The sooner they can put the nonconference portion of the schedule in the rearview mirror, the better.
Each team returned significant players from last season when they all played in the MVC Tournament semifinals. Loyola backed up its regular-season title with the tourney crown en route to its first NCAA tourney appearance since 1985.
MVC schools posted a 72-57 nonconference record, including a 2-18 mark against opponents from the power five conferences and Big East. The marquee wins came when Bradley beat Penn State, 59-56, and Indiana State's 72-67 victory over Colorado in the Diamond Head Classic.