings

Creighton 55

Illinois State 43

Northern Iowa 33

Drake 29

6:20 p.m.: 1 and 6

Uniform alert: WSU is in its white uniforms tonight, shunning tonight.

When you’re 1-6 in conference play, there are no “must” wins. But let’s consider tonight’s game for a sec.

It’s the first of three straight home games for the Shockers (UNI, Bradley, Missouri State). If there’s anything the first seven games have taught us, it’s that WSU may not be able to beat everyone in the league, but it at least can compete with them all. Or most. Especially at home.

A loss tonight would mean a 1-7 MVC record with five home, five road Valley games remaining (and whoa, I don’t even want to think about the Bracket Buster matchup right now). If there’s any hope of getting out of Thursday’s play-in round at the Valley tournament — and there’s not much hope — WSU desperately needs this one. And Saturday’s. And probably next week’s game against MSU.

And if there’s ever a wounded tiger, it’s this Shocker team. Braeuer’s out, and five more players are banged up or sick (Couisnard’s shoulder, Burley’s knee, Michael’s thigh, Clemente’s finger, Mekel’s flu symptoms). They need this one tonight for confidence.

6:10 p.m.: Welcome to the Roundhouse

First things first: Gal Mekel is participating in early shooting duties. He’s blinking a lot, like his eyes are watering, but I think we’ll see him tonight. How much, will he start, those kinds of things are TBA.

Thanks for checking in with the blog tonight. I’ll be rating Northern Iowa and its Missouri Valley contributions in about a half-hour, then we’ll get to previewing the game and all that good stuff.

Back after this from the UNI Sports Network (oh, that’s what the guy next to me says).

WSU’s final play was the same play it ran two possessions early. Mekel runs it upcourt, hits Cooz at the top of the key, then Cooz finds Mekel on the right side of the arc. Mekel was never open but had to force it.

Thanks for tuning in tonight. Be sure to check back often to Shockwaves for updates from beat writer Paul Suellentrop.

Final: Creighton 68, WSU 65

WSU has to go the length of the court, no pressure from CU. Crowd implores Mekel to hurry. He didn’t have a clear shot at a three, but is fouled driving. He’ll get two with 26.2 to play.

Make, make, a two-point game.

WSU presses, CU breaks it with 15 seconds to go. The Jays don’t look to the basket and WSU fouls with 12.9 seconds to play.

Stinnett has two shots, already has 15 points. First one’s good — he takes his darn time, but it pays off — and the second one’s off. WSU rebounds.

Mekel to Cooz, back to Mekel, his shot is contested and short. Griskenas misses a meaningless layin at the buzzer.

0:36.6, 2nd half: Creighton 67, WSU 63

Griskenas rocks this place with a three with 1:28 to play, tying the game.

Stinnett, the impressive freshman, is fouled on a drive, 1:09 to play. He gets two shots . . . swish, make. CU, 65-63.

One minute . . . 45 seconds . . . Mekel drives and has nowhere to go but throw it into a crowd, and the Jays steal it, getting it ahead to Dotzler for a layup with 38 seconds to go.

Ugh.

1:46, 2nd half: Creighton 63, WSU 60

Clemente has made big defensive plays in the backcourt tonight. His steal led to a CU foul and he goes to the line with 2:18 to play: miss (so quiet the guy in row 30 could hear the Creighton radio guy), make. THREE-point game.

Mekel fouls Dotzler midway through the shot clock, he’ll get one-and-one with 2:01 to go . . . bounces out, Griskenas rebounds.

Crowd’s nutso.

Timeout, the jacket-less Gregg Marshall. Now this, from the Henry Doorly Zoo.

2:25, 2nd half: Creighton 63, WSU 59

Big possession here. WSU has to score and somewhat quickly. Couisnard is fouled by Stinnett, he’ll get one-and-one: swish, make. Five-point game.

