The more things change, the more they stay the same, and that was true by the end of this year’s Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) season.
After a dominant regular season earned it the No. 1 seed at Arch Madness, Illinois State University never led in the conference championship game in St. Louis, falling 71-51 to Wichita State University.
The Shockers, who failed to get the No. 1 seed at Arch Madness for the first time since 2013, rolled passed the Redbirds with ease, leading by as many as 23 points in the second half.
Guard Conner Frankamp, who was named the MVC Tournament Most Outstanding Player, scored a game-high 19 points.