Arch Madness Tournament Starts Thursday Amid MVC Honors

The Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) recently announced its 2024-25 basketball honors, with Bradley's Duke Deen earning a spot on the All-MVC First Team while Drake's Bennett Stirtz was named MVC Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. Bradley, the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Arch Madness tournament, is set to face the winner of the Evansville-Murray State matchup in the quarterfinals. Despite Drake's dominance during the season, Bradley remains a strong contender, having performed well on the road and previously defeating Drake on their home floor. Meanwhile, Missouri State prepares for its final MVC tournament appearance before moving to Conference USA, reflecting on a history of near misses in the tournament. The 2025 Arch Madness tournament kicks off this week, with teams vying for a coveted NCAA Tournament berth. Analysts believe Bradley's path to success is realistic, especially if they can capitalize on favorable matchups.