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BU, SIU open Valley season after tough nonconference slates

Sometimes, a team's nonconference season is a good gauge for how the league campaign may go.

Other times, not so much.

Both Bradley (5-8) and Southern Illinois (7-6), which tip off the Missouri Valley Conference season against each other Thursday at Carver Arena (7:05 p.m.), are thinking the latter is the case.

For both, the primary reason is the nonconference schedule was likely stronger than what they'll face in league play. Both teams' strength of schedule ranking is among the top five in the MVC.

"It's the toughest nonconference schedule we've played in some time," said SIU coach Barry Hinson.