A lot has changed since the last time Missouri State played Valparaiso.
MSU showed a strong defensive performance, holding the Missouri Valley Conference newcomers to just 34.8 percent from the field in a 67-50 MSU win on Dec. 31. MSU at one point in the game led by as 27. It was Valpo's sixth loss of a 1-7 stretch.
It was the third win of a 4-0 start — MSU's best start to a conference season since winning the regular-season conference championship in 2010-11. The win had fans thinking similar results could be in store for this year's Bears.