Senior Dane Watts just made a freshman mistake. He forced Mekel out of bounds as Gal grabbed the rebound, picking up his fifth foul with 3:05 to play. He’ll end with seven points, but he was much better in the second half than the first.

Mekel’s first FT bounces in and out. Second one is good. Four-point game, three minutes to play.

Offensive foul on Pierce Hibma, running over WSU’s Ramon Clemente. Fans on their feet again for this possession. CU packs it in and Preadom charges for a turnover, 2:25 to play.

3:33, 2nd half: Creighton 63, WSU 56

Marshall had to call a timeout, he couldn’t wait another minute for a media timeout.

Watts fouls Griskenas, who’s been a non-factor tonight. He makes both, a 10-point game. WSU needs a stop in the worst way, but CU will work the clock first.

Couisnard takes a “might as well” three that goes in at the four-minute mark. A Jays turnover gives WSU the ball after you hear this from the Nebraska Beef Producers.

5:16, 2nd half: Creighton 63, WSU 51

Looking forward to what Marshall has to say postgame. . . .

Thomasson makes two foul shots, it’s 57-51. 7:30 to go as Witter puts up a runner over Thomasson, 59-51.

Props to the CU radio guy for saying Witter got away with a double-dribble. (He did.)

Stinnett hits a 17-foot bank jumper over Couisnard, didn’t call it, for a 61-51 lead.

Witter hits another runner off an outside screen. Now it’s 63-51 and trouble time.

7:56, 2nd half: Creighton 57, WSU 49

Gotta say, I truly enjoy sitting next to the visiting team’s radio broadcasters. Especially if they’re passionate. Especially if passionate means “homer.” I didn’t realize Creighton hasn’t committed a foul or an unforced turnover tonight, but now I’ve been enlightened.

But hey, passion is great. What college basketball is all about. That, and billions of dollars.

Tied again after Durley sinks the foul shot.

Josh Dotzler gets wide open when Mekel leaves him to double-team Watts, who finally finds his teammate for a layup.

Key point in the game. Preadom committed an offensive foul that Marshall didn’t like, and Marshall turned away from official Patrick Evans and make a motion with his arm. Evans didn’t see him do that, but turned around and whistled a technical. Don’t know if Marshall said anything. Now Marshall is stalking up and down the sideline like a madman after a long conversation with referee Eddie Jackson. He out-and-out stared at Evans for the beginning of the next possession. Marshall paces again, this time with his arms at the side of his head. Now he stands cross-armed. He took off his jacket during this, too.

Meanwhile, CU has made four straight FTs for a 54-48 lead. Key time, indeed.

As Marshall rants to third official Brad Gaston, Couisnard makes one of two, a three-point game.

Watts makes it an eight-point game with a long three-pointer over Durley, 9:30 to go.

A Durley miss gives the Jays the ball again. Marshall has to forget the technical and get his guys re-focused.

We have a long delay after a shot-clock violation by Creighton, and a tussle between CU’s Millard and Couisnard, gets the teams riled up. Still 57-49, 8:30 to go.

It’s WSU’s turn for a shot-clock violation after Preadom’s shot is rejected and Mekel can’t get another shot off. But Clemente makes a steal and WSU will have the ball.

11:30, 2nd half: Creighton 48, WSU 47

Creighton-WSU games are usually entertaining, and this has been no different. Both teams are playing well, neither are making mistakes like you’d see in an Augusta ninth-grade girls game, and the crowd is just waiting for WSU to take the lead again. Fans are standing through the timeout, which means they’re dying for something good to happen.

And there’s the Shock-o-Meter. What fun!

Bahe is turning out to be a dagger. He has 13 points now after another three from the right side. He averages six points.

J.T. Durley gets a rebound and puts it back in and is fouled. He’ll get a FT after the media timeout to try and tie it again.

12:17, 2nd half: Creighton 45, WSU 45

Ritter tried a three and was knocked around afterward. He missed, then Hatch nailed one to tie the game.

But Harriman of CU drills another three for a 43-40 lead. This is like a boxing match with big punches back and forth.

