The March to the Arch takes place this weekend as teams from the Missouri Valley Conference all clash together in St. Louis. This year will mark the 32nd tournament in the Gateway to the West.

This year more than ever before it will feature fierce competition as there are 3 teams that finished with over 20 victories. The #1 seed Northern Iowa isn’t even one of those teams.

Loyola Chicago, Drake and Missouri State all come into the tournament with already having great success during the regular season. However, all of these squads will want to punch their auto-bid ticket to the Big Dance on Sunday.

As mentioned, Northern Iowa is the top dog this season in the MVC, defeating Loyola Chicago on the final day of the regular season to get the No. 1 seed. This doesn’t guarantee automatic success however. In the 31-year history of this tournament in St. Louis, the No. 1 seed has only won 10 times. 

Northern Iowa will be hungry to win the title this season as last season’s run was cut short due to a COVID-19 outbreak among the squad.

Led by MVC Player of the Year AJ Green, the Panthers are looking primed to take the championship for the sixth time.

Northern Iowa will have its work cut out for them as three other teams are just as talented to win the tournament this weekend.

The betting odds favorite Loyola Chicago has made a name for themselves in recent history. In 2017, the Ramblers went on a magical final four run as an 11 seed and just last season they went to the Sweet 16 after knocking off number one seed Illinois.

Loyola comes into the tournament as the four seed but with the pedigree they have made for themselves, they are surely a threat not to be taken lightly.

Missouri State and Drake also are decent odds to take home this year’s crown. Both have identical records and are very similar teams. Drake made the tournament last year as one of the last four byes before losing in the first round to USC.

Missouri State on the other hand is looking to get revenge on Drake after the Bulldogs ended their season in this tournament. Barring an upset, this is going to be an electric rematch.

No. 5 seed Bradley comes into this tournament with nobody talking about them at all. They have won this conference four times, including the 2020 COVID-canceled season. The Braves were unable to bounce back last season, losing in the first round. However, this year’s squad is much improved and they have the tools necessary to pull off a bid steal.
The Pick: Northern Iowa