2021 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Info, Facts, & Preview Links
First Round (St. Louis, MO; Enterprise Center)
Thursday, March 4, 2021
Game 1: (9) Southern Illinois (11-13 overall; 5-13 conf) vs. (8) Bradley (12-15 overall; 6-12 conf) at 6 p.m. ET (MVC TV Network/ESPN+)
Game 2: (10) Illinois St. (7-17 overall; 4-14 conf) vs. (7) Northern Iowa (9-15 overall; 7-11 conf) at 9 p.m. ET (MVC TV Network/ESPN+)
Quarterfinals (St. Louis, MO; Enterprise Center)
Friday, March 5, 2021
Game 3: (9) S. Illinois/(8) Bradley winner vs. (1) Loyola (IL) (21-4 overall; 16-2 conf) at noon ET (MVC TV Network/ESPN+)
Game 4: (5) Evansville (9-15 overall; 7-11 conf) vs. (4) Indiana St. (14-9 overall; 11-7 conf) at 3 p.m. ET (MVC TV Network/ESPN+)
Game 5: (10) Illinois St./(7) N. Iowa winner vs. (2) Drake (24-3 overall; 15-3 conf) at 6 p.m. ET (MVC TV Network/ESPN+)
Game 6: (6) Valparaiso (10-17 overall; 7-11 conf) vs. (3) Missouri St. (16-6 overall; 12-6 conf) at 9 p.m. ET (MVC TV Network/ESPN+)
Semifinals (St. Louis, MO; Enterprise Center)
Saturday, March 6, 2021
Game 7: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 at 1 p.m. ET (CBSSN)
Game 8: Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 6 at 4 p.m. ET (CBSSN)
Championship Game (St. Louis, MO; Enterprise Center)
Sunday, March 7, 2021
Game 9: Championship Game (Auto Bid) at 2:10 p.m. ET (CBS)
Tournament Winners (last 10 years):
2020: (4) Bradley (23-11 overall; 11-7 conf)
2019: (5) Bradley (20-15 overall; 9-9 conf)
2018: (1) Loyola (IL) (32-6 overall; 15-3 conf)
2017: (2) Wichita St. (31-5 overall; 17-1 conf)
2016: (4) Northern Iowa (23-13 overall; 11-7 conf)
2015: (2) Northern Iowa (31-4 overall; 16-2 conf)
2014: (1) Wichita St. (35-1 overall; 18-0 conf)
2013: (1) Creighton (28-8 overall; 13-5 conf)
2012: (2) Creighton (28-5 overall; 14-4 conf)
2011: (3) Indiana St. (20-14 overall; 12-6 conf)
NET ratings through games of 3/3/21 (347 teams)
Loyola (IL)-18
Drake-41
Missouri St.-94
Indiana St.-124
Bradley-159
N. Iowa-193
S. Illinois-217
Valpo-225
Evansville-229
Illinois St.-241
Kenpom ratings as of 3/3/21
Loyola (IL)-12
Drake-52
Missouri St.-90
Indiana St.-120
Bradley-135
N. Iowa-161
Valpo-188
Illinois St.-194
S. Illinois-199
Evansville-200
Here are some links for previews of the 2021 Missouri Valley Conference tournament and the official tournament championship page (in no particular order):
Official Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Central page: http://mvc-sports.com/feature/21Arch
FanSided/Busting Brackets tournament preview link: https://bustingbrackets.com/2021/03/04/missouri-valley-basketball-2021-conference-tournament-preview/
Mid-Major Madness tournament preview link: https://www.midmajormadness.com/2021/3/3/22306299/missouri-valley-conference-tournament-loyola-the-team-to-beat-ncaa-tournament-big-march-madness
Missouri Valley Beat tournament preview link: https://www.missourivalleybeat.com/post/2021-arch-madness-preview
Three Man Weave tournament preview link: https://www.three-man-weave.com/3mw/missouri-valley-tournament-preview-2021
The Game Haus tournament preview link: https://thegamehaus.com/college-basketball/missouri-valley-conference-tournament-bracket-breakdown/2021/03/04/
My brief take: Arch Madness is always a ton of fun. The prohibitive favorite is nationally-ranked Loyola (IL), and I will pulling for them or Drake to win it all. Drake is now a dark horse after suffering some major injuries down the stretch (Hemphill & Penn). The last couple of years Bradley won despite being a 4 or 5 seed. I don't see it this year as it is a very top-heavy conference with Loyola and Drake the class of the conference. My guess is Drake doesn't make it to the title game, but Loyola does. I think the Ramblers will win it. We'll see. Enjoy!
