The perception is widespread that this was not the kind of November the Missouri Valley Conference wants to remember.
After its top three teams were hit hard by graduation, the Valley has gotten off to a mediocre 37-30 record in nonconference play, is 0-6 vs. top 25 opponents and has fashioned a dreary No. 14 ranking in conference RPI.
But perception can sometimes be off the mark.
By comparison, here are the numbers from November 2015 when Wichita State, Evansville and Northern Iowa were loaded with strong senior classes: A 34-30 mark at the end of the first calendar month with a 1-7 record against the top 25 and an RPI of 13 (on Dec.