2025–26 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball season

2025–26 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball season
LeagueNCAA Division I
SportBasketball
Teams11
TV partner(s)ESPN, CBSSN, Gray Media
Regular Season
Regular season championsBelmont (1st title)
Season MVPTyler Lundblade
MVC tournament
ChampionsNorthern Iowa (7th title)
  Runners-upUIC
Finals MVPTrey Campbell (UNI)
2025–26 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
Belmont 16 – 4   .800 26 – 6   .813
Bradley 13 – 7   .650 21 – 13   .618
Illinois State 12 – 8   .600 21 – 12   .636
Murray State 12 – 8   .600 20 – 13   .606
UIC 12 – 8   .600 19 – 16   .543
Northern Iowa † 11 – 9   .550 23 – 13   .639
Valparaiso 11 – 9   .550 18 – 15   .545
Southern Illinois 10 – 10   .500 16 – 16   .500
Drake 6 – 14   .300 14 – 19   .424
Indiana State 4 – 16   .200 11 – 21   .344
Evansville 3 – 17   .150 7 – 25   .219
† 2026 MVC tournament winner
As of March 20, 2026

The 2025–26 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball season began with practices in October 2025, followed by the start of the 2025–26 NCAA Division I men's basketball season in November. Conference play is scheduled to begin in December 2025 and end in March of 2026. Drake is the defending conference champion, having made the NCAA tournament in 2025 after winning both the MVC regular season and tournament titles.

With the departure of Missouri State to Conference USA, the conference comprises eleven teams. It is the lowest total of teams since the 2021-22 season, when there were only ten teams in the conference prior to the addition of Belmont and Murray State from the OVC, and UIC from the Horizon League.[1][2]

Head coaches

Coaches

Team Head coach Previous job Year at school Overall record MVC record MVC championships NCAA Tournaments
Belmont Casey Alexander Lipscomb 7 140-54 39-21 0 0
Bradley Brian Wardle Green Bay 11 181-145 97-85 2 1
Drake Eric Henderson South Dakota State 1 0-0 0-0 0 0
Evansville David Ragland Butler
(asst.) 		4 33-66 15-45 0 0
Illinois State Ryan Pedon Ohio State
(asst.) 		4 48-52 25-35 0 0
Indiana State Matthew Graves Indiana State
(asso. HC) 		2 14-18 8-12 0 0
Murray State Ryan Miller Creighton
(asst.) 		1 0-0 0-0 0 0
Northern Iowa Ben Jacobson Northern Iowa
(asst.) 		20 374-246 209-139 4 4
Southern Illinois Scott Nagy Wright State 2 14-19 8-12 0 0
UIC Rob Ehsan Stanford
(asst.) 		2 17-14 10-10 0 0
Valparaiso Roger Powell Jr. Gonzaga
(asst.) 		3 22-44 9-31 0 0

Notes:

  • All records, appearances, titles, etc. are from time with current school only.
  • Year at school includes the 2025–26 season.
  • Overall and MVC records are from time at current school and are through the end of the 2024-25 season.

Preseason

Preseason polls

The Missouri Valley Conference identified only the top five teams in its annual coaches, staff, and media poll for the 2025-26 season, and published its list of preseason conference "players to watch".[3]

When the league fell short with that poll in late September, the MVC media collaborated and conducted a poll among 20 league beat writers to establish a ranking for all 11 teams, plus the conventional first and second All-Valley team selections.[4]

Rank Team
1. Illinois State (14)
2. Northern Iowa (1)
3. Bradley (2)
4. Murray State (2)
5. Belmont
6. Drake (1)
7. Southern Illinois
8. UIC
9. Indiana State
10. Valparaiso
11. Evansville
(first-place votes)