Couisnard counter-punches with another three, tied at 43.

Two trucks — CU’s Millard and WSU’s Thomasson — just met head-on with a screen. Millard got a moving screen foul. Thomasson got the bruise in the morning.

We have a Dane Watts sighting. CU’s leading scorer got free on the right baseline for a 15-footer. But WSU follows with a halfcourt Mekel-to-Griskenas pass against the press for an easy dunk, tying it at 45. That got Dana Altman to call a timeout.

15:59, 2nd half: Creighton 40 (maybe 39), WSU 37

WSU’s man defense is not helping inside. That is, when a CU big man gets the ball, they’re not doubling, figuring the Jays’ inside players aren’t good enough to hurt them one-on-one.

Backup post player Kenton Walker of CU has three fouls at the 18:08 mark.

WSU’s within a point, 36-35, after three straight Clemente points. But his last FT missed.

At every dead ball, Clemente fools with his surgery-repaired pinky finger.

The Shockers haven’t led since 19-18 midway through the first half, though they’ve not trailed by more than seven and usually by 1-4 points.

They tied it momentarily on Mekel’s dish pass to the right to Clemente for a dunk, then Cavel Witter buried a three — officials had to review it on video to make sure he was behind the line — for a 40-37 lead.

Halftime stats

Creighton scoring: Bahe 10, Stinnett 9, Hibma 5, Millard 5, Harriman 3, Watts 2. .583 FG, .462 3FG, no FT attempts.

WSU scoring: Couisnard 12, Mekel 7, Thomasson 6, Hatch 6, Clemente 1. .462 FG, .333 3FG, 5 of 9 FT.

Turnovers: CU 10, WSU 6.

Two fouls: Watts, Witter, Millard, Clemente. WSU had four team fouls.

Shocker Hall of Fame inductions

Jason Adams (baseball shortstop) goes first. His speech is short, talks about pride while he was here and still proud now. Gene Stephenson is dressed like he’s ready for South Beach.

There’s Jennifer Kaczka (women’s hoops), one of my favorite Shockers to cover while I was on the beat. The woman just hustled every single possession. Every rebound, every shot. She talked a few weeks ago about wanting to coach here someday; I hope she gets her chance. I think she could still average 12 and 10 in the Valley.
Pat Magness (baseball DH) always tried to act like Frank Thomas. Jersey number, big first baseman, a big body who wasn’t a power hitter but a great for-average guy. His .464 season in 1998 is still amazing to me.

Halftime: Creighton 34, WSU 32

WSU uses its first-half 30-second TO to escape falling out of bounds. At least I think that’s what happened. I had an excellent view of Eddie Jackson’s posterior.

After the timeout, Couisnard can’t get it in and gets the other kind of TO.

Bahe hits a jumper when Preadom falls after a hard screen. 32-27.

Another long possession ends in a shot-clock violation when Thomasson’s shot is stuffed — not just blocked, but stuffed — by Chad Millard.

After a CU turnover, Mekel dribbles up, stops and tries to fire a three, but he traveled before it. Can’t understand that kind of decision.

Great pass from Preadom, a no-looker to a cutting Couisnard for a basket and foul. Would like to see more of that kind of playmaking from Preadom, who just seems to be around but not doing much so far this season. FT misses, it’s 32-29.

Couisnard finished inside this time and tied the game with a three-point play. The officials all missed a CU player kicking the ball into the stands — not sure how all three can miss that — then Thomasson draws a charge at the other end. WSU has the ball and can take the halftime lead.

Nine-second difference on the clocks, but CU steals it. Bahe hits a jumper with three seconds to go over Mantas Griskenas, ending the half.

3:57, 1st half: Creighton 30, WSU 27

Graham Hatch doesn’t get his shot quickly, but it’s pure. He fired over a defender to cut the Jays lead to three.

Stinnett is fun to watch. He grabbed a long rebound and put it back in from about 6 feet.

