With the second week of collegiate basketball games concluding, teams are beginning to find their footing through non-conference matchups.
If teams want to make it to the top, they will have to adjust as they move closer to conference season.
Here are the Missouri Valley Conference power rankings through the second week.
1. Illinois-Chicago
We have seen good offense in this UIC team. The Flames average 87.5 points a game on 53% FG, 33% 3FG, and are averaging about 20 assists a game. The Flames have rarely turned the ball over, averaging about 10 turnovers a game.
They have had a trio of scorers in Rashund Washington Jr., who’s the leading scorer with 17 points, also averaging seven rebounds on 61% from the field. Their second scorer, Ahmad Henderson II averages 14 points, shooting 54% beyond the arc. Then they have Mekhi Lowry on both ends of the floor, averaging 13 points per game and adding three steals and two blocks.
On defense, they’re averaging 14 steals and five blocks a game. Mehki Lowry, Ahmad Henderson II and Elijah Garrett all average at least two steals a game. This defense pressures turnovers, forcing 42 total through two games.
They have a few games this week on their schedule that will test them: Nov. 9 against UNC Greensboro and Saint Mary’s on Nov. 13.
2. Murray State
The Racers have established their identity as a high-scoring, strong rebounding team. They average through two games 93 points and 36 rebounds a game, setting a solid foundation and supporting cast who can help them win.
Brayden Shorter has emerged as the leading scorer, averaging 21 points per game and shooting reliably at 60%. Roman Domon is off to a good start this season, averaging 20 points, five rebounds, and three assists a game.
Shorter and Domon are essential to good scoring, with help from teammates Jonas Boulefaa, Talis Soulhac and Kaden Magwood, all averaging 27 points a game between the three and 47% from the field.
Rebounding has been strong for the Racers. Brigham Rogers leads the way in rebounding with seven, Roman Domon with five, and Lachlan Crate with four. This team has two more home games this week against Alcorn State and Texas Southern, where the Racers hope to continue their win streak.
3. Illinois State
Illinois State suffered an overtime loss to St. Mary’s in their first game, but the Redbirds had a good chance to win in the second half until it came down to the wire. However, the Redbirds had a strong comeback win and remain at three despite a loss to Purdue.
This team is still one of the better teams in the conference and had a tough loss against a very good opponent. The Redbirds have been shooting 29-for-57 (50.9%) through their games.
Johnny Kinziger has had an amazing start to year four, averaging 23 points and five assists on 68% from three. Malik Messina-Moore has been a great secondary scorer, averaging 17 points, five rebounds and four assists. Messina-Moore has also been strong on defense, averaging a steal per game.
Illinois State’s defense has been a weak point. They have only forced 21 turnovers. Their rim protection hasn’t been great either, only averaging 1.5 on the young season. If this team wants to go far, the defense needs to step up.
4. Valparaiso
Valparaiso moves up a spot following a 2-1 week that most notably featured a win over Purdue 83-80.
Rakim Chaney has been the leader of the team in points, rebounds, assists and steals. His growth has proven to be a focal point for the Beacons. Chaney is a key factor in Valparaiso moving up a spot.
Carter Hopoi also leads the Beacons and anchors the defense. Hopoi has five blocks and two steals through two games, averaging eight points and 5.5 rebounds.
With an impressive win over a quality opponent and a blowout win against a lesser team, Valparaiso has taken care of business and stepped up when needed.
5. Belmont
With two wins from three, Belmont has taken care of business. Belmont moved down a spot because of the difference in competition between the Bruins and Valparaiso. Belmont played against a Southern Indiana team and Center.
While neither team is the pinnacle of competition, Belmont delivered. Winning each game by an average of over 20 points, they didn’t just beat teams; they annihilated them.
Jack Smiley led these wins. Smiley has stepped up as the team leader, averaging 20 points and two steals per game.
With Belmont needing a center heading into the season, they seem to have found it in Vincent Neugebauer. Neugebauer has been a welcome contributor, averaging 8.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
With their star players taking the needed leaps, paired with blowout wins, Belmont remains in the top five.
