We're the overwhelming favorite to win Arch Madness even after our loss to UNI.

FanDuel has us at +130, or an implied 43.5% chance win the MVC. UNI and Missouri State are tied for second at +490, or an implies 16.9% chance.

So, oddsmakers still have high expectations for us.

Surprising the amount of love we are getting this year, espn put out their predictions for conference tournaments, and all analysts picked us. I’m quite surprised by this, especially with our play the last month.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... basketball

This is why we play the game. Do we have the talent to win Arch? Yes. Can we string together 3 solid games of good defense, good shooting and low turnovers? I don't know. We really have not played a lot of complete 40 minute games of late.

Some things to hope for this week:

1. Return of Kennedy;
2. Schweiger continuing to come out of his funk;
3. Welch continuing to give us good minutes and hopefully staying out of foul trouble;
4. Hutson showing up and giving us some solid minutes.

We need these 4 things so the other "starters" can have the energy they need to play at a high level.

We have had irrational game lines the entire year. I'd have to look it up but I don't think we had a very good % of covering, yet the lines were still set high. We were -2 at UNI, on their senior night, in a winner take all game, and after having played 4 games in 8 days.

Not sure the UNI game supports what you’re saying. We had the ball for last shot of regulation in a tie game. Made shot gives us the win by 2 or 3. Seems pretty spot on

Just did some research though and we were 9-15-4 against the spread this year. We were favored in all conference games, so those losses are really where the difference was.

Kennedy will be playing per Coach Drew

More predictions before Arch Madness, Harry Schroeder predicts we lose to UNI again after a tough game with Bradley.

https://bustingbrackets.com/2022/03/01/ ... preview/7/

Not loving the first round matchup against a pissed off Rienk Mast who is probably feeling snubbed as a “third team” selection

Really interested to see how this team responds on Friday. Has been mentioned by others that it seems like we have a hard time being motivated at the start of games but I’m hoping that changes. Hopefully being the 4 seed and this being that first “win or go home” game of the season is enough to have the guys motivated from the start. If that’s the case then I feel confident. One of the great things about this season is that the target on our backs ensured every valley team was giving it their all every time we stepped on the floor. Effort is always increased in the playoffs, but hopefully we’re ready for it with the experience from this year.

We tend to play better with rest. I am hopeful that with rest and the return of Marquis - we will be ready to play.