Missouri Valley Power Rankings – updated January 5, 2013

Posted at January 6, 2013 // Featured

With three games in the books, conference play has provided several surprises of note – both good and bad.  On the bright side, Missouri State – without a single D1 victory in non-conference play, won two of three to start the Valley season.  Illinois State, however, dropped their first three games in MVC play after being selected #2 in the preseason Valley poll.

Here is our updated MVC Power Rankings

MVC Power Rankings

1) Creighton (14-1, 3-0) – Gregory Echenique, Grant Gibbs, and Ethan Wragge have proven that the Jays are more than a one man team.
2) Wichita State (14-1, 3-0) - Cleanthony Early scored 24 points in a comeback victory at Bradley as the Shockers remain unbeaten in Carl Hall’s absence.
3) Indiana State (9-5, 2-1) - The RPI loves the Sycamores.  Indiana State played Creighton close, but unable to collect signature win.
4) Northern Iowa (8-7, 1-2) - UNI might be this year’s mystery team.  Looked awful in losses to Wichita State and Indiana State, but won a huge game in Normal on Saturday.
5) Evansville (9-6, 2-1) – Are Colt Ryan and Troy Taylor the Valley’s best backcourt?  Statistically, they have been so far.
6) Bradley (10-5, 2-1) - Braves were thee minutes away from beating Wichita State and moving to 3-0 in MVC play, but couldn’t hold the lead.
7) Illinois State (9-6, 0-3) - Dan Muller’s squad opening conference play at 0-3 is the early season shocker for me.  Jackie Carmichael needs to put this team on his shoulders.
8 ) Missouri State (4-11, 2-1) - Bears couldn’t have looked worse in non-conference play, yet they are an OT loss to Evansville away from being 3-0 in the MVC.
9) Drake (6-8, 0-3) - Is Mark Phelps’ seat warming in Des Moines?  Bulldogs play, including a home loss to Missouri State, doesn’t inspire confidence.
10) Southern Illinois (7-7, 0-3) - I gave the Salukis the benefit of the doubt early on, but they have looked the part of a 10th place team so far in MVC play..

 

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