WSU walkon Bret Michael continues to provide solid minutes at point guard. The pride of Bel Aire.

Couisnard gets a tough inside basket to make it 30-27.

A moving screen on CU’s Watts negates a three-pointer, WSU has the ball.

7:23, 1st half: Creighton 28, WSU 21

Graham Hatch gets a three off a set inbounds play. WSU has the lead 19-18 . . . momentarily, until Chad Millard gets his own rebound for a Jays basket.

Millard hits a three next time down. That’s five Jays with threes already.

CU’s up 25-19 after a nifty cut to the basket by Hibma. Graham Hatch didn’t fight through the pick and went under and got burned.

J.T. Durley, who’s been in three minutes, took a too-quick three-point attempt from the top that was long. But a CU charge gives WSU the ball back.

The Jays’ press is meant more for eating shot clock than it is trying to create turnovers. It’s working, throwing WSU’s rhythm off.

Couisnard scores on a runner, he’s got four, it’s 25-21. Then Bahe busts a three for a 28-21 lead.

Cavel Witter has two CU fouls after hacking Couisnard.

11:56, 1st half: Creighton 18, WSU 16

No subs for WSU out of the timeout. Thomasson misses the FT, WSU’s 1 of 3.

Stinnett hits another runner, he’s got seven.

Aaron Ellis is Marshall’s first sub, for Couisnard.

Creighton’s starting to create some separation with three-pointers. Casey Harriman came off the bench for one, then Pierce Hibma, normally a starter but a reserve tonight, hit another for an 18-14 lead.

WSU’s press is causing more problems for CU than CU’s for WSU. The Jays foolishly pick up the ball just past midcourt and get an offensive foul out of it.

15:13, 1st half: WSU 12, Creighton 10

A nothing opening possession turns to gold for the Shockers. Nothing inside, no open shots outside, and Gal Mekel drives and puts in a runner at the shot-clock buzzer. But Dane Watts gets a rebound reverse layup for CU to make it 2-2.

Creighton has opened in a 2-3 zone after a zone press. It’s caused two long opening possessions, but Couisnard’s steal and transition move for an inside basket is the best way to beat a zone.

P’Allen Stinnett is going to be a nightmare for the rest of the Valley. His penetration shot makes it 4-4, but Mekel breaks the zone press with a basket.

Stinnett hits a three, though, for a 7-6 lead. Back and forth so far.

Altman’s jacket is off. That’s nothing new.

Couisnard gets a second steal off a full-court press, feeding Mekel for a quick three. It’s 10-7.

Great atmosphere tonight. After a Bahe three for Creighton, Thomasson gets his shot blocked, gets it back and puts it in with a foul. He’ll have a chance for three points after the media timeout.

7:05 p.m.: Here we go

Shockers in gold again. Creighton in royal blue. Everybody up at your computers. Stand for defense! (Right? Or is it offense?)

7 p.m.: The little stuff

Tonight’s officials: Eddie Jackson, Brad Gaston and Patrick Evans, who I swear is about 18 years old. Dude looks extremely young.

The Creighton five: P’Allen Stinnett (there’s a surprise), G Josh Dotzler, C Kenny Lawson, G Nick Bahe, F Dane Watts.

The WSU five: F Ramon Clemente, F Phil Thomasson, G P.J. Couisnard, G Wendell Preadom (instead of Graham Hatch, we guess), G Gal Mekel.

6:40 p.m.: Why this one’s important

Let’s face it, Wichita State is a pretty good bet to be in Thursday’s play-in round at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in two months. It’ll take a heck of a run, with or without Matt Braeuer, to escape the bottom four of the conference.

So at 1-3 in the conference (8-7 overall), here’s what the Shockers have ahead of them after tonight: at Illinois State, at Southern Illinois, then three at Koch with Northern Iowa, Bradley and Missouri State.