Preseason Missouri Valley media teams

Honor Recipient
MVC Media First Team Chase Walker, Illinois State
Johnny Kinziger, Illinois State
Tyler Lundblade, Belmont
Trey Campbell, Northern Iowa
Jaquan Johnson, Bradley
MVC Media Second Team Connor Turnbull, Evansville
Fred King, Murray State
Isaiah Stafford, Southern Illinois
Ahmad Henderson II, UIC
Demarion Burch, Bradley

Source[5]

Regular season

Early season tournaments

The following table summarizes the multiple-team events (MTE) or early-season tournaments in which teams from the Missouri Valley Conference will participate.[6]

Team Tournament Dates Result
Belmont Coconut Hoops November 24-26 Royal Palm Division
Champions
Bradley ESPN Events Invitational November 24-26 Adventure Bracket
3rd Place
Drake Emerald Coast Classic November 28-29 Lost vs LSU†
Won vs Georgia Tech†
Evansville Paradise Jam November 21-24 5th Place
Illinois State ESPN Events Invitational November 27-28 Imagination Bracket
Champions
Indiana State Louisiana Tech MTE November 26-29 Lost vs Louisiana Tech†
Lost vs Alcorn State†
Murray State Cayman Islands Classic November 23-25 Lost vs Middle Tennessee†
Lost vs McNeese†
Won vs George Washington†
Northern Iowa Acrisure Holiday Invitational November 25-26 2nd Place
Southern Illinois Jacksonville Classic November 23-25 Won vs Delaware†
Lost vs UAB†
UIC Boardwalk Battle November 20–22 3rd Place
Valparaiso BBN United Tipoff Classic November 4-14 Won vs Eastern Illinois
Won vs Nicholls
Lost at Kentucky

† Denotes Neutral Site

MVC records vs other conferences

The MVC has a record of 75–46 in non-conference play during the regular season.
The MVC has a record of 0–0 during tournament play.

Record against ranked opponents

This is a list of games against ranked opponents only (rankings from the AP Poll at time of the game):

Date Visitor Home Site Significance Score Conference record
Nov. 4 Evansville No. 1 Purdue Mackey Arena
West Lafayette, IN		 - 51-82 0-1
Nov. 7 Valparaiso No. 9 Kentucky Rupp Arena
Lexington, KY		 BBN United Tipoff Classic 59-107 0-2
Nov. 14 Indiana State No. 4 Duke Cameron Indoor Stadium
Durham, NC		 − 62-100 0−3

† Denotes Neutral Site
Thru January 24, 2026

Conference matrix

This table summarizes the head-to-head results between teams in conference play.[7]
Thru January 24, 2026

  Belmont Bradley Drake Evansville Illinois
State 		Indiana
State 		Murray
State 		Northern
Iowa 		Southern
Illinois 		UIC Valpo
vs BU – 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 1-0 0-0 0-1 1-1 0-1 0-1
vs BR 1-0 – 0-1 0-2 1-0 0-2 1-0 0-1 0-1 0-0 0-0
vs DU 1-0 1-0 – 0-1 1-0 0-2 1-1 0-0 0-1 1-0 0-0
vs UE 1-0 2-0 1-0 – 1-0 0-1 1-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0
vs IlSU 1-0 0-1 0-1 0-1 – 1-1 0-0 0-1 0-1 1-0 1-0
vs InSU 0-1 2-0 2-0 1-0 1-1 – 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
vs MrSU 0-0 0-1 1-1 0-1 0-0 0-1 – 0-0 0-1 0-1 0-2
vs UNI 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-1 1-0 0-1 0-0 – 0-0 1-1 1-1
vs SIU 1-1 1-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 – 1-0 1-1
vs UIC 1-0 0-0 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-0 1-0 1-1 0-1 – 1-0
vs VU 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-0 2-0 1-1 1-1 0-1 –
Total 8–2 7–3 5–5 1–8 6–4 2–8 8–1 4–5 2–7 5–4 4–5

Player of the week

Periodically, throughout the season, the Missouri Valley Conference named a player of the week, a newcomer of the week, and a freshman of the week.

