NORMAL — After 80 Missouri Valley Conference basketball games, about the only thing that has been decided is Evansville and likely Indiana State will be in the March 7 play-in round for Arch Madness in St. Louis.
"It's a year where almost every night, regardless which team is home or away, the games have been hard and close," said Northern Iowa's Ben Jacobson, the league's dean of coaches in his 14th season with the Panthers.
The league champion, or champions, will have at least six losses for the first time ever. Defending champ Loyola, Missouri State and Drake start the final week tied for the top at 10-6, with fast-closing UNI right on their heels at 9-7.