Include tonight’s game and what kind of record do you see in the next six? I’m saying 2-4. Maybe 3-3 with an LSU-UAB type run. More importantly, Gregg Marshall will have to know by the rematch in Omaha on Feb. 2 what parts of this team will be his future. P.J. Couisnard, Braeuer and Phil Thomasson will be gone next year, and the guys with the most minutes after that are Gal Mekel and Ramon Clemente.

This tidbit overheard from Creighton radio guy T. Scott Marr: He conducted his pregame interview with Dana Altman, returned to press row and said Altman was as tight as he’s ever seen him. Now THAT’S saying something.

6:30 p.m.: Play quickly, boys

When I arrived, an announcement was on the press table: No Internet access after 10 p.m. They’re making upgrades on campus.

No triple OTs tonight, boys.

6:15 p.m.: Matt’s on the court . . . in shirt and tie

As Gregg Marshall told the Omaha sports radio host the other day, Matt Braeuer is day-to-day. Today, evidently, that means he won’t play. (In case you’re wondering, Braeuer is a couple inches shorter than TV guy Craig Steven and a couple inches taller than TV guy Bruce Haertl.) If you haven’t heard Marshall’s interview with the Omaha station, check Paul’s post below. It’s good stuff. Or bad stuff, depending on how you view it.

Creighton is 2-2 in the Valley after a 9-1 non-conference start. The Jays won their first five — only beat Savannah State by 26, though — and dropped their first by 13 at No. 21 Xavier on Dec. 5. But once the Valley started, CU dropped a home game to Illinois State, then lost to former assistant coach Kevin McKenna at Indiana State 62-54. I’m betting Dana Altman didn’t talk the entire flight back to Omaha.

Since that Jan. 2 game, though, the Jays have a one-point win at Missouri State and an easy 77-59 win at the Qwest Center over Evansville (from here on to be called Valley Doormat).

This is not the Nate Funk-Anthony Tolliver Jays that we’re used to. F Dane Watts is the only starter back (he makes his 100th straight start tonight, I don’t think they’ll stop the game to recognize it), though guards Nick Bahe (former KU walkon) and Pierce Hibma are seniors.

But the CU bench has been the story — 41.9 points a game, second-best nationally. P’Allen Stinnett, a 6-foot-3 guard from Las Vegas, is the player to watch. He scored 23 second-half points against DePaul in CU’s opener. It was the Jays’ best scoring display from an opening performance in 38 years.

6:10 p.m.: Time to rate the Bluejays

As always during the conference season, we’ll rate the incoming opponent to start the blogging night. We rate the school and its importance to the Missouri Valley Conference. We’ll use the following for criteria, giving a maximum of 10 points for each and a minimum of 1.

1. Its national reputation in college basketball. Before the 1990s, Creighton’s national reputation was being the school where baseball great Bob Gibson once played. Then along came Bob Harstad, Chad Gallagher and Tony Barone, and the Bluejays dominated the Valley for 2-3 years (which may speak more toward how weak the Valley was back then). Then along came Dana Altman after Kansas State scooted him along. One of Creighton’s favorite stats in those first few years of the Altman era was bragging about improving its victory totals each of the first seven-or-so seasons. But that’s a stat that’s only relevant for so long — say, seven-or-so seasons — before you have to start giving folks NCAA Tournament stats. And that’s been the Creighton success-o-meter lately, whether the Bluejays make the NCAA field. CU has made seven NCAA trips in Altman’s 14 seasons and another three NIT stops. He has made the Jays, along with Southern Illinois, the standard-bearer for the Missouri Valley Conference. When outsiders think of the Valley, they think of Dana Altman and SIU’s defense. And what an awful place Cedar Falls is to travel to, but that’s for another day. . . . 10 points

