Rogers' *10* Missouri Valley BEST OF THE BEST >> 15-7 L22 NCAA 10*s!
(NCAAB) Missouri State vs. Northern Iowa,
Point Spread: -2.00 | -110.00 Northern Iowa (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The MVC tourney, better-known now as "Arch Madness," began last night, although 16-15 Missouri State and 14-15 Northern Iowa will take the court for the first time in this tourney, Friday night. Missouri State owns the slightly better overall record but was just 7-11 in MVC play, while Northern Iowa was 9-9. The teams split two regular season meetings, with the road team coming away with a win each time.

Missouri State: The Bears limp in having lost six of seven, including a 55-52 home loss to the Panthers. Missouri State will own the best big man in this game, as the 6-9 Alize Johnson leads the team in scoring (14.5) and rebounding (10.5). A pair of guards also chip in averaging double digits, Miller (13.1 & 3.8 APG) and Rousseau III (11.6).

Northern Iowa: The Panthers eto be making a late push, ripping off four consecutive wins in early February but Northern Iowa lost its final three games. Guard Morgan leads the ete scoring (14.7) and also in rebounding (5.9), as Northern Iowa's top-scoring frontcourt player, Koch (10.9 PPG), may be an accurate shooter at 57.3 percent from the floor but he's hardly much of a rebounder (3.7 per game).

The pick: Neither team figures to advance past the next round but Northern Iowa was able to recently win at Springfield, so this neutral setting (Scottrade Center in St. Louis) should make it easier. Note that Northern Iowa is 16-5-1 ATS in their last 22 neutral-site games. Make the Panthers a 10* play.