u25aa On Feb. 26, 2011, Missouri State won its first Missouri Valley Conference title by defeating Wichita State 69-64 at JQH Arena. That game signaled a high point for the Bears, who packed their new 11,000-seat arena with fans and appeared to be a program on the rise.
Five seasons later, that potential is unrealized and the MVC suffered as three important programs declined. With MSU, Bradley and Southern Illinois weakened, the Valley slipped and this season sits at No. 14 in the warrennolan.com RPI.
By history, resources and attendance, those are three programs that should provide stability to the MVC.