2. Where its best players rate historically among the conference’s best. An off-the-top-of-my-head All-Creighton team during its Valley years would be C Benoit Benjamin, F Bob Harstad, G-F Rodney Buford, G Kyle Korver and G Nate Funk. That’s three former MVC players of the year, three NBA players. And that’s leaving off Shocker killer Kevin McKenna, now Indiana State’s coach. Remember McKenna in the 1981 Valley final at the Roundhouse? Folks forget that even though WSU got to the Elite Eight that season, they suffered a bad home loss to McKenna and the Bluejays in the MVC final. Anyway, an all-CU team stacks up well to most all-whomever teams in the conference, though certainly not the winner of that mythical tournament. 7 points

3. Its home arena. I must admit, I’ve not been inside Qwest Center Omaha (but I have been inside Qwest Center Grand Island and Qwest Center Kearney). Still, when grading a new home arena, you must take into consideration what the old place was like. And the Omaha Civic Center, despite a big facelift in the late 1990s, was mostly a dump. It had the feel of a minor-league hockey arena, the kind you might see in “Slap Shot.” Cold, dark, no personality. The move into QCO has obviously been a boon to the Jays program. Sellout crowds, much better student support, and going to Creighton games has become an Omaha event. Is that because they’re winning or playing in a state-of-the art arena? 10 points

4. Its home fans. It’d be a stretch to call Creighton fans “bandwagoners,” but it’s hard to imagine sold-out crowds if the Jays had a couple of seventh-place Valley seasons. Remember the dark days of Shocker hoops, when there would ALWAYS be 6,000 folks in the stands, even if Chad Williams was in the starting lineup? Don’t see that happening in Omaha. But as long as they’re winning, I’m told QCO gets pretty loud. And since we’re living in the present . . . 6 points

5. Its home city. These are 2000 census figures: Omaha, population 390,000; Wichita, population 344,000. Omaha has Council Bluffs across the river. We have Haysville across the river. Here’s my point: Despite similar sizes, Omaha seems light years ahead of us on the sporting scene. Maybe it started when the Aeros left Wichita in 1984 and we lost the same Triple-A city status that Omaha, OKC, Tulsa and Des Moines enjoyed. Omaha’s eight years ahead of us with a downtown arena, and in addition to that yearly baseball lovefest they call the College World Series, the city this year will also host a first- and second-round NCAA Tournament regional and the U.S. Olympic swimming and diving trials. Plus it has Pauli’s, the CWS bar of choice. Wichita can remedy the NCAA basketball regional thing by applying for one here in a year or two, and let’s hope Bob Hanson and the Sports Commission gang thinks big, in arena terms, when it opens in 2010. 8 points

6. Its mascot and school colors. Bluejays, blue and white. Not much originality. The school logo says “Jays” and that’s it. Sigh. 2 points

7. Most colorful players and coaches from the school. Let’s pay tribute to a colorful non-player and non-coach. I don’t know his name, but a school chaplain has been on the Bluejays’ sideline since I was a kid. I’ve always called him Father Bluejay, which probably dooms me in some way. He’s not a referee baiter, he’s not a coach, just a chaplain on the sideline. I always used to think that he was worth a couple baskets a game to CU, though, right? 5 points

8. And, finally, a chance to earn 10 bonus points based on none of the above. Tonight I’m sitting next to Creighton associate athletic director Kevin Sarver, a great guy nicknamed “Sarv” and a CU guy since time began. He and athletic director Bruce Rasumussen are two examples of why Creighton gets bonus points — the CU athletic department has a tremendous amount of class. Beat writers travel the Valley over and over and build relationships with other beat writers and other athletic department people. Creighton folks are easily tops around the league when it comes to professionalism and class. . . . Sarv, you buying me a beer tonight? 7 points

That’s a total of 55, which puts the Jays into the lead. Six schools to play.

The current standings
Creighton 55
Illinois State 43
Drake 29

Game preview in a few minutes.

6 p.m.: Welcome to Shockwaves

You see the live blog has a new home. We’re over here now on Paul Suellentrop’s Shockwaves, the blog he’s promised to update three times a day until he realizes that’s too much. But, technically, he made three posts on the blog before readers even knew there was a Shockwaves blog, so that’s sayin’ something.