Missouri Valley Conference Basketball Blog

A record 113 Division I college basketball programs are continuing their seasons in 2008 as the CBI Tournament has been added alongside the NCAA and NIT Tournament to give more deserving programs a chance to play in a postseason tournament. While Drake was the lone Missouri Valley Conference basketball team named to the NCAA Tournament, the NIT was happy to select Illinois State, Southern Illinois and Creighton. Meanwhile, the CBI selected Bradley to host first and second round games. College Sports Fans has released their NCAA Tournament preview for Drake. The Bulldogs are a #5 seed in the West Regional and face a tough #12 seeded Western Kentucky out of the Sun Belt Conference.

The end of January is here and the Missouri Valley Conference is solid yet again in 2007-2008. While the conference as a whole is ranked #8 in the RPI rankings (compared to the Top 6 last year), the MVC is led in 2008 by a surprising team, the 19-1 Drake Bulldogs. Let’s take a look at the current Missouri Valley Conference standings in RPI ranking order:

- Drake - 19-1 (10-0) - #6 RPI
- Illinois State - 15-6 (7-3) - #46 RPI
- Southern Illinois - 11-10 (6-4) - #69 RPI
- Creighton - 14-6 (5-5) - #55 RPI
- Northern Iowa - 13-8 (5-5) - #100 RPI
- Bradley - 12-10 (5-5) - #102 RPI
- Indiana State - 10-10 (5-5) - #119 RPI
- Missouri State - 11-11 (4-6) - #132 RPI
- Wichita State - 9-12 (2-8) - #165 RPI
- Evansville - 6-14 (1-9) - #256 RPI

Find SIU apparel & clothing online as well as Drake Bulldogs apparel & Wichita State hats and more at DFN Sports sites.