Date Player of the week Newcomer
of the week 		Freshman of the week
November 10, 2025[8] Jaquan Johnson, Bradley Ian Scott, Indiana State Ty’Reek Coleman, Illinois State
November 17, 2025[9] Javon Jackson, Murray State Quel'Ron House, Southern Illinois Rakim Chaney, Valparaiso
November 24, 2025[10] Trey Campbell, Northern Iowa Mekhi Lowery, UIC Rakim Chaney (2), Valparaiso
December 1, 2025[11] Tyler Lundblade, Belmont Jalen Quinn, Drake Roman Domon, Murray State
December 8, 2025[12] Connor Turnbull, Evansville Owen Dease, Valparaiso Mason Klabo, Illinois State
December 15, 2025[13] Leon Bond III, Northern Iowa Layne Taylor, Murray State Jack Smiley, Belmont
December 23, 2025[14] Jaquan Johnson (2), Bradley Fred King, Murray State Roman Domon (2), Murray State
January 5, 2026[15] Chase Walker, Illinois State Owen Dease (2), Valparaiso JT Pettigrew, Valparaiso
January 12, 2026[16] Drew Scharnowski, Belmont Abdul Momoh, UIC Roman Domon (3), Murray State
January 19, 2026[17] Chase Walker (2), Illinois State Owen Dease (3), Valparaiso Eoin Dillon, Belmont
January 26, 2026[18] Jalen Quinn, Drake Elijah Crawford, UIC Eoin Dillon (2), Belmont
February 2, 2026[19] Alex Huibregtse, Bradley Jalen Quinn (2), Drake Eoin Dillon (3), Belmont
February 9, 2026[20] Fred King, Murray State Quel'Ron House (2), Southern Illinois Roman Domon (4), Murray State
February 16, 2026[21] Jaquan Johnson (3), Bradley Elijah Crawford (2), UIC JT Pettigrew (2), Valparaiso
February 23, 2026[22] Quel'Ron House, Southern Illinois Elijah Crawford (3), UIC JT Pettigrew (3), Valparaiso
March 2, 2026[23] AJ Casey, Evansville Boden Skunberg, Illinois State JT Pettigrew (4), Valparaiso

Honors and awards

All-Conference awards and teams

The MVC announced its all-conference teams and major honors on March 4, 2026.[24]

Honor Recipient
Larry Bird Player of the Year Tyler Lundblade, Belmont
Coach of the Year Casey Alexander, Belmont
Defensive MVP Jaquan Johnson, Bradley
Sixth Man of the Year Roman Domon, Murray State
Newcomer of the Year Fred King, Murray State
Freshman of the Year Roman Doman, Murray State
First Team
Jaquan Johnson, Bradley
Fred King, Murray State
Tyler Lundblade, Belmont
Chase Walker, Illinois State
Drew Scharnowski, Belmont
Jalen Quinn, Drake
Second Team
Trey Campbell, Northern Iowa
Elijah Crawford, UIC
Quel'Ron House, S. Illinois
Javon Jackson, Murray State
Sam Orme, Belmont
Third Team AJ Casey, Evansville
Owen Dease, Valparaiso
Roman Domon, Murray State
Alex Huibregtse, Bradley
JT Pettigrew, Valparaiso

Postseason

MVC Tournament

Main article: 2026 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament
Opening Round
March 5
MVC TV Network/ESPN+ 		Quarterfinals
March 6
MVC TV Network/ESPN+ 		Semifinals
March 7
CBSSN 		Final
March 8
CBS/Paramount+
1 Belmont 79
8 Southern Illinois 63 9 Drake 100
9 Drake 67 9 Drake 51
5 UIC 72
4 Murray State 79
5 UIC 92
5 UIC 69
6 Northern Iowa 84
2 Bradley 90
7 Valparaiso 63 7 Valparaiso 84 2OT
10 Indiana State 62 2 Bradley 69
6 Northern Iowa 73
3 Illinois State 52
6 Northern Iowa 68 6 Northern Iowa 74
11 Evansville 59