6. Drake
Drake has done exactly what was asked of them through two games. The competition they have played leaves much to be desired, with their first game a 53-point win, followed by a seven-point win vs. Southern.
The Bulldogs will never complain about being 2-0, yet the competition and struggle against Southern leave something to be desired. Compared to other teams in the MVC, Drake has done what is needed.
Led by Jon Carroll, the transfer has positioned himself well with the Bulldogs, leading the team in points, rebounds and steals. Carroll averages 20 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, along with three steals. He has been a valuable addition and is poised to be a focal point for the rest of the season.
With new players taking a step and winning, Drake moves up a spot in the power rankings.
7. Indiana State
One of the biggest risers in the new rankings, the Sycamores have played two good opponents in Charlotte and Ball State.
We saw inconsistency from the three-point line. Against Charlotte, they shot six-for-20 from beyond the arc; against Ball State, they shot eight-for-17 from deep. They also got out-rebounded; while both teams had 76 rebounds, the Sycamores had only 61. They have been good at limiting turnovers, averaging only about 10 per game so far.
The good news for the Sycamores is that they have a consistent leading scorer in Karmani Gregory, averaging 24.5 points per game, and he has shot 40% from deep. They have two good secondary scorers in Maguire Mitchell and Jackson Cooper.
The Sycamores are looking to take advantage of this upcoming homestand with two games this week against Milwaukee and Stephen F. Austin.
8. Southern Illinois
After a week of mixed results, Southern Illinois stays close to their prior ranking, as their competition is unexceptional. With a win vs. Maryville and a loss vs. Kansas City. With these results, the team ranked eighth.
The Salukis are led by Jalen Haynes. He averages 26 points per game. His scoring increase has been a big part of what the Salukis will rely on. Haynes, however, is not the only contributor, as Max Pikaar has taken a leap both offensively and defensively.
While the players projected to take a step up have followed through, the assumed increase in production is accurate.
9. Evansville
Seeing Evansville start 2-1 is impressive, but the teams they have faced haven’t set high bars either. They only beat an IU Komko team by 10, which was a gimme for them, almost. They took a weak Southern Indiana to overtime and barely escaped by two points.
There have been positives to take away from the Purple Aces, starting with their two main scorers, AJ Casey and Bryce Quinet. Both scorers can take over the game and lead the team to victory. Against IU Komko, Casey led the team with 19 points, and against Southern Indiana, Quinet led the team with 23 points.
This has been a good rim-protecting team, averaging 5.5 blocks a game. That’s thanks to players like AJ Casey, Bryce Quinet and Makuei Riek, all averaging 1.5 blocks a game. They’ve also been one of the best teams at limiting turnovers, with only 7.5 per game.
They’re looking to stay undefeated this week against their two best opponents in Middle Tennessee and Miami Ohio. This will be their two biggest tests of the season so far, and they’re looking to prove they are on the right track to being one of the better teams in the MVC.
10. Northern Iowa
Northern Iowa has taken two of its first three games, winning against Cornell of Iowa and Green Bay and losing to Furman. That loss dropped Northern Iowa multiple spots.
Greyson Uelmen has emerged as the team’s best player, leading in scoring, rebounds and assists. As he continues to develop, his role as a leading man for the Panthers can be seen as a positive. Carson Vis’ defensive prowess, paired with him averaging 17 points per game, makes him a viable starter.
While multiple players have been solid contributors, Northern Iowa has lost to teams they should have beaten, which many teams higher on this list did not do.
11. Bradley
Brian Wardle and the Braves are off to a slow start, and it doesn’t get any worse when they have had one of the easiest first two-game stretches in the conference. Their only wins have come against Division 3 Monmouth College and Coppin State, which ranks in the bottom 10 in Division 1. They’ve suffered losses to the University of Pacific and Davidson.
The Braves have started with the conference’s worst offense through two games, shooting 38% from the field and 29% from three. To make this worse, they have shot only 62% from the free-throw line.
The Braves are looking to improve their record against George Mason and Purdue-Fort Wayne to show they can be better than their record shows.
