Missouri Valley Update

Standing at 67% ATS in this specialty conference of mine, along with a 61% ATS record in the Big 12, one other conference I specialize in, once again, keying in on a few conferences is showing success. That being said here are my weekly takes on what is going on in this mid-major conference as I highlight some teams to keep an eye on. There is a 3-way tie for first place right now, with Northern Iowa, Wichita State and Southern Illinois all locked up at 8-2 in conference play and these 4 teams have a combined home record of 37-2 SU. Southern Illinois- Guess who has the longest home winning streak in the USA in conference action? The Saluki's of Southern Illinois at 34 games, and we cashed them in against Creighton this week and they followed that win up the next night against Drake. The Saluki's stand 15-4 overall, and this was suppose to be a rebuilding year. Check out those home totals when they play there, because this team in getting it done with defense allowing just 52 ppg there, and they allow under 59 ppg on the season. The Saluki's are 16-2 ATS with the UNDER in their last 18 games, simply amazing! Key in on these guys with totals, Vegas oddsmakers have been very slow to adjust to this unreal totals trend. Northern Iowa- Still leaders in the Mo Valley, at 18-3 overall. They are scoring points in bunches and have cashed their last 4 games on the Over. Scoring 72 ppg at home and allowing 57 will get you a winning record in any conference. In the past 9 days big wins over Creighton and Southern Illinois, along with Evansville and Drake have the Panthers on a roll. This team also beat Big 12 sister Iowa State in Ames this year and scored over 70 points on Southern Illinois's vaunted defense. A game at in-state rival Drake on Saturday and then a HUGE road trip to Omaha Nebraska to take on Creighton on the 31st, where the Bluejays at the time of this article are 10-0 SU at home, that will be the game of the week in the Mo Valley next week. Wichita State- A surprising team this year as the Shockers replaced 4 starters from last years team. They are 6-1 on the road SU and their only loss was to Illinois out of the Big 10 this year by 1 point! They have a huge game at Creighton this weekend, which will determine just how good they are, because Creighton has not lost a game at the Quest center this year and have beaten the likes of big brother Nebraska by 30 and Xavier too. The Shockers play great defense and have a team concept, and usually have 4 players in double digits and really spread it around very well, and are very well coached. Standing at 17-4 overall, and ranked 35th in the USA in defensive points allowed, this is a sleeper team this season in the Mo Valley, and getting big points on the road may be worth a look. There are few teams this season to keep your eye on, and Bradley at home is one of them. The Braves are 8-1 at home and scoring 79 ppg there. Southwest Missouri State is one of the top offensive teams in the Mo Valley, but play little defense, and anytime I see a total under 140 with them, it has been a winner. Creighton is playing great ball at home, and struggling on the road. We'll see how good they are after Tuesday since they play Wichita State and Missouri Valley leader Northern Iowa in back to back homers, but I can assure you, that head coach Dana Altman for Creighton will be on the trading block after this season, as many major schools will be after him, because he knows how to coach better than any other in this conference and knows how to win big games. I will attend both Creighton home games over the next week and the next 2 as mentioned will be barn burners! Those are my weekly takes, be sure to follow up with me daily on my websites as I look to unload on the books again over the weekend with some Missouri Valley selections.