Source:[25]

NCAA Tournament

Main article: 2026 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament

The winner of the MVC tournament will receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Seed Region School Round of 64 Round of 32 Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight Final Four Championship
12 East Northern Iowa L 53–79 vs. (12) St. John's DNP
W–L (%): 0–1 (.000) 0–0 (–) 0–0 (–) 0–0 (–) 0–0 (–) 0–0 (–) Total: 0–1 (.000)

National Invitation Tournament

Main article: 2026 National Invitation Tournament

MVC teams that participate in the 2026 NIT will be tracked here.

School First round Second Round Quarterfinal Semifinal Championship
TBD - - - - -
W–L (%): 0–0 (–) 0–0 (–) 0–0 (–) 0–0 (–) 0–0 (–) Total: 0–0 (–)

References

  1. ^ Dent, Bucky (June 30, 2022). "MVC welcomes Belmont, Murray State, UIC". The Southern. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  2. ^ "Loyola Chicago leaving MVC to join Atlantic 10". ESPN.com. November 16, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  3. ^ "MVC Men's Basketball Preseason Special Airs on Field of 68". mvc-sports.com. September 29, 2025. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  4. ^ Eminian, Dave. "Where Missouri Valley Conference media picked Bradley and its players". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  5. ^ Eminian, Dave. "Where Missouri Valley Conference media picked Bradley and its players". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  6. ^ Dobbertean, Chris (June 28, 2025). "2025-26 Men's College Basketball Exempt Multi-Team Event (MTE) Tracker". SB Nation. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  7. ^ "2025-26 Men's Missouri Valley Conference Season Summary". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  8. ^ "MVC Men's Basketball Weekly Notebook - 11-10-2025". mvc-sports.com. November 10, 2025. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  9. ^ "MVC Men's Basketball Weekly Notebook - 11-17-2025". mvc-sports.com. November 17, 2025. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  10. ^ "Missouri Valley MBB Weekly Update 11.24.25". mvc-sports.com. November 24, 2025. Retrieved November 24, 2025.
  11. ^ "Missouri Valley MBB Weekly Update 12.01.25". mvc-sports.com. December 1, 2025. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  12. ^ "Missouri Valley MBB Weekly Update 12.08.25". mvc-sports.com. December 8, 2025. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
  13. ^ "Missouri Valley Men's Basketball Notebook 12-15-2025". mvc-sports.com. December 15, 2025. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  14. ^ "MVC Announces MBB Players of the Week". mvc-sports.com. December 23, 2025. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
  15. ^ "MVC Men's Basketball Weekly Notebook". mvc-sports.com. January 5, 2026. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  16. ^ "MVC Men's Basketball Weekly Notebook". mvc-sports.com. January 12, 2026. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  17. ^ "MVC Men's Basketball Weekly Notebook (1-19-26)". mvc-sports.com. January 19, 2026. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  18. ^ "MVC Men's Basketball Weekly Notebook 1-26-2026". mvc-sports.com. January 26, 2026. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  19. ^ "MVC Men's Basketball Weekly Notebook (2-2-26)". mvc-sports.com. February 2, 2026. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  20. ^ "MVC Men's Basketball Weekly Notebook (2-9-26)". mvc-sports.com. February 9, 2026. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  21. ^ "MVC Men's Basketball Weekly Notebook (2-16-26)". mvc-sports.com. February 16, 2026. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  22. ^ "MVC Men's Basketball Weekly Notebook (2-23-26)". mvc-sports.com. February 23, 2026. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  23. ^ "MVC Announces Men's Basketball Players of the Week". mvc-sports.com. March 2, 2026. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  24. ^ https://mvc-sports.com/news/2026/3/4/arch-madness-2026-missouri-valley-all-conference-teams.aspx
  25. ^ "Arch Madness - Missouri Valley Conference". mvc-sports